Rooted in Romans

Good Morning!

Who knew spitting into a plastic tube would become such a popular pastime? Ancestry.com has more than 23 million members in its DNA network and 23andMe boasts more than 12 million customers worldwide. It’s never been easier to track down that great-great-grandmother from Norway.

We’re also watching professional historians do it on television. We tune in to shows like Antiques Roadshow, American Pickers, and Finding Your Roots. Ancestry sells. Genealogy is having a pop culture moment.

But why now? What are we searching for? Genealogist Bernice Bennett says, “There may be some people who are looking to find that they’re connected to Pocahontas, trying to find somebody famous, but you also have others who are saying there’s something missing. Who am I? How can I find that information, and how can it make me feel whole?”

In other words, we’re searching for belonging. We want to recognize ourselves. Our own sense of being and purpose can be reaffirmed when we see ourselves in the generations that have come before us. We are hard-wired for such connection. While many of us feel adrift, genealogy research and programs tap into an unmet need.

We hear this story this morning, and the reality is, when it comes to life… there’s really a need to understand where we come from… To understand our lineage… Why are we here, how did we get here, what is my purpose? In fact, if you look through the bible, You’ll notice a number of genealogies, particularly in the Old Testament, that trace the connections between one man, one woman and their descendent.

Simply put, To understand ourselves… We have to understand our history, we have to look to the root of who we are.

If you have your bibles, turn with me to Romans 11. As you’re turning there this morning, we’ll find that a Holy Root leads to 3 things. 1. A Holy Root, a Holy fruit 2. Holy Root, Nourished fruit. 3. Holy Root, disciplined fruit.

Beginning with Point 1. A Holy Root, leads to a Holy fruit

Romans 11:11-16 11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

We stop and consider the scripture this morning. And You’ll recall God would use Paul, to write to the Roman Church, during Paul’s 3rd missionary Journey from the city of Corinth. And I was talking with Kim earlier this week…. Because, there are some parts of scripture that really spell out every last detail… They kind of explain the story pretty easily. There are other scriptures, that you really have to look into a bit further. That’s where we are this morning. We have to look a little further.

So, to give context, in the first 10 verses, Paul has been discussing Salvation. It’s a common theme throughout Romans, right? But Paul would reference Elijah, who you’ll recall on Mount Carmel has asked God to call down fire from heaven and consume the sacrifice, the bull. Right? there was the alter, and a trench around the alter, and the bull… 3 times water was thrown on the offering… and then Elijah Prayed. And unlike the Baal who failed to show up for the 450 priests of Baal, in 1 kings 18… What does God do? God shows up... God would consume not only the bull, but also the alter, and even lick up (the bible says) the water in the trenches.

Elijah then has the priest of Baal put to death… all 450 of them… and went from this place of victory and celebration…. To a place of despair. You’ll remember that the queen, Queen Jezebel, isn’t pleased by what’s taken place. So, she’s in hot pursuit of Elijah. Elijah would then run away, and eventually come to the place of Mount Horeb, or mount Sinai. Is another name for it.

And in Romans 11:1

1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

So here in these first 6 verses, Paul recalls the idea that God has been faithful to his people... He’s set aside a remnant (7,000 to be exact) who did not bow down, to Baal, who were saved during the days of Elijah.

Paul considers those of Israel who are the elect. And those who are hardened in their hearts. With the idea of Salvation, being the common Goal for all. We transition then, back to verse 11:

11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Here’s what I want us to notice. The first idea is Envy. And Paul would address that in verse 11. 11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. In other words, God allowed the Israelites to be Envious of the gentile people. And it goes on to explain in vs 14: 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

So, we’re discussing the idea of Envy, which God brought about… ultimately to lead to the salvation of both the Jew and the Gentile.

The second key is this verse 16 explains: 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Here the dough offered as firstfruits is a reference to the dough brought to the priest. The requirements of the law demanded that in a batch of dough, the first firstfruits, not only from bread and grain, but anything at all… that it be brought before the Lord. The idea being that everything belongs to the Lord… and so, the firstfruits are simply returning to the Lord, what is already his…

And if it’s from the Lord… then it’s Holy. It’s set apart. It’s blessed.

So too with the root… if the root, of the plant is healthy… Then the branches meaning (a young tender shoot) will or should be healthy as well. Holy root, Holy Shoot, Holy Fruit. (Paul has in mind Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the patriarchs of our faith. To God would establish his covenant. Of course this is true of Christ as well.)

Jesus would put it this way. Here’s the point, in our lives this morning. Being engrafted in Him… Who is Holy, if the root of us is Holy… Then our lives should back it up. Our walk should back up the talk. John 15

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Friends, if you were here last week. We talked about the Seed, the soil, and the Sower… If you’re here this morning, and the Word of God (seed) has been planted within you (born again / takes place In the heart).. simply put… you should bear much fruit…because apart from Him you can do nothing Here’s the question: “How’s your fruit this morning?”

I came across a story this past week that explains the following: A farmer once planted two fruit trees on opposite sides of his property. One tree, he planted to provide a hedge to hide the unsightly view of an old landfill… The other tree he planted to provide shade to rest under near a cool mountain stream which ran down beside his fields. As the two trees grew, both began to flower and bear fruit. One day the farmer lazily decided to gather the fruit from the tree nearest his house " the one used to provide a hedge from the landfill. As he brought the fruit inside the house, he noticed that it was a little deformed " the symmetry of the fruit was not very good, but still the fruit looked edible. Later that evening, while sitting on his porch the farmer took one of the pieces of fruit for a snack. Biting into the fruit, he found it to be extremely bitter, and completely inedible. Casting the fruit aside he looked across the field to the other tree over by the mountain stream. After walking across the field, the farmer took a piece of the fruit from the other tree and bit into it. He found the fruit to be sweet and delicious; he gathered several more pieces of fruit and took them to the house.

The fruit was greatly affected by the nutrition of the root. Just as the tree growing by the landfill was bitter, and the tree by the stream produced sweet fruit, so the Christian has a choice. He can either put down his roots into the soil of the landfill, or into the cool refreshing stream of Jesus Christ.

We must understand that the root bears the fruit. The fruit in our lives today, is evidence of the Root. Friends, How’s your root this morning? How’s your fruit? In Christ, Being engrafted into him, means the fruit of our lives, should reflect the goodness of him… are we doing that this morning?

2. A Holy Root, leads to a Nourished Fruit

17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

As we look to the scripture Paul introduces this idea of grafting. He writes: 17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.

Is anyone familiar with grafting this morning?... Let me explain (Picture grafting)

I learned this week, that grafting is a common custom that was practiced during Paul’s day, and is still used today. Not with every plant, but certain trees, Apple trees, cherry trees, peach trees, and others, even tomatoes evidently. But here we have in view, Olive trees.

And the idea was this, in the case of an olive tree. A mature olive tree can live to be several hundred years old. The problem is, that as the trees age, they lose their effectiveness to bear fruit. So, the practice of grafting, takes a solid, structured, firm, olive root and base of tree. And intertwines, a young, healthy, fruit bearing olive branch…

So, if we go back to the scripture for a brief moment, I want to explain this idea in greater detail with this idea of grafting now in mind.

17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.

here the branches broken off in verse 17 refer to those of Israel. God’s chosen people. Who though Israel, did not accept the gospel message. Though by genealogical descent, were from Abraham… they ultimately rejected the gospel message.

And Jeremiah 11:16-17 speaks of these people. 16 The Lord called you a thriving olive tree with fruit beautiful in form. But with the roar of a mighty storm he will set it on fire, and its branches will be broken. 17 The Lord Almighty, who planted you, has decreed disaster for you, because the people of both Israel and Judah have done evil and aroused my anger by burning incense to Baal.

What we find then is although some branches have broken off. God has not only preserved a remnant in Israel, those that are of natural descent. But God has also engrafted the Gentiles (you and I) into the root of our faith.

Here’s what I want us to see for a moment. 2 things:

1. First, As gentiles. We should view the fact that God chose to engraft us into him this morning as a privilege. We should be careful how we live.

Ephesians 5:15-16 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

2. Next - Because we are engrafted to the nourishing root. We’re nourished.

verse 17. 17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, (some of your translations may say rich sap or use the word fatness)

There is nourishment. For our anxieties, our cares, our burdens, there is sustenance. For our growth, for our health, for a sense of loving… it’s not us… it’s not the shoot… it’s the root.

Along these lines, I came across an article this week that explains: In a recent issue of GLASS Window, a contributor recalls that several years ago, The British Weekly published this provocative letter:

"Dear Sir: It seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and spend a great deal of time preparing them. I have been attending church quite regularly for 30 years and I have probably heard 3,000 of them. To my consternation, I discovered I cannot remember a single sermon. I wonder if a minister's time might be more profitably spent on something else?"

For weeks, a storm of editorial responses ensued ... finally ended by this letter: "Dear Sir: I have been married for 30 years. During that time, I have eaten 32,850 meals--mostly my wife's cooking. Suddenly I discovered I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet ... I have the distinct impression that without them, I would have starved to death long ago."

God is good. God is our source. His desire is to spend time with you. To be your source of nutrition, and life, and sustenance… But it requires spending time with him.

3. A Holy Root, a disciplined fruit.

Romans 11:22-24 22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

For the sake of time, we’ll just touch on these last verses. But Paul touches again on the natural branches of Israel, which in the end times, will be restored to the Lord. In fact, Revelation 7 speaks of the tribulation, and 144,000 people. 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, who would be saved during the tribulation.

But here’s what I want to notice. Both the kindness and sternness of God. A God Of fear and of Grace. and that we would realize, he is both. He is both loving, and kindness, while also being vengeful and stern. And verse 24 is really a cause for us to endure to the end. To continue in our faith this morning. For we’re told:

22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off

Kindness, and yet sternness…

I’m going to call the worship team back up at this time.

Colossians 2:5-7 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

As they come up… How’s your root system? Relationship with God this morning?

- How’s your fruit? Fruit of the Spirit.

- Sower

- Nourishment

Pray