Righteous Living: Hope in God’s Plan

Baby Dedications

Sergio and Leah Ojeda

Teddy & Samuel

The Spurgeon Library Conference

1 Timothy 3:15 “15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

Assembling of people who are called

It is not by my greatest effort, nor any other ministry campaign it is by the work of God in your life… so wheatehr you are here for the first time or many times it is becuase God has called you to His church.

What does this mean… well are we being obedient to the call. if you are called nothing gets in the way your participation and involvement in His church

The Wisdom of God is for the Local church- His word is for us! For all things pertaining to life and godliness.

I say this continually that we will be about the word of God it takes a fight to stay on this direction.

Para church organizations have their place but we will not rely on them to fill a need if God has called us to it he will provide the people and the passion.

Next time I will share two more points God encouraged me for us out of this text.

Let us pray for this call.

Intro: Rejection

Rejection scares us all doesn't it

Imagine a teenager at a school dance, mustering the courage to ask someone to dance. They pump themselves up, rehearsing what to say, only to get a shy smile and a soft "no." Instead of shame, they laugh it off, thinking, "At least I made an attempt!" Just like in life, rejection can be a stepping stone, teaching us to embrace vulnerability and find humor in our struggles.

Bible Passage: Romans 11:1-10

Summary: In Romans 11:1-10, Paul addresses the question of whether God has rejected His people, Israel. He emphasizes that there remains a faithful remnant chosen by grace, illustrating God's persistent faithfulness amid human disobedience.

Application: This passage reassures Christians that God's promises are unshakeable, even when circumstances seem dire. It encourages believers to trust in God's grace during their struggles, serving as a reminder that God always preserves a faithful remnant who can embody hope and faithfulness.

Teaching: The sermon could teach that God's grace is not only for the individual believer but also for the broader church community. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's work in preserving His people and invites believers to reflect on their place in this divine narrative.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the foundation of the remnant of grace. In Him, both Jewish and Gentile believers are grafted into one family, highlighting His redemptive work that spans across all nations.

Big Idea: God's faithfulness endures through generations, ensuring that a remnant of His people is always upheld by grace, encouraging us to live in the light of His promises and share that hope with others.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider exploring the historical context of Israel's disobedience in relation to the larger narrative of Romans. Investigate the theological implications of 'remnant theology' and how it relates to modern-day implications for the church. Utilize your Logos library to examine academic commentaries on Romans, particularly focusing on exegetical challenges and the nuances of grace in this context.

1. God's Gracious Faithfulness

Romans 11:1-4

May it never be- Not that it could but again answering the question with a plea.

God’s faithfulness endures. Elijah

1 Kings 19:9–21 NASB 95

9 Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 Then he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; 16 and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. 18 Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. 20 He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

Elijah- pleads with God, knowing what they have done and what is going on- honesty.

What has Israel done- a history of evil disobedience-

Elijah probably had a plan to stop all this- it always seem rational to offer God our help but

It seemed as if Israel had been rejected, yet we are to remember the grace of God- it is Him who preserves 7,000 who did not bow to Baal. (God takes our sin seriously)

2 Kings 19:1–4 “1 And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the Lord. 2 Then he sent Eliakim who was over the household with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3 They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and rejection; for children have come to birth and there is no strength to deliver. 4 Perhaps the Lord your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left.’ ””

This is occuring today- through Christ- there is and will always be a remnant- we are adopted as sons and daughters.

17  Our faith is not meant to get us out of a hard place or change our painful condition. Rather, it is meant to reveal God’s faithfulness to us in the midst of our dire situation. David Wilkerson “Have Faith in God’s Faithfulness” article (2009)

David Wilkerson

Israel has not been forgotten nor replaced.

Being replaced or forgotten is never good

(Grocery store story)

God does not forsake his own.

Psalm 9:10 “10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

How has he not forsaken His Own- Christ

Matthew 28:20 “20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

This grace manifests through Jesus Christ, ensuring the faithful remnant throughout history.

Last week the nearness of Christ.

This encouragement applies to any believer feeling forgotten or isolated, reminding them that God never forsakes His own.

Christ draws near- God’s gracious faithfulness- Living Righteously- not by works but by faith- You know where Jesus is encouraging you to have faith.

2. Grace Over Good Works

Romans 11:5-6

What defines the remnant

Grace not works- it is God’s grace that He chooses the remnant.

Lets talk about God’s grace for a second

God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of his light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.

Charles Spurgeon

You see why works is a far cry of the grace of God-

What is this grace- Christ- He fulfilled the promsies of God-

Our works based focus- is all but a horrible arrogant response to God

We have heard so much about this works based response- yet didnt the children of Israel- God clear communicates the saem truth today life by faith- He sees He knows He works.

It is divine mercy of God through Christ

Sinners- remember Holy Spirit reveals the enemy convicts…

Unfortunate news-

I like this truth from Donald Cargill

I have been a man of great sins, but he has been a God of great mercies, and now, through his mercies, I have a conscience as sound and quiet as if I had never sinned.

Donald Cargill

It is this divine mercy that leads us to repentance- where it becomes quiet and we move forward.

1 Corinthians 3:15 “15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

Rely, rely, rely on His sufficient grace, a remnant that lives by grace, not desiring earned favor.

John 6:28–29 “28 Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.””

3. Gracious Faith Versus Hardness

Romans 11:7-10

What hardened our hearts unbelief.- not being honest with unbelief (gentle as doves and wise)

The deceitfulness of sin is seen in that it is modest in its first proposals but when it prevails it hardens mens’ hearts, and brings them to ruin.

John Owen (Puritan Divine and Statesman)

Can you be a remnant with unbelief- no, there should actually be a reponse for the unbelieving one- who has heard the goodness and who has claimed to love Jesus but remains in unbelief.

1 Corinthians 5:1–5 NASB 95

1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. 3 For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 3:14–15 “14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

Galatians 6:1 “1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

You see we like to talk about faith in the good things, but do we have faith in the restorative power of Christ. Faith to report the immorality; faith to not associate with a disobedient brother, restore them with gentleness. - to receive such grace

Israel pursued their righteousness and misses the salvation- let Christ be Christ. Christ will faithfully do what we cannot do.

The other side to a hardened heart is one who is surrendered to Christ-

Examine your own faith today, it is rooted in Christ? it is rooted in an institution?. Is it rooted in a religious tradition-

Hebrews 2:17 “17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

Depend on the promises of God today.

Application: Part of living righteously is having hope in the plan of God

God is Faithful

Israel is not forgotten- God always works all things together for His Good

Grace is abounding

Christ

Faith in Christ

Communion.

Rise your hand if you need us to bring it to you.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 “23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”