Rooted in Grace

Introduction

The Lighthouse in the Storm

There’s a famous lighthouse off the coast of Brittany, France—La Jument (ZHoo-mon). In one iconic photograph from 1989, massive storm waves rise higher than the lighthouse itself, completely engulfing it with roaring, destructive power. Spray, wind, thunder, darkness—everything around it screamed collapse. Yet the lighthouse stood firm, unmoved, secured to a rock foundation.

To those watching, it looked like nothing could survive such conditions—but on the inside, the keeper was safe. The foundation was stronger than the storm.

Transition: Romans 11 teaches this truth spiritually: When it looks like God has lost control, His grace has not. When it appears that His promises have failed, He is still preserving, purifying, and perfecting His people—just as He always has.

Romans 11:1–10 ESV

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” 9 And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; 10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.”

Pray

1. Remember God’s Preserving Grace.

Romans 11:1–10 ESV

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” 9 And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; 10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.”

Illustration

Deep in the Arctic Circle lies the Svalbard (SWALL-BARd) Global Seed Vault—a frozen sanctuary holding more than a million seeds. It exists because even if disease, war, famine, or disaster wipes out crops, the future is not hopeless—preservation already exists.

Even if the world’s fields are barren, inside that vault lies the potential for an entirely new harvest.

In Elijah’s day, it looked like the fields were empty and faith had vanished—but God already had a remnant preserved.Elijah saw emptiness; God had seeds in storage.

Application:

Never assume what you see is all God is doing.

There are always believers you don’t know, victories you can’t see, and plans you cannot trace.

When you feel alone, outnumbered, or spiritually discouraged, God has not abandoned His story or His people—including you.

2. Remain in God’s Purifying Grace.

Romans 11:11–24 ESV

11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! 13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

The Master Arborist and the Grafted Tree

A skilled arborist sometimes cuts off diseased or unfruitful branches to protect the tree. He may even graft in a different branch to strengthen growth. The pruning is not punishment—it’s purposeful correction that leads to greater fruitfulness.

Paul’s olive tree metaphor works the same way: — Some branches removed (unbelief) — Wild branches grafted in (Gentiles) — Roots remain nourishing (Abrahamic covenant) — The goal is not rejection, but restoration

Application:

Grace should produce humility, not arrogance

Salvation should evoke fear of God, not superiority

The Christian life must stay close to the Root—Christ—not achievements, heritage, or performance

If God can graft you in, He can graft anybody back in

3. Rejoice in God’s Perfecting Grace.

Romans 11:25–36 ESV

25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; 27 “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” 28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

The Backstage View vs. The Stage Performance

At a live theater production, the audience sees elegance — actors poised, sets lit flawlessly, costumes perfect, sound precisely timed. But if you step behind the curtain, you would see something very different: tape on the floor, props in chaos, actors panicking, technicians calling frantic cues, wires everywhere, and what looks like disorganized madness.

Yet what appears confusing backstage results in breathtaking excellence onstage.

Romans 11 reminds us: Right now, we live backstage — in the mess, mystery, edits, rewrites, and costume changes. But God alone sees the finished performance, and when the curtain rises in eternity, we will say:

“Perfect. Worth it. Glorious.”

Application:

When life looks chaotic, remember: you’re looking from backstage, not the balcony.

God is not improvising — He is directing every scene toward final glory.

Closing

Remember God’s Preserving Grace

Remain in God’s Purifying Grace

Rejoice in God’s Perfecting Grace

The Tapestry From the Backside

When you look at the backside of a tapestry, it appears messy—threads tangled, colors random, knots visible, no pattern recognizable. But turn it over and the image is breathtaking: intentional, detailed, and beautiful.

Life often looks like the messy backside. God weaves from the front side. And one day, He will turn the tapestry toward us.

Closing Call to Action:

When you can’t trace His hand, still trust His heart

When you don’t understand His work, worship His wisdom

When you feel confused, remember nothing in God’s story ends unfinished

End with verse 36:

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.”