The Olive Tree

I. Intro. -

A. Super at Wibaux Schools

B. Read Romans 11:17-24, Pray

Just as the jews historically thought of themselves better than their Gentile counterparts, now that they are in the minority, the Gentiles should not treat their Jewish born brothers in Christ as lesser than them. Paul continually reminds people throughout his epistles that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. Here he brings in a illustration in the form of an olive tree. As this is an illustration, we will be breaking down the imagery Paul is using to tell us what he means here. We need to be careful how far we take illustrations, I could have pulled similar imagery from John 15, the vine and Branches, that Jesus used, but there are two different points each image is trying to illustrate. For that reason, we will be staying here in Romans 11 and using what Paul was talking about starting in Romans 9 and 10 to build this olive tree.

II. The Tree

A. What is this tree

Who is the Root

Who is the Trunk

Who are the Branches

B. What is this Grafting

Normally taking a cultivated stem to a strong root.

There also was a practice of taking a wild shoot to a cultivated root in order to bring better fruitfulness to the tree.

C. Why is the Gardener cutting off branches?

Because of their unbelief

to graft those who do believe in

III. Arrogance

A. What Branches

The branches that remain

To the broken branches?

B. Who Supports Who?

The root supports the branches

The purpose of the branches

C. Branches were broken off

Paul doesn’t correct the question but confirms it

The same way they were broken off is again the same way you could be removed.

Is Verse 22 teaching that you could loose your salvation?

IV. Repentance

A. Re installed!

here is the Gospel at work

B. It is easier to graft the natural!

V. Conc. -

A. Rom 12:1-3