Israel's Salvation

Introduction

Read Romans 11:25-35

One of my favorite conversations at McLaurin Heights is when I have pre-baptism counseling with children after VBS and throughout the year. I always ask the question, “How big is God?”

What do you do when God doesn’t answer your prayers the way that you want Him to answer them? What happens when you do not fully understand what God is doing?

CIT: We can trust God’s plan, even when we don’t know what He is doing.

Body

English Standard Version Chapter 11

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.”

A. WE SEEK TO KNOW GOD TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITIES.

Explanation: God is saving Gentiles, and he has hardened the hearts of some of the Jews until the fulness of His plan is complete.

Application:

God is infinitely gracious and they are higher than our thoughts.

We are to try to comprehend what God is doing as much as we possibly can. 2 Peter 1, By the knowledge of Jesus, we look more and more like Him.

The Mystery of the Gospel:

God revealed something to Paul that had not been revealed before this time.

Paul revels in things that he does not fully understand.

This instance is something that God has newly revealed to Paul. What has been newly revealed is the partial hardening of Israel so that the world will know the gospel of Jesus.

English Standard Version Chapter 11

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.

2. WE TRUST GOD WITH WHAT WE KNOW.

Explanation: We don’t know why and why and when God is going to save. We just knew that he will continue to save forever.

They are enemies in the gospel and opposed to Christians.

They are beloved by God because of God’s promise to their forefathers.

Application

Paul had confidence in what He knows for certain about God.

Are you struggling with a circumstance that is causing you to doubt the goodness or faithfulness of God? Go back to the moment that he was first faithful to you. Start there. And work your way forward. You will quickly learn that he has never been unfaithful.

I often remember, October of 2001, when I gave my life to Jesus. God was faithful then. I remember the first time that I led someone to Jesus in Buffalo, NY.

English Standard Version Chapter 11

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.

WE ALLOW THE MYSTERY OF GOD TO FUEL OUR WORSHIP.

Explanation: Paul worships in the mystery of God.

Application:

1. We often try to place God in a box, and we rob ourselves of the worship of Him. The reference in Romans 11:34-35… do they sound familiar?

2. Elihu, Job’s righteous friend, then Job’s confession after Elihu and God’s rebuke. “I don’t know!”

3. Verse 36: A Prayer of Release. Everything that happens comes from him and through Him and to Him.