Romans 11
May Memory Verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Read: Romans 11
In Romans 11 Paul is explaining the complicated reality of the family of God. As we read Paul’s explanation it should leave us with two feelings… heartbreak & gratitude.
1) Heartbreak (v.1-10)
The first thing Paul does is describe how the vast majority of Israel, God’s chosen people, have not come into saving faith in Jesus. God has not rejected them (v.1-2)... they have just missed it. They are so “earnestly” looking for favor with God but they have not found what they are looking for (v.7).
This is still true today and it is heartbreaking. If you go to Israel today to the Western Wall you will see Jewish people there seeking after God… praying for the messiah. Yet, He has already come and His name is Jesus.
It is heartbreaking to think that Jewish people have been so close to the truth, yet so far. Somehow they have missed who Jesus is and what He has done. This should break our hearts - people in our world have done the same thing. As Paul explained later, they are God’s chosen people… They are the foundation and we are grafted in by Jesus. We should be praying for Israel and their spiritual state.
2) Gratitude (v.11-24)
The second thing Paul did was go on to explain why we have hope as non-Jewish people. We have hope because God made salvation available to the gentiles (v.11). He has grafted us into the family. He has granted us promises of new life, salvation, and hope.
This should bring about immense gratitude as we think about what we deserve with what we have received. It does not even compare. And that is because God, in His kindness, has made it available through Jesus.
So, what should our response be to Romans 11:1-24?
1) Prayer - for Israel and for those who are lost in our world and looking for answers
2) A heart of gratitude towards God for all He has done
3) A life that expresses that gratitude by how we love and share with others
How did God speak to you today? Comment below!
By: Nick Parsons
Read: Romans 11
In Romans 11 Paul is explaining the complicated reality of the family of God. As we read Paul’s explanation it should leave us with two feelings… heartbreak & gratitude.
1) Heartbreak (v.1-10)
The first thing Paul does is describe how the vast majority of Israel, God’s chosen people, have not come into saving faith in Jesus. God has not rejected them (v.1-2)... they have just missed it. They are so “earnestly” looking for favor with God but they have not found what they are looking for (v.7).
This is still true today and it is heartbreaking. If you go to Israel today to the Western Wall you will see Jewish people there seeking after God… praying for the messiah. Yet, He has already come and His name is Jesus.
It is heartbreaking to think that Jewish people have been so close to the truth, yet so far. Somehow they have missed who Jesus is and what He has done. This should break our hearts - people in our world have done the same thing. As Paul explained later, they are God’s chosen people… They are the foundation and we are grafted in by Jesus. We should be praying for Israel and their spiritual state.
2) Gratitude (v.11-24)
The second thing Paul did was go on to explain why we have hope as non-Jewish people. We have hope because God made salvation available to the gentiles (v.11). He has grafted us into the family. He has granted us promises of new life, salvation, and hope.
This should bring about immense gratitude as we think about what we deserve with what we have received. It does not even compare. And that is because God, in His kindness, has made it available through Jesus.
So, what should our response be to Romans 11:1-24?
1) Prayer - for Israel and for those who are lost in our world and looking for answers
2) A heart of gratitude towards God for all He has done
3) A life that expresses that gratitude by how we love and share with others
How did God speak to you today? Comment below!
By: Nick Parsons
3 Comments
I always find a little hope in the words describing Israel: partial hardening. Its like God is saying, it's not yet too late you my friend. Come back from the cliff's edge, find this solid ground,, here...and yes you've sinned greatly but His grace is ever so much greater. Let the kindness of the Lord touch your greatest problems and your partial hardness can be made into full pardon, full restoration, and abundant life.
"If the root is holy,
so are the branches" (v16c)
This short segment of verse 16 grabbed my attention this morning. Healthy/holy roots produce healthy/holy branches. Am I making my relationship with Jesus, spending time in His word, and seeking Him in prayer the foundation of my life? Just as roots cannot be seen by man beneath the ground, man cannot see if I'm doing the aforementioned things. However God can see "the roots". If I expect to have holy branches then I must start with the roots. Thanks for the commentary today Nick.
Great message, Nick! I am so grateful to God for making us a part of His Family. It is humbling that God sent His only Son into the world to save us.