God’s Great Plan #

Romans 11:1-6

Intro.

The Apostle Paul is an excellent teacher. He has a lot of information, and takes great time and energy to teach the point he wants to make in the Book of Romans. I don’t want to get lost in the words of the chapter, but want to take a step back, and get a full grasp on what Paul (and specifically God) is trying to teach in this passage.

I. Confusion about Israel (Rom 11:1-6) #

• God is NOT done with Israel.

A. Proof - #

   1.  Paul was an Israelite and saved (1)

        a)  Paul starts out, with the fact, He is an Israelite, and
            he is saved
        b)  God has NOT written off the nation of Israel

    2.  Elias (2-4)

        a)  Elijah thought he was the only one, and yet God had
            many!

B. Principle - (5) #

    1.  God has a remnant!

    2.  England as a country, was the light of the World in sending
        missionaries, now... we are sending missionaries to them! Is
        God done with England?

        a)  England was done with God

    3.  America was founded on Godly principles, we as a nation have
        drifted far from God, is God done with America?

        a)  America has drifted from God!

    4.  Israel had drifted from God!

III. Corruption of Israel (Rom 11:7-24) #

A. Punishment (7-10) (9-10*) #

    1.  When a country wanders from God, He is NOT obligated to stop
        it!

    2.  Just as a christian would wander off, and live their life
        apart from God, He is NOT obligated to stop them!

        a)  They will miss out on the blessings of God in their
            life.
        b)  Israel misses out on many blessings, namely they are
            steeped in a religious belief system, that doesn't save
            them!

B. Privilege (11-15) 11* #

     1.  The result of their unbelief, Gentile people are saved!

     2.  Paul was called specifically to the Gentile people! (13)

     3.  God was specific about where he wanted Paul to go

         a)  Read the book of Acts, God is directing, leading Paul
             to heathen nations!

C. Parable of Grafting (16-24) #

    1.  No room for boasting (16-18)

        a)  A branch, only bears fruit!
        b)  The roots, are the one that stabilize, support, and
            provide for the branch!
        c)  The branch would be the gentile people, benefiting from
            the God!

    2.  Removing of the old branch (19-20)

        a)  No, Israel, as stated, walked away from God!

    3.  Re-grafting of Israel would be easy (24)

IV. Conclusion about Israel (Rom 11:25-36) #

• Paul here wants us to truly understand this mystery. (25)

  • Here lies the true meat and bones of what Paul wants to teach us:

A. Promise (26-29) 29* #

   1.  God still cares about Israel! (Isa 59:20-21)
    2.  Israel will be grafted back in (27)
    3.  God is Good to allow Gentiles time to be saved!
    4.  God is Good, because Israelites can be saved, though they
        are not the main focus

B. Praise to God (33-36) #

   1.  God's wisdom, and knowledge, far exceeds ours! (33)

        a)  As I try to understand, and teach the book of Romans, I
            often feel foolish, trying to wrap my head around it
            all.
        b)  We can marvel at God's profound wisdom, and knowledge

    2.   God's Glory is His Wisdom! (36)