The rest of the story

Romans 11

God’s PromiseGod’s PromiseI will allow nothing to I will allow nothing to

separate you from Me... not separate you from Me... not even you!even you!

Romans 8:31-39Romans 8:31-39

But what about Israel!?But what about Israel!?

Why is Israel Why is Israel separated from separated from

God?God?• b/c God did not choose b/c God did not choose most Jewsmost Jews

election – 9:1-29election – 9:1-29

• No! Most Jews did not No! Most Jews did not choose Godchoose God

human responsibility – 9:30-human responsibility – 9:30-10:2110:21

• No! God is faithful – 11No! God is faithful – 11

So is Israel beyond So is Israel beyond hope?!hope?!

So God is responsible?!So God is responsible?!

God proves His God proves His faithfulnessfaithfulness

• By preserving a “remnant” By preserving a “remnant” for Israel (11:1-6)for Israel (11:1-6)–In Elijah’s dayIn Elijah’s day–In Paul’s dayIn Paul’s day–In our dayIn our day

God proves His God proves His faithfulnessfaithfulness

• By blessing all people By blessing all people through Israel (11:7-24)through Israel (11:7-24)–God hardened the JewsGod hardened the Jews• In cooperation with their In cooperation with their hardnesshardness•To show mercy to allTo show mercy to all

God proves His God proves His faithfulnessfaithfulness

• By blessing all people By blessing all people through Israel (11:7-24)through Israel (11:7-24)–God hardened the Jews (7-10)God hardened the Jews (7-10)–Jews remain a source of blessing Jews remain a source of blessing

(11-14)(11-14)–Jews remain God’s chosen people Jews remain God’s chosen people

(15-18)(15-18)

Abrahamic Covenant Abrahamic Covenant BlessingsBlessings

IsraelitesIsraelites

KoreansKoreansEnglishEnglish

SamaritansSamaritans

RomansRomans

AmericansAmericansChineseChinese

GreeksGreeks

God proves His God proves His faithfulnessfaithfulness• By blessing all people By blessing all people

through Israel (11:7-24)through Israel (11:7-24)–God hardened the Jews (7-10)God hardened the Jews (7-10)–Jews remain a source of blessing Jews remain a source of blessing

(11-14)(11-14)–Jews remain God’s chosen people Jews remain God’s chosen people

(15-18)(15-18)–Jews can be restored to blessing Jews can be restored to blessing

(19-24)(19-24)

God proves His God proves His faithfulnessfaithfulness

• By guaranteeing His By guaranteeing His promises to Israel (11:25-32)promises to Israel (11:25-32)–““Fullness of the Gentiles”Fullness of the Gentiles”–““All Israel”All Israel”–““Irrevocable”Irrevocable”

Micah 7:18–20 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Why should this Why should this matter to us?matter to us?

1.1. The fate of the world is tied The fate of the world is tied to Israelto Israel

2.2. Israel’s fate is tied to God’s Israel’s fate is tied to God’s faithfulnessfaithfulness

3.3. God is always faithful, so no God is always faithful, so no one is beyond hopeone is beyond hope

4.4. Therefore, worship God!Therefore, worship God!