Embracing God's Sovereignty and Our Response in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on the profound truths found in Psalm 78 and Romans 11. We began by acknowledging the importance of community and service, celebrating the 140 members who have committed to serving in various capacities in the upcoming church year. This commitment exemplifies the heart of our congregation, which is to serve one another and our community.
We then delved into Psalm 78, a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the importance of passing on His truths to the next generation. We prayed for spiritual insight and steadfast hearts, asking God to forgive our stubbornness and ingratitude, and to help us remain faithful to Him.
Our main focus was on Romans 11:1-10, where Paul addresses the mystery of God's election and the hardening of hearts. We explored the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, recognizing that while God chooses some for salvation, He also hardens others. This is a difficult and humbling truth, but it underscores the importance of responding to God's call with urgency and faith.
We were reminded that God's promises never fail, and He always preserves a remnant, even in times of spiritual decline. This remnant is chosen by grace, not by works, and it is a testament to God's faithfulness and mercy. We were encouraged to remain confident in God's promises, to love and respect the Jewish people, and to seek out and join the remnant of believers who refuse to bow to the pressures of the world.
Finally, we were challenged to embrace the tension between God's sovereignty and our responsibility to respond to the gospel. We must proclaim the whole counsel of God, trusting that His word will accomplish His purposes. This should propel us to share the gospel with urgency and dependence on God's grace.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Promises Never Fail: Despite Israel's rejection of Jesus, God's promises to His people remain steadfast. Paul's own conversion is proof that God is faithful to His word. This should give us confidence that God's promises to us will also be fulfilled, even when circumstances seem contrary. [34:53]
2. God Preserves a Remnant: Throughout history, God has always preserved a faithful remnant, even in times of widespread spiritual decline. This remnant is not sustained by their own strength but by God's grace. We are encouraged to seek out and join this remnant, finding strength and encouragement in the community of believers. [43:09]
3. Salvation by Grace Alone: The remnant is chosen by grace, not by works. This humbles us, reminding us that our salvation is a gift from God, not something we have earned. We should respond with gratitude and live lives that reflect the grace we have received. [49:04]
4. The Mystery of Election: God chooses who will be saved and who will be hardened. This is a difficult truth, but it highlights the urgency of responding to God's call. We must not delay in turning to Christ, as spiritual sensitivity is not guaranteed. [54:21]
5. Proclaiming the Whole Counsel of God: We are called to share the gospel with the whole world, trusting that God's word will not return void. This should propel us to preach the full counsel of God without compromise, knowing that only God can open hearts and bring about salvation. [01:14:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:53] - Community and Service
[02:56] - Upcoming Events
[03:57] - Church Membership Class
[04:47] - Children's Ministry Kickoff
[09:18] - Introduction to Psalm 78
[09:55] - Prayer Guided by Psalm 78
[10:46] - Confession and Praise
[11:25] - God's Compassion and Grace
[12:16] - Jesus, Our Good Shepherd
[12:58] - Intercessory Prayer Time
[20:00] - Prayer Requests
[27:13] - Introduction to Romans 11
[28:57] - The Mystery of God's Election
[34:53] - God's Promises to the Elect
[43:09] - God Secures a Remnant
[49:04] - Salvation by Grace Alone
[54:21] - The Hard Truth of Election
[01:00:19] - God is Dangerous
[01:14:14] - Proclaiming the Whole Counsel of God
[01:18:16] - Call to Respond
[01:27:39] - Grounding Our Giving in God's Word
[01:30:43] - Final Announcements and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 78:1-8
2. Romans 11:1-10
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 78 emphasize about the importance of passing on God's truths to the next generation? ([09:55])
2. In Romans 11:1-10, how does Paul describe God's faithfulness to Israel despite their rejection of Jesus? ([34:53])
3. What is the significance of the remnant mentioned in Romans 11:5, and how is it chosen? ([49:04])
4. How does Paul explain the hardening of hearts in Romans 11:7-8? ([54:21])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of a faithful remnant in Psalm 78 and Romans 11 provide hope during times of spiritual decline? ([43:09])
2. What does it mean that salvation is by grace alone and not by works, according to Romans 11:6? How should this affect our attitude towards salvation? ([49:04])
3. How can the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility be understood in the context of Romans 11:1-10? ([54:21])
4. Why is it important to proclaim the whole counsel of God, and how does this relate to the urgency of sharing the gospel? ([01:14:14])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually stubborn or ungrateful. How can you seek God's forgiveness and cultivate a more steadfast heart? ([09:55])
2. How can you actively participate in passing on God's truths to the next generation within your family or community? ([09:55])
3. In what ways can you seek out and join the remnant of believers who remain faithful to God despite societal pressures? ([43:09])
4. How does understanding that salvation is by grace alone change the way you view your own faith and the faith of others? ([49:04])
5. What steps can you take to embrace the tension between God's sovereignty and your responsibility to respond to the gospel? ([54:21])
6. How can you show love and respect to the Jewish people in your community, and why is this important according to the sermon? ([41:56])
7. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel. How can you share the whole counsel of God with them this week, trusting in God's grace to open their heart? ([01:14:14])
Devotional
Day 1: The Unfailing Promises of God
God's promises are steadfast and unchanging, even when circumstances seem contrary. In Romans 11:1-10, Paul emphasizes that despite Israel's rejection of Jesus, God's promises to His people remain firm. Paul's own conversion is a testament to God's faithfulness. This should give us confidence that God's promises to us will also be fulfilled, no matter how bleak our situation may appear. We are called to trust in God's unwavering word and to hold fast to His promises, knowing that He is always faithful. [34:53]
Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: Think of a promise from God that you are struggling to believe in right now. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness and trust that He will fulfill this promise in His perfect timing?
Day 2: The Remnant Preserved by Grace
Throughout history, God has always preserved a faithful remnant, even in times of widespread spiritual decline. This remnant is not sustained by their own strength but by God's grace. Romans 11:1-10 reminds us that God secures a remnant chosen by grace, not by works. This should encourage us to seek out and join this remnant, finding strength and encouragement in the community of believers who remain faithful to God despite the pressures of the world. [43:09]
1 Kings 19:18 (ESV): "Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
Reflection: Reflect on your own community of believers. How can you support and encourage each other to remain faithful to God in the face of societal pressures?
Day 3: Salvation by Grace Alone
The remnant is chosen by grace, not by works. This humbles us, reminding us that our salvation is a gift from God, not something we have earned. Romans 11:1-10 emphasizes that our salvation is entirely dependent on God's grace. We should respond with gratitude and live lives that reflect the grace we have received. This understanding should lead us to a deeper appreciation of God's mercy and a commitment to living out our faith in tangible ways. [49:04]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: In what ways can you express your gratitude for God's grace in your daily life? Consider one specific action you can take today to reflect the grace you have received.
Day 4: The Urgency of Responding to God's Call
God chooses who will be saved and who will be hardened. This is a difficult truth, but it highlights the urgency of responding to God's call. Romans 11:1-10 teaches us that spiritual sensitivity is not guaranteed, and we must not delay in turning to Christ. This should propel us to share the gospel with urgency and to respond to God's call with immediate faith and obedience. [54:21]
Hebrews 3:15 (ESV): "As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'"
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have been delaying your response to God's call? What steps can you take today to respond with urgency and faith?
Day 5: Proclaiming the Whole Counsel of God
We are called to share the gospel with the whole world, trusting that God's word will not return void. Romans 11:1-10 encourages us to proclaim the full counsel of God without compromise, knowing that only God can open hearts and bring about salvation. This should motivate us to preach the gospel with confidence and dependence on God's grace, trusting that He will accomplish His purposes through His word. [01:14:14]
Isaiah 55:11 (ESV): "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the full counsel of God? How can you share the gospel with them in a way that is both truthful and loving, trusting that God will work through His word?
Quotes
1. "I do want to say this to the church, and this is, I thank God, but I also want to thank you, is the last time I did the data analysis on this report, there are 140 different people here at Mount Carmel that have signed up for an area service for the upcoming church year. That is crazy incredible." [01:53] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I mean, I think that's a wonderful notion that the people around you are going, I want to serve you in some way. And so I just want to say thank you. But we'll be voting on that report tonight." [02:56] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Thank you so much for coming to worship with us today. And as always, we're here to make much of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." [04:47] (5 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. That's what you need to look. For who he foreknew. Now, we don't know who he foreknew." [37:07] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's covenant blessings were always meant for a spiritual family united by faith in Christ, not by ethnicity. God's foreknowledge isn't just for a few Israelites. In fact, his promises are for everyone who believes no matter their background." [40:07] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Be confident in God's promises. We may not understand what God is up to. He may not fulfill them according to our way of thinking, but saints, his word never returns void. Never returns void. If he says it, he will do it." [40:43] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "God secures a remnant amid spiritual decline. Remember, he cites as his example about this elect that God foreknows, he cites as his example Elijah in 1 Kings 19." [43:09] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The remnant isn't some exclusive club. It's a family that's been gathered by God's grace. And here's what I can say. If you've put your faith in Christ, you're part of that family. You're part of that remnant." [53:14] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If you sense God's spirit drawing you to God. If you sense God's spirit drawing you today toward the treasures of his grace. Come on down to the altar this second. Don't resist. You have to respond with eager faith like a child. And embrace the gift of salvation offered freely in Christ." [59:32] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If you can see and respond to spiritual truth, it's only by God's grace. And I know that's really hard, because we sense, we think we're the ones doing it. And what Paul is actually saying, that's a divine enablement. If you can see and respond to spiritual truth, it's only by God's grace." [01:08:59] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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