Faith and Inclusion: The Spiritual Israel Revealed

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Inclusion through Faith

True inclusion in the commonwealth of Israel is not about physical descent but about sharing in the faith of Abraham. This spiritual lineage is open to all who believe, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. The passage from Ephesians 2:11-13 highlights the transformation of Gentiles, who were once alienated from the promises of God, but are now brought near through Christ. This inclusion is not based on external rituals or ancestry but on a shared faith that unites believers into one spiritual family. The unity of God's people is a testament to His inclusive love, which breaks down barriers and invites all to partake in His promises. [05:24]

Ephesians 3:6 (ESV): "This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

Reflection: Who in your life might feel excluded from God's promises? How can you extend the invitation of spiritual inclusion to them today?

Day 2: Faith as the Key to Righteousness

The faith of Abraham is the key to becoming a child of God. It is not about external rituals but an internal transformation that aligns us with the promises of God. This faith, as demonstrated by Abraham, was counted as righteousness, and it is this same faith that allows Gentiles to be grafted into the spiritual lineage of Israel. The transformation is not about adhering to rituals but about a heart that believes and trusts in God's promises. This internal change is what truly aligns us with God's covenant and makes us part of His family. [06:14]

Romans 4:16 (ESV): "That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on rituals rather than faith? How can you shift your focus to internal transformation today?

Day 3: Grafting into the Promise

Gentiles are grafted into the promises of Abraham through faith, becoming part of the spiritual Israel. This inclusion is a testament to God's plan for salvation that encompasses all nations. The metaphor of grafting illustrates how those who were once far off are now connected to the nourishing root of the Abrahamic covenant. This connection is not a replacement but an inclusion, where all who have faith are welcomed into the family of God. The unity of God's plan is evident in how it brings together diverse backgrounds into one spiritual family, reflecting His inclusive love. [08:32]

Romans 11:17 (ESV): "But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree."

Reflection: How do you see yourself as part of the spiritual family of God? What steps can you take to deepen your connection to the promises of Abraham?

Day 4: Unity in Diversity

The unity of God's people is found in the shared faith of Abraham, which brings together diverse backgrounds into one spiritual family. This unity is a reflection of God's inclusive love, which transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries. The spiritual lineage of Israel is not confined to physical descent but is open to all who believe. This profound truth underscores the unity of God's plan for salvation, which has always included the Gentiles. It is a plan that is deeply rooted in the history and promises given to Israel, yet it extends to all nations through faith in Christ. [09:32]

Galatians 3:28-29 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."

Reflection: How can you celebrate the diversity within your spiritual community while fostering unity? What actions can you take to promote inclusivity in your church?

Day 5: Salvation's Jewish Roots

Salvation is from the Jews, rooted in the promises made to Abraham. Yet, it is accessible to all who have faith, demonstrating the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The history and promises given to Israel are the foundation of God's plan for salvation, which extends to all nations through faith in Christ. This profound truth highlights the importance of understanding the Jewish roots of our faith and recognizing the inclusive nature of God's love. Salvation is not limited to a specific group but is available to all who share the faith of Abraham. [10:45]

John 4:22 (ESV): "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews."

Reflection: How does understanding the Jewish roots of your faith enrich your relationship with God? In what ways can you honor this heritage in your spiritual journey?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Ephesians 2:11-13, we delve into the profound truth of how Gentiles, once alienated from the promises of God, are now brought near through Christ. Initially, Gentiles were separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope, and without God. However, through the blood of Christ, those who were far off have been brought near. This passage raises the question: must one belong to the commonwealth of Israel to partake in the promises of God? The answer is a resounding yes, but not in the way one might initially think.

The key lies in understanding that true belonging to Israel is not about physical descent or external rituals like circumcision. Instead, it is about sharing in the faith of Abraham. Paul illustrates this by pointing out that not all who are descended from Israel are truly Israel. There is an Israel within Israel, a spiritual lineage that transcends physical ancestry. This spiritual lineage is marked by faith, as seen in Abraham, whose belief was counted as righteousness.

Paul further explains this concept in Romans and Galatians, emphasizing that the true children of Abraham are those who share his faith. This faith is the means by which Gentiles are grafted into the promises made to Abraham, becoming part of the spiritual Israel. This grafting is not a replacement but an inclusion, where Gentiles are brought into the nourishing root of the Abrahamic covenant.

Thus, salvation is indeed from the Jews, but it is accessible to all who have the faith of Abraham. This profound truth underscores the unity of God's plan for salvation, which has always included the Gentiles. It is a plan that is deeply rooted in the history and promises given to Israel, yet it extends to all nations through faith in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Spiritual Inclusion: True inclusion in the commonwealth of Israel is not about physical descent but about sharing in the faith of Abraham. This spiritual lineage is open to all who believe, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. [05:24]
2. Faith as the Key: The faith of Abraham is the key to becoming a child of God. It is not about external rituals but an internal transformation that aligns us with the promises of God. [06:14]
3. Grafting into the Promise: Gentiles are grafted into the promises of Abraham through faith, becoming part of the spiritual Israel. This inclusion is a testament to God's plan for salvation that encompasses all nations. [08:32]
4. Unity in Diversity: The unity of God's people is found in the shared faith of Abraham, which brings together diverse backgrounds into one spiritual family. This unity is a reflection of God's inclusive love. [09:32]
5. Salvation's Jewish Roots: Salvation is from the Jews, rooted in the promises made to Abraham. Yet, it is accessible to all who have faith, demonstrating the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. [10:45]
** [10:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction to Ephesians 2:11-13
[00:29] - The Fivefold Alienation of Gentiles
[01:06] - Brought Near by the Blood of Christ
[01:27] - The Question of Belonging to Israel
[02:10] - Solving Alienation through Christ
[02:52] - The Bigger Picture of Salvation
[03:17] - Salvation from the Jews
[03:46] - Paul's Heart for Israel
[04:14] - The Israel within Israel
[05:07] - The Miracle of Election
[05:40] - Children of Promise
[06:14] - Faith and Righteousness
[07:31] - Grafting into the Olive Tree
[09:32] - The Necessity of Spiritual Citizenship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Ephesians 2:11-13
Romans 9:3-8
Galatians 3:6-9

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Observation Questions:

According to Ephesians 2:11-13, what were the five ways in which Gentiles were described as being far off before being brought near by Christ? [00:29]
In Romans 9:3-8, Paul speaks about an "Israel within Israel." What does this phrase mean, and how does it relate to the concept of spiritual lineage? [04:14]
Galatians 3:6-9 mentions that Abraham's belief was counted as righteousness. How does this passage define who the true children of Abraham are? [06:14]
What is the significance of the metaphor of grafting in Romans 11, and how does it illustrate the inclusion of Gentiles into the promises of Abraham? [08:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of being "brought near by the blood of Christ" in Ephesians 2:13 change the understanding of belonging to the commonwealth of Israel? [01:06]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that salvation is "from the Jews," and how does this relate to the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan? [03:17]
How does the sermon explain the role of faith in becoming a child of God, and why is this faith described as an internal transformation rather than an external ritual? [10:27]
What does the sermon imply about the unity of God's people and the role of diverse backgrounds in forming one spiritual family? [09:32]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you ever felt like an outsider in your faith community? How does the message of being "brought near" through Christ encourage you? [01:06]
The sermon emphasizes faith as the key to becoming a child of God. What steps can you take to deepen your faith and align more closely with the promises of God? [06:14]
Consider the metaphor of grafting from Romans 11. How can you actively participate in the spiritual family of God, embracing both your heritage and the diversity of others? [08:32]
The sermon highlights the unity found in the shared faith of Abraham. How can you foster unity within your church or small group, especially among those from different backgrounds? [09:32]
Salvation is described as having Jewish roots but being accessible to all. How does this understanding impact your view of the Old Testament and its relevance to your faith today? [10:45]
Think about the role of faith in your daily life. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your faith in practical ways, both within and outside your church community? [06:14]
The sermon discusses the internal transformation that comes with faith. Identify one area of your life where you seek transformation. What steps will you take to pursue this change? [10:27]

Sermon Clips

Remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands, remember that you were at that time and then he says five things about them describing how far off they were. [00:00:15]

Do you really have to belong to the commonwealth, the citizenship of Israel, in order to be a beneficiary of the covenants of promise, in order to have hope, in order to have God? In other words, do you have to be an Israelite in order to be saved? And the answer is yes. [00:01:27]

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. So the whole point of this unit is to answer yes to the question, do you have to be a part of the commonwealth of Israel in order to have the promises, in order to have hope, in order to have God? [00:02:28]

Not all who are descended physically from Israel belong to Israel. So there is an Israel within Israel, and not all are children of Abraham just because they are his offspring. So there's a children of Abraham category within the children of Abraham category, and there's an Israel within Israel. [00:04:33]

Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. So there's Paul's answer to who the children of Abraham are if they're not equated simply with the Jewish physical descendants, those of faith. And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham. [00:06:01]

Gentiles become children of Abraham, sons of Abraham by having the faith of Abraham. Here's the way Paul puts it in Romans 11. Now I'm speaking to you Gentiles, I'm the apostle to the Gentiles. If some of the branches were broken off and you are although a wild olive shoot. [00:07:14]

We have been grafted into the Abrahamic tree, the Abrahamic covenant to benefit from being true Israelites and now share in the nourishing root of theology. I think the nourishing root is the Abrahamic covenant, the promise made to Abraham that he would be a blessing to all the nations who believe and have the faith of Abraham. [00:08:30]

Do not be arrogant toward the branches, so you Gentiles don't be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it's not you who support the root, the root supports you. That's another way of saying salvation is from the Jews. The root supports you, you are saved because you are grafted into the promises made to Abraham. [00:08:59]

We said that because they are separated from the Christ, four things follow. They're not citizens of Israel and because they're not citizens of Israel, they don't have covenants of promise, and because they don't have covenants of promise they don't have hope, and the very best thing about hope is God and we don't have God. [00:09:37]

You become part of Israel not by any external act like circumcision, but by the internal reality of having the faith of Abraham in Messiah Jesus. So salvation is from the Jews, and we are being taught here and in the following paragraphs that God has a way of saving the nations. [00:10:21]

We must be Jews in order to be saved but not physical Jews, not ethnic Jews, not even necessarily circumcised Jews, but rather true Jews who have the faith of Abraham. [00:11:00]

The plan from the very beginning when Abraham was chosen was that through him salvation would come to the Gentiles by faith. So then those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham the man of faith. So there's Paul's answer, Gentiles become children of Abraham, sons of Abraham by having the faith of Abraham. [00:06:55]

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Faith and Inclusion: The Spiritual Israel Revealed

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Inclusion through Faith

Day 2: Faith as the Key to Righteousness

Day 3: Grafting into the Promise

Day 4: Unity in Diversity

Day 5: Salvation's Jewish Roots

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Faith and Inclusion: The Spiritual Israel Revealed

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