God's Promises: Inclusion of Gentiles in His Plan

Devotional

Day 1: God's Promises Transcend Ethnic Boundaries

God's promises to Israel extend beyond ethnic lines, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles who trust in Christ. This inclusion is not an afterthought but a fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that His Word has not failed. The promise is not limited to all of Israel but is extended to the elect, the vessels of mercy, which now include Gentiles. This is a crucial point in understanding that God's promises are not bound by ethnicity but by His sovereign choice. [03:35]

Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt excluded or marginalized. How does understanding God's inclusive promise to all believers, regardless of ethnicity, change your perspective on your identity in Christ today?

Day 2: Radical Grace in Hosea's Prophecy

Hosea's prophecy that those who were "not my people" will be called "my people" highlights the radical nature of God's grace. It shows that Jewishness does not guarantee inclusion, nor does being a Gentile exclude one from being part of God's people. This prophecy foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles, demonstrating that God's grace is not limited by human boundaries or expectations. [06:11]

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you felt unworthy of God's grace. How can Hosea's prophecy encourage you to embrace your identity as part of God's people today?

Day 3: The Remnant and God's Sovereign Choice

Isaiah's emphasis on the remnant of Israel underscores that God's promises were never meant to imply universal inclusion based on ethnicity. Only a remnant will be saved, highlighting the importance of faith and God's sovereign choice. This understanding challenges us to recognize that being part of God's people is not about heritage but about faith and God's mercy. [08:12]

Romans 11:5-6 (ESV): "So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace."

Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you rely on your own efforts rather than God's grace. How can you shift your focus to trust in His sovereign choice and mercy today?

Day 4: The Mystery of Inclusion in Ephesians

The mystery revealed in Ephesians 3 is that Gentiles are fellow heirs and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. This unity in Christ transcends ethnic boundaries, making all believers one in Him. This radical redefinition of what it means to be part of God's people invites us to embrace our shared identity in Christ, regardless of our backgrounds. [09:48]

Colossians 3:11 (ESV): "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."

Reflection: Identify a relationship in your life where differences have created division. How can you actively pursue unity in Christ with that person today?

Day 5: Unity in Christ as Abraham's Offspring

In Christ, there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; all are one. This unity means that Gentiles who believe are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise, integral to the true Israel. This understanding calls us to live out our identity as part of God's family, united in faith and purpose. [10:26]

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: Reflect on how you view your role in God's family. What is one practical step you can take today to live out your identity as an heir of the promise, united with all believers in Christ?

Sermon Summary

In exploring Romans 9:24-29, we delve into the profound mystery of how God's promises to Israel extend to the Gentiles, including us who trust in Christ. This passage reveals that the "us" Paul refers to includes not only Jews but also Gentiles, expanding the definition of the true Israel. This inclusion is not a new concept but a fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that His Word has not failed. The promise is not limited to all of Israel but is extended to the elect, the vessels of mercy, which now include Gentiles. This is a crucial point in understanding that God's promises are not bound by ethnicity but by His sovereign choice.

Paul supports this argument by referencing the Old Testament, specifically Hosea and Isaiah. In Hosea, God declares that those who were "not my people" will be called "my people," which Paul interprets as a foreshadowing of the inclusion of Gentiles. This shows that Jewishness alone does not guarantee inclusion in God's people, nor does being a Gentile exclude one from it. The second argument from Isaiah emphasizes that not all Jews are part of the true Israel, but only a remnant will be saved. This underscores that God's promises were never meant to imply universal inclusion based on ethnicity.

The mystery revealed in Ephesians 3 is that Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. This is a radical redefinition of what it means to be part of God's people, where faith in Christ transcends ethnic boundaries. In Christ, there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; all are one. This unity in Christ means that Gentiles who believe are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise. This is the glorious news for us Gentiles, who are not merely added to Israel but are integral to the true Israel, fulfilling God's redemptive purpose.

Key Takeaways

1. The inclusion of Gentiles in God's promises to Israel demonstrates that God's Word has not failed. This inclusion is not an afterthought but a fulfillment of His redemptive plan, showing that God's promises are based on His sovereign choice, not ethnicity. [03:35]
2. Hosea's prophecy that those who were "not my people" will be called "my people" highlights the radical nature of God's grace. It shows that Jewishness does not guarantee inclusion, nor does being a Gentile exclude one from being part of God's people. [06:11]
3. Isaiah's emphasis on the remnant of Israel underscores that God's promises were never meant to imply universal inclusion based on ethnicity. Only a remnant will be saved, highlighting the importance of faith and God's sovereign choice. [08:12]
4. The mystery revealed in Ephesians 3 is that Gentiles are fellow heirs and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. This unity in Christ transcends ethnic boundaries, making all believers one in Him. [09:48]
5. In Christ, there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; all are one. This unity means that Gentiles who believe are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise, integral to the true Israel. [10:26]
** [10:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Introduction to Romans 9:24-29
[01:04] - Inclusion of Gentiles in God's Promise
[01:31] - God's Sovereign Choice
[02:06] - True Israel Defined
[02:35] - The Role of Gentiles
[03:14] - The Promise to the Elect
[03:35] - Old Testament Support
[04:06] - Hosea's Prophecy
[05:18] - Gentiles as God's People
[06:11] - The Significance of Hosea
[07:06] - Gentiles as Sons of God
[08:12] - Isaiah's Remnant
[09:08] - The Mystery of Inclusion
[10:09] - Unity in Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 9:24-29
- Hosea 2:23, 1:10
- Ephesians 3:6

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Observation Questions:

According to Romans 9:24-29, who are included in the "us" that Paul refers to, and how does this redefine the concept of true Israel? [01:04]
How does Paul use the prophecy from Hosea to support the inclusion of Gentiles in God's promises? [04:06]
What does Isaiah's emphasis on the remnant of Israel reveal about God's promises and their fulfillment? [08:12]
In Ephesians 3:6, what is the "mystery" that Paul reveals about the Gentiles, and how does it relate to the unity in Christ? [09:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the inclusion of Gentiles as "vessels of mercy" challenge traditional views of God's promises being limited to ethnic Israel? [03:14]
What implications does Hosea's prophecy have for understanding the nature of God's grace and the criteria for being part of God's people? [06:11]
How does the concept of a remnant in Isaiah's prophecy affect our understanding of who is considered part of the true Israel? [08:12]
In what ways does the unity described in Ephesians 3:6 challenge existing social and ethnic divisions within the church? [09:48]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own understanding of being part of God's people. How does the idea that God's promises are not bound by ethnicity but by His sovereign choice impact your faith? [03:14]
Hosea's prophecy highlights that being "not my people" can change to "my people." How does this transformation encourage you in your personal spiritual journey? [06:11]
Considering Isaiah's emphasis on the remnant, how can you ensure that your faith is genuine and not merely based on cultural or familial identity? [08:12]
Ephesians 3:6 speaks of unity in Christ that transcends ethnic boundaries. How can you actively promote this unity in your church community?
In what ways can you embrace the identity of being Abraham's offspring and an heir according to the promise, as described in Galatians 3:29? [10:42]
How can the understanding that Gentiles are integral to the true Israel influence your perspective on evangelism and outreach to diverse communities? [11:07]
Reflect on any personal biases or prejudices you may hold. How can the message of unity in Christ help you address and overcome these biases? [10:26]

Sermon Clips

Father as we probe into how the promises made to Israel actually apply wonderfully to the Gentiles that would include me and other viewers who trust Christ as we as we probe into how this works help us to be strengthened by how we are folded into the great redemptive work of God so make a stronger Christians more bold witnesses because of the role that we have as Gentiles in fulfilling the promise to Israel. [00:12:86]

The new thing that Paul does in this paragraph here that he had not done before in verses 1 through 23 of Romans 9 is to say that the US here not only include those from Jews but also from Gentiles I know this is beginning in the middle of a sentence and it would be good perhaps to backup and get the whole sentence. [00:59:82]

The true Israel now is not only limited not all Jews but only some from Jews but it is expanded by including some from Gentiles and I raised the question why Paul would introduce that here namely that Gentiles are included in the US who are the true Israel and I said it's because he saw that his main point in the chapter hangs on it. [01:42:95]

Not only is the promise not valid for everybody in Israel but only for the elect the vessels of Mercy but it is also valid for some from Gentiles and therefore if this is part of the promise to Israel than to establish this is necessary to see that the Word of God has not fallen and the way he argues now here and here from the Old Testament for these two points shows that he believes it is part of the promise to Israel. [03:03:17]

Hosea is about God's telling his adulterous bride Israel I reject you now I put you away you are not my people and then he says to her again you are my people why would he do that and I think they're there are two reasons why Paul would choose this text one is because he takes very seriously the words not my people when God says those who were not my people I will call my people. [05:58:24]

Paul sees this as so serious in other words God has just pronounced over Israel your Jewishness does not constitute you as my people which opens the door to seeing the fact that Gentiles can be seen in not my people because God is viewing the Jewish people as he rejects them as not his people their Jewishness doesn't guarantee their belonging to the true Israel and Gentile ishness doesn't exclude one therefore from belonging to the true Israel. [06:40:77]

Isaiah cries out concerning Israel though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea only a remnant shall be saved in other words the promises of the Old Testament never were intended to imply that every Jew would be included in the remnant or the saved elect for the Lord will carry out his sentence the Lord is doing this upon the earth without delay. [08:09:89]

God has promised that the asir of the elect of the vessels of mercy of the children of God would not only come from Jews but would come from Gentiles and this is the great mystery that Paul talks about in Ephesians 3 when you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ which was not made known to the sons of men and other generations as it was made known but it wasn't as clear. [09:08:54]

The Gentiles our fellow heirs members of the same body partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel we Gentiles who are in Christ Jesus our true jews and heirs of the promise and here's the way it says it in Galatians 3 in Christ Jesus you are all you Gentiles are all sons of God through faith for as many of you has been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [09:52:50]

There is neither Jew nor Greek there is neither slave nor free Jew nor Greek neither slave nor free male nor female but you are all one in Christ Jesus and if it is if you are Christ's if you Gentiles are Christ's if you have believed in him and belong to him you are Abraham's offspring you are the Romans 96 true Israel you are Abraham's offspring heirs according to the promise. [10:26:46]

That's got to be the best news in all the world for us Gentiles who all along thought that we were excluded from the redemptive purpose of God when it was really God's purpose all along that he would include Gentiles not just as some kind of marginal add-on to Israel but as the very heart of Israel along with Jewish people. [11:01:25]

The promise is not limited to all of Israel but is extended to the elect, the vessels of mercy, which now include Gentiles. This is a crucial point in understanding that God's promises are not bound by ethnicity but by His sovereign choice. [01:49:79]

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God's Promises: Inclusion of Gentiles in His Plan

Devotional

Day 1: God's Promises Transcend Ethnic Boundaries

Day 2: Radical Grace in Hosea's Prophecy

Day 3: The Remnant and God's Sovereign Choice

Day 4: The Mystery of Inclusion in Ephesians

Day 5: Unity in Christ as Abraham's Offspring

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

God's Promises: Inclusion of Gentiles in His Plan

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