God's Redemptive Plan: Unity, Perseverance, and Restoration
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Mount Carmel Baptist Church! Today, we delved into Romans 11:11-24, exploring the profound and complex nature of God's redemptive plan. We began by discussing the unique relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers, emphasizing that the church is meant for both groups. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, addresses the question of Israel's place in God's salvation plan, affirming that Israel's rejection of Jesus is not a permanent downfall but a part of God's larger plan to extend salvation to the Gentiles. This inclusion of Gentiles is meant to provoke Israel to jealousy, ultimately leading to their restoration and a global spiritual awakening.
We then examined the concept of "once saved, always saved," highlighting that this doctrine is meant to provide both assurance and a call to perseverance. True faith is evidenced by ongoing trust and obedience to Christ, not just a one-time decision. Paul warns against complacency and self-assurance, urging believers to maintain a healthy fear of God to prevent falling away.
Finally, we considered the dual nature of God as both kind and severe. This paradox challenges us to appreciate God's grace without taking it for granted. God's kindness is a lifeline that sustains us, but it also demands a response of faith and obedience. Paul assures us that no one is beyond God's grace, and even those who have fallen away can be restored if they turn back to Him.
In conclusion, we are called to embrace all aspects of God's character, both His kindness and severity, and to live lives that reflect His transformative power. This involves persevering in faith, staying hopeful for restoration, and persistently praying and evangelizing for the lost.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Church is for Both Jews and Gentiles: God's plan includes both Jewish and Gentile believers. Israel's rejection of Jesus has allowed Gentiles to be grafted into God's covenant, but this is meant to provoke Israel to jealousy and lead to their eventual restoration. This unity will bring even greater blessings to the world. [33:03]
2. Once Saved, Always Saved Requires Perseverance: The doctrine of eternal security is not a license for complacency. True faith is evidenced by ongoing trust and obedience to Christ. A healthy fear of God helps prevent pride and self-assurance, keeping us humble and aware of our need for Him. [48:10]
3. God's Dual Nature: Kindness and Severity: God is both kind and severe. His kindness extends grace and salvation, while His severity ensures justice and righteousness. We must appreciate His grace without taking it for granted, understanding that persevering faith is vital for remaining in His kindness. [01:01:59]
4. Hope for Restoration: No one is beyond God's grace. Even those who have fallen away can be restored if they turn back to Him. This gives us hope for our loved ones who seem hardened towards God. We must persist in prayer and evangelism, trusting in God's power to restore. [01:05:48]
5. Embrace All of God: To mature in faith, we must embrace all aspects of God's character, not just the parts we like. This includes His kindness and severity, love and justice. A mature faith accepts and delights in the fullness of who God is, trusting Him completely. [01:12:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:47] - Introduction and Announcements
[10:35] - Prayer Based on Psalm 79
[17:39] - Intercessory Prayer Requests
[25:56] - Introduction to Romans 11:11-24
[27:07] - Describing God's Character
[28:57] - The Link Between Jewish and Gentile Believers
[30:00] - Israel's Rejection and Gentile Inclusion
[33:03] - The Church for Both Jews and Gentiles
[37:10] - Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles
[39:12] - The Olive Tree Analogy
[44:08] - Application: Pray for Israel's Restoration
[48:10] - Once Saved, Always Saved: Assurance and Perseverance
[53:14] - Abiding in Christ
[56:17] - How to Abide in Christ
[01:01:59] - God's Kindness and Severity
[01:05:48] - Hope for Restoration
[01:12:01] - Embrace All of God
[01:17:39] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 11:11-24
- John 15:5-6
- Colossians 2:6-7
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 11:11-24, what is the purpose of Israel's rejection of Jesus in God's redemptive plan?
2. How does Paul describe the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers in Romans 11:11-24?
3. What does John 15:5-6 say about the importance of remaining in Christ?
4. In Colossians 2:6-7, what are believers encouraged to do after receiving Christ?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the inclusion of Gentiles in God's covenant provoke Israel to jealousy, according to the sermon? [30:00]
2. What does the phrase "once saved, always saved" mean in the context of the sermon, and how does it relate to perseverance? [48:10]
3. How does Paul’s analogy of the olive tree in Romans 11:17-24 help us understand our relationship with God and Israel?
4. What does it mean to "consider God's kindness and severity" as mentioned in the sermon? [01:01:59]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. How have you seen evidence of ongoing trust and obedience to Christ in your life? What steps can you take to ensure you continue to persevere in faith? [48:10]
2. How can you actively pray for and support the restoration of Israel, as encouraged in the sermon? What specific prayers or actions can you take this week? [45:07]
3. Think about a time when you may have taken God's grace for granted. How can you cultivate a healthy fear of God to prevent complacency in your spiritual life? [49:01]
4. In what ways can you demonstrate the transformative power of God's grace in your daily interactions to make others curious about your faith? [47:16]
5. How can you embrace both the kindness and severity of God in your understanding of His character? What practical steps can you take to balance these aspects in your spiritual life? [01:01:59]
6. Identify a loved one who seems hardened towards God. How can you persist in prayer and evangelism for their restoration? What specific actions will you take this week? [01:05:48]
7. Reflect on the concept of "cheap grace" as discussed in the sermon. How can you ensure that your faith involves genuine repentance, confession, and discipleship? [01:14:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Diversity
The Church is for Both Jews and Gentiles
God's redemptive plan is inclusive, designed to bring together both Jewish and Gentile believers into one unified body. This unity is not just a matter of coexistence but a profound spiritual integration where each group enriches the other. Israel's initial rejection of Jesus opened the door for Gentiles to be grafted into God's covenant, a move intended to provoke Israel to jealousy and ultimately lead to their restoration. This divine strategy aims for a global spiritual awakening, where the blessings of unity in Christ extend to all nations.
The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the church is not an exclusive club but a diverse family. The inclusion of Gentiles is a part of God's larger plan, and it serves as a catalyst for Israel's eventual return to faith. This unity will bring even greater blessings to the world, as both groups come together to reflect the fullness of God's redemptive work. [33:03]
Romans 11:17-18 (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, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you."
Reflection: Think of someone from a different cultural or religious background. How can you reach out to them this week to build a bridge of understanding and unity in Christ?
Day 2: Assurance and Perseverance
Once Saved, Always Saved Requires Perseverance
The doctrine of eternal security, often summarized as "once saved, always saved," is meant to provide believers with assurance of their salvation. However, this assurance is not a license for complacency. True faith is evidenced by ongoing trust and obedience to Christ. Paul warns against self-assurance and pride, urging believers to maintain a healthy fear of God. This fear is not about being terrified but about having a deep respect and reverence for God's holiness and justice.
Believers are called to persevere in their faith, continually seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ. This involves daily acts of trust and obedience, reflecting a genuine commitment to follow Him. A healthy fear of God helps prevent pride and keeps believers humble, aware of their constant need for His grace. [48:10]
Hebrews 3:14 (ESV): "For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you have become complacent in your faith. What steps can you take today to renew your commitment and trust in Christ?
Day 3: The Paradox of God's Character
God's Dual Nature: Kindness and Severity
God's character is a paradox of kindness and severity. His kindness extends grace and salvation to all who believe, offering a lifeline that sustains us. However, His severity ensures justice and righteousness, reminding us that God's grace should not be taken for granted. This dual nature challenges believers to appreciate God's grace while also understanding the importance of living a life of faith and obedience.
God's kindness is a gift that demands a response. Believers are called to remain in His kindness through persevering faith, continually seeking to align their lives with His will. At the same time, God's severity serves as a warning against complacency and disobedience. Understanding this balance helps believers to live in a way that honors God, fully embracing both His love and His justice. [01:01:59]
Romans 11:22 (ESV): "Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's kindness and a time when you felt His discipline. How can these experiences help you to live a more balanced and faithful life?
Day 4: The Hope of Restoration
Hope for Restoration
No one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Even those who have fallen away can be restored if they turn back to Him. This truth offers immense hope for believers, especially for those who have loved ones who seem hardened towards God. The promise of restoration encourages persistent prayer and evangelism, trusting in God's power to bring about change in even the most unlikely hearts.
Believers are called to hold onto this hope, continually praying for and reaching out to those who are far from God. The assurance that God can restore anyone who turns back to Him should motivate believers to never give up on anyone. This hope is a powerful reminder of God's limitless grace and His desire for all to come to repentance. [01:05:48]
Jeremiah 24:7 (ESV): "I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart."
Reflection: Think of a loved one who is far from God. Commit to praying for them daily this week, asking God to soften their heart and draw them back to Him.
Day 5: Embracing the Fullness of God
Embrace All of God
To mature in faith, believers must embrace all aspects of God's character, not just the parts they find comforting or agreeable. This includes His kindness and severity, His love and justice. A mature faith accepts and delights in the fullness of who God is, trusting Him completely. This holistic understanding of God helps believers to grow in their relationship with Him, fostering a deeper and more resilient faith.
Embracing the fullness of God means acknowledging His sovereignty and trusting His plans, even when they are difficult to understand. It involves a willingness to submit to His will and to live in a way that reflects His character. This comprehensive view of God helps believers to navigate the complexities of life with faith and confidence, knowing that God is both loving and just. [01:12:01]
Isaiah 45:7 (ESV): "I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things."
Reflection: Consider an aspect of God's character that you find challenging to accept. How can you seek to understand and embrace this part of God more fully in your daily life?
Quotes
1. "God's goal has not been to discard Israel. He wants to use our faith to make Israel jealous and so Israel would reclaim their covenant role that God has prophesied about. God has shown grace to undeserving Gentiles so that he might stir jealousy in Israel. I like to say it this way: this is Josh's theology of it. God wants to win the whole world back to win Israel back. That's amazing." [34:18] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul knows that he is playing a key part in advancing the totality of God's plan. His main focus on reaching Gentiles, he wants to reach them because the more he reaches us, the more jealous he makes the Jews. So we're talking about we're being reached indirectly through Paul so that he might reach his own people and that they might see Jesus as well." [37:30] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul teaches that the first part, let me read that to you, so he's kind of adjusting the analogy now. He's going to begin to use this olive tree and first fruits and root analogy that you saw him use for the majority of the text. Look at verse 16 real quick. It says, 'Now if the first fruits are holy, so is the whole batch, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.'" [39:12] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God takes wild, unruly people like us and he has grafted us into his family tree. That's the miracle of salvation. Now here's what's so amazing: if you go and study especially the book of Galatians, here's what I love is that you and I now, we share the same nourishment as the root. I want you to catch this: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they are our patriarchs and forefathers too." [42:22] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul warns you and I from feeling superior to the Jews who have fallen away. God's covenant with Israel is the source of our spiritual life. If you go back and look, all of the covenant blessings we receive, they were first promised to Israel, first given to them, and it's only because we've been grafted into Israel that we experience these covenant blessings." [44:08] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Paul contrasts Israel's unbelief with the Gentiles' firm faith. Do you see where it said 'stand firm' or 'stand fast'? This is one of the harder verbs to translate into English and it's because of the Greek tense that's here. The Greek tense for 'stand firm' or 'stand fast' in Greek, it's the perfect tense. The perfect tense in Greek means this: it means to enter into a state with ongoing results." [49:26] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "A healthy fear, a fear of God, will keep us humble and aware of our need for him. This is one of my favorite things that I found this week. This is a part of God's covenant blessings to Israel that you and I have been grafted in on. Look at what God's promise is to Israel and to us by virtue of our connection with Christ by faith. Listen, Jeremiah 32:40, 'Our God will make a permanent covenant with them.'" [51:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God's grace is never guaranteed. He judges righteously. He knows when to administer and when he goes, 'and that's enough.' Paul warns, notice what he says in verse 22b. Look at that. 22b, he says, 'Consider God's kindness and severity, severity toward those who've fallen, but God's kindness toward you.' And remember what I just said a minute ago about abiding in the root, abiding in the vine. Notice this phrase: 'If you remain in...'" [01:04:06] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Paul says Israel can be restored if they turn from their unbelief. It reminds us, saints, as much as hardening is a reality. It's a reality. That's a biblical truth. But no one is beyond God's grace because God goes, 'I'll have mercy on a hoop. I'll have compassion. I'll do this.' We can reach out to God and God goes, 'Yes, let's save them.' That's very possible." [01:06:28] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "God's power to restore is greater than our power to rebel. You can read this all through Romans, where sin abounds, grace super abounds. That's what it says. It can get past that, okay? God is more quick to forgive us than we are to sin. That's amazing. He just says, don't presume upon my grace. Don't presume upon my grace. He holds that intention." [01:11:22] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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