Humility and Faith: Understanding Our Place in God

 

Summary

In Romans 11:17-22, Paul addresses the Gentile believers in the Roman church, emphasizing their relationship with the Jewish people and the church. The imagery of the olive tree is central, representing the people of God. Originally, the tree was almost entirely Jewish, but due to unbelief, many Jews were cut off, and Gentiles were grafted in. Paul warns the Gentiles against pride and arrogance, reminding them that they do not support the root, but the root supports them. This is a call to humility and recognition of their dependence on the Jewish heritage and the grace of God.

Paul's message is not just theoretical; it is deeply pastoral. He is concerned that the Gentiles understand the truth and apply it to their lives. He warns them against the danger of pride, which can lead to despising the Jews. The Gentiles must remember that their inclusion is not due to their superiority but solely because of faith. Salvation is not a matter of nationality or merit but of faith alone. Paul emphasizes that the Gentiles stand by faith, not by their own righteousness or inherent goodness.

The apostle also addresses a potential misunderstanding regarding the Jews' exclusion and the Gentiles' inclusion. He clarifies that the Jews were not cut off because they were inferior, but because of unbelief. Similarly, the Gentiles are included not because they are superior, but because of their faith. Paul uses a logical argument to drive home his point: if God did not spare the natural branches (the Jews), He will not spare the Gentiles if they fall into the same error of pride and unbelief.

Finally, Paul draws a profound conclusion about the nature of God, highlighting both His goodness and severity. This duality is crucial for understanding God's dealings with humanity. The Gentiles are urged to continue in God's goodness, lest they too be cut off. This teaching is relevant today, as it challenges us to examine our understanding of God and our place in His plan, urging us to live in humility and faith.

Key Takeaways:

1. Humility in Faith: The Gentiles are reminded that their inclusion in the people of God is not due to their merit but solely by faith. This calls for humility, recognizing that they are supported by the root, not the other way around. This humility is essential in our walk with God, acknowledging that our standing is by grace alone. [12:39]

2. The Danger of Pride: Paul warns against the danger of pride, which can lead to despising others. This pride is a misunderstanding of the way of salvation, which is by faith and not by nationality or inherent goodness. We must guard against pride, recognizing that it is faith that sustains us. [29:05]

3. Faith as the Basis of Salvation: Salvation is not determined by nationality or merit but by faith. The Jews were cut off due to unbelief, and the Gentiles stand by faith. This principle is foundational to the Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of belief over any other factor. [22:36]

4. God's Goodness and Severity: Paul highlights the dual nature of God—His goodness and severity. Understanding this balance is crucial for a proper relationship with God, as it prevents us from creating a distorted image of Him based on partial truths. [37:16]

5. The Importance of Right Doctrine: Paul corrects false doctrine and emphasizes the importance of understanding the true nature of salvation. Right doctrine leads to right living, and it is essential for maintaining a proper relationship with God and others. [28:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Romans 11:17-22
- [01:09] - Context of the Olive Tree
- [02:22] - Jews and Gentiles in the Church
- [03:11] - The Call of Abraham
- [04:07] - Gentiles Grafted In
- [05:03] - Warning Against Pride
- [06:01] - Paul's Pastoral Approach
- [07:01] - Exposition of the Text
- [08:22] - Problem of Perseverance
- [09:28] - Boasting Against the Branches
- [11:11] - The Danger of Misunderstanding
- [13:29] - The Root Supports You
- [15:16] - Salvation is of the Jews
- [17:12] - False Arguments Addressed
- [19:15] - Direct Answer to Gentile Pride
- [22:21] - Faith vs. Unbelief
- [25:17] - Standing by Faith
- [29:05] - Warning Against High-Mindedness
- [31:00] - Unanswerable Argument
- [33:21] - Greater to Lesser Argument
- [36:35] - Goodness and Severity of God
- [40:47] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 11:17-22

Observation Questions:
1. What imagery does Paul use to describe the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the church? How does this imagery help us understand their roles? [00:14]
2. According to the sermon, what was the primary reason for the Jews being "cut off" from the olive tree? [19:49]
3. How does Paul describe the attitude that Gentile believers should avoid, and what is the reason for this warning? [29:05]
4. What dual aspects of God's nature does Paul highlight, and why are they important for understanding His dealings with humanity? [36:57]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "grafted in" challenge the Gentile believers' understanding of their place in God's plan? What does this imply about their relationship with Jewish heritage? [12:39]
2. In what ways does pride manifest in the context of the church, and how can it lead to misunderstanding the way of salvation? [29:42]
3. How does the sermon explain the balance between God's goodness and severity, and why is this balance crucial for a proper relationship with God? [37:16]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of right doctrine in maintaining a proper relationship with God and others? [28:49]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Are there moments where you have felt pride in your spiritual standing? How can you cultivate humility in your faith? [29:05]
2. Consider the relationships you have with people of different backgrounds or beliefs. How can you ensure that you are not falling into the trap of spiritual pride or superiority? [11:29]
3. How do you perceive God's goodness and severity in your life? Are there areas where you might be focusing too much on one aspect over the other? [37:16]
4. Think about a time when you misunderstood or misapplied a biblical teaching. How did it affect your relationship with God or others, and what steps can you take to ensure a better understanding in the future? [28:49]
5. In what ways can you actively remind yourself of the Jewish roots of your faith, and how might this awareness impact your spiritual practices or attitudes? [12:39]
6. How can you guard against the danger of pride in your spiritual life, especially when interacting with those who may not share your beliefs? [29:42]
7. Identify a specific doctrine or teaching that you find challenging. What resources or steps can you take to gain a clearer understanding and apply it to your life? [28:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Humility in Faith
The Gentile believers in the Roman church are reminded that their inclusion in the people of God is not due to their own merit but solely by faith. This calls for a deep sense of humility, recognizing that they are supported by the root, which is the Jewish heritage and the grace of God, not the other way around. This humility is essential in our walk with God, acknowledging that our standing is by grace alone. It is a reminder that faith, not nationality or personal goodness, is the basis of our relationship with God. This understanding should lead to a life marked by gratitude and humility, as we recognize our dependence on God's grace. [12:39]

Isaiah 51:1-2 (ESV): "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to acknowledge your dependence on God's grace? How can you practice humility in those areas today?


Day 2: The Danger of Pride
Paul warns the Gentile believers against the danger of pride, which can lead to despising others, particularly the Jewish people. This pride stems from a misunderstanding of the way of salvation, which is by faith and not by nationality or inherent goodness. The Gentiles are reminded that their inclusion is not due to their superiority but solely because of faith. This warning is a call to guard against pride, recognizing that it is faith that sustains us. Pride can distort our understanding of God's grace and lead us away from the truth of the gospel. [29:05]

Proverbs 16:18-19 (ESV): "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Reflection: Can you identify a recent situation where pride may have influenced your actions or thoughts? How can you choose humility in similar situations in the future?


Day 3: Faith as the Basis of Salvation
Salvation is not determined by nationality or merit but by faith. Paul emphasizes that the Jews were cut off due to unbelief, and the Gentiles stand by faith. This principle is foundational to the Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of belief over any other factor. It is a reminder that our relationship with God is not based on our own righteousness or inherent goodness but on faith alone. This understanding should lead us to a deeper reliance on God and a commitment to living by faith in all areas of our lives. [22:36]

Galatians 3:7-9 (ESV): "Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all the nations be blessed.' So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

Reflection: How does understanding faith as the basis of salvation change the way you view your relationship with God? What steps can you take to deepen your faith today?


Day 4: God's Goodness and Severity
Paul highlights the dual nature of God—His goodness and severity. Understanding this balance is crucial for a proper relationship with God, as it prevents us from creating a distorted image of Him based on partial truths. The Gentiles are urged to continue in God's goodness, lest they too be cut off. This teaching challenges us to examine our understanding of God and our place in His plan, urging us to live in humility and faith. Recognizing both aspects of God's nature helps us to appreciate His grace while also respecting His holiness and justice. [37:16]

Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV): "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Reflection: How do you balance your understanding of God's goodness and severity in your daily life? What changes can you make to ensure you are living in a way that honors both aspects of His nature?


Day 5: The Importance of Right Doctrine
Paul corrects false doctrine and emphasizes the importance of understanding the true nature of salvation. Right doctrine leads to right living, and it is essential for maintaining a proper relationship with God and others. This teaching encourages believers to seek a deeper understanding of their faith and to be vigilant against false teachings that can lead them astray. By grounding ourselves in sound doctrine, we can live lives that reflect the truth of the gospel and honor God in all that we do. [28:49]

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

Reflection: Are there areas in your understanding of faith where you feel uncertain or confused? How can you seek clarity and truth in those areas through study and prayer?

Quotes



The Apostle has written to them and is in this section in particular concerned to make clear to them the position of both Jew and Gentile in the Christian church. That's the theme. They are members of the church, and he's dealing with this great and extraordinary phenomenon that the Jews who had been the people of God throughout the centuries are in the main outside the Christian Church. [00:20:00]

The Apostle Paul is primarily a preacher, primarily a pastor, not a dry-as-dust theologian ever. He's concerned that these people should understand the truth, and he's equally concerned that they should apply it, that they should see the implications of the truth, and he takes no risks at all. He applies it for them. [00:06:26]

Boast not against the branches. Boast not thyself, if you like, against the branches. Now you see, this is where the context comes in. The branches are the bulk of the Jewish nation that is now outside the Christian Church. There they were; they've been the people of God. They were, as he's already described them, the natural branches in this Olive Tree. [00:09:36]

The danger is the danger of pride, pride in their position as Gentiles, as members of the Christian church, and accompanying their pride in their own position is the complementary danger of despising the Jews. Now that's the theme. Boast not against the branches. You Gentiles, he says, must not boast in yourselves as over against the Jews. [00:11:05]

The answer is this: all right, says the Apostle, I of course accept your fact. The fact is that the Jews as a nation and as a people are no longer in the Olive Tree. They're not in the church; they're outside. That's what he's been saying at great length from the beginning of chapter 9. Your facts, he says, are perfectly right. [00:20:05]

Salvation is never a matter of nationality or of merit. That's the first statement, the first argument. By saying we are in because we are superior, you're falling back on nationality. You are saying Gentiles are better than Jews. Yes, but you see, says the Apostle, that's the very mistake of the Jews. [00:21:06]

The thing that determines and controls salvation is not nationality or upbringing or inherent goodness or anything you've done. It's one thing only: faith, belief. What matters in this realm is one thing only. Is it unbelief or faith? Which is it? You're one or the other. You're either an unbeliever or you're a believer. [00:22:32]

The Christian is a man who is enabled to stand in the presence of God. Now, what do you mean by this standing? Well, it's the same idea as the psalmist puts before us in the first Psalm: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners. [00:25:20]

Realize that you stand as you do solely by faith and by nothing else. Very well, there is his direct answer to this most specious and foolish and arrogant argument of the Gentiles that they have been grafted in because the Jews, being unworthy, were cut out. All a matter of their superiority. [00:28:00]

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness. Otherwise, thou also shalt be cut off. Now here is, of course, a great general statement, and as I say, it is a kind of deduction. [00:36:40]

Men become boastful and proud and despise others in the kingdom of God for one reason only, and that is that they fail to realize the truth about God himself. That's what it all ultimately comes to. This is the root cause of nearly all our troubles. [00:37:55]

We are living in an age when people even justify the fact that they never attend a place of worship at all on the grounds that God is love. They justify immorality in the same way. God is love. There's no such thing as the wrath of God. There is no justice. There is no severity. [00:39:34]

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