Romans 11:11-24 Israel’s Rejection Not Final

Israel’s Rejection Not Final
Romans 11:11-24

Intro Questions

#God                #People           #Time  #Place #Obedient faith           #Sin     #Key Idea

Ingrafted Branches

¹¹ Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. ¹² But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

¹³ I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry ¹⁴ in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. ¹⁵ For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? ¹⁶ If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

¹⁷ If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, ¹⁸ do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. ¹⁹ You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ²⁰ Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. ²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

²² Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. ²³ And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. ²⁴ After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

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Other Resources: 

Curiosity And Obedience Romans 11

Romans Chapter 6

Deliverance from the Power of Indwelling Sin by Counting the Old Life Dead and Yielding to the New Life.

Romans 6:1-23

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Romans 7 is a profound exposition of the struggle with sin and the role of the law in amplifying the sinful nature. Here, Paul delves into the intricacies of human nature, explaining how the law, while good, reveals our sinful tendencies, thus underscoring our desperate need for deliverance through Christ.

Historical Setting of Romans

Paul writes from Corinth (c. AD 56–57) to believers in Rome, a mixed congregation of Jewish and non-Jewish followers of Jesus. Nero is emperor, boasting of Rome’s legal order, while Paul argues that true freedom from condemnation comes only through trust in Christ, not through any human legal system.

INITIAL SUMMARY OF ROMANS CHAPTER 7:

The text discusses the relationship between the law, sin, and believers in Christ. It begins by explaining that the law only binds individuals while they are alive, using the example of marriage. When a spouse dies, the surviving partner is released from the law. Similarly, believers have died to the law through Christ, allowing them to serve in the Spirit rather than the written code. The text emphasizes that the law is not sinful; rather, it reveals sin. The author reflects on personal struggles with sin, acknowledging that despite wanting to do good, sinful nature prevails. This internal conflict highlights the struggle between the desire to follow God's law and the reality of sin. Ultimately, the author expresses gratitude for deliverance through Jesus Christ, recognizing the duality of being a slave to God's law in mind while still battling sin in the flesh.

OUTLINE

ROMANS 7 

Paul discusses how the law of God applies to and affects three kinds of people.

I. Spiritual People and the Law (7:1–6)

A. Their relationship to the law (7:1–3, 5)

1. They are like widows freed from their husbands (7:1–3).

2. They are like dead men freed from their lusts (7:5).

B. Their relationship to the Savior (7:4, 6)

1. They have been raised by Christ (7:4a, 6): Christians are released from the law.

2. They are now to produce fruit through Christ (7:4b): Christians are delivered from the law.

II. Natural People and the Law (7:7–13): The law is used in a twofold manner.

A. The illustration usage (7:7, 10): God used the law to reveal the sinfulness of the flesh.

B. The condemnation usage (7:8–9, 11–13): Sin used the law to rekindle the sinfulness of the flesh. Thus, natural people are doomed by the law and sin.

III. Carnal People and the Law (7:14–25)

A. Paul has learned that any attempt to keep the law leads to carnality (7:14–23).

1. The confusion (7:14–16): Paul’s frustration is twofold.

a. He doesn’t do the things he wants to do (7:14–15a, 16a).

b. He does the things he doesn’t want to do (7:15b, 16b).

2. The corruption (7:17–20): He realizes the corruption of his old sinful nature.

3. The conclusion (7:21–23): He understands the daily struggle within him.

a. The old nature, always attempting to do wrong (7:21a, 23)

b. The new nature, always attempting to do right (7:21b–22)

B. Paul has learned that no attempt to keep the law can lead to spirituality (7:24–25).

1. The agony of Paul’s problem (7:24): “What a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?”

2. The answer to Paul’s problem (7:25): “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

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• What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

• Whom do you know who needs to hear this?

• What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?

PRAYER:  In the Name of Jesus.

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Not What I Used To Be, Not What I Hope To Be

“I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be. And by the grace of God, I am what I am.” – John Newton

Devotional: Not What I Used To Be, Not What I Hope To Be

Not What I Hope to Be

All believers must honestly admit that we’re not what we hope to be because sanctification is a lifelong process. If you read Paul in Romans 7 you can see why this is true; “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15), “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:18-19). Anyone agree with Paul on this? I still struggle every day and declare before God “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death” (Romans 7:24) but Paul answers this rhetorical question of his in the very next verse about from Whom this deliverance comes; “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:25)!

Not What I Used to Be

So I think we all agree that we are not what we hope to be but neither are we what we used to be as Paul writes that “now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). We were once enemies of God (Romans 5:10) but now we have peace with God (Romans 5:1) since “he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). This was because “he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:17). We were once enemies and far removed from Him but we are not what we used to be because of the precious blood of the Lamb of God shed for us.

What I Am

Martin Luther once wrote that the believer is both a sinner and saint; both at the same time. God still accepts us though because we have become the righteousness of God, as it is written, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This was only possible because “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19) and this came by no human effort or works but purely as a gift of God, otherwise knowing human nature we’d surely be bragging about it (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Conclusion

We are not what we used to be by the grace of God, we are not what we ought to be which is why it is the Spirit of “God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil 2:13) and we are who we are, a child of God, because Jesus took upon Himself God’s wrath so we wouldn’t have too.

Read more: http://www.christianquotes.info/images/john-newton-quote-not-what-i-used-to-be/#ixzz3roLv4ppY
 

 

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Romans 5:1-11 Faith Brings Joy, Peace and Hope

Faith Brings Joy, Peace and Hope
Romans 5:1-11

Intro Questions

 #God            #People     #Time         #Place        #Obedient faith  #Sin  #Key Idea 

Peace and Hope

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we ^a have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we ^b boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we ^c also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

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https://youtu.be/g-mpk-m-jH8?

Treading Water - Romans 5:3-5

https://youtu.be/9-EZKHpmza8?list=PLhYtut3yPj985SSv2lVAUQwrsPyVaMNKJ

Jul 27, 2025 = Pleasant Ridge exists to lead people into a life-changing walk with Jesus Christ!

https://rrffh.blogspot.com/2025/08/deeper-waters.html

This is Who God is.

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https://youtu.be/VGg0OJQvht8

Salvation By Christ Alone - Part 5 from North Boulevard Church of Christ on Vimeo.

Psalm 34:1 “I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.”  NIV

     

Praise for God your Father should be the easiest thing that flows from your heart and mouth.  The pure recognition of you not only being God’s creation, but also being the recipient of His love and grace through your redemption in Christ Jesus should flood your heart with praise for Him.  

Romans 5:8 say, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Your praise should not be limited to when you receive something from God, but praise Him for the reality that God Almighty even considers you.  Your praise should not be limited to when you come out of hard times, but just for the normal things in your life.  Your praise should not be limited to when you get a raise or promotion, but for the very job you have.  Your praise should not be limited to when God heals you, but for the very breath of life itself.  Praise should not be limited to

Sunday morning, but to every waking moment.  Praise is the inexpressible recognition of Who God is in your life, His immeasurable love for you, His never exhausting patience with you, and His unfathomable capacity to cover you with His grace.  Your praise is not dependent on how good times are, but how GOOD YOUR GOD IS!  

Romans 5:6 says, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”  The world’s affect on you is probably crowding God out of your life when your praise becomes limited to the events of life itself and not your life in communion with God.  It is out of your intimacy with God that you begin to see and experience God in every detail of your life.

Philippians 1:9‐11 “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.”  NIV

Romans 11:33, 36 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”  NIV

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Expert Salvation 

Like many cities, Grand Rapids, Michigan, has a recycling center where residents can drop off paper, plastic and metal products for reuse. Employees staff a processing line to sort things properly. Last spring, the line had to be stopped and evacuated because a metal sphere turned in for recycling was actually a six-pound cannonball from the Civil War. Those would typically have been used in small field pieces with a range of only about a mile—and they were replaced for Union use in 1862. 

The six-pound cannonball was an antipersonnel charge fired into enemy infantry. The exploding ball would spray out 37 musket balls. So this cannonball had been quietly deteriorating and becoming more unstable for at least 158 years. The Michigan State Police bomb squad disposed of it before it could kill anybody. Folks aren’t always so lucky: Sam White died when he accidentally set off a cannonball in his driveway. From time to time, explosives surface even far from battlefields. In 2016, a pile of 16 Civil War cannonballs was uncovered by a storm on a South Carolina beach. Old explosives actually become more dangerous; the detonators deteriorate into unstable conditions that might not work at all—or might go off with the slightest disturbance. There is no do-it-yourself plan to make them safe; they must be expertly rendered. 

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8 NIV). 

Because we are forgetful, we lose track of the sin buried in our past. If it came to our minds, we would assume it lost beneath the sifted dust of time. And since its results were no longer seen by us, we would consider it effectively neutralized. In truth, it waits right where we left it, quietly nursing its fatal purpose. It is impossible for us to undo our history and unmake the terrible choices in our past. We are truly powerless in the face of our own decisions and their savage consequences. There is no do-it-yourself plan so that we might correct our actions and survive our past. Left to our own ingenuity and efforts, we are inflexibly self-condemned and doomed forever. 

And yet there is hope for our survival in the expert rendering of sin’s lethal power by the sacrifice of Jesus. It is a simple thing to understand: I deserved to die for my sin but Jesus paid the penalty and suffered that death in my place. He didn’t do that because I’m such a great person; I was a contemptible piece of work that didn’t deserve so much as a sideways glance from Him. The reason He did that was that He chose to love an unlovable waste like me and release me from the catastrophe I had constructed by my terrible decisions. And what He did for me, He’ll do for you, if you’ll allow Him. When you realize you’re a “dead man walking,” the promise of expert salvation is really good news!

Other Resources: 

God's Love Romans 5