The God Whose Purposes Are Eternal,

Romans 11:13-27

WHAT YOU ARE SPIRITUALLY CONNECTED TO MATTERS

The God Whose Purposes Are Eternal

“And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.” (Romans 11:16, NLT)

“Holy”

• “set apart” by God for special attention; for a special role

Our Spiritual Roots

“So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.” (Romans 4:11–12, NLT)

MARVEL AT THE SCOPE OF HIS PLAN

The God Whose Purposes are Eternal

God’s People – A Thriving Olive Tree

“The LORD called you a thriving olive tree with fruit beautiful in form. But with the roar of a mighty storm he will set it on fire, and its branches will be broken.” (Jeremiah 11:16, NIV84)

“For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!” (Romans 11:15, NLT)

“But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.” (Romans 11:17, NLT)

“I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.” (Romans 11:25, NLT)

“And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.” (Romans 11:26, NLT)

“And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.”” (Romans 11:27, NLT)

“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9, NLT)

“And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”” (Revelation 7:10, NLT)

RESPOND HUMBLY TO THE MYSTERY OF HIS PLAN

The God Whose Purposes are Eternal

“But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.” (Romans 11:18, NLT)

““Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.”” (Romans 11:19, NLT)

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:14, NLT)

“Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.” (Romans 11:20, NLT)

“For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.” (Romans 11:21, NLT)

“I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.” (Romans 11:25, NLT)

TRUST TENACIOUSLY IN THE KINDNESS OF HIS PLAN

The God Whose Purposes are Eternal

“Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22, NLT)

“But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.” (Colossians 1:23, NLT)

“And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.” (Romans 11:23, NLT)