Romans 11- Grafted In

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For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.  Romans 11:16-18

The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is going to use an illustration to demonstrate to us, the salvation of Israel, and the salvation of ourselves. There is a process called “grafting” , its describes as “a horticultural technique where parts of two different plants are joined to grow as one” 

Paul uses this technique to demonstrate how Israel and the Church are grafted together to be Children of God (Ephesians 2:14)  The Apostle Paul says “if the root (Israel) be holy, so are the branches” The root is in reference to the patriarchs of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacon) Remember Christ came through Israel, salvation came from Israel because of Jesus, this is the root of our faith. 

Notice “some of the branches (Jews) were broken off” Some of the natural branches, those who have rejected Jesus as Lord and Christ, will be broken off. Remember salvation is only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) and while branches will be broken off, there will be a remnant of Israel that will be saved (Romans 11:5)

“You being a wild olive tree, (Church) were grafted in among them (Israel)” Many Christians don’t like the idea they are being “grafted in” to the family of God with Israel. Many “Christians” reject this, even though scripture is clear by the Holy Spirit. And in the same light, many Jews are not happy to be grated in with the Church. The devil has made the Church and Israel enemies, when in reality we are united in Christ, we are all grafted into the same root, Jesus.

As the Apostle Paul continues “become partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree” Heres a warning to the Church, “boast not against the branches, but if you do boast, remember you do not support the root, the root supports you” Many Christians will boast “away with Israel”, however remember the root (Israel) supports you, without Israel, you the wild olive tree, would never have been saved.

The Word became flesh, dwelt among us, died for our sins on the cross, and rose again on the 3rd day so we can be grated into His Kingdom, Amen!

Romans 11- Life from the Dead

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For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? Romans 11:13-15

As of right now, all eyes of the world are on Israel right now. As Israel has always been the center of everything going on in the world. Some will say, “this is a great conspiracy”, is this is a fake Israel? Well then why is Satan continually trying to destroy Israel? If you look throughout world history, the Jews have been under attack and hated by most of the world. If this nation is from Satan, then why does Satan persecute them?

The answer is in the Bible, as the Apostle Paul spoke by the Holy Spirit “God is not finished with them yet”! (Romans 11:1) So in our text today, the Apostle Paul is giving a direct message to the Church (Gentiles) “For I speak to you Gentiles (Church), inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles (Church)” Pauls calling was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, so why doesn’t the Church adhere to his teachings? Why is the majority of the Church, so misinformed about Israel?

Paul then states “if by any means I may provoke to emulation or jealousy those who are my flesh (Israel) and save some of them” Gods granting salvation to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ is to provoke jealousy in the Jews to bring them to Christ. I don’t think many understand this, while Israel and the Church are jealous of one another, this jealousy is by God to lead them to salvation in Christ. 

“For if their (Israel) being cast away/rejection is the reconciling of the world, what will their (Israel) acceptance be but life from the dead” Again all the eyes of the world are on Israel, many believe Israel is spiritually dead, many believe their is no hope for them, but imagine when Christ returns to save Israel (Zechariah 14:4) and many Jews receive Christ as their Lord and Savior, imagine the witness this will be for the rest of the world! This is what the Apostle Paul is saying here, life from the dead! Amen!

Romans 11- Israel and The Church

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(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? Romans 11:8-12

As we turn on the news, Israel is always front and center. Right now the entire world is watching as Israel defends itself against Islamic countries and terrorist groups, that have been trying to destroy them for centuries. Why does everyone want to destroy Israel? Why is Israel the center of world news? Well because its Biblical prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes!

Its no surprise why Israel is such a targeted land, the same land Jesus Christ, God incarnate walked and died for our sins, rose again on the 3rd day, bringing a New Covenant of Jews and Gentiles. Its no suprise why Satan hates Israel and the Jewish people, and everything that is happening right now, is no surprise to God either, as all of this was foretold thousands of years ago by the prophets and apostles. 

The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, quotes the prophet Isaiah “God has given them (Israel) the spirit of slumber, eyes that should not see, ears that they should not hear” and the Apostle Paul also quotes King David who prophecies “Let their (Israel) eyes be darkened, that they may not see” It should be no surprise that the majority of Israel has rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ, because God already foretold that they would. This is all part of Gods salvation plan for Israel and the world!

Does that mean Israel is done away with? Lets see what the Apostle Paul says under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “I say then, have they (Israel) stumbled , that they (Israel) should fall? Certainly Not or God forbid” The Holy Spirit is revealing God is not finished with Israel, as Paul continues “but through their fall, to provoke them (Israel) to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles (Church)

Through the New Covenant in Christ, the Church is driving Israel into jealousy because of our relationship with God through Christ. We see this today, as I’m writing this , many Christians in the Church are grinding their teeth, because they hate Israel, and the majority of Israel probably hates the Church, but God said this would happen!  If you actually know your Bible, this should not be a surprise to you! But God is not done with Israel yet, in fact Israel plays a major part in the Return of Christ! (Zechariah 14) Amen!

Romans 11- Saved By Grace

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Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded  Romans 11:5-7

As we continue with the teaching of the Apostle Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we see God still has a remnant of Israel by the election of grace. This is a concept and truth that angers many people, how can God still have a remnant from Israel? Well God can do whatever He wants, God doesn’t need our permission or need to fit into your theological box of your faith tradition.

The Apostle Paul states “at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace” The Holy Spirit has spoken this and its truth regardless of your theological beliefs. Today many have made an idol out of their religious system then being obedient to the Word of God. So you might ask, how can this be? How can God still preserve a remnant?

 Well the Apostle Paul continues “and if by grace, then it is no longer works, otherwise grace is no more grace” How are we saved? We are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8) Its the same way the remnant will be saved by grace through faith in Christ. Remember you were once spiritually dead also, you were once dead in your sins and an enemy of God (Ephesians 2) But God demonstrated His love towards us, even though we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

None of us deserve the grace of God, however God has preserved a remnant by His grace. As the Apostle Paul continues “but if it be by works, then its no longer grace” We are saved by the grace of God not by our works, if there are any works coming from us, its because of the Holy Spirit. None of us deserve to be saved, that’s the honest truth, we all deserve Hell, however because of grace, God saved us. When you understand this, you understand grace. 

Then Paul turns his focus on Israel “Israel has not obtained what it seeks, but the elect have obtained it and the rest were blinded” There is a spiritual blindness on most of Israel, but God still has a remnant, and that blindness to the remnant will be removed in Gods timing (Romans 11:25) God has still preserved a remnant that has not bowed a knee to Baal, (1 Kings 19:18) Amen!

Romans 11- The Remnant

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I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Romans 11:1-4

Now we start looking at maybe one of the most controversial or misunderstood chapters in the Bible, the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, makes a clear case for Israel and God’s remnant. While many people today believe God is finished with Israel, the Holy Spirit tells us a different story. As the Apostle Paul begins with a rhetorical question “Has God cast away His people”?

Paul then answers his own question “God forbid” or “Certainly Not” , now this should be the end of the debate whether God is finished with Israel, however Paul will go through an entire chapter explaining God is not finished with Israel yet. I know this knowledge angers many Gentiles and Jews, however this was predicted as the Church and Israel are going to drive each other to jealousy over their relationship with God (Romans 11:11, 14)

The Apostle Paul who is a Jew himself, from the tribe a Benjamin, a well trained Pharisee, he knows the Mosaic Law , He knows how radical the New Covenant in Christ is, Jews and Gentiles can become Children of God through Christ, (Galatians 3:26) A concept that many still can’t grasp, however as the Apostle Paul states “God has not cast away His people which He foreknew” It’s clear God is not finished with Israel yet!

Now the Apostle Paul uses an example of the prophet Elijah to teach his point the prophet Elijah made intercession to God against Israel saying “Lord they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars and I am left alone” I can hear many Christians today saying the same things, claiming we are the only ones who are worthy of being saved, claiming we are the only ones who haven’t blasphemed God, beware of our self righteousness!

What was God’s answer to the prophet? “I have reserved myself for seven thousand men who have not bowed a knee to Baal” God still has a remnant in Israel, just as God still has a remnant in the Church. There are many “Churches” today that are as blasphemous as the one who rejects Christ, but God will always have a remnant! Is God finished with Israel, No, God has preserved a remnant that will become Born Again in Jesus Christ, just as the early Church did, Amen!