Romans 9-11 Series
Let's Not Be Ignorant About Israel
January 18, 2015 • Pastor Ron Finch
There’s an old saying, “Ignorance is bliss, “tis folly to be wise”. This was written by Thomas Gray in his poem “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College” (1742). The Apostle Paul would never have been drawn into that kind of thinking! Ignorance was not bliss, it was wrong! He wanted to guard believers from being “ignorant” or “uninformed”, or “without understanding”. Proper information was critical to right thinking, and right thinking was critical to right understanding, and right understanding was critical to right doctrine. THAT IS TRUE TODAY! Thus, this morning we begin a short series of messages that focus upon the specific things that Paul did not want believers to be “ignorant” or “uninformed” about.
Behold the Kindness & Severity of God!
January 18, 2015 • Pastor Ron Finch
The key verse in this section of Romans 11 is verse 22 — “Behold then the kindness and severity of God!” If your view of God does not include both His kindness and severity, you have a wrong view of God! We see both in this passage: to the Jewish nation that rejected their Messiah — severity (discipline); to Gentiles who believe the gospel — kindness (salvation). Every Gentile (non-Jew) in this room this morning better be thankful that God in His “predetermined plan” included the rejection of Christ by the Jewish nation, because through their rejection, GENTILES HAVE SALVA-TION! (vs. 11). To come into this chapter at this point we must review the message from last week. We asked the question: “Has God Rejected Israel?” NO! a. Reason #1 — Consider me: Paul! I’m living proof. b. Reason #2 — Consider God’s Foreknowledge! God’s plan c. Reason #3 — Consider God’s Remnant! Some are being saved.
Has God Rejected Israel?
January 11, 2015 • Pastor Ron Finch
From man’s perspective Israel messed up big-time: they “stumbled over the stumbling stone” (Jesus), they tried to “attain righteousness by works, not faith”, and they were “disobedient and obstinate people”! But not from God’s perspective! God is in control (sovereign) and is working out the purpose of His will perfectly to Israel and the Gentiles. God is NOT done with Israel! He HAS NOT REJECTED, (cast off) His people! Someone wrote, “God cannot be finished with the nation of Israel — for the obvious reason that all of His promises to her have not yet been fulfilled. If God were through with His chosen nation, His Word would be false and His integrity discredited.” (John MacArthur) Another Pastor wrote: “If God's word fails to Israel, God is not glorious. And if God is not glorious, God is not God. And if God is not God, our greatest treasure is taken from us, and we are turned into beasts with the monkeys and the porpoises, and all our love and all our affections are nothing more than chemicals, and we must play "make believe" all our life that anything is significant.” (John Piper) Consider these passages that speak of God’s enduring relationship to Israel: 1 Samuel 12:22 — Psalm 89:31-37 Psalm 94:14 — In our text this morning Paul gives four (4) reasons to show why God has NOT REJECTED HIS PEOPLE:
Righteousness by Faith Preaches!
December 28, 2014 • Pastor Ron Finch
In the early chapters of the book of Proverbs Solomon personifies wisdom. Wisdom is speaking; it is making declarations that if obeyed bring great benefit. Paul does the same thing in the passage before us this morning. He personifies Righteousness by Faith (10:6) and tells us that it speaks. What is this Righteous- ness by Faith saying? That is the task before us this morning to find out. Let me suggest that it is saying four important things that bring great benefit if heard.
How Are Jews & Gentiles Saved?
December 14, 2014 • Pastor Ron Finch
The wonderful truth that both Jews and Gentiles are being saved today is what we left off with in our last study. God has a “remnant” of Jews who He is calling to Himself! Some of you can attest to that because you are Jewish and you are saved! Praise God that His Word has NOT FAILED, and He has NOT rejected His people (Romans 11:1)! But now, His primary focus in salvation is toward the Gentiles — people like you and me! As Gentiles we should say, “Thank you, Lord!” But, the question before us this morning is not “Is God saving Jews & Gentiles?”, but “How are Jews and Gentiles saved today?” Paul answers that question in our text; let’s examine it carefully.
Why God’s Word Has Not Failed
December 7, 2014 • Pastor Ron Finch
When we ended our last message in this series we found Paul stating that God’s Word had not failed because Israel rejected their Messiah in His first coming. (See also Romans 3:3-4) Why had God’s Word NOT failed when Israel rejected their Messiah? Paul answers that question in the remainder of chapter 9 in three ways. 1. Because not all Israel is Israel. 2. God’s plan is not based upon man’s actions, but God’s sovereignty. 3. God has a remnant of Jews (and Gentiles) who will be saved! The CRITICAL issue that must be kept in mind in this study is: If God does not keep His promises to Israel, will He keep them for us?
Deep Compassion For My Kinsmen
November 23, 2014 • Pastor Ron Finch
This morning we return to the book of Romans and pick up where we left off in previous studies of chapters 6-8. Chapter 9 follows and flows from what Paul said in the earlier chapters of his letter, but particularly chapter 8 where he described wonderful truth that applies to everyone who is “in Christ” (8:1), who are “in the Spirit” (8:9), who are “sons of God” (8:12-23), who are helped in prayer by the Holy Spirit (8:26-28), and are secure “in Christ” (8:31-39). Paul’s heart is full of gratitude unto God for these things, but he is also in “great sorrow and unceasing grief” (9:2). Why? Because of his own “kinsmen according to the flesh,” the Jewish people who are not saved!