ONLY A REMNANT WILL BE SAVED

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20 ESV) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 ESV)

I ask, then, has God rejected his people. By no means I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God's reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. (Romans 11:1-5 ESV)

N. Kingdom, 4 mill./2 mill. Adults * 7,000 = 0.35% Elijah’s perception of the saved was incorrect Paul’s statement in 11:4 meant to encourage But what is God's reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” Romans 11:4, ESV N. Kingdom, 4 mill./2 mill. Adults * 7,000 = 0.35%

Elijah’s perception of the saved was incorrect Paul’s statement in 11:4 meant to encourage The problem? Stubborn disobedience

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” (Romans 10:17-18 ESV) But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” (Romans 10:21 ESV)

1 Peter written to those scattered about 3:14-16, do not fear, be ready to answer, keep a good conscience 3:17-18, be ready to suffer like Christ 3:19-21, spirit of Christ preached while God waited “IN THE DAYS OF NOAH” 1 billion population, “few” saved, i.e., 8

God has always worked with remnants And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. (Joshua 24:2 ESV) Took Abram from an idolatrous family

God has always worked with remnants But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. (Numbers 14:24 ESV) Took Abram from an idolatrous family 2 out of 603,550 men of war entered Canaan

God has always worked with remnants Took Abram from an idolatrous family 2 out of 603,550 men of war entered Canaan How many righteous kings in 450 yr monarchy?

Four points to notice Our problem is stubbornness, saying, “it’s ok” We’re too wise to humble ourselves to God We love to believe God will overlook my sin God always has a remnant of obedient servants