1 Romans Paul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith” Lesson 15a VII. God’s Righteousness: FULFILLING THE HOPE OF ISRAEL Romans 9:1 - 11:36, Page 129

2 VII. God’s Righteousness: FULFILLING THE HOPE OF ISRAEL In this section, we have studied - A. God’s purpose for Israel not frustrated by disobedience B. Israel’s hope fulfilled in individuals, not in the nation Today, we will study - C. Israel’s Hope Is Fulfilled in Spiritual, Not Physical, Jews D. Conclusion to Paul’s theme of righteousness

3 C. Israel’s Hope Is Fulfilled in Spiritual, Not Physical, Jews Romans 11: God has never cast away His true children (1-4) a.“God has not rejected His people...” (v2) b.Paul gives a personal example that God has not rejected His people - he too was a Jew (v1) c.His historical example was Elijah who thought he was the only one faithful to God (v3,4)

4 C. Israel’s Hope Is Fulfilled in Spiritual, Not Physical, Jews Romans 11: A remnant of Jews are now saved by grace (5,6) a.As there was a faithful remnant in Elijah’s days, there was a faithful remnant in Paul’s days b.This was according to God’s grace (by grace means it was not earned by works) c.Work earns what it gets; grace gives what cannot be earned d.Paul always speaks of “works” as perfect law- keeping e.Salvation cannot be both by works and grace

5 C. Israel’s Hope Is Fulfilled in Spiritual, Not Physical, Jews Romans 11: A majority of Jews were hardened against the truth (7) God “elected” or chose those who accepted his grace The rest of the Israelites were blinded or hardened a.Old Testament prophets had foretold this (8-10) Israel’s prophets [Moses (Deut.29:4) and Isaiah (29:10)] had both spoken of a time when the Jews, as a nation, would no longer see and hear what God had to say to them David is another witness to opportunities abused by the Israelites (Psalm 69:22,23) What should have been for their good (their table) resulted in their downfall like a snare or a trap because they focused on Moses law rather than the Messiah

6 C. Israel’s Hope Is Fulfilled in Spiritual, Not Physical, Jews Romans 11: Jews’ disobedience facilitated Gentile conversions (11,12) a.The fall of Israel served to “enrich” the world (Gentiles) b.When Paul’s teachings were rejected by the Jews, he turned his attention to the Gentiles which resulted in their “fullness” (blessing of salvation) c.This then caused jealousy among the Jews d.Their fall was not without a remedy. Any Jew could turn from unbelief and accept Christ

7 End of Lesson 15a

8 Romans Paul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith” Lesson 15b VII. God’s Righteousness: FULFILLING THE HOPE OF ISRAEL Romans 9:1 - 11:36, Page 132

9 In the last lesson, we learned that God is faithful to His people and to His promises 2.A remnant of the Jews had been saved 3.But, their stumbling “as a nation” had been foreseen a.It was in character with their history, and b.Their own prophets had told about it in the scriptures 4.Their rejection of the gospel became a blessing for the Gentiles

10 C. Israel’s Hope Is Fulfilled in Spiritual, Not Physical, Jews Romans 11: Gentiles’ attitude toward Jews should be wholesome (13-32) a.Paul’s bluntness to Jews was intended to save them (13-16) He had spoken at length about the justified “remnant” of Jews and about the possibility of redemption for the “rest” It was important to acknowledge his responsibility to Gentiles as well as to Jews He refers to “life from the dead” as a figurative expression that conversion of Jews would be a joyous and glorious event (like a resurrection) if he could provoke them to obey the gospel

11 C. Israel’s Hope Is Fulfilled in Spiritual, Not Physical, Jews Romans 11: Gentiles’ attitude toward Jews should be wholesome (13-32) b.Gentiles were beholden to Jews for implementing God’s plan (17,18) Gentiles must learn to be as accepting of Jewish Christians as Jews needed to be of Gentiles They were grafted in among the “natural” olive tree and were partaking of the holy root which produces holy branches They were branches from a “wild [spiritually uncultivated] olive tree” and had been favored by being “grafted into” this tree of blessing solely because of their belief in the Christ.

12 C. Israel’s Hope Is Fulfilled in Spiritual, Not Physical, Jews Romans 11: Gentiles’ attitude toward Jews should be wholesome (13-32) c.Only believers of both nations are saved (19-27) Gentiles were not to boast or be conceited, for if they lose their faith, they too would be cut off for unbelief just as most of the Jews had been Paul also said that if unbelieving Jews “believed”, God would graft them back into the holy tree He did not want the Gentiles to “be wise in your own conceits” as it could lead to unbelief

13 C. Israel’s Hope Is Fulfilled in Spiritual, Not Physical, Jews Romans 11:1-36 c.Only believers of both nations are saved (19-27) (continued) Paul did not want the Gentiles to be ignorant of the hidden truth that a hardening had come upon the part of the Jews until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in (re-read v11:7 in this connection) So all Israel will be saved (v25) “All Israel” must refer to those who believe in Christ as the son of God (spiritual, not physical, Israel) God’s eternal plan remained unchanged

14 C. Israel’s Hope Is Fulfilled in Spiritual, Not Physical, Jews Romans 11: Gentiles’ attitude toward Jews should be wholesome (13-32) d.Spiritual opportunities are now equal for Jews and Gentiles (28-32) Having rejected the gospel, the Jews were the enemies of God, but God still loved them for the sake of their fathers (v28) God’s gifts and callings are not subject to change (v29) Gentile Christians should be deeply grateful that the Lord had turned the disobedience of unbelieving Jews to their spiritual advantage (v30)

15 D. Conclusion to Paul’s Theme of Righteousness Romans God’s plans are not limited by man’s limitations (33-35) a.“Knowledge” is the possession of all the facts necessary to the resolution of a problem, while “wisdom” is the ability to address the facts in a way as to bring about a suitable solution (v33) b.He had acted in complete fairness to all parties and, at the same time, had never violated His own nature of respect for right and wrong c.Certainly, no man would have been capable of solving the problem of relationships within the family of God

16 D. Conclusion to Paul’s Theme of Righteousness Romans The gospel is the ultimate tribute to God’s glory (36) “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things... To HIM be glory forever. AMEN.”

17 End of Lesson 15b