 Chapters 1-3: All men have sinned, fallen short of the glory of God, and condemned to die.  Chapters 4-8: Plan to save is revealed.  Chapters 9-11: What about Israel? Chapter 9: If God was right in choosing Jacob over Esau, God is also right in choosing to bless Jews and Gentiles who come to Christ. Chapter 10: The Jews, though zealous, were lost because they failed to understand that Christ was the fulfillment of the law and that His simple plan was taught in the law. Paul’s Letter to the Romans

Romans 11  God had not cast off Israel completely.  As part of their punishment, God was not going to make it easy for Israel to come back to Him; they were going to have to seek after Him.  The fall of Israel led to inclusion of Gentiles.  Illustration of the olive tree.  God allowed physical Israel to fall “that He might have mercy on all.”  This plan reveals the depth of God’s wisdom. Main Point: God used the disobedience and subsequent fall of the nation of Israel to bring about the opportunity for salvation for all men, including Jews and Gentiles.

The wisdom of God far surpasses the wisdom of men.  The Plan. God had chosen Israel. God punished Israel. God uses these events to bring about the inclusion of the Gentiles. Now all men have opportunity to be saved.  1 Corinthians 1:25; Isaiah 55:8-9

The wisdom of God far surpasses the wisdom of men.  Don’t need to speculate on what God has left a mystery.  Don’t need to add to the commands of God.  Don’t need to reason away the commands of God.  Don’t need to question God’s plan.  Don’t need to worry about how things look.  Need to put complete trust in God.

Consider the goodness and the severity of God  God is good in that He allows branches to be grafted in.  God is harsh in that He cuts branches off.  James 5:11, “very compassionate and merciful.”  Hebrews 12:29, “a consuming fire.”

Consider the goodness and the severity of God  Gift of the garden of Eden to Adam and Eve.  Salvation of Noah and his family.  Promises to Abraham.  Gift of the land of Canaan to Israel.  Covenant with Israel as His own special people.  Gift of His Son.  Establishment of the Church.  Hope of Heaven.  Adam/Eve cast out.  Destruction of world in flood.  Destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah.  Death of Israelites in the wilderness.  Oppression in Judges.  Destruction of physical Israel and Judah.  Death of Ananias and Sapphira.  Eternal punishment in hell.

To be cut off or to be grafted in is within our power

God will graft us in to His tree.

God will also cut us off from His tree.

It is Our Choice: Cut Off or Grafted In?