I've Been Grafted In

Romans 11:28-32

Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. Now they are the rebels, and God's mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God's mercy. For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to understand this, at least as far as my finite mind is able. Pastor Art was talking about something called "Replacement Theology." Some people believe that we Gentiles have replaced the Jews in receiving all the blessings that God intended for the Jews. He was telling us that this is wrong, but he didn't go into much detail about how and why.

Then I read Romans 9 and I was struggling to make that fit with what Pastor Art told us. I asked you to show me, and I believe you have.

It was your plan to include us Gentiles in your salvation all along. But we are not replacing your beloved people, we are being grafted in alongside them.

Romans 11:17

But some of these branches from Abraham's tree - some of the people of Israel - have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God's special olive tree.

We Gentiles, who trust in you and believe in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, will get to share the blessing you promised to your special people. What an amazing, marvelous, undeserved privilege!! I praise your infinite wisdom and mercy!

Romans 11:33-36

Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

For who can know the LORD's thoughts?

Who knows enough to give him advice?

And who has given him so much

that he needs to pay it back?

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

MEMORY VERSES

God Has a Purpose

John 10:10

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

John 10:10

God Has a Purpose

God Has a Purpose

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Philippians 4:6-7
God Has a Purpose