Romans 11:7-10

 

Romans 11:7-10

Let Their Eyes Be Darkened

 

Rom 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 

Rom 11:8  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear unto this day. 

Rom 11:9  And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 

Rom 11:10  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. 

 

           1.      Israel, for the Time Being, Has Been Blinded to the Truth – vs. 7*

a.       Because Israel sought self-righteousness, they stumbled over God’s provision for sin

                                                              i.      Romans 10:2-3 

b.      Not all Israel is blinded to the truth, some have been saved, because of the mercy of God.

                                                              i.      This is proof that God’s judgment on His people is temporary and that someday they will be returned to their God. Demonstrating again God’s unending love for His people.

1.      Romans 11:1 

           2.      Israel’s Blindness is a Part of God’s Plan for Them – vs. 8-10*

a.       The question is, was God surprised by Israel’s rejection of the Messiah? No, absolutely not! It was always a part of God’s plan for His people to reject the Messiah so that people from all the nations of the earth could be brought into His Kingdom.

                                                              i.      Israel was unwilling to hear the plea of their preachers – vs. 8*

1.      Paul’s condemnation is a blending of Isaiah 29:10 and Deuteronomy 29:4, but he is not the first to give this condemnation of Israel.

a.       Isaiah 29:10 

b.      Deuteronomy 29:4 

2.      Isaiah gave it

a.       Isaiah 6:9-10 

3.      Jeremiah gave it

a.       Jeremiah 5:20-21 

4.      Ezekiel gave it

a.       Ezekiel 12:2 

5.      Jesus gave it

a.       Matthew 13:10-17 

6.      This passage in Romans was not the only time Paul warned Israel

a.       Acts 28:25-28 

                                                            ii.      Israel was satisfied with their own self-worth – vs. 9*

1.      Psalm 69:20-24 

                                                          iii.      Israel eyes were darkened in preparation for a devastating judgment – vs. 10*

1.      Isaiah 65:12 

2.      Isaiah 51:22-23 

          3.      Is Israel’s Blindness a Rational for Anti-Semitism?

a.       No, Absolutely not! All of this a warning for Gentile believer. Do not harden your heart to God’s love.

                                                              i.      Those who come against Israel will be judged

1.      Assyria was raised up by God to judge Israel

a.       Isaiah 10:5-6 

2.      For this they were judged

a.       Jeremiah 51:24 

                                                            ii.      If God would discipline His people to bring them back to Himself, He will do whatever is necessary to keep you in the center of His love.

1.      Hebrews 12:5-7

Romans 11:7-10 "Double Predestination" 10/31/19

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Romans 11:1-6

 

Romans 11:1-6

God Hath Not Cast Away His People

 

Rom 11:1  I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 

Rom 11:2  God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? How he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 

Rom 11:3  Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 

Rom 11:4  But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 

Rom 11:6  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 

 

 

          1.      Is God Done with the Jewish Nation? No, Absolutely Not! – vs. 1a

a.       Jeremiah 31:31-37 

          2.      Three Proofs that God is not Done with Israel. – vs. 1b-5

a.       God called me to salvation – vs. 1b

                                                              i.      I am amazed that God called me to repentance. My heart is just as hard as Israel’s and I am just as stiffed neck as they are. The very fact that I have been changed by the power of God’s grace is proof that God is not done with Israel.

1.      Paul knew he was proof of God’s enduring love, If God could save him, God can bring back Israel.

a.       Philippians 3:4-7 

b.      God called you to salvation – vs. 2-4

                                                              i.      Elijah learned that he was proof of God’s enduring love. After the tremendous demonstration of God’s power on Mount Carmel Elijah was discouraged and he thought he was the last to believe on God. God showed him that he was not alone and was in fact on the verge of a huge break through. God’s work is hidden, yet very much alive.

1.      1 Kings 19:9-18 

c.       God will call others to salvation – vs. 5

                                                              i.      What is the meaning of the word election used by Paul in the passage?

1.      Election is a work of God

a.       John 15:16 

2.      Election is accomplished before the beginning of time

a.       Ephesians 1:4 

3.      Election is about the calling of individuals

a.       Romans 9:13-17 

4.      Election has nothing to do with the merit of the individual

a.       Romans 9:11 

5.      Election is Christ centered

a.       Ephesians 1:5 

6.      Election is for the salvation of the individual

a.       Titus 3:4-5 

7.      Election is irrevocable

a.       Ephesians 1:13-14 

          3.      You are Called not on the Basis of Works, but of Grace – vs. 6

a.       The story of Israel is the story of you and me. God’s faithful love for them is a testimony of how He will be faithful to you through the storms of the future. You will fail Him, but He will not fail you.

                                                              i.      Deuteronomy 7:6-9 

Romans 10:18-21

 

Romans 10:18-21

Their Words Went Out to the Ends of the Earth

 

Rom 10:18  But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 

Rom 10:19  But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 

Rom 10:20  But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 

Rom 10:21  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. 

         1.      Israel Claims to have not Heard the Gospel – vs. 18

a.       The gospel will be preached unto all men and I want to be a part of the spreading of it.

                                                              i.      The gospel spreads beyond the capability of human effort. It is a great privilege to be a part of the building of the Kingdom.

1.      Psalm 19:1-6 

                                                            ii.      The claim that Paul makes, of the whole world hearing the gospel, was no idle boast and contemporary historians can validate that.

1.      “There is no people, Greek or barbarian or any other race, however ignorant of arts and agriculture, whether they dwell in tents or wander about in covered wagons, among whom prayers and thanksgivings are not offered in the name of the crucified Jesus, the Father and Creator of all things.” – Justin Martyr writing about early 2^nd century

2.      “We are but of yesterday, yet we already fill your cites, your islands, your camps, your palaces, your senate and your forum.” – Tertullian writing late 2^nd to early in the 3^rd century

         2.      Israel Claims to have not Understood the Gospel – vs. 19

a.       The hearing of the gospel requires a response. Shame on those that hear it and harden their hearts to it. Israel’s claim to have not understood the gospel is patently absurd and a blatant disregard for the content of the Old Testament Scriptures

                                                              i.      The Indictment of the Israelites from Moses

1.      Deuteronomy 32:21 

                                                            ii.      The Indictment of the Israelites from Isaiah

1.      Isaiah 53:1-5 

                                                          iii.      The Indictment of the Israelites from Christ

1.      John 5:39-47 

                                                          iv.      The Indictment of the Israelites from the Apostle Peter

1.      Acts 2:36 

                                                            v.      The Indictment of the Israelites from Stephen

1.      Acts 7:51-54 

         3.      Isaiah’s Bold Rebuke – vs. 20-21

a.       We must follow the example of the Lord and go looking for those who would hear the gospel. The best remedy for a hardened heart to the gospel, is developing a heart to spread it by praying for the lost.

                                                              i.      Isaiah 65:1 

                                                            ii.      Matthew 9:37-38 

b.      Be cautious that you do not become indifferent to the gracious appeal of the Savior.

                                                              i.      Isaiah 65:2 

                                                            ii.      Matthew 23:37-39 

Romans 10:14-17

 

Romans 10:14-17

How Shall they Hear Without a Preacher?

 

Rom 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 

Rom 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 

Rom 10:16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

 1.      How Can Someone Call Out for Salvation without Faith in Christ? – vs. 14a

a.       This verse clearly expresses the truth that faith is necessary to be given to us before we would ever call upon Christ.

                                                              i.      Galatians 3:22 

                                                            ii.      Ephesians 2:4-10 

        2.      For Someone to have Faith in Christ they must Hear the Call of the Shepherd – vs. 14b

a.       John 10:25-30 

b.      Romans 8:29-30 

        3.      For Someone to Hear the Voice of Christ there must be a Preacher – vs. 14c

a.       God choses to use mere mortal men like you and me to accomplish this work. This is why, we are to preach the gospel to every tribe, nation and tongue upon the earth so that Christ can call out His own. “The point is that Christ is present in His preachers, to hear them is to hear Him.” – Leon Morris

                                                              i.      Titus 1:3 

                                                            ii.      1 Corinthians 1:21 

        4.      The Glorious Calling of the Preacher – vs. 15

a.       For there to be a preacher someone must make the effort to send him

                                                              i.      It is the church’s responsibility to send preachers by:

1.      Training them

a.       2 Timothy 2:2 

2.      Supporting them

a.       1 Timothy 5:17-18 

3.      Ordaining and commissioning them

a.       Acts 13:1-4 

b.      How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace

                                                              i.      A call to preach the Gospel is laid upon a man before birth, and indeed it is the greatest call one can receive. One that we are all to participate in whether we are an ordained minister or not.

1.      Jeremiah 1:5 

2.      Isaiah 52:7 

        5.      Not All Obey the Voice of Christ – vs 16

a.       There will be many that will reject the preaching of the gospel and not yield to the voice of the Shepherd. Not everyone will choose to obey the message of the gospel.

                                                              i.      Colossians 2:6 

                                                            ii.      Isaiah 53:1 

         6.      Faith in Christ Comes by Hearing the Voice of the Shepherd in the Preaching of the Word of God.            – vs. 17

a.       1 Peter 1:23-25