ISRAEL—THINGS TO KEEP IN MINDISRAEL—THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• Today’s Israel is not the OT IsraelToday’s Israel is not the OT Israel– They have missed the MessiahThey have missed the Messiah– Their leaders are NOT appointed by God Their leaders are NOT appointed by God

(anymore than any other nation)(anymore than any other nation)– There aren’t temple sacrificesThere aren’t temple sacrifices– They are NOT a theocracyThey are NOT a theocracy

One God, One PeopleOne God, One People• Pre-IsraelPre-Israel

• Israel the NationIsrael the Nation• The body of ChristThe body of Christ

• Israel RestoredIsrael Restored

ALL saved by FAITHALL saved by FAITH

TodayToday

(In the dispensation/stewardship of Grace)(In the dispensation/stewardship of Grace)

Eph 3:2Eph 3:2

Christ is building His ChurchChrist is building His Church

A Promise to the Dead (Living): A Promise to the Dead (Living): A Warning to the Living (Dead)A Warning to the Living (Dead)

Romans 11:12-24Romans 11:12-24

ROMANS 11:13-14ROMANS 11:13-14

• For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: office:

• If by any means I may provoke to emulationIf by any means I may provoke to emulation them which arethem which are my flesh [Jews], and might my flesh [Jews], and might savesave some of them [Jews]. some of them [Jews].

Why?Why?

JESUS SAID?JESUS SAID?

• Luke 19:10Luke 19:10

–For the Son of man is come to seek For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. and to save that which was lost.

PAUL’S COMMITMENTPAUL’S COMMITMENT

• 2 Timothy 2:102 Timothy 2:10– Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s

sakes, that they may also sakes, that they may also obtain the obtain the salvation salvation which is in Christ Jesus with which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. eternal glory.

What’s the big deal?What’s the big deal?

How would you answer this How would you answer this question?question?

““Christian, what do you think I need Christian, what do you think I need to be saved from?”to be saved from?”

WHAT ARE YOU BEING SAVED WHAT ARE YOU BEING SAVED FROM?FROM?AnswerAnswer1.1. The power (poison) of sinThe power (poison) of sin

– Death (you’re both dead and dying)Death (you’re both dead and dying)

2.2. The penalty of sinThe penalty of sin– Enmity (hostility) between man and God Enmity (hostility) between man and God – Wrath of God (it is being stored up)Wrath of God (it is being stored up)

– Eternal separation from GodEternal separation from God

ROMANS 11:15ROMANS 11:15

• For if the casting away of them [ethnic Israel]For if the casting away of them [ethnic Israel] bebe the reconciling of the world, the reconciling of the world,

• whatwhat shall shall the receiving the receiving of them of them [ethnic [ethnic Israel] Israel] bebe, but life from the dead? , but life from the dead?

Some day God will remove the partial blindness Israel is presently

experiencing.

ROMANS 11:16ROMANS 11:16

Two IllustrationsTwo Illustrations• For if the firstfruit [dough offering]For if the firstfruit [dough offering] be be holy, holy,

the lumpthe lump is is also also holy holy: : • and if the rootand if the root be be holy, so holy, so are are the branches. the branches.

ROMANS 11:17ROMANS 11:17

• And if some of the branches be broken off, And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them graffed in among them, and with them partakestpartakest of the root and fatness of the of the root and fatness of the olive tree; olive tree;

The spiritual blessing of being part of the “People of God.”

Paul describes non-Jews [Gentiles] as branches on wild olive trees who are now being integrated (grafted) into the

people of God.

But these people are NOT becoming Jews; they are professing to be followers of Christ.

The tree is the visible representation of the The tree is the visible representation of the people of God beginning with Abraham.people of God beginning with Abraham.

1 PETER 2:101 PETER 2:10

• Which in time pastWhich in time past were were not a peoplenot a people [wild], [wild], butbut are are now the people of God now the people of God [grafted [grafted in]: which had not obtained mercy, but now in]: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. have obtained mercy.

Today’s unrepentant Jews are not the Today’s unrepentant Jews are not the people of God.people of God.

ROMANS 9:6BROMANS 9:6B

• For theyFor they are are notnot all Israel, all Israel,

–which are of Israel: which are of Israel:

ROMANS 15:27BROMANS 15:27B

• For if the For if the Gentiles have been made Gentiles have been made partakers of partakers of theirtheir [the Jew’s] spiritual [the Jew’s] spiritual thingsthings, ,

• their duty is also to minister unto them in their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. carnal things.

Jewish Christians

ROMANS 9:4ROMANS 9:4

• Who are Israelites; to whomWho are Israelites; to whom pertaineth pertaineth the the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the serviceand the giving of the law, and the service of of GodGod, and the promises; , and the promises;

Our biblical heritage is in the Our biblical heritage is in the Judaism of the OT.Judaism of the OT.

How could a Christian be anti-How could a Christian be anti-Jewish in his attitude or Jewish in his attitude or

behavior?behavior?

Turn to Romans 4:11Turn to Romans 4:11

through adoption, we are through adoption, we are connected to Jewsconnected to Jews

ROMANS 4:11ROMANS 4:11

• And he And he [Abraham] [Abraham] received the sign of received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith whichthe faith which he had yet he had yet being being uncircumcised: uncircumcised: that he might be the that he might be the father of all them that believefather of all them that believe, , though they be not circumcised; that though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them righteousness might be imputed unto them also: also:

FAITH IS HAVING HOPE AGAINST FAITH IS HAVING HOPE AGAINST HOPEHOPE• Romans 4:18 Romans 4:18

– [Abraham] against hope believed in hope, [Abraham] against hope believed in hope, that he might become that he might become the father of many the father of many nationsnations, according to that which was , according to that which was spoken, So shall thy spoken, So shall thy seedseed be. be.

ROMANS 11:18ROMANS 11:18

• Boast not against the branches (Jews)Boast not against the branches (Jews)• But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root,

but the root thee. but the root thee. – remember it is not you who supports the root, remember it is not you who supports the root,

but the root that supports you.but the root that supports you.

ROMANS 11:19ROMANS 11:19

• Thou wilt say then, The branches were Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. broken off, that I might be graffed in.

Note: This has NOTHING to do with salvation

We know this because 1 person doesn’t have to lose his salvation so another person can be saved.

ROMANS 11:20AROMANS 11:20A

• FACTFACT– There isn’t anyone who truly believed and was broken There isn’t anyone who truly believed and was broken

off.off.

• Well: because of unbelief they [Israel] were Well: because of unbelief they [Israel] were broken off, and thou standest by faith. broken off, and thou standest by faith.

corporatelycorporately

Corporate Blinding of IsraelCorporate Blinding of IsraelThis is what Paul describes as This is what Paul describes as

natural branches being broken off.natural branches being broken off.

ROMANS 11:20BROMANS 11:20B

• Well: because of unbelief they [Israel] were Well: because of unbelief they [Israel] were broken off, and thou standest by faith. broken off, and thou standest by faith.

• Be not highminded but fearBe not highminded but fear..

NO ROOM FOR PRIDE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST!

FEAR

Israel’s History is our ExampleIsrael’s History is our Example

1 Corinthians 10:1-121 Corinthians 10:1-12

ROMANS 11:21ROMANS 11:21

• For if God spared not the natural [ethnic For if God spared not the natural [ethnic Israel] branches,Israel] branches, take heed take heed lest he also spare lest he also spare not thee [Gentiles]. not thee [Gentiles].

Natural vs. WildNatural vs. Wild

Israel vs. GentilesIsrael vs. Gentiles

I want to skip over vs. 22 for nowI want to skip over vs. 22 for now

Romans 11:23Romans 11:23And they also, if they [corporate] And they also, if they [corporate] abide not still in unbelief, shall be abide not still in unbelief, shall be

graffed in: for God is able to graff them graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. in again.

ROMANS 11:24ROMANS 11:24

• For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature [Gentile], and wert which is wild by nature [Gentile], and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree [Israel]: tree [Israel]:

• how much more shall these [future Jews], how much more shall these [future Jews], which be the naturalwhich be the natural branches branches, be graffed , be graffed into their own olive tree [people of God]? into their own olive tree [people of God]?

ROMANS 11:25ROMANS 11:25

• For I would not, brethren, that ye should be For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of ignorant of this mysterythis mystery, lest ye should be , lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of until the fulness of the Gentiles be come inthe Gentiles be come in. .

The corporate blindness sets the The corporate blindness sets the conditions for a huge Gentile church conditions for a huge Gentile church

(which can have Jews in it who believe (which can have Jews in it who believe Jesus is the Christ).Jesus is the Christ).

JESUS PROPHESIED ABOUTJESUS PROPHESIED ABOUT

• Luke 21:24Luke 21:24– And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and

shall be led away captive into all nations: shall be led away captive into all nations: – and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the

Gentiles, Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilledbe fulfilled. .

ACTS 10:45ACTS 10:45

• And they of the circumcision which believed And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that Peter, because that on the Gentiles also on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy was poured out the gift of the Holy GhostGhost. .

• Note: Nothing is left to chance.Note: Nothing is left to chance.

ACTS 18:6ACTS 18:6

• And when they opposed themselves, and And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he [Paul] shookblasphemed, he [Paul] shook his his raiment, raiment, and said unto them, and said unto them, – Your bloodYour blood be be upon your own heads; upon your own heads; – II am am clean: from henceforth I will go unto clean: from henceforth I will go unto

the Gentiles. the Gentiles.

PAUL IS SHOWING USPAUL IS SHOWING US

• Paul is teaching us that the fullness of the Paul is teaching us that the fullness of the Gentiles (Christ and His Church) is a part of Gentiles (Christ and His Church) is a part of the way God is fulfilling the covenant He the way God is fulfilling the covenant He made to Abraham in Genesis 17:5:made to Abraham in Genesis 17:5:

• for a father of many nations have I made thee. for a father of many nations have I made thee. – Tribes and ethnicitiesTribes and ethnicities

QuestionQuestion

How does God fulfill His promise to How does God fulfill His promise to Abraham if the tree has only Jewish Abraham if the tree has only Jewish

branches?branches?

ROMANS 11:24ROMANS 11:24

• For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature [Gentile], and wert which is wild by nature [Gentile], and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree [Israel]: tree [Israel]:

• how much more shall these [future Jews], how much more shall these [future Jews], which be the naturalwhich be the natural branches branches, , be grafted be grafted into their own olive tree [people of into their own olive tree [people of God]? God]?

The FutureThe Future

When the fullness of the Gentiles is When the fullness of the Gentiles is reached, how will God remove the reached, how will God remove the

partial blinding?partial blinding?

ZECHARIAH 12:10ZECHARIAH 12:10

• And And I will pour I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit the spirit of grace and of supplications:of grace and of supplications: and they shall and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth forfor his his only only son son, and shall be in bitterness for , and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness forhim, as one that is in bitterness for his his firstborn. firstborn.

NOTENOTE

In the same way the Holy Spirit was In the same way the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Gentiles, God will poured out upon Gentiles, God will

once again send His Spirit [of Grace] to once again send His Spirit [of Grace] to Jews [natural branches]; and when Jews [natural branches]; and when

they see Jesus [him who they pierced], they see Jesus [him who they pierced], they will repent.they will repent.

AMERICA & ISRAEL AMERICA & ISRAEL

1.1. God has made a promise to bless those who God has made a promise to bless those who bless Abraham and curse those who curse bless Abraham and curse those who curse AbrahamAbraham– Therefore, it seems wise or prudent to show Therefore, it seems wise or prudent to show

favor toward the nation of Abrahamfavor toward the nation of Abraham

2.2. Only the return of “Him whom they Only the return of “Him whom they pierced” will bring peace to Israelpierced” will bring peace to Israel

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

PromisesPromises1.1. God has a very specific plan for the future!God has a very specific plan for the future!2.2. God has a plan to keep His promises to God has a plan to keep His promises to

Abraham, David and ULTIMATELY His Son so Abraham, David and ULTIMATELY His Son so that I can trust Him.that I can trust Him.

WarningWarning1.1. Do not presume upon the mercy of God.Do not presume upon the mercy of God.

ROMANS 11:22ROMANS 11:22

• Behold therefore the goodness and severity Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; of God: on them which fell, severity;

• but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue inin his his goodness: goodness:

• otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.