Week 47 - Free Weekend Program for Street & Vulnerable Children

Romans 11:1-10

Theme : God’s Sovereign Election

I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said,

3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”

5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel[c] have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.

6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened.

8 As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”

9 Likewise, David said, “Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve.

10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.”

Last week, we learned that there is no excuse for unbelief. God has opened His arms to Israel and to all people for reconciliation through Christ, but many have rejected Him. Like Esau, they despise their birthright, remains subservient to their feelings and to the wisdom of this world as opposed to faith in Christ and wisdom that is from above.

Today, the apostle Paul is asking: Has God rejected His own people? Has He changed His mind regarding Israel and canceled His promise to their ancestor Abraham? No, He has not. Paul himself is an Israelite, and God gave him faith in Christ; he is not in rebellion.

They are many others in Israel whom God has kept from rebellion and unbelief, as He made known to Elijah. These people have not despised His command or bowed their knees to idols. Idols are not just carved images; a greedy person is also an idolater, worshiping the things of this world, including self and loving them more than Christ (Ephesians 5:5). It is the same today, not all of Israel has rejected the gospel. Some, predestined by God, are saved and will be saved. God's grace preserves them. Through adoption, God has made them His and will keep them to the end (Jude 1:24-25).

Take this truth, let it stay in your hearts - we cannot find God on our own, He is not lost; only God can find us, and He decides to do this for some, not all. We were all lost in the woods of sin, unable to find our way out. God comes for us, calling us out by name in a way that makes it impossible for us to say no. Not everyone has this privilege of being called by God, We cannot achieve salvation through our own efforts. Faith in Christ is a gift from God. God alone chooses those He has called to be His, like Jacob, whom He loved before he was born. It is not because we have no sin or are special or different from anyone else. It is because God has decided to make us His, regardless. This is unmerited favor and undeserved grace.

God decided to make us His own children by giving us hearing ears—ears that hear the gospel, eyes that see our sins, and hearts that come to repentance. Not everyone is blessed with this gift. Many cannot see or understand the truth about their sin and the eternal judgment that awaits them. They are like people in a stupor, oblivious to everything around them (Proverbs 23:31-35). Their eyes are blind and their backs bent forever. Their stubbornness and refusal to believe will keep them from seeing the truth and will weigh them down into eternal damnation. God has chosen some individuals for eternal damnation, they are the reprobates. A good example is Judas, he is the son of perdition John 17:12. This is different from election where God chooses some individuals for salvation.

It is God who has predestined some to be saved and will allow others to be damned. God has the power to harden hearts and blind individuals to the truth of the gospel as they reject Him, gliding sinuously in self deceit, ignorance and pride, ultimately leading to their rejection of Christ and their damnation; like the case of Pharaoh & Judas.

Reprobation (those not chosen by God) is difficult for many to take in or accept, but it’s the truth, yet, it raises questions about the fairness and justice of God. However, we can’t question God, He has the right to show mercy to some and harden others according to his will. God is sovereign and salvation is by grace alone. It is entirely a work of God’s grace and not something that can be earned or deserved. Everyone in hell got the Justice they deserve, but everyone in heaven got mercy they do not deserve. This is the Gospel of God’s Grace. God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others, so they refuse to listen.

Finally, let me say this: being in church, in fellowship with other believers, or regularly attending this program to hear the gospel is good. But more than that, you need personal fellowship with the Lord—alone with Him in communion, continual prayer, and study of His word. Through constant repentance and deep contrition, let your soul bond with the Lord. This will produce deep, delightful joy with much private tears and peace.

Those who are forgiven much, love much. Most of the hymns we sing today were formed through this kinds of communion; Many people are praying regularly for you and supporting you through this program. Our desire is that Christ may dwell in your heart by faith as you trust in Him, that your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong Ephesian 3:17

May the Lord bless you.