What About Israel?

Posted by on January 18, 2009 under Sermons

Romans 1 – 8

  • Thesis – 1:16-17
  • Antithesis – 1:18-3:20
  • Restatement of Thesis – 3:21-31
  • Abraham – 4:1-25
  • Christ and Adam – 5:1-21
  • Sin & Grace, Law & Spirit – 6-8

The Elephant in the Room

  • So what about Israel?
  • Are they separated from God’s love?
  • Did God abandon them? Did he change the terms?
  • Is God just and fair?

Romans 9:1-5

  1. The advantage of being a Jew (Romans 3:1-6)
  2. Paul is not antagonistic to Jews
  3. Paul is dedicated to their salvation, just as he is for the Gentiles

Retelling the Story

9:7-13 – Patriarchs
9:14-18 – Exodus
9:24-28 – Exile
9:29 – Messiah

Patriarchs – Romans 9:7-13

  1. Isaac and Ishmael
    • Natural means vs. Promise
    • Genesis 21:12
    • Genesis 18:10-14
  2. Jacob and Esau
    • Genesis 25:23
    • Malachi 1:2-3

Exodus – Romans 9:14-18

  1. So is God unjust?
    • Exodus 33:19
    • God’s covenant name
  2. Example of Pharaoh
    • Exodus 9:16
    • The demonstration of power and love

Exile – Romans 9:24-28

  1. So why does God blame us?
    • Potter and Clay imagery
    • Isaiah 29:16, 45:9
  2. The Remnant
    • Some are left to start over
    • God works with the outcasts
  3. Israel: Forest and Trees

The Rest of the Story

  • God’s not finished with Israel
  • If He can save Israel to save the Gentiles …
  • Then He can save the Gentiles in order to save Israel!