Message Notes

Senior Sunday School 10 November 2024

Text: Romans 11

Subject: “Their acceptance be but life from the dead” Romans 11:15

13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.

15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

Romans 11:13-15

INTRODUCTION

1. The Church in Rome

a) Jews

b) Gentiles

2. Addressing the Gentiles directly

a) Paul was aware of Jewish responses

ADDRESSING THE GENTILES IN THE CHURCH

For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

Romans 11:13

1. An apostle to the Gentiles

a) This was the Lord’s appointment (2 Timothy 1:11)

b) His prominent ministry was with the Gentiles

c) His role was recognised by the Jerusalem Church (Galatians 2:7-9)

d) Magnifying his ministry

i) Not in the negative sense

ii) Just stating the fact that he was the acknowledged apostle to the Gentiles

PAUL’S DESIRE FOR JEWS TO BE SAVED

If by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.

Romans 11:14

1. This desire was openly declared Romans 10:1

2. How Paul regarded fellow Jews

a) They are of “his flesh”

b) Paul fully identified himself with the Jews

3. To provoke to jealousy

a) By teaching rich spiritual lessons

b) By teaching truths that Israel believed were theirs exclusively

c) By showing that God’s great blessings have been given to the Gentiles

i) The Messiah

ii) The Scriptures

iii) The Promises

iv) The Holy Spirit

v) The Kingdom of heaven

vi) The love of God

vii) The blessings of the Lord

PAUL’S HOPE FOR ISRAEL

For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

Romans 11:15

1. The casting away

a) This led to the reconciling of the world to God

b) Gentiles may be reconciled to God (Ephesians 2)

2. The acceptance of salvation

a) Through faith

b) They will find life from the dead

LESSONS TO PONDER OVER

1. The passion of Paul for people to be saved

a) The Jews

b) The Gentiles

2. The faithfulness of Paul

a) In life

b) In ministry

c) In his concern for his fellow Jews

3. The prayers of Paul

a) For Israel to be saved

b) He matched this with zeal in evangelism