Category: Romans

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

God does not have some plan for Israel the nation apart from Christ. Some Christians believe that modern Israel is the focus of Old Testament prophecy. John declares that the spirit (or focus) of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus – not modern Israel. (Revelation 19:10b) Modern Israel’s hope is to be ingrafted into Christ as natural branches!

SJA Notes

* Gracious Lord God, Your power brought creation into being, and Your power continues to sustain creation until the last day. Please teach us of who You are today.

“… Do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.”

Here is an important truth for us as God’s people to be continually reminded of.

We are the be-all and end-all of God’s church.

God is the one who builds His church (not us).

In John chapter 15 we read these words from Jesus,

“I am the vine; you are the branches;”

Jesus continues, that the faithful are marked by “abiding in Jesus”,

“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”

Paul knew God’s word. Paul would have known John’s gospel, about being cut off from the root, the branches broken off, the in-grafting of other branches.

Regardless of whether natural or wild branches, JESUS IS OUR ROOT, the TRUE VINE.

We are grafted into HIM. Jesus supports us, as branches are supported by the root, by the vine.

May we abide in Him today and onwards.

* Gracious Lord,

Thank You that Jesus is the true vine, and that in Your kindness You have grafted us into Him.

Please help us to resist spiritual arrogance.

Remind us each day that we are not the foundation – You are!

Please help us to abide in You today.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

In modern Israel there is a remnant chosen by grace. Verse 12 gives an excellent motivation for evangelism amongst Jews – their fullness (in-grafting into Christ through faith in Him as Messiah) will mean greater riches for the Gentile believers.

SJA Notes

* Holy God, aright our hearts today to Your heart, our thoughts to Your thoughts – That we might walk under Your will in all obedience.

“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”

There is an elect portion of Israelites who are chosen by grace (not works). The rest of Israel are hardened in their hearts.

True religion is the same for the Jewish person as for the gentile person.

Heart-religion. Saved by grace through faith.

Even for those descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – the same rule of grace applies.

That we cannot earn our salvation. That is it only through Jesus, as we believe in our hearts and confess with our lips.

* Father God,

Thank You for Your love for us, Jew and Gentile, the elect.

Thank You that membership into this group, Your family, is by Your grace – and nothing of works.

Thank You Lord God for all that You do for us.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

God’s purposes for Israel are the same as for Gentiles – faith comes from hearing the message through the word of Christ. Israel’s obstinacy and disobedience continue. So too does the holding out of the Gospel message to them by the Lord. In the light of these passages how should we treat Israel – as the favoured focus of Old Testament prophecy or as erring brothers and sisters who need to come to the Christ to find entrance into His Kingdom?

SJA Notes

* God Above, remind us today from Your word of Your love for us, Your steadfast love and faithfulness without end.

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Here is a wonderful truth!

Simple and profound – Confession and belief. Mouth and heart.

Paul opens it up,

“For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Why?

Does that mean I give some input into my justification and salvation?

No. Absolutely not.

As Paul says in v8,

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,”

It is not our own belief that justifies us, or our own lips confessing that saves us – But that we already have God’s WORD in us!

We are alive in Christ, God’s Word become flesh – His Spirit at work in us each day.

And so our hearts can believe and our mouths can confess.

Hallelujah, what a God we have!

* Father God,

Thank You for Your wonderful grace at work, making dead hearts alive and able to believe, stubborn rebellious lips able to confess Jesus.

Thank You!

Please help us Lord God, each day, to continue to confess and believe in Jesus.

Amen.