City On A Hill

WORSHIP TIMES

Sunday 11.00am
Wednesday 7.00pm
(childcare provided)

LOCATION

The Lobo Theater
3013 Central Ave. NE
ABQ, NM 87106
(map)

NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS

At City on a Hill, we not only believe the "content" of the gospel, but we also live out the "context"of the gospel in small groups.

Please visit our
Neighborhood Groups
page for more info.

We desire to be more than a church in the city of Albuquerque, we long to be a church for the city of Albuquerque..

Romans 11:1-36

Recorded on: July 16, 2008 | Speaker: Dave Bruskas

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Overview
Paul, in Romans 9-11, has been explaining why the church is increasingly non-Jewish. In Romans 9:1-10:4, he makes the case that salvation originates in the sovereign grace of God in unconditional election. In Romans 10:5-21, Paul explains the responsibility of those who have resisted the mercy of God. Now, in chapter 11, we see God’s purpose in Israel and His promise to restore the fractured relationship.

Exhibit A
Paul holds himself up as personal evidence that God hasn’t rejected His people entirely. He also makes the case biblically that God has always kept a remnant of Israel for Himself in history (verses 2-4). We are reminded that at the present time, God still has reserved a believing remnant of Israel through grace.

The Redemptive Cycle
Israel’s rejection of God’s grace in Jesus led to Gentile inclusion (verses 11-15). Gentile receptivity to the gospel will spur on Jewish jealousy and ultimately a return to God through which all peoples of the world will be blessed (verse 16).

The Olive Lesson
In verses 17-24, through the imagery of cultivated and wild olive trees, Paul makes two serious statements. First, Gentile believers shouldn’t be arrogant towards Jewish people as the root of the tree is the grace of God and His promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). Second, Jewish unbelievers need not consider their plight hopeless, as it is easy for God to achieve their salvation by grace.

Happy Endings
Paul reveals God’s plan to restore Israel in the future as many respond favorably to His offer of forgiveness in Jesus (verses 25-32). His mercy trumps all and His intent is to extend it to all whom He desires.

Now what?
This section appropriately concludes with a doxology. God’s sovereign grace extended to undeserving sinners, Jews and Gentiles alike, climaxes in His intended purpose: praise and glory to Him!

Application Questions
1) Do you live in perpetual worship of the God who freely and lovingly elected you in eternity past? How are you mindful of this truth?

2) Do we as a community manifest the humility that unconditional election produces? Where can we grow in our humility?

3) Are we living in the freedom that unconditional election brings to us as missionaries? Are we optimistic in sharing the gospel knowing that God has predetermined positive responses?

Resources

The Pleasures of God, by John Piper

other teachings