WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.900 Romans 11, verses 11 through 24. 00:00:02.960 --> 00:00:09.099 Some men like to preach because they enjoy hours of laborious study. 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:14.179 ! Some enjoy the craft of writing and delivering a sermon. 00:00:14.179 --> 00:00:19.179 ! Some men like pontificating over complex doctrines. 00:00:20.120 --> 00:00:22.480 Some just like to hear themselves speak. 00:00:23.559 --> 00:00:26.300 I am not one of these men. 00:00:27.140 --> 00:00:30.359 In fact, and it may surprise you, I don't really like preaching. 00:00:31.240 --> 00:00:36.140 I do not like to hear myself speak, and I really don't like being the center of attention. 00:00:37.060 --> 00:00:41.000 So you may ask, then, why do you do it at all? 00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:48.359 I preach because I love things that are good and true and beautiful. 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:52.219 I preach because I love you. 00:00:52.219 --> 00:00:57.879 I preach because I love the God who saved my soul from deserved damnation, 00:00:58.460 --> 00:01:01.939 and who has revealed himself to us in his word. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:07.879 I preach because I believe that the best thing for you, week in and week out, 00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:11.719 is to teach you what God would have you know of himself. 00:01:13.159 --> 00:01:15.900 This is why I love verse-by-verse exposition. 00:01:15.900 --> 00:01:20.520 It forces tough texts upon us. 00:01:21.660 --> 00:01:27.740 And why all I know to do is present text to you honestly. 00:01:28.180 --> 00:01:31.800 I just want to open it, and I want to read it, and I want to explain it. 00:01:32.860 --> 00:01:37.580 We have been wading in the deep waters of difficult texts these past weeks, 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:40.100 and today is no exception. 00:01:40.099 --> 00:01:43.339 Allow me to issue to you a warning. 00:01:44.359 --> 00:01:49.579 We do not do well when we take up these passages in order that we might judge them, 00:01:49.979 --> 00:01:53.759 but rather we do well when we approach them humbly, 00:01:54.839 --> 00:01:57.919 recognizing that they are difficult, 00:01:58.659 --> 00:02:03.859 and seek to understand them in the light of the grand context in which they sit. 00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:09.620 We do well when we approach these passages with great care. 00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:14.360 In 2 Peter chapter 3 and verse 16, 00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:17.599 the apostle there writes in reference to Paul's letters, 00:02:18.300 --> 00:02:22.539 there are some things in them that are hard to understand, 00:02:23.099 --> 00:02:30.340 which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction as they do the other scriptures. 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:36.560 So, let's be careful, not only with the content of these passages, 00:02:36.740 --> 00:02:39.759 but also with our approach to them. 00:02:40.740 --> 00:02:47.560 We also do well when we consider these passages with awe that moves to praise. 00:02:48.840 --> 00:02:54.840 Remember that Paul is writing in these chapters of the saving work of God. 00:02:54.840 --> 00:03:01.500 Beloved, we should be amazed that God saves. 00:03:02.060 --> 00:03:05.840 That he saves at all is an astounding truth. 00:03:06.939 --> 00:03:09.759 It has been a minute since we considered chapter 3. 00:03:10.620 --> 00:03:12.439 So be reminded that Paul has written, 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:17.180 citing from 10 texts in the Old Testament in Romans chapter 3, 00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:19.439 verses 10 through 18, 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:24.099 None is righteous, no, not one. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:27.979 No one understands, no one seeks for God. 00:03:28.300 --> 00:03:32.020 All have turned aside, together they have become worthless. 00:03:32.479 --> 00:03:36.199 No one does good, not even one. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:40.379 Their throat is an open grave, they use their tongues to deceive. 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:43.479 The venom of asps is under their lips. 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:46.740 Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:48.939 Their feet are swift to shed blood. 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:52.159 In their paths are ruin and misery. 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:54.900 And the way of peace they have not known. 00:03:55.479 --> 00:03:59.419 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:04.539 Sometimes I think we just need to sit in texts like that. 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:13.280 And remember, it's either who we currently are or who we once were before God saved us. 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:18.939 Perhaps in the Southeast, we all need greater measures of law. 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:22.860 We might rejoice more in our great salvation. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:32.959 You see, we are all part of a mob that led a failed insurrection against a good, kind, loving, and just king. 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:41.439 And when forced at the end of the spear before this king, knowing that we deserve the pronouncement of traitor and our swift execution, 00:04:42.239 --> 00:04:45.579 we receive rather his mercy and forgiveness. 00:04:45.579 --> 00:04:55.959 And some Christians yell the accusation of unfair when other receive the good, kind, loving, just king's judgment. 00:04:57.399 --> 00:04:59.860 Let us not be those people. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:07.740 We would gladly leave that courtroom rejoicing for having been shown mercy for our transgression. 00:05:09.080 --> 00:05:16.759 Remember, beloved, in chapter 8, Paul desires to root us in the immovable purpose of God on our behalf. 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:18.259 We should love this. 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:23.399 He does this so that when the storms of trial come, and they will come, 00:05:24.219 --> 00:05:30.899 your faith will remain immovable because it is nourished by the immovable purpose of God for you. 00:05:31.860 --> 00:05:34.579 Paul glories in these truths. 00:05:35.219 --> 00:05:40.800 But he also knows the implications that flow from God's elective purpose. 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:45.620 Which is why Paul tells us of his grief at the beginning of chapter 9. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:46.180 There he says, 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:59.620 And I think he's so emphatic about this because he's just declared this grand truth of God's divine election. 00:05:59.740 --> 00:06:04.660 He wants all of his readers to be sure that he genuinely feels what he says in verse 2. 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:10.240 That I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:19.280 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen, according to the flesh. 00:06:19.340 --> 00:06:21.800 His fellow Israelites. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:26.379 Paul knows that not all Israelites will be saved. 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:31.740 He has seen the broad rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ by Jewish people in his day. 00:06:31.740 --> 00:06:39.060 And he is working this out theologically across chapter 9 and 10 and into 11. 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:45.280 But note that he is not judging the scripture of his day. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:48.980 He's certainly not judging the God of the scripture. 00:06:48.980 --> 00:07:03.720 Paul writes with all that moves to praise. 00:07:03.720 --> 00:07:08.380 We will look at the conclusion of chapter 11 in detail next week. 00:07:08.440 --> 00:07:13.360 But I want to read you Paul's conclusion before we read today's text. 00:07:13.760 --> 00:07:17.480 This is where his heart is going as he's thinking through all of this. 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:19.640 Beginning in verse 33, he says, 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:25.479 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. 00:07:26.219 --> 00:07:30.759 How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:34.860 For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? 00:07:35.319 --> 00:07:40.279 Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:45.759 For from him and through him and to him are all things. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:48.539 To him be glory forever. 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:49.879 Amen. 00:07:50.920 --> 00:07:56.159 And that's the way our study of these texts should move in us. 00:07:57.399 --> 00:08:07.259 So join me with humility and awe and the desire that our hearts will be collectively drawn to praise as we consider today's text. 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:11.459 Now for some context, I'm going to begin reading in verse 1 of chapter 11. 00:08:11.459 --> 00:08:16.239 Before I do, let me remind you, beloved, that this is God's word to us. 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:19.879 It was written for his glory and for our good. 00:08:20.419 --> 00:08:25.779 So we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:08:25.779 --> 00:08:31.159 I ask them, has God rejected his people? 00:08:31.919 --> 00:08:33.319 By no means. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:39.179 For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 00:08:40.079 --> 00:08:42.559 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:47.759 Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:56.580 Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left and they seek my life. 00:08:57.319 --> 00:08:58.919 But what is God's reply to him? 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:04.360 I have kept for myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal. 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:09.679 So too, at the present time, there is a remnant chosen by grace. 00:09:10.439 --> 00:09:13.200 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works. 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:15.899 Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:17.399 What then? 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:20.199 Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. 00:09:21.059 --> 00:09:23.559 The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened. 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:31.439 As it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day. 00:09:32.579 --> 00:09:38.480 And David says, let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:44.019 Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see and bend their backs forever. 00:09:44.019 --> 00:09:46.279 Let me pause there for a quick second. 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:53.399 We saw in our study of this text two weeks ago that God has not rejected his people in totality. 00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:55.899 God is faithful to his word. 00:09:56.059 --> 00:09:58.000 God is gracious and merciful. 00:09:58.299 --> 00:10:07.919 And God's judgment justly awaits those who don't flee to him by grace alone, through faith alone, in the personal work of Jesus Christ alone. 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:14.299 We see in those first ten verses both the remnant and the reprobate. 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:17.799 So verse 11 and on today's text. 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:21.919 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? 00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:23.639 By no means. 00:10:24.459 --> 00:10:29.579 Rather, through their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles so as to make Israel jealous. 00:10:30.439 --> 00:10:38.079 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean? 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:50.040 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles, and as much then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous and thus save some of them. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:57.300 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:02.600 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump. 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:05.140 And if the root is holy, so are the branches. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:16.340 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others, and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:22.580 If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:27.319 Then you will say, branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in. 00:11:27.939 --> 00:11:28.720 That is true. 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:33.319 They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:36.220 So do not become proud, but fear. 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:40.520 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:44.300 Note then the kindness and the severity of God. 00:11:44.640 --> 00:11:50.520 Severity towards those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. 00:11:51.180 --> 00:11:53.460 Otherwise, you too will be cut off. 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:58.600 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in. 00:11:58.660 --> 00:12:01.259 For God has the power to graft them in again. 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:09.139 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:15.360 how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree? 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:15.800 Okay. 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:17.259 Okay. 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:22.340 If your head is spinning at this point, you are in good company. 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:29.300 Faithful Bible commentators have written broadly on this chapter and often find disagreement. 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:35.080 I have taught this chapter before, and any digital record of my notes are mysteriously gone. 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:41.500 There's records of sermons from before chapter 11 and records of sermons after chapter 11. 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:49.860 No chapter 11, and perhaps this is God's mercy to you because I likely did a poor job the first time through. 00:12:50.940 --> 00:12:58.860 I have now spent many more hours turning it over and over and seeking to write and deliver a clear explanation of its contents. 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:01.840 And I am not promising that will be the case this morning. 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:05.000 It is a difficult text. 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:13.019 These types of texts require us to apply two important hermeneutic principles. 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:15.759 And hermeneutics are principles of interpretation. 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:21.480 Number one, we are to set the text in its context. 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:25.100 It's really important for us to remember the argument that's being made. 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:26.240 Where have we come from? 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:28.440 Where are we going? 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:32.840 Not only immediately, but even more broadly. 00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:37.220 Like, what do we know to be true as is taught in the Bible? 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:42.379 So setting the text in its context is helpful, especially with difficult texts. 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:50.759 Secondly, we are to allow more clear texts to help us interpret less clear texts. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:56.720 So those things that are not hard to understand, it's that text that are more difficult. 00:13:56.860 --> 00:14:01.320 If you get it the other way around, you're going to find yourself with all kinds of disparate views. 00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:06.840 We're also needing to imply an important doctrine of the Bible. 00:14:07.660 --> 00:14:13.360 The perspicuity, which is the most complicated way to say clarity of the Bible. 00:14:13.780 --> 00:14:15.160 The clarity of the Bible. 00:14:15.520 --> 00:14:24.460 Which means God's word is clear about things that are necessary to be understood and obeyed in order for a person to be saved. 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:35.900 Any person, any ordinary person, by the power of the Spirit, can take up the word and believe those things that matter most, that they might be saved. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:41.160 And so it's helpful for us to remember that as we come to these difficult texts. 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:55.179 So context, more clear texts to help us interpret less clear texts, and a recognition that difficult texts like today's and our difficulty in understanding them do not obscure the way of salvation. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.019 Okay. 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:00.899 So there are four contextualities that we have left. 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:05.139 You know a text is difficult when I spend a lot of time on the introduction to it. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:05.559 Okay. 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:06.899 Number one. 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:12.120 We are saved by grace alone. 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:18.360 It is God's kindness extended to us that saves us. 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:21.459 Romans chapter 11, verse 5 and 6. 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:27.600 So too, at the present time, there is a remnant chosen by grace. 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:31.460 God extending something that we do not deserve. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.960 And then verse 6, Paul says, 00:15:34.040 --> 00:15:39.120 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works. 00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:41.040 Not saved by works. 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:44.300 Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:46.040 It would destroy the definition of grace. 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:55.399 So we are saved by grace and the reformers, and we do well to say by grace alone. 00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:57.480 But we do not stop there. 00:15:59.059 --> 00:16:01.519 Contextual, clear point number two. 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:06.579 We are saved through faith alone. 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:11.439 So it is a means, right, extended by grace to us. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:14.500 We are saved by grace through faith. 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:19.879 And we see the Bible again and again and again command us to believe something to be true. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:22.080 Romans chapter 1, verse 16 and 17. 00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:25.039 This is the thesis statement of the entirety of the letter. 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:25.759 Paul there says, 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:27.279 For I am not ashamed of the gospel. 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:33.220 For the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:36.759 To the Jew first and also to the Greek or Gentile. 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:42.399 For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:46.980 As it is written, the righteous shall live by faith. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:53.819 So when we say we are saved by grace alone, we are not negating that we must believe the gospel in order to be saved. 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:57.179 By grace through faith. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:59.019 Ephesians 2, 8 and 9. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.679 We are saved by grace. 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:01.679 Faith is given to us as a gift. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:06.500 Our salvation is not based on works because we cannot boast. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:10.019 By grace through faith. 00:17:10.919 --> 00:17:14.500 Thirdly, we are saved by grace alone through faith alone. 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.339 And this isn't in anything. 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:19.039 We can't just believe in whatever we want to believe in. 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:26.119 That faith must be placed in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:34.159 Believing that Jesus is who he said that he is and he accomplished what needed to be accomplished on our behalf. 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:36.459 Again, from the book of Romans. 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.399 Romans chapter 5. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:39.219 This is verses 6 through 9. 00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:45.959 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:52.059 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die. 00:17:52.059 --> 00:18:00.259 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:09.940 Since therefore we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:15.579 So God, as perfect, expects of us perfection. 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:18.299 We have failed at that. 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:21.579 We have an eternal deficit because of our sin. 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:24.960 It deserves God's eternal wrath. 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:27.480 And so we need forgiveness from that sin. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:29.839 We need somebody to die in our place. 00:18:29.919 --> 00:18:31.559 And this is what Jesus does. 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:33.179 His redemptive work on the cross. 00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:35.339 He takes away our punishment. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:40.539 And he bears that reproach in himself for us. 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.480 Which brings us up to neutral. 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.579 But we also need righteousness. 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:47.559 We also need to be law keepers. 00:18:47.679 --> 00:18:49.000 We need to be perfect. 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:53.659 And so Christ grants us that as well. 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:58.199 He keeps the law and he gives to us his righteousness. 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:06.299 So we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:08.159 And this comes to us. 00:19:08.159 --> 00:19:12.500 This message, this good news of Jesus Christ comes to us. 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:14.139 So this is number four. 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.359 Context and clear. 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:21.740 We are saved when the gospel is preached and believed. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:25.900 Let's back up a chapter to Romans chapter 10 and verse 14. 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:30.200 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:33.839 And how are they to believe in him whom they have never heard? 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:37.099 And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:40.140 And verse 15 says, how do they preach unless they are sent? 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:50.500 And so God's eternal, sovereign, elective purposes are not separated from the means by which that gospel is carried and believed. 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:54.940 And so now, the stage is set. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:58.059 Context, more clear. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:20:05.880 We have to bring those things with us to look at this text and get any bearing at all on what it means. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:09.200 So let's look at verses 11 through 24. 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:11.519 I'm just going to divide it into two simple points. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:14.420 Number one, an anticipated objection. 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:17.660 That's verses 11 through 15. 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:21.580 And then number two, analogies to explain. 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:24.180 Verses 12 through 24. 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:29.019 So firstly, an anticipated objection. 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:31.259 All throughout the letter, Paul has been doing this. 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:34.519 Anticipating objections all along. 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:38.620 And then he gives these strong responses to those objections. 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:41.660 This is the last one in the book of Romans. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:46.440 I believe it's the 11th, if I'm remembering correctly, from two weeks ago. 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:49.220 He anticipates this objection. 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:54.299 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:58.940 From what he has said of the reprobate that we observed in the previous text, 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:02.920 from the end of verse 11 through verse 10. 00:21:03.820 --> 00:21:09.019 We saw a number of Israelites who were judicially hardened because of their rejection of Christ. 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:16.400 And in Paul's use of Psalm 69, verse 22 and 23, cited in verses 9 and 10. 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.160 Right there it says, 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.379 And David says, 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:25.240 Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block, and a retribution for them. 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:27.079 So Paul asks, 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:31.539 Was the purpose of their stumbling their fall? 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:34.619 And he gives the emphatic answer. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:37.579 By no means. 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:42.980 Again, this is the strongest response that he could give to any question at all. 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:45.539 May it never be. 00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:48.899 It's strong, strong Greek language. 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:53.899 The divine purpose of the reprobate was not and is not their destruction. 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:56.819 That is not the point of their fall. 00:21:56.819 --> 00:22:02.119 Their divine purpose is the salvation of the elect. 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:05.019 Note the rest of verse 11. 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.259 So I ask, 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:09.539 Did they stumble in order that, so that they might fall? 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:11.000 Was that the reason for the stumbling? 00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:11.480 No. 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:11.899 No. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.740 By no means. 00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:13.579 Rather, 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:16.099 Through their trespass, 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:19.619 Salvation has come to the Gentiles. 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:22.159 No, they stumbled in order that 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:26.579 Salvation would come to the Gentiles. 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:31.679 So as to make Israel jealous. 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:36.740 God is employing a gospel-rejecting strategy 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:38.859 For the sake of Gentiles, 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:42.000 And a jealousy-provoking strategy 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:44.639 For the sake of Jews. 00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:49.879 I think that you could fairly reword verse 11. 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:52.960 So this is my translative work. 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:54.039 This is not. 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:56.439 This is idea for idea, to be very clear. 00:22:56.819 --> 00:23:00.759 Did the Jews stumble so that they would fall? 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:01.659 No. 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:05.339 They stumbled so that salvation would come to the Gentiles, 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:07.720 So that they would become jealous, 00:23:07.919 --> 00:23:12.439 So that some of them would be saved. 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:15.500 Has God rejected his people? 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:18.039 The question Paul asks in verse 1. 00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:19.340 No. 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:23.600 God has broadened and multiplied 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:26.500 His grace and mercy. 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:29.720 Verse 12, Paul says, 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:36.860 Now if their broad Jewish trespass means riches for the world, 00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:40.079 And if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, 00:23:40.620 --> 00:23:43.980 How much more would their full inclusion mean? 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:49.400 The Jewish trespass is used of God to send the riches of his justifying, 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:55.880 Redeeming, adopting, sanctifying, and glorifying work across the world. 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:58.980 It's still happening in our day. 00:23:58.980 --> 00:24:02.620 The gospel still goes to the ends of the earth. 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:08.500 And he has not stopped saving Jewish people. 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:14.680 Note that there are riches abundant for their full inclusion, 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:18.240 Which is a phrase I will revisit next week for further explanation. 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:21.620 We're going to pull some of this earlier stuff in chapter 11 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:25.359 Into a key phrase in our next text. 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:28.099 And we'll talk about it at greater length. 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:32.220 But for now, notice how Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:39.480 Has made God's jealousy-provoking strategy part of his ministry. 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:45.200 Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, magnifies that ministry. 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:48.059 Now he says, I'm speaking to you Gentiles. 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:51.819 Inasmuch then, I'm apostle to the Gentiles. 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:56.279 I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:59.839 And thus, save some of them. 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:05.620 In his anguish to see Jews come to faith in Christ, 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:09.539 He's going to go far and wide to the Gentiles 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:14.000 In order that they would see the salvation of God come to people, 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.120 And that they would be jealous. 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:19.559 And also, how that means, bring them to Christ. 00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:24.919 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:29.219 What will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:32.479 He's just saying, I want the Jews to be saved. 00:25:32.699 --> 00:25:34.199 I want as many of them as possible, 00:25:34.459 --> 00:25:36.159 As God purposes to be saved, 00:25:36.459 --> 00:25:39.579 To come from death to life. 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:44.240 Paul's primary ministry was to non-Jewish peoples. 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:49.419 However, Paul had not given up on the Jewish people. 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:53.000 In fact, the driving exhortation of chapter 11, 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:56.820 The summary of Paul's explanation of God's elective work, 00:25:56.960 --> 00:26:01.300 Is that Gentile believers ought not become arrogant. 00:26:02.580 --> 00:26:05.779 Beloved, we can interchange the characters at this point. 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:08.779 As people justified by grace alone, 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:10.080 Through faith alone, 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:12.080 And the personal work of Jesus Christ alone, 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:15.940 We have no grounds for arrogance. 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:21.820 There's no reason to think that anyone else is outside of God's saving grace. 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:27.980 It is possible to believe the right things wrongly. 00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:31.620 Sovereign election, rightly understood, 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:34.220 Is held humbly. 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:40.220 People who believe in divine election should be the most humble of all people, 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:44.980 Because it gives God all the glory for his mercy and his grace. 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:49.380 So, there's the anticipated objection, 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:51.339 And his answer to it, 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:54.200 Was the purpose of the retrograde their fall? 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.240 No, no. 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:58.360 The purpose was the salvation of the elect. 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.900 God is being merciful, 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:02.839 Even in that work. 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:06.200 And then he gives us analogies to explain, 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:08.339 Beginning in verse 12. 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.180 And there are two, 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.720 Very briefly, 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.779 One. 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:16.380 And then another that he expands quite a bit to the end of our text. 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.920 It says in verse 16, 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:20.200 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:22.240 So is the whole lump. 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.420 And if the root is holy, 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:25.460 So are the branches. 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:28.200 And we see in verse 16, 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:31.680 Right here are those two analogies. 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:33.400 And we must be especially careful, 00:27:34.060 --> 00:27:37.320 Not to extrapolate too much from analogies, 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:40.500 But to place them carefully in their context. 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.539 You hear me say all the time, 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:44.180 All analogies fall short at some point. 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:47.200 So Paul's trying to communicate something very specific and clear here. 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:50.360 And we need to set it in its context to understand. 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:53.840 Paul is explaining his affirmation point. 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:55.720 Has God rejected his people? 00:27:56.459 --> 00:27:56.839 No. 00:27:57.559 --> 00:28:00.139 God has not done saving Israelites. 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.599 Therefore, Gentiles, don't be proud. 00:28:03.159 --> 00:28:06.799 In fact, he has a strategy for doing so. 00:28:07.459 --> 00:28:11.779 He is employing means to bring about their salvation. 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:13.980 This phrase, 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:16.279 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, 00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:18.879 Is a reference to the first piece of dough 00:28:18.879 --> 00:28:20.500 From the annual harvest of grain, 00:28:20.639 --> 00:28:24.440 Which was commanded to be offered to God in Numbers chapter 15. 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:29.359 Paul most likely is referring to himself, 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:32.000 Back in verse 1, chapter 11, 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:35.359 And the remnant at the present time, 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.759 We see in verse 5. 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:41.539 These Jewish people who are in fact turning to faith in Christ. 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:46.440 As a pledge of all the bullying Jews that would come after them. 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:53.660 Saying, look, look, look, we can already see God's saving work amongst Jewish people. 00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:56.859 It is most probable that the phrase, 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.299 And if the root is holy, 00:28:59.059 --> 00:29:03.579 Is speaking of the patriarchs who were saved by faith. 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:07.359 We don't see in the scripture two ways of salvation. 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:12.019 People were always in the Bible saved by faith. 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:14.059 More on that next week. 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:19.119 But this idea of the root being holy is likely about the patriarchs. 00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:21.119 My mind goes to Hebrews 11, 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:26.979 And the grand list of those who persevered and preserved their souls through faith. 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:35.980 Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and so forth. 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:40.819 If the doe offered as first roots is holy, so is the whole lump. 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:44.240 And if the root is holy, so are the branches. 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:50.599 The apostles' point is that we can expect to see a remnant chosen by grace. 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.960 Verse 6. 00:29:52.559 --> 00:30:00.660 At the present time and into the future by virtue of the origins of the plant. 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:08.519 God has been merciful and will not cease being merciful to the Jewish people. 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:15.940 He will keep his promises the way his promises were always meant to be kept. 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:23.680 It is this olive tree analogy that Paul continues to the end of today's text. 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:29.440 Recall from the beginning of verse 13 that he is speaking directly to his Gentile hearers. 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:35.900 And here we see clearly the exhortation that Gentile believers ought not become arrogant. 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:38.040 Verse 17. 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:41.759 But if some of the branches were broken off and you, that's Gentile believers, 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:49.040 although a wild olive shoot were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:51.460 do not be arrogant toward the branches. 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:59.240 If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:07.059 And grafting is a horticultural technique where the tissue of one plant is joined to another 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:10.240 so that the two continue their growth together. 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:17.240 If you have no concept of grafting, YouTube will teach you more than you want to know about grafting trees together. 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.099 Right? 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:20.240 Common horticultural practice. 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:26.740 And certainly these hearers would have fully understood what it meant to take attributes of different plants 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:29.920 and put them together in this grafting process. 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:35.720 The point here is that the branches grafted in are not the beginning of the plant. 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:43.400 They are part of it, but they do not have their being without the beginning of the plant. 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:49.940 God has always had a people, and he's been saving a people all throughout redemptive history. 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:56.900 Paul then continues his exhortation by anticipating what the Gentiles might say. 00:31:57.339 --> 00:32:01.059 There's this warning, do not be arrogant toward the branches. 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:08.259 Then you will say, branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in. 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:10.180 He says, that is true. 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:14.779 They were broken off because of their unbelief. 00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:18.859 But you stand fast through faith. 00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:23.059 So do not become proud, but fear. 00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:28.699 Now, you have to see in the text, every time we're talking about divine election, 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:32.139 these writers are not dismissing human responsibility. 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.299 And here you see it. 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:34.179 Why were they broken off? 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.779 Their unbelief. 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.839 It's right there in the text. 00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:44.839 But you are grafted in, and you stand through faith. 00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.339 And what is the response? 00:32:46.419 --> 00:32:47.339 Do not become proud. 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.759 Do not become arrogant. 00:32:49.399 --> 00:32:53.839 But fear, because that's a faith that's been gifted to you. 00:32:55.119 --> 00:32:57.480 Persevere to the end in your faith. 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.480 Persevere to the end in your faith. 00:32:58.480 --> 00:33:02.839 Pursue love of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:06.920 Obedience to His word through faith. 00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:09.819 And see it out to the very end. 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:11.480 Paul goes on. 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:14.120 For if God did not spare the natural branches, 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.799 neither will He spare you. 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:19.299 If you show yourself to be unbelieving, 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:20.579 be careful. 00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:22.779 If you show yourself to be unbelieving, 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:25.220 God didn't spare the natural branches, 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:28.099 neither will He spare you. 00:33:29.419 --> 00:33:35.220 Note then the kindness and the severity of God. 00:33:36.419 --> 00:33:39.200 Severity toward those who have fallen. 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:44.220 God's justice will be, must be upheld. 00:33:44.399 --> 00:33:46.099 And we want this to be true of our God. 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:47.819 We want justice done. 00:33:47.919 --> 00:33:51.599 We want things in this world to be set right. 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:56.099 But God's kindness to you, 00:33:56.179 --> 00:33:59.240 if you have placed faith in Jesus Christ, 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:02.659 provided you continue in His kindness. 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:05.240 Otherwise you too will be cut off. 00:34:06.419 --> 00:34:09.099 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:11.539 will be grafted in. 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:14.219 For God has the power to graft them in again. 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.900 I'm not ashamed of the gospel. 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:17.900 For it's the power of God for salvation 00:34:18.660 --> 00:34:21.960 to all who will believe. 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:25.039 And He continues the horticultural example, right? 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:26.860 For if you were cut from what is by nature 00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:29.119 a wild olive tree and grafted contrary to nature 00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:30.559 into a cultivated olive tree, 00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:31.880 how much more will these, 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.820 the natural branches, 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:35.940 be grafted back into their own olive tree? 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:37.760 He's just saying, 00:34:37.760 --> 00:34:42.980 God has a purpose of grace and mercy for a people 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:46.480 and it includes Jewish people. 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:49.119 So application. 00:34:50.800 --> 00:34:53.500 For those of us who are in Christ this morning, 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:57.320 who have turned from our sin and placed believing faith in Him, 00:34:57.840 --> 00:35:02.260 we should be amazed at God's sovereign plan of salvation. 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:07.340 It is a grand and broad plan of salvation. 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:10.620 My heart is so stirred when I go to the book of Revelation 00:35:10.620 --> 00:35:14.720 and see the great multitudes praising our God. 00:35:15.600 --> 00:35:17.840 It sometimes feels as if, right, 00:35:18.060 --> 00:35:20.900 the reprobate vastly outnumber the saints. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.960 I just like to think the opposite is true. 00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:25.099 I don't have any biblical evidence of that. 00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:26.200 But there's a multitude, 00:35:26.760 --> 00:35:27.900 a countless multitude, 00:35:28.680 --> 00:35:31.240 praising God at the end of all things. 00:35:31.340 --> 00:35:33.860 And we should just be astounded 00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:36.700 that there are people saved. 00:35:38.599 --> 00:35:40.320 Secondly, we should be humble 00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:42.800 because our salvation is by grace alone, 00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:43.740 through faith alone, 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:47.960 in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:49.800 Oh, beloved, 00:35:49.800 --> 00:35:51.440 we sing so many good songs 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:53.760 that speak to these great truths. 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:56.260 We deserve severity 00:35:56.260 --> 00:35:59.600 but have been given God's kindness. 00:36:01.720 --> 00:36:05.940 Thirdly, we should plead God's saving grace 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:07.560 for all peoples. 00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:10.180 We, along with Paul, 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:11.740 should be out there 00:36:11.740 --> 00:36:13.539 sharing the good news of Jesus Christ 00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:15.000 that people will come to faith in Him 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:17.519 and perhaps become jealous. 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:21.420 We should not give up on Jewish people. 00:36:21.659 --> 00:36:23.699 Direct application of the text. 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:24.719 We should not think 00:36:24.719 --> 00:36:26.559 that God's saving purpose 00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:29.059 is beyond Israelites. 00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:31.440 And there's nothing in here 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:32.719 about the nation-state of Israel 00:36:32.719 --> 00:36:34.179 and what we should think about war right now. 00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:35.780 So I just want to be clear about that. 00:36:35.780 --> 00:36:39.220 But the saving work of God 00:36:39.220 --> 00:36:40.540 still extends. 00:36:41.160 --> 00:36:42.860 Let's go and preach the gospel 00:36:42.860 --> 00:36:45.200 to anyone who will hear, 00:36:45.680 --> 00:36:48.300 even people of Jewish descent. 00:36:49.460 --> 00:36:50.500 Charles Spurgeon once said, 00:36:50.540 --> 00:36:51.740 you may be familiar with the quotes 00:36:51.740 --> 00:36:53.040 on your bulletin this morning, 00:36:53.240 --> 00:36:54.280 if sinners be damned, 00:36:54.640 --> 00:36:56.320 at least let them leap to hell 00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:57.900 over our dead bodies. 00:36:59.040 --> 00:37:02.580 Charles Spurgeon believed in divine election. 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:05.679 Charles Spurgeon once wrote, 00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:07.920 Calvinism is the gospel. 00:37:08.759 --> 00:37:09.719 And he also said this, 00:37:10.119 --> 00:37:10.840 if sinners be damned, 00:37:11.199 --> 00:37:12.639 at least let them leap to hell 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:14.799 over our dead bodies. 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:16.519 And if they perish, 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:18.579 let them perish with our arms 00:37:18.579 --> 00:37:20.119 wrapped about their knees, 00:37:20.279 --> 00:37:22.840 imploring them to stay. 00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:24.840 If hell must be filled, 00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:26.840 let it be filled in the teeth 00:37:26.840 --> 00:37:27.639 of our exertions. 00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:28.840 That means like in our faces, 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.759 like as we exert ourselves 00:37:30.760 --> 00:37:31.860 for their sake, 00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:33.080 and let no one go 00:37:33.080 --> 00:37:35.940 unwarned and unprayed for. 00:37:37.020 --> 00:37:38.420 So we should be amazed 00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:39.760 at God's sovereign plan of salvation. 00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:42.600 We should be humbled by it. 00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:45.160 And we should plead God's saving grace 00:37:45.160 --> 00:37:47.060 for all peoples. 00:37:48.520 --> 00:37:49.980 For those of you this morning 00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:51.640 who are not in Christ, 00:37:52.300 --> 00:37:55.020 your rejection of the saving work 00:37:55.020 --> 00:37:55.900 of Jesus Christ 00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:57.160 is keeping you 00:37:57.160 --> 00:37:58.300 from the kindness, 00:37:58.519 --> 00:37:59.380 from the goodness 00:37:59.380 --> 00:38:00.900 of God. 00:38:02.160 --> 00:38:03.200 Repent of your sin 00:38:03.200 --> 00:38:04.539 and put your faith in him 00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.280 for the salvation 00:38:05.280 --> 00:38:06.680 of your soul. 00:38:07.780 --> 00:38:08.660 He lived the life 00:38:08.660 --> 00:38:09.780 God requires of you 00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:11.340 and died the death 00:38:11.340 --> 00:38:12.119 that you deserve. 00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:14.559 Jesus will grant you 00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:15.200 his perfection 00:38:15.200 --> 00:38:17.380 and he took your punishment 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:19.340 if you would just believe 00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:20.579 that his work 00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:21.880 was effectual 00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:22.940 for you. 00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:24.300 So let's pray 00:38:24.300 --> 00:38:25.079 to that end.