Pastor John's sermon text this morning is Romans chapter 11th

verses 1 through 6

Romans chapter 11 verses 1 through 6 I say then, then, God has not rejected his people, has he?

May it never be, for I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham of the tribe of Benjamin.

God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

Or do you not know what the scripture says in the passage about Elijah,

how he pleads with God against Israel?

Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have torn down your altars,

and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life. But what is the divine

response to him? I have kept for myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the need to bail. In the same way then there has also

come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise,

grace is no longer grace.

And now, Father, I pray that just as you once kept for yourself a remnant of 7,000 people who, because

of your keeping, did not bow the knee to bail, that you would keep Bethlehem

from idolatry, and that you would lay hold on some who are straying in this room and bring them back to faithfulness.

And that some who are outside Christ would feel the sway of your mercy in great omnipotent

power and be drawn to salvation and peace and everlasting joy this morning.

Do these things through Christ I pray and do a thousand other things that need to be done in the lives of your people.

I ask this for Christ's sake and in his name, amen.

If we want to know God, we have to take him on his own terms.

And I know that you do want to know God.

I want to know him better, so much better than I do.

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