The following resource is from Desiring God.org.

John's text this morning is from Romans again.

Romans chapter 11 verses 17 through 24.

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. If you are, remember it is not you who

support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in. That is true.

They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith.

So do not because of that. but you stand fast through faith.

So do not become proud but stand in awe,

for if God did not spare the natural branches,

neither will he spare you.

Note then the kindness and the severity of God.

Severity towards those who have fallen,

but God's kindness to you, provided you continue

in his kindness.

Otherwise you too will be cut off,

and even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief,

will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.

For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to

nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree?

Let's pray together. Father, humility has been the mark of your church when she is right with you for 2,000 years and we want so much to hear

Paul's warnings against boasting and pride, especially over the broken off branches

of unbelieving Israel, and tremble and stand in awe that we and covenant of grace by faith alone through grace alone because of Christ alone to the glory

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