Romans Chapter 11

11 verses 17 through 22 for the reading of the morning text.

Paul in this text today

refers to Israel as a cultivated olive tree and the Gentiles as a wild olive tree.

Now here he shows how unbelieving Jews are broken off of that olive tree and Gentiles who do believe are grafted into that.

Showing that the difference in true Israel is not Judas or non-Junis, but its belief in Christ.

Let's read. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree.

Do not be arrogant towards the branches. But if you are arrogant, remember that it is not

you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say, then, branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.

Quite right. They were broken off for their unbelief.

But you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear.

For if God did not spare the natural branches,

neither will he spare you.

Behold then the kindness and severity of God, to those who fell severity, but to you, God's

kindness, if you continue in His kindness, otherwise you also will be cut off.

I want to talk today and next Sunday about the insufficiency of hell to produce genuine repentance and I want to talk about hell as an echo of the glory of God.

So I have entitled the message for both weeks, the echo and the insight the this text that was just read that I'm taking as a command from the Lord for me and for you

is verse 22 which says behold, that is look at, consider, meditate on, behold the kindness and the severity of God.

Now we all like to consider the kindness of God. We like to look at that, consider it, think

about it, focus on it, and we should. Most of our time should be spent considering the kindness

of God.

Don't fault yourself if that's your favorite.

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