The Open Word

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 62 - Romans 11:16–24

Paul continues his discussion of the future of Israel by referring to an agrarian illustration of an olive tree. The Gentiles have been grafted into the olive tree temporarily, and the natural branches removed. But there is coming a day when the natural branches will once again be drafted into the olive tree, just as Israel will someday be restored to the place of God's blessing.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 61 - Romans 11:11–15

One of the major questions debated my many theologians is the place of Israel in God's future plans. Paul addresses this directly by affirming that God is not done with Israel, but there is coming a day when once again they will take their place of blessing. God is currently working through the Church, but Israel has not been permanently set aside as their rejection of the Messiah is temporary.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 60 - Romans 11:1–10

Paul explains the national rejection of Christ by Israel by referring back to the teaching in the Old Testament about the remnant. He shows that God has always had a remnant, a small group of true believers. Israel's national rejection does not mean that every Jew rejected, because God always has a faithful few. However, because of the national rejection by Israel of their Messiah, their hearts have been darkened judicially by God. Because they would not believe, now they cannot believe.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 59 - Romans 10:15–21

Paul completes his discussion of Israel's rejection of Christ by quoting several passages from the Old Testament. He shows that just because Israel rejected Christ, that does not imply that the message of the Gospel is wrong or that Christ is not the Messiah, but rather the problem lies with the unbelief of Israel.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 58 - Romans 10:11-14

We continue our discussion of what it means to confess Christ. What does it mean to believe in one's heart? Is mere head knowledge sufficient, or is there something more? We will be exploring these questions as we look at verses 11–14 of Romans 10.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 57 - Romans 10:5–13

Romans 10:5–13 contains one of the clearest descriptions on how one appropriates salvation by placing one's faith in the finished work of Christ. In this session we look at the passage at a high level, focusing on what it means to confess Christ and believe in one's heart.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 56 - Romans 10:1–4

Paul bears his grief for his fellow Israelites who missed salvation by seeking to be justified by their works. His heart for them comes true when he says he almost could wish himself cursed for their sake. How did the Jews miss it salvation? It is because they rejected Christ for a righteousness of their own, a righteousness that can never save.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 55 - Romans 9:30–33

In Romans 9:30–33, Paul shows that the Jews who pursued a righteous by works missed the righteousness that God requires for salvation whereas the Gentiles, who pursued a righteous by faith, are the ones who received justification and salvation.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 54 - Romans 9:27–29

In this short section of Scripture, Paul makes the point that just because someone was an Israelite, that did not necessarily mean they were all part of the covenant and by extension redeemed. He brings up the idea of a remnant, a small number in Israel who were truly redeemed, and unless God had such a remnant, Israel would have gone the way of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 53 - Romans 9:19–26

Paul continues his discussion of God's sovereignty by turning to the illustration of a potter over the clay. As the potter, God has the right to choose those to whom He will show mercy, and leave others to their own sin. He closes this section with a quote from Hosea in which Paul shows that God has now included the Gentiles as part of His chosen people. Those who were formerly unloved, are now loved. And those who were formerly not God's people, are now his people.