Introduction

(Read Text) I imagine this passage sparks a lot more curiosity today than it would have 3 weeks ago. That’s because Israel has been tragically pressed into the global conversation. On October 7^th, Hamas made a surprise attack on Israel killing 1,300 Israelis. Among them were 260 civilians who were innocently enjoying a music festival. In another community they killed around 40 babies, and even terribly mutilated some of them. Over 400,000 people have been displaced due to the fighting, and Hamas took around 150 Israeli hostages. And those statistics have only grown the past 2 weeks.

It's awful, but sadly, it’s not surprising. Hamas hasn’t been coy about their intentions. What has been shocking are the large rallies in our own country supporting the attack. What in the world? The Holocaust did happen. Did we learn anything? It’s very disturbing to see people in our own backyard celebrating this violent, evil attack.

And Christians should be especially offended because we don’t see the Jews as just another people group or the land of Israel as just another a geographical region. We grew up hearing stories about Israel. We cheered for David when he killed Goliath, and we breathed a sigh of relief when Daniel climbed out of the lions’ den. And Israel is the place where our Savior visited the earth, taught the masses, and died for our sin.

So, we want to know what is going on? Where is this headed? Is God judging the Jews, has he abandoned them, could they be eradicated, and will God eventually defend them? We just happen to be in the clearest NT passage regarding God’s plans for Israel. I’m not going to make any predictions about the current conflict, but God tells us the end of story.

But God doesn’t just tell us about Israel. He wants to shape your heart, you Since it would be easy to get lost in the weeds of this passage I want to emphasize up front the central challenge of this text. See yourself, see the Jews, and see all the world through the lens of God’s glorious, sovereign, merciful plan. That’s where Paul’s going, but to truly appreciate his challenge, we must understand the problem that Paul addresses.

I.  The Problem (v. 25a)

You can see that Paul’s main practical concern is to confront “uninformed” arrogance. Is that ever you? Do you ever have strong opinions although you have no idea what you are talking about? I hate to break it to you, but Proverbs calls you a fool. The wise man is realistic about what he knows and doesn’t know, and he always strives to have educated, rational opinions.

In this case, Paul is especially concerned that the Gentile Christians at Rome were making arrogant assumptions about their place before God compared to the Jews. We’ve talked about this. Most 1^st century Jews not only rejected their Messiah; they violently opposed the spread of the gospel.

Imagine being a brand-new believer at Thessalonica and watching the Jews, God’s chosen people stir up a violent riot against Paul. It has to be hard to stomach. It was so bad that v. 28 calls the Jews enemies of the spread of the gospel. Therefore, man Gentile Christians despised the Jews.

That’s a problem enough, but to make matters worse, they used the Jews’ sin to arrogantly boast as if they were the point of God’s story. They claimed, “We have this all figured out. God rejected the Jews because he really wanted us instead. We are so much better than those wretched Jews. God’s story is really about the greatness of the Gentiles.” They thought they were so special and so wise. Paul says they grew wise in their own estimation.

That bravado should have been a red flag. I’ve seen a lot of people use theology to show off their creativity or brilliance. But usually they aren’t just arrogant; they are wrong because it’s about them, not the text. So, beware of pride. It never takes you somewhere good. It should scare you. Watch out. Pay attention when others see it and flee arrogance.

Beyond that, listen to correction. Paul doesn’t just castigate their pride; he also corrects their theology by explaining God’s plan for the Jews and for the Gentiles. That’s the “mystery” that Paul will unpack in this passage.

So, I want to emphasize before we go on that this passage is not here merely to satisfy our curiosity about the future. God put this passage in the Bible because you need to think better about God and the world around you. You need to see all of it through the lens of God’s glorious, sovereign, and merciful plan. This is profoundly practical theology. That said, vv. 25–27 correct the Gentiles’ theology by explaining God’s big picture plan for the rest of time. So, let’s talk about...

II.  God’s Mysterious Plan (vv. 25b–27)

Paul describes two simple stages to this plan. First…

In the present age, God is saving the elect Gentiles (v. 25b). In Paul’s day, both Jewish and Gentile Christians were tempted to think that the Jewish apostasy was a massive failure in God’s plan. “This can’t be God’s plan. He must be devastated and surprised.” We do that too.

But just because you are surprised and devastated, doesn’t mean God is. Paul responds, “No, no, no. There are no accidents with God. He is sovereign over every detail of his creation. God planned to partially harden the Jews (It’s not a full hardening because there is always a Jewish remnant) for a time in order to accomplish his greater purpose.”

What is that purpose? What is God primarily doing in the present age? He is gathering the elect Gentiles from every corner of the earth. That’s what he means by the “fullness of the Gentiles.” God has chosen Gentiles all over the world, and he will not fail to save a single one.

You may think that the world is out of control, the church is dying, and God is on the brink of failure. But you are wrong. God is in complete control. His plan is working perfectly. He is working all over the world to save all the elect. He won’t miss a single one. Right on time when the final Gentile elect is converted, God will move forward with is plan.

Do you believe that God is sovereign? How do you respond to the news and the daily burdens of life? Do you fret and stew like a practical atheist? Maybe you try to carry the weight of the world as if you are sovereign. Get over yourself. See the sovereignty of God. Trust the Lord. Have eyes to see his glorious purpose at work in the world.

Specifically, see the world fundamentally through the lens of God’s Great Commission purpose. ABC, CNN, and Fox don’t cover the most important news. That is happening in the church as God displays his glory in the salvation of sinners. God is at work. He is showing great mercy. He will fulfill all his purposes. And once God has saved all the elect Gentiles, he will move to the next phase of his plan.

In the next age, God will save all Israel (vv. 26–27). These are some incredible verses, especially when you consider the “partial hardening” of the Jews today. Sure, some Jews are Christians, but most are far from Christian. Many Jews are some of the most liberal people you will meet. They don’t believe the OT, let alone the NT. And it’s the same in the country of Israel. They aren’t exactly a bastion of biblical faith and ethics.

But none of it defies God’s sovereignty. Instead, it’s all part of his purpose. And someday he will create a radical reversal. God promises, “All Israel will be saved.” Jewish people from all over the world will all believe on Jesus and be born again.

When will this happen? Paul replies after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in,” “The deliverer will come from Zion.” What does that mean?

Other passages teach that someday, Jesus will take the church to heaven. Then Antichrist will rise up and sign a peace treaty with Israel. He’s going to claim that he can bring peace to the Middle East and defend the Jews. Can’t you see how that will be attractive? For 3.5 years Israel will laud him as their savior while he slowly unites the world under his authority.

But then he will betray Israel. He will set up an image to himself in their temple and persecute the Jews. Finally, he will turn the world against Israel and gather the world’s armies to annihilate Israel. Israel will fight, but the situation will look hopeless.

As this entire process unfolds, God will begin stirring a revival among the Jews. Many of them will believe on Jesus. Finally, during Antichrist’s genocidal attack, “The deliverer comes from Zion.” Jesus will appear in glory.

Antichrist will be doomed as will his wicked allies. And Zechariah 12:10 says, “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.” Israel will see their Messiah whom they demanded to be pierced. God will pour out mercy on them, and all Israel will be saved.

How is that? Paul quotes Isaiah as saying Messiah, “Will remove…” Jeremiah 31:33–34 add, “‘But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,’ declares the Lord, ‘for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.’”

That is a remarkable promise, and it will be an amazing display of sovereign grace. In a moment, God will obliterate Satan’s grip on the Jews. His mighty grace will bring radical transformation.

And why will God do this? Will the Jews deserve it? Will they figure something out on their own? No, God says, “This is my covenant with them.” Notice vv. 28–29. God made a covenant with Abraham 4,000 years ago. But for 4,000 years Israel has mostly rebelled against God, ignored his prophets, and rejected his Messiah. But God’s “gifts and calling are irrevocable.” God never breaks a promise. Therefore, despite all Israel’s sin, God still considers them “beloved.”

Isn’t that a beautiful window into God’s character? We serve the same God. He is full of mercy. He never breaks a promise. There is nothing you or anyone else can do to thwart his sovereign will. Therefore, fear the Lord, love the Lord, and rest in the Lord.

And when you turn on the news and there is another tragedy in Israel or anywhere else, do not despair. We saw last week in Ephesians 1 that God has a glorious plan for the ages. His plan for Israel is more evidence that nothing has been left to chance. So, see past the darkness of our world or the darkness of your own circumstances and trust that God will keep every promise, address every injustice, and fix all that is broken.

So, vv. 25–27 explain God’s great plan for the Jews. Then Paul gets pastoral with two challenges based on God’s plan.

III.  First Challenge: Love the Jews and all God’s elect (vv. 28–29).

That first statement of v. 28 is full of difficult tensions. Paul says that the Jews are “enemies.” Since “enemies” is set in contrast with “beloved,” Paul primarily means that God considers the Israelites to be his enemies. Why? Because they oppose the spread of the gospel. How would you like God to say that about you? It’s stunning considering all that God has promised.

But that’s what they are as it concerns the gospel, meaning the spread of the gospel, the work of the Great Commission. They were enemies of the cross of Christ.

But again, it was no accident. God’s glorious, sovereign, merciful plan is everywhere in this text. Here, they were “enemies for your sake,” meaning it was all part of God’s plan to take the gospel to the nations. There are no accidents in the world at large or in your life either. God is always working a good purpose even in great darkness.

But the fact remains that the Jews were hostile to the gospel. So does that mean the Gentile saints were free to hate them? And what about Christians today? Should we hate the Jews or just be indifferent to them? No. Because, “From the standpoint…” God still loves the Jews, and he still has a glorious plan for them. Therefore, God commands us to love them as he does.

So, I want to be clear that no one should be stronger advocates for the Jews than Christians. That doesn’t mean we can’t ever be critical, especially of the Israeli state, since ethnic Israel and the Israeli state aren’t the same.

But God says the Jewish people are our brothers and sisters from the standpoint of election. We’re going to spend eternity as fellow members of God’s family. So, oppose anti-Semitism. If you hear someone defending Hamas, put them in their place. Pray for the good of Israel, defend them politically, pray for their salvation, and preach the gospel whenever possible.

Then, look at the entire world with the same eyes of faith. It’s not always easy. When we lived in Detroit, our church had an evangelistic ministry among Chinese students at WSU. I remember sitting at an event once and thinking that the Chinese government sent these students here to get the education necessary to help their nation rival ours. It made love difficult.

I had to remember that God plans to save people everywhere including among national rivals. We must have a vision for souls even as we stand against evil.

Folks, the GC always trump political, national, and racial interests. No one should despise racism more than Christians because the GC will culminate in people from every tribe, tongue, and people united in singing, “Worthy is the Lamb.”

God has beloved people everywhere. So, we should see all people, all nations with eyes of faith, seeing them first for what God wants to do, not for our selfish interests.

And carry that challenge all the way down to your coworkers, your classmates, your family, and your neighborhood who you want to despise so badly. They may be evil people. They may even be enemies of God. Israel was, so I’m not saying there aren’t times you may need to distance yourself, and I’m certainly not saying you shouldn’t oppose their sin.

But just as Israel was both enemies and elect, the people in your life may also be too. God may just be waiting for you to share the gospel with his elect. So, don’t be arrogant. You stand by grace. That same grace can save them. Always believe in God’s power to save. So, God’s first challenge is to love the Jews and all God’s elect.

IV.  Second Challenge: Glory in the mercy of God (vv. 30–32).

Remember that the core problem Romans 11 confronts is our tendency to twist God’s grace into an excuse to boast in ourselves. Don’t pretend like it doesn’t happen to you. You are a legalist at heart, and you will latch onto whatever lame reason you can find to feel superior to others. You know someone you tempted to despise, and you feel the tug to hang onto any small advantage you can find to feel superior. Resist because it’s a terrible abuse of God’s mercy. How do you do that? First…

Remember God’s mercy to you (v. 30). That is a humbling reminder. The only reason you received mercy is because the Jews disobeyed. You didn’t deserve it; instead, you were disobedient yourself. God’s mercy, not merit, is your only boast.

So, let me say again there is no room for pride at the foot of cross, either toward God or to your fellow man. Christians should be the humblest people anywhere. So, stay near to the cross. Never forget who you were apart from God’s grace. Give thanks that Jesus suffered your death. And don’t boast about yourself; boast about the cross. From there, v. 31 challenges you…

Expect God’s mercy toward others (v. 31). I didn’t plan this, but vv. 31–32 complement last week’s sermon incredibly well. That’s because they place God’s mercy to you in the context of God’s grand story for the ages.

Specifically, your salvation was never just about you. No, you are part of God’s broader plan to glorify himself. Verse 31 especially notes that God will use his mercy on you to help draw the Jews to that same mercy. That’s incredible.

Christian, your life is about so much more than your monotonous daily routines, the burdens of life, or the pleasures you crave. You are a walking, breathing, living trophy to the mercy of God. You are part of God’s eternal plan to gather the elect to himself. He wants to use you to glorify his mercy and draw sinners to himself.

So, look past all the other stuff and see God’s grand purpose. Do something that matters. Show off God’s mercy at every chance. Pursue the lost with compassion and courage. Give people the best gift imaginable, a window into the beautiful mercy of God. To sum it all up, v. 32 challenges you…

Glory in God’s mercy (v. 32). We talked about this last week, and we also talked about it in chapter 9. When God planned his grand story for the ages, he didn’t just plan to glorify himself. Rather one of his highest priorities was to display his mercy and grace. Mercy is not incidental to God’s character; it is central to his being. Aren’t you thankful for that? So, God didn’t just want the world to see he is strong or wise; he wanted creation to especially see that he is merciful.

So, v. 32 pulls together everything Paul has said in chapters 9–11 about God’s plan for Gentiles and Jews and notes that none of it is random. God planned every detail including your salvation in eternity past. And he has been sovereignly executing that plan since the beginning of time, all to glorify his amazing mercy. Again, you are a trophy to the mercy and grace of God. And all of God’s plan, every detail of creation is for his glory.

Conclusion

Once again, my central challenge this morning See yourself, see the Jews, and see all the world through the lens of God’s glorious, sovereign, and merciful plan. God has a plan for the Jews. He will not break a single promise. Instead, he will bring a mighty revival that will glorify his mercy. Praise God for that hope. And praise God that he also has a plan for you.