Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 18: Sending Jesus showed God’s love and concern

Posted: 12/07/05

Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 18

Sending Jesus showed God’s love and concern

• Romans 11:1-32

By Trey Turner

Canyon Creek Baptist Church, Temple

My family and I went to a fast-food restaurant for a quick bite, placed our order and put the car in drive as I said, “Thank you.” The answer came back, “My pleasure.”

I do not know why the phrase caught my attention except it seemed so gracious. It reflected the concern of the company. When we received our food, I listened for the response when to another person I said, “Thank you.” The person who handed us our food said, “My pleasure, sir.” Now it was verified in my mind, this wasn’t simply a person’s values shining through, it was the the company’s customer concern.

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The Apostle Paul clearly wants to challenge believers to have a sympathetic view of the Jewish people. They are chosen and God is not yet finished with them. Christians today also are challenged to follow God’s patient attitude toward the Jewish people and all people who seem closed and may initially reject the gospel message.

None are rejected (Romans 11:1-2)

Christians would have much more patience if they heard God’s favor was based on God’s love and not behavior. One man said, “It is the ones who deserve love least who need it most.” God is steadfast in his love for his people. They are not immediately rejected, even though they reject him.

This does not mean God gives universal salvation to everyone even when they reject him. It simply means God is patient with people. Christians would be a much more magnetic group if they showed God’s concern for people—the same concern Jesus showed while he was walking this earth.

Remember, Jesus was labeled as one who gallivanted with sinners; he was their friend (Matthew 11:19). His friendship to sinners was sometimes misrepresented. The Pharisees were happy to play the “guilt by association” game as is done between churches, groups and in convention politics.

Some are saved (Romans 11:5-6)

As people show God’s compassion, they experience grace and may be saved because of that compassion. Paul must be grateful for his own encounter with God’s compassion on the road to Damascus when Jesus called him to service. Jesus could have judged his actions and struck him down. Instead, from his love, God redeemed Paul. Paul speaks as one of those who initially rejected the gospel—one from a closed group of Jews.

How many more people are won because others love them to Christ rather than cast judgment from a distance?

Some are jealous (Romans 11:11-15, 25-26)

Paul seems to envision a time when, as if blinders were removed, a greater number of Jewish people come to faith. This is exemplified in the tremendous phrase, “all Israel” as it relates to salvation (v. 26). This hardening (v. 25) will only be for a time, then God will finish with the Gentiles.

The jealousy he speaks of may be that God will use the witness of the Gentiles to bring the Jewish people to faith. Nonetheless, the great promise from Isaiah 59:20-21 is anticipation of the great fulfillment Paul cannot even imagine. Today, believers hope that by looking at the difference God makes in the their lives, those who are not Christians will, in a sense, be jealous and want to be saved themselves.

All can be saved (Romans 11:28-32)

By saying “God’s call is irrevocable,” Paul reminds his readers of God’s love for his people. He has chosen them and will stand by them until the end. He will continue to extend his mercy waiting for them to receive salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. People everywhere have the chance to receive Christ. The emphasis in verse 32 on “all men” shows that God is faithful with all people. He is not showing favorites for salvation. He does not give favoritism to anyone.

The Jewish people have the same chance for salvation as do the Gentiles because God wants to show favor to all. Paul writes, “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom” (v. 33). Let Christians show God’s concern. As with the fast food example from the first paragraph, workers put on the values of the company.

May Christ’s church show God’s love and concern to people who are lost. Since God is not quick to give up on anyone, I do not protect my reputation by being quick to judge my friend or neighbor. On the other hand, I do show God’s mercy when I extend the gospel to people who have already rejected it.

Discussion questions

• What is the most difficult part of being kind and showing mercy to people who are put off by your Christianity? What kind of feelings does it raise? How does it harm you or your relationship?

• What are other ways to build bridges to people who have been soured by Christians “shoving Christ down their throats?” What are some reasons for giving up? What are some reasons for finding new bridges and opportunities?

• Is there someone you can pray for and build bridges toward?