Chapters 1-3: All men have sinned, fallen short of the glory of God, and condemned to die.

Chapters 4-8: Plan to save is revealed. Chapters 9-11: What about Israel?

Chapter 9: If God was right in choosing Jacob over Esau, God is also right in choosing to bless Jews and Gentiles who come to Christ.

Chapter 10: The Jews, though zealous, were lost because they failed to understand that Christ was the fulfillment of the law and that His simple plan was taught in the law.

Paul’s Letter to the Romans

Romans 11 God had not cast off Israel completely. As part of their punishment, God was not going

to make it easy for Israel to come back to Him; they were going to have to seek after Him.

The fall of Israel led to inclusion of Gentiles. Illustration of the olive tree. God allowed physical Israel to fall “that He

might have mercy on all.” This plan reveals the depth of God’s wisdom.

Main Point: God used the disobedience andsubsequent fall of the nation of Israel to

bring about the opportunity for salvationfor all men, including Jews and Gentiles.

The wisdom of God far surpasses the wisdom of men.

The Plan. God had chosen Israel. God punished Israel. God uses these events to bring about the

inclusion of the Gentiles. Now all men have opportunity to be saved.

1 Corinthians 1:25; Isaiah 55:8-9

The wisdom of God far surpasses the wisdom of men. Don’t need to speculate on what God has left a

mystery. Don’t need to add to the commands of God. Don’t need to reason away the commands of

God. Don’t need to question God’s plan. Don’t need to worry about how things look. Need to put complete trust in God.

Consider the goodnessand the severity of God

God is good in that He allows branches to be grafted in.

God is harsh in that He cuts branches off. James 5:11, “very compassionate and

merciful.” Hebrews 12:29, “a consuming fire.”

Consider the goodnessand the severity of God

Gift of the garden of Eden to Adam and Eve.

Salvation of Noah and his family.

Promises to Abraham. Gift of the land of Canaan

to Israel. Covenant with Israel as

His own special people. Gift of His Son. Establishment of the

Church. Hope of Heaven.

Adam/Eve cast out. Destruction of world in flood.

Destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah.

Death of Israelites in the wilderness.

Oppression in Judges. Destruction of physical Israel

and Judah. Death of Ananias and

Sapphira. Eternal punishment in hell.

To be cut off or to begrafted in is within our power

God will graft us into His tree.

God will also cutus off from His tree.

It is Our Choice:Cut Off or Grafted In?