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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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NATURAL AND WILD
OLIVE BRANCHES (Romans
11:16-24) 8/24/08 Pastor I. HOLY A. Paul is still arguing that
God’s promises to B. The next argument begins with two
illustrations; the first fruits of the harvest and the root and branches. 1. The
first illustration comes from Nu 15:18-21 when God
commanded 2. The second illustration comes from the
root and branches of a tree, particularly an olive tree (Ge 8:11 - first
mention; De 6:11- flourishing land; 2Ki 5:26 -
revenue; Ps 52:8 - symbol of peace). It carries the same idea as the
first illustration. 3. The first fruits and the root refer to
the patriarchs of C. Paul’s point was that the
promises were made to Abraham, who was set apart unto (hágios
- made holy or set apart) God, therefore the
promises were also made to Abraham’s offspring ( II. NATURAL BRANCHES WERE
BROKEN OFF AND WILD BRANCHES WERE GRAFTED IN (17) A. There is a contrast
between the “natural branches,” which is B. Some of the natural branches, the ones who
were not part of the believing remnant (Ro 11:7a), were “broken off” (vs.
17). 1. God had
warned His people ( 2. Paul will explain that his analogy is
“contrary to nature” (vs. 24) in the sense that grafting is a manipulation of
natural processes. It is also contrary to the normal process of grafting
because ordinarily a natural branch is grafted into a wild shrub. 3. The wild branches were grafted into the
domestic olive tree and became “partakers” (sugkoinōnós
- joint partners) of the rich root. 4. It is generally agreed that the “root”
refers to the patriarchs, especially Abraham (Ro 4:11). It is here where the
Gentiles partake of the Abrahamic Covenant (Ge 12:3 cp. Ga 3:6-9). III. WILD BRANCHES MUST NOT BE
ARROGANT (18) A. Even though Gentiles have
been grafted in, Paul commands them not to be arrogant (pres mid imper -katakauchaomai -
attitude of superiority. Literally, it is “you must not keep on being
arrogant”). Believing Gentiles are not to think of themselves better than
B. Paul’s reason is that the root supports
the wild branch and not visa versa. It is the commonwealth and promises of C. In addition, the Gentiles have no reason
to boast in their own salvation because they were charged as sinful (Ro 3:9)
and were called by God (Ro 8:28, 30; 9:11, 24-26). D. Salvation is from the Lord (Jon 2:9) via
the Jewish people (Jn 4:22) and the Gentiles were outsiders who have been
brought in (Ep 2:13). In a manner of speaking, the term “wild branches” is a
pejorative term. IV. WILD BRANCHES CAN ALSO BE
BROKEN OFF (19-22) A. Paul anticipates an
erroneous Gentile argument that states that B. In one sense, Paul agrees (kalṓs - very well, that is true)
for the sake of the argument. C. However, believing Gentiles only stand by
their belief and not nationality. Therefore, they are no better than the Jews and are not to be conceited (hupsęlà
- lofty attitude). Rather they are commanded to “keep on having” godly
fear (pres imper - phobéō,
fear, D. Why should Gentiles maintain an attitude
of godly fear? Paul argues, if God did not spare the natural branches, there
is less chance of Him sparing the wild ones (21). In other words, there is no
partiality with God (Ro 2:11) and He will judge righteously with reference to
the Jew or Gentile. E. God is a righteous God and exercises all
of His attributes. He is a kind and merciful God as well as a God of justice
with righteous indignation against sin (22). 1. The
believing Gentile has nothing to boast about in his salvation because
salvation is through God’s kindness (chrestótęs
- gracious attitude, goodness), mercy, and grace. 2. On the other hand, those from 3. The Gentiles must persevere in their
belief (“continue in His kindness”). This does not mean that the believer
must maintain his salvation or he will lose it. Rather it means that a
genuine believer will continue in his faith and not become apostate. If he
does, he was not a true believer and “will be cut off” just like V. NATURAL BRANCHES WILL BE
GRAFTED IN AGAIN (23-24) A. It is at this point that
Paul returns to his main theme of B. C. Whether or not this can be done through
natural horticulture is beside the point (dead branches cannot be grafted
in). For Paul declares, “God is able” to graft them back in a spiritual
sense. D. In this spiritual sense then, Paul argues
that if it was possible for wild branches to be grafted in, it will be easier
for the natural branches to be grafted back in (24). VI. OBSERVATIONS AND
APPLICATIONS A. Arrogance Is Not Wise or
Becoming of Believers B. God Does All Things For His Glory Not Ours C. Do All To The Glory of God |
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