Castaway Nation?

Israel the fact that it exists as a nation's miraculous proof of God's reliability in keeping his word. Think about it. Where are you Syria.

Where are the parasites and the Jebusites in the Amalekites and all the other mosquito bites. Where are they now they're gone they're gone. Why has Israel survived deportation and genocide and persecution, and wars of destruction because God sent God shows a man named Abraham and from him made a new nation, we call that nation Israel and the citizens of that nation to choose. They were God's chosen people, but is that still the case is God replace the Jewish people with another group as his chosen people were going to explore these questions in a series entitled the future of Israel. Today Stephen begins of this series with the lesson he's called Castaway nation. Frederick the great was the King of Prussia land which is now modern-day Germany and Poland.

Frederick ruled from 1740 to 1786.

He was heavily influenced by Voltaire French philosopher and atheist as a result, King Frederick became skeptical of Christianity and the Bible.

On one occasion.

History records. He asked his court chaplain this if your Bible is really true. It ought to be capable of easy proof. If it is indeed from God. We should be able to demonstrate the fact simply with a complicated argument. Give me proof for the inspiration of the Bible in one word one word to prove the reliability of the Bible. Tough question.

One word I will think of the word Christ love guilt conscience after a moment or two of thought.

The chaplain thought of one word that all the world could see as remarkable proof that God keeps his word is reliable, your Majesty, he replied. I can give you the proof you ask for in one word amazed the king asked what is this magic word carries such a weight of proof to which the chaplain answered Israel. Not exactly the word came to my mind is I read the story that he come to yours. Anybody were unanimous we all didn't think of this word. Israel the proof of the reliability of Scripture and the author of Scripture. Think about what nation has lasted more than 4000 years. We know when the nation began, by whom and why we have detailed written records of their ancient and modern history. Their language remains the same of her religion, her traditions, her homeland and her bloodline. They still follow the original documentation that outline their faith. The tour of the Old Testament law Shirley for a nation to exist. You would think that the world would have to coddle them and protect them and they would have to have an easy path or road right. That's what makes their survival even more miraculous proof of the reliability of God, no nation has been so robbed, so deported, so murdered, so hated as Israel every day on the news and every day you pick up the newspaper. It talks about what nation what nation Israel, but even without the modern 80 developments. The King of Prussia had to agree and that silenced him Israel.

The fact that it exists as a nation's miraculous proof of God's reliability in keeping his word.

Think about it.

Where are the Assyrian where are the parasites in the Jebusites in the Amalekites and all the other mosquito bites. Where are they now they're gone they're gone.

Why has Israel survived deportation and genocide and persecution, and wars and destruction because God said they would is reliable his word is a reliable word through the prophet Jeremiah. God said only if the heavens above can be measured in the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject the nation Israel. In other words, until the universe is mapped in the center of the earth explored Israel survives every time you pick up the newspaper or turn on the television you have one more marvelous illustration that these people just don't die this nation. Do whatever you want.

Somehow it survives. We haven't seen anything yet as to what God has in mind now doesn't mean that everything Israel does is right. In fact, I believe there presently set aside under the discipline of God throughout this church age. But until the universe is mapped and the core of the earth explored Israel will prove over and over again. The reliability of God in the reliability of the word of God, but just one little word something has happened and they have gone too far. They called for the death of not just one of the prophets, but the prophet, they didn't just reject a messenger. They rejected the Messiah that would do it. Wouldn't Shirley got his had it up to here with them. He's through with irreconcilable Israel seems to be the way Paul was leaning we come to the end of chapter 10 verse 21 but as for Israel, he says all the day long. I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.

The question on everybody's mind would be this one.

Israel has rejected the Messiah. Shirley God is finished with Israel. That's the question opens our study in Romans chapter 11 verse one but I say then God is not rejected his people. God is not rejected his people. I know you're thinking that has a does the nation as an elective people, its blessings and covenants simply just go away. Do they get sort of a spiritual makeover and they get applied to the church and some spiritualized fashion is there to be no literal throne in Jerusalem is there no return to the homeland.

But the prophets spoke of our all these things which are part of the covenant promises to Israel.

Will they not literally occur are they now just sort of spiritually vaporized in the existence and development of the church. One of her rights. Contrary to what some sincere Christians maintain God cannot be finished with the nation of Israel for the obvious reason that all of his promises to her have not yet been fulfilled. If God were through with his chosen nation. His word would be false is integrity discredited among those who most strongly insist that God is through with the nation of Israel are those whose theology.

Some of you may know, is commonly referred to as covenant theology which this author says is ironic because they cannot escape the implication that God is unfaithful and fully honoring his covenants. In other words there called covenant theologians which is ironic because their interpretation of Scripture views God is choosing not to fulfill his covenants. Listen to what God said through David about him literally fulfilling lease these particular covenants he mentions. He says my covenant I will not violate nor will I alter the utterance of my lip. Once I have sworn by my holiness I will not lie to David. His descendents shall endure forever. His throne as the sun before me, it shall be established forever covenant theology teaches that Israel is sort of morphed into the church, the sort of just one and the same continuation that circumcision is just sort of spiritualized into the water baptism that the old covenant fees are sort of spiritualized into the Lords supper or table. Are there similarities yes are the covenant replacements no Romans chapter 11 should forever turn anyone away from the presumption of those who would teach that God is through with national Israel, that there is no future for them as a nation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ladies and gentlemen, God cannot keep only some of his promises. God cannot be partially reliable. The truth is most everything in our lives are not entirely reliable from your computer to your washing machine to your car to your job, your relationship were surrounded by unreliable things and unreliable promises not God right. What proof do we have God's word is reliable. Israel, listen, if God changes his mind and backs away from his promise regarding Israel's homeland maybe will change his mind about your heaven. Is this a significant question or what I love Paul's answer got through Megan Knight, may it never be. That's impossible. It'll never happen now.

Paul goes on then to get to evidences that Israel is not a castaway nation. The first piece of evidence is found in Paul's personal testimony.

Paul says here, God is a cast Israel aside, look at me he chose me.

Look to the middle part of verse one for I too am an Israelite, a descendent of Abraham of the tribe of Benjamin God is not rejected his people whom he for new words. If God decided to get rid of the Israelite Paul is implying after they rejected the Messiah.

Why would God choose an Israelite to be an apostle. Why would God choose Jews to promote the church. Why would God use Jews to hold significant positions throughout the course of even this dispensation. Why not start with just all Gentiles and work with just Gentiles. Paul says, I too am an Israelite descendent of Abraham of the tribe of Benjamin. First, he says, I too am an Israelite, it's interesting he doesn't tame a Jew or Hebrew, there are three names used for this people Hebrew from Advair, probably from Advair, Genesis chapter 10 verse 21.

The terms you a derivative of Judah most significant prominent of the 12 tribes and Israelite. That name was taken from father Jacob who was renamed Israel after his night of wrestling. Remember, this is the covenant name of the people it signifies their unique relationship with a covenant keeping God. Would you notice by the way, Paul did not say God chose me, and I am no longer an Israelite. He said listen.

God is rejected the nation.

He chose me and I'm an Israelite.

I have many chooses the covenant name. I am an Israelite, the name given by a covenant keeping God's covenant people.

But notice. Further, in the responses. I am also descendent of Abraham. Abraham was the father of covenant people going to whom got originally gave the covenant even further part-time of the tribe of Benjamin. He's a direct descendent of the son of Jacob Benjamin.

It's interesting that Benjamin was the only son born in the land of promise to depose reminding as leaders, listeners, and anybody more connected to the covenant than me. I was born in the covenant family and Israelite. I am related to the covenant founder on the son of Abraham. My descendents were born in the land of covenant promise from the tribe of Benjamin.

This is Paul's personal testimony as if he says you can't get any more Jewish than me and God chose me evidently is not finished with Israelite chose me by his grace as he will say in a moment Apple delivers another piece of evidence that God is not castaway the nation. This is the evidence not only of a personal testimony.

But now, secondly, the evidence of the past. Trial. Remember, Paul writes in verse two.

What the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah how he pleads with God against Israel. Notice that word against that is Elijah is pleading against Israel and Paul lets us in on his prayer. Look at verse three. Lord, they've killed thy prophets they have torn down thine altars and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life. I wish we had time to just dive back into this text, but we don't. But let me at least remind you of some of this.

Can you just hear, by the way, this prayer the pain in his voice.

The frustration and the weariness that I believe in all the way down to his bones is 90 miles from nowhere. He's in the wilderness. He's depressed. He's defeated. He's afraid yes he's just come from Mount caramel where the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed is offering. Remember that. Couldn't you just live off of that for at least a month or two you pray that God will send fire which fired Collins were more time in college I got in my car is in the middle when I turned the ignition when the start got out lifted the hood look like everything was there.

I put my hands on the battery look both ways. I was a ministerial student and I pray Lord I think this is the problem heal that back in the car, turned the ignition and guess what didn't start Elijah phrase range.

I pray I can you get a spark in the battery my miracle story. Yes rain is fallen after three years, but no national revival just rebellion. The Jezebel doesn't mean at the palace and say Elijah, I'm so sorry that all is Paul's profitability kept on my payroll. I was wrong to forgive me. That's got to forgive me when to start a Bible study the palace and lead us through the tour now to put the contract out of his head and tells me that 24 hours to live.

Tomorrow night you're going to be dead. Elijah runs and now Paul brings us to that seen here he's alone, afraid, discouraged, and he says, in effect, Lord. I'm tired of Israel. I'm tired of this nation, this people in the rebellion in their idolatry and their unbelief. And I'm the only one left that believes in you Lord wants to start over start a new nation infected likenesses take my life to just start clean will never make anything of this people. Paul is on the same verse four. And what was the divine response to him. Remember, it, I have kept for myself 7000 men who have not bowed the knee to bail Elijah.

You can see it you think the circumstances abound to prove that I'm through, but there are 7000 men at the mention, their wives or children who cannot bow their knee to Bill you have no idea Elijah what I have Key phrase when I have preserved for myself. I have kept a remnants of this people, I will keep my word. This nation will survive. Now Paul ties up all of the evidence that he is given with a summary statement with verse five in the same way then there has also come to be at the present time, a remnants, according to God's gracious choice. In other words, was truth and that's true now for if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works otherwise grace is no longer grace. He love that truth we studied through this book now for a few months right Romans chapter 1. Let me remind you, it's been a while. He rode through him and for his namesake.

We received grace. He could just do a word study through your Bible in this book. Chapter 3 sets for all of sin and fall short of the glory of God.

We are justified freely by his grace.

Chapter 5 verse one therefore, having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, having obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand.

I love that verse in chapter 5, verse 20 were sin increased, grace abounded all the more than on this is all a matter of God's grace, Israel was chosen and Israel is preserved by the grace of God. Elijah was encouraged and recommissioned by the grace of God, the believer today is still being saved, not by works but by the grace of God. It is unmerited favor never to stop RS study here, but I want to give you some pointed application first and I want to bring it into this 21st century for the believer, especially the majority believers are probably Gentiles, but both Jew and Gentile believers, what could we take from this is a very practical way. Let me give the three things number one, don't ever underestimate the power of your personal testimony.

You know what I find fascinating is that Paul could've said a lot of things to prove the reliability of God said a lot of things double a lot of issues and that is he begins to deliver the evidence he uses his own testimony as evidence of the grace of God and I encourage you. Don't be ashamed of this. You don't have to know all of the answers as you share your faith. You know the answer, and he has intercepted your life. Tell people that don't ever think it's a sign of ignorance to share your testimony with anyone. If the brilliant apostle Paul could do it over and over and over again in his letters, so can you. So can I start with that.

Don't ever underestimate the power of your personal testimony. Secondly, don't ever underestimate the insight from your past trial. Like Elijah, we determine whether or not God is working based on what we can see rather than what God has said, we tend to let our experience cloud God's promise in Elijah's problem began when he focused more on the word of Jezebel than the word of Jehovah, are you in the middle of a difficult situation right now. My advice to you would be remember the last one. What did God show you then what did God revealed it to you about himself. Then maybe he took you through that to help you through this.

Now write it down, keep it handy. We have poor memory, as all of us be like David who kept Goliath's armor. I think Jessica walked back and forth in that room every once in a while when he was still little discouraged. Maybe God wouldn't quite big enough for his day. Don't ever forget the insight God provides for past trials. Third and more final reminder. Don't ever underestimate the power of God's grace and of anybody was beyond the reach of the grace of God. It would be Israel, that they deserve it. Did call the hunter of Christians deserve grace note was even pursuing Christ know was he searching for the truth know he wanted to kill Christians, God intercepted his life. Do you or I deserve the light of God's grace know none of us deserve it but that's Paul's point there in verse six, if we deserve it. Grace would not be what it would not be grace. Grace is undeserved favor. That means God gives it to people who are undeserving.

We often thing off. I just be a little more deserving got give me more grace were missing. It gives a two undeserving people like you want to tell you story the way to wrap it up, but a mother I read just this past week and a new book I got that started a little bit into it came across the story.

She knew her son would have a hard life following in his perhaps father's pagan footsteps.

She had only begun to live for the Lord in the last five or six years. She was weak and sickly and frail, but a believer. She depend on the grace of God, and she knew her son would need the grace of God as well and so she spent time teaching him that her knee Bible verses, which she had him memorize hymns, which she had learned saying she prayed that God would save her son. She didn't see the fruit of that prayer.

She died when Johnny was only seven years old. He was sent to a boarding school, and he ran away from it.

Number of times in find it was old enough to run away and he lied about his age joined the Navy he ran as far away from his mother's God, and his mother's Bible in his mother's goal is eventually ran away from the Navy and into a life of deep sin.

On one night he recorded in his testimony was October 9, 1748 he was jolted awake by brutal storm that it swept up on their vessel so quickly that it had been unable to prepare for it in all night and into the following day he was convinced they were all going to die there the end of his rope. He came to the end of himself and remembered his mother and her tears prayer and hymns. She taught him in the verses of Christ's death and resurrection on his behalf. He cried out to be saved, not so much from physical death but everlasting.

He eventually prepared for ministry and he became well-known throughout his homeland of Great Britain. He also added some of his own hymns to the list and to the collection's most famous one was entitled face review and expectation like those old titles. One person was dropped out over time reads this, the earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the son forbear to shine. But God who called me here below shall be forever mine.

In other words, God will keep his word to Israel to you and me literally fulfilling his promises.

No matter what circumstances seem to say, no matter how dark and stormy your particular night is right God will never retract from you the promises of his covenant of grace but him. I mentioned has become perhaps the most well-known him in the entire Christian world, its title, face review and expectation was later changed to fit the theme of each stanza and new title shorter.

What was given title is amazing Grace John Newton considered it his personal testimony and so to be possible before. So is every believer after theme of our lives is that we are undeserving in God should walk away and he should start over again starts again the scene of our song is amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like I once was lost but now am found blind but now I see. We know that the story of our life can be summed up with these two words amazing Grace God's amazing grace is what defines us and what makes it possible for us to walk through life with hope the same thing is true for the nation of Israel.

They became and remain God's chosen people simply on the basis of God's amazing grace. This is the first lesson in a six part series entitled the future of Israel.

God's dealing with Israel is important and we need to understand the future of Israel. Biblically, I hope you will be with us for this entire series.

This is wisdom for the heart. The Bible teaching ministry of Stephen Davey, we have a gift that were sending to everyone who makes their first contact with our ministry. Call us today so that we can send this gift out to you in the mail are number is 86 648 Bible we be encouraged to know what God is doing in your life so right and tell us your card or letter will reach us. If you address it to wisdom for the heart PO Box 37297, Raleigh, NC 27627. Thanks for joining us today. I hope you have a great weekend and I hope you'll be with us on Monday as we bring you more wisdom on