Romans 11:1-10

Does God reject those who reject him? Paul gives a resounding ‘no’! He refers to Elijah, who declared to God “I am the only one left” (vs3) and yet God reserved seven thousand faithful, who had not worshipped Baal. This is grace. Paul tells us that there is a remnant chosen by grace (vs5), from which God will bring salvation. But for those whose hearts are hardened, they will not see the truth of who God is and his saving grace (vs8-10).

Romans 10:5-21

To have faith means to believe and declare Jesus as Lord. Paul tells the church in Rome that faith is a matter of the heart (vs9) and of our words (vs10). We believe and we profess Jesus as Lord. The only way non Christians (including the Jews) will hear the Gospel is if we tell them. Isaiah reminds us of “how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” (vs15). We are to declare Jesus as Lord and to share the good news. Not all will believe (vs21), but we are still compelled by love to share the Gospel.

Romans 9:22-10:4

Paul outlines God’s plan to reveal His glory to this world, through the Jews and the Gentiles (vs24), as prophesied in Hosea (vs25-26) and Isaiah (vs29). As Gentiles (non Jews) we have found salvation through faith (vs30). The Jews have not found salvation yet as they pursed works, not faith (vs32). We are made righteous before God, by faith in Jesus. Paul longs for the Jews to be saved through Christ, who is the culmination of the law (vs4).

Romans 9:1-21

Paul now turns his attention to the Jews in chapters 9-11, from which he came (vs3). The heritage of Israel is great – covenants, the law, the temple, God’s promises and the patriarchs (vs 4-5).  And yet, Paul grieves that the Jewish people have not yet been saved, rejecting God’s gift of redemption and forgiveness in Christ. Paul remembers Isaac (vs6-9) and Jacob (vs10-13), pointing to the truth that God’s sovereign choice is his own. Sometimes we don’t fully understand God’s sovereign purposes, but we are called to trust him nevertheless and continue to pray.

Sunday 24th November, 9:30 service, Natalie Worsfold.

Romans 8:37-39.

Even as we face opposition in our lives, we live as men and women who are victorious, because of Christ’s victory over death and sin. We are also victorious because of the endless promise of God’s love for us.

As this passage reminds us, nothing can separate us from the love of God, in Christ.

Sunday 17th November, 9:30 service, Asa Humphreys.

Romans 8:33-36.

Not only is God with us and for us, but Paul reminds us that Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father, praying for us.

It is the love of Christ, demonstrated through his sacrifice and his ongoing prays for all his followers, that keeps us going when we face opposition and challenge in our lives (vs35).

Sunday 10th November 2024, 9:30 service, Chris Hall.

Romans 8:31-32.

Having explained that God works through our weakness and through the challenges we face in our lives, the apostle Paul asks “who can be against us?”

The great message of the Gospel is that God has chosen to come to be with us, in Christ. In giving his one and only Son, we can be confident that our loving Father in heaven will provide for us in a multitude of ways (vs32).

Sunday 3rd November 2024, 6:30 service, Chris Hall.

Romans 8:28-30.

Whatever we may go through in life, God promises to work all things together for good, for those who love him. As a result we can have confidence that we will work his resurrection power to turn around situations which seem humanly impossible.

Through God’s goodness at work in our lives, we become more like Christ (vs 29) as we live according to his call on our lives.

Sunday 27th October, 9:30 service, Natalie Worsfold.

Romans 8:26-28.

As we live our lives waiting for Christ’s return, we find ourselves in times of suffering and weakness. It is in these moments that we can find it hard to pray / to know how to pray.

These words in Romans remind us that the Spirit of God is with us, helping us pray to God, even through wordless groans.

Sunday 13th October 2024, 6:30 service, Natalie Worsfold.

Romans 8:18-25.

Paul is clear that our current lives will involve suffering, as they did for the Apostle himself, and for creation.

The glorious truth of Christ’s redemption is that we await a future glory, when we will be united with Christ, resurrected with Christ and witness a renewed heaven and earth.

It is this eternal persepctive that Paul is encouraging in this passage.