God's Sovereignty

Follow Along with the Message

Three Main Points on God's Sovereignty

1. God Redeems Our Failures for His Glory

God transforms  into .

Romans 11:11–15 NLT- Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it. I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!

God always  a faithful remnant.

Romans 11:1–5 NLT- I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, “LORD, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!” It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.

God's plans  be thwarted.

Romans 9:6 NLT- Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people!

2. God's Sovereignty Works Alongside Human Freedom

Warnings against falling away are .

Romans 11:20–22 NLT- Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.

God's sovereignty does not eliminate human .

Romans 11:22–24 NLT- Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.

3. God's Ultimate Purpose is Mercy for All

God consigns all to  to have mercy on all.

Romans 11:32 NLT- For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

God's ways are beyond human .

Romans 11:33–36 NLT- Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

God's salvation is  accessible.

Romans 10:8–13 NLT- In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart." And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

God's patience  His character.

Romans 10:21 NLT- But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

God uses hardship for  purposes.

Romans 11:25–26 NLT- I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.

For today's readers, Romans 9-11 teaches us:

• To avoid spiritual pride and exclusivism - the Gospel is for all people.
• To trust God's faithfulness even when circumstances suggest otherwise.
• That God can redeem even apparent failures and rejections.
• To appreciate how God's plan encompasses all peoples.
• To maintain hope for those who currently reject faith.

Practical Application Steps
1. Practice trusting God with your failures.
2. Practice giving patience and grace to others.
3. Practice living with humble confidence.
4. Practice sharing the accessible gospel .

Romans 11:33–36 NIV- Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.