GENTILES GRAFTED INTO GOD'S OLIVE TREE

GENTILES GRAFTED INTO GOD'S OLIVE TREE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Romans 11:11-24

Key Verse: "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree." (Romans 11:17, KJV)

Supporting Texts: John 15:1-8; Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:26-29; Acts 10:34-35; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Isaiah 49:6.

Description: Through faith in Jesus Christ, believing Gentiles have been graciously included in God's covenant people, demonstrating His mercy while calling all believers to humility, faith, and perseverance.

INTRODUCTION
Romans 11:11-24 explains one of the great mysteries of God's redemptive plan. Although many Israelites rejected Jesus Christ, God used their unbelief as an opportunity for the Gospel to spread among the Gentiles. This did not mean that God had abandoned Israel, but rather that His saving purpose was being extended to all nations. His mercy reached beyond one nation to embrace everyone who believes in Christ.

To illustrate this truth, Paul uses the picture of an olive tree. The natural branches represent Israel, while the wild olive branches represent believing Gentiles who have been grafted into God's covenant family through faith in Christ. This imagery demonstrates both God's amazing grace and His sovereign wisdom in bringing together Jews and Gentiles into one people through Jesus Christ.

This passage also contains a solemn warning. Gentile believers must never become proud because of their inclusion in God's family. Salvation is entirely by grace, and every believer stands only by faith. Therefore, humility, gratitude, and steadfastness should characterise everyone who has received God's mercy.

1. GOD'S SALVATION IS FOR ALL PEOPLE
God's plan of redemption extends to every nation through Jesus Christ.

a) Israel's Rejection Opened The Door To The Gentiles (Romans 11:11)
God used Israel's rejection of Christ to spread the Gospel among the nations.

b) Christ Died For The Whole World (John 3:16)
God's love extends to every person regardless of nationality or background.

c) There Is No Partiality With God (Acts 10:34-35)
The Lord welcomes all who fear Him and believe in His Son.

d) The Gospel Must Reach Every Nation (Matthew 28:19-20)
Christ commissioned His Church to make disciples of all nations.

Biblical Example: Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48). Cornelius, a Gentile, believed the Gospel, received the Holy Spirit, and demonstrated that salvation is available to everyone who trusts in Christ.

2. BELIEVERS ARE GRAFTED INTO GOD'S FAMILY BY GRACE
Our place in God's family is the result of His mercy and not our merit.

a) The Wild Olive Branches Were Grafted In (Romans 11:17)
Gentile believers became partakers of God's covenant blessings through faith in Christ.

b) Salvation Is By Grace Through Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
No one earns a place in God's family by works.

c) We Are Fellow Citizens With God's People (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Believing Jews and Gentiles together form one household of faith.

d) Christ Is The True Vine (John 15:5)
Believers remain spiritually fruitful only by abiding in Christ.

Biblical Example: Ruth (Ruth 1:16-17; 4:13-22). Although Ruth was a Moabite, she embraced the God of Israel, became part of His covenant people, and was included in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

3. GOD CALLS BELIEVERS TO HUMILITY
No believer has any reason to boast because salvation is entirely the work of God.

a) Do Not Boast Against The Branches (Romans 11:18)
Gentile believers must never despise Israel or become spiritually proud.

b) You Stand By Faith (Romans 11:20)
Our security rests upon faith in Christ rather than personal merit.

c) Fear The Lord Reverently (Romans 11:20-21)
A humble reverence for God guards believers against pride and complacency.

d) Give God All The Glory (1 Corinthians 1:29-31)
Every blessing we enjoy is the result of God's grace.

Biblical Example: The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). Paul acknowledged that everything he became was solely by the grace of God and not by his own ability.

4. CONTINUE IN GOD'S GOODNESS THROUGH FAITH
Believers are called to remain steadfast in Christ until the end.

a) Continue In God's Goodness (Romans 11:22)
Perseverance in faith demonstrates a genuine relationship with Christ.

b) Abide In Christ Continually (John 15:4-5)
Spiritual fruitfulness depends upon maintaining fellowship with Jesus.

c) Remain Firm In The Faith (Colossians 1:21-23)
Do not be moved away from the hope of the Gospel.

d) Look Forward To God's Complete Redemption (Romans 11:23-24)
God's redemptive plan continues to unfold according to His perfect purpose.

Biblical Example: The early Church (Acts 2:42-47). The first believers remained steadfast in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, prayer, and worship, experiencing continual spiritual growth and God's abundant blessing.

CONCLUSION
Romans 11:11-24 reveals the greatness of God's mercy in extending salvation to the Gentiles while remaining faithful to His covenant purposes for Israel. Every believer who has trusted in Jesus Christ has been graciously grafted into God's family and now shares in the rich spiritual blessings found in Him. This privilege should inspire profound gratitude and unwavering faith.

Therefore, let us reject every form of pride and remain humble before the Lord. Continue to abide in Christ, stand firmly in the faith, and faithfully proclaim the Gospel to all people. As we remain rooted in God's grace, we shall bear lasting fruit and participate joyfully in His eternal redemptive plan.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for including me in Your family through faith in Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to remain humble as I enjoy the blessings of Your grace, in Jesus name.

3. Father, strengthen my faith so that I may remain firmly rooted in Christ, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, help me to abide continually in You and bear lasting spiritual fruit, in Jesus name.

5. Father, remove every spirit of pride, self-righteousness, and spiritual complacency from my life, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, use me to proclaim the Gospel so that many people may become part of Your Kingdom, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let Your Church remain united in Christ without prejudice or division, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, grant me grace to persevere faithfully until the end of my Christian journey, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my life continually bring glory and honour to Your holy name, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, establish me permanently in Your goodness and keep me faithful to You all the days of my life, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall remain firmly grafted into God's family through unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

2. The grace of God shall continually sustain and strengthen your spiritual life.

3. Every spirit of pride and self-exaltation shall depart from your life.

4. You shall abide continually in Christ and bear abundant spiritual fruit.

5. The Lord shall establish you in His goodness and preserve you from falling away.

6. You shall become a faithful witness, leading many people into God's Kingdom.

7. The Holy Spirit shall fill you with wisdom, humility, and steadfastness.

8. Your life shall reflect the unity, love, and grace of Jesus Christ.

9. Every good work that God has begun in your life shall flourish and produce lasting results.

10. From this day forward, you shall remain rooted in Christ, walk in humility and faith, enjoy the fullness of God's covenant blessings, fulfil your divine purpose, and continually bring glory to His holy name, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.