Reference

Romans 11:25-36

Title:  Humility in Mercy

Text: Romans 11:25-36

Big Idea: God provides mercy for covenant breakers, both Jew and Gentile, through Christ – we must not have undue pride.

Outline:                    

  • Mercy for us (v. 25)
  • Mercy for them (vv. 26-27)
  • Mercy for all (vv. 28-32)
  • So, Praise Him! (vv. 33-36)

Personal Reflection & Small Group Questions

Please complete this study on your own or use it in your Small Group for discussion

  1. Looking back over your notes from this week’s sermon and text, what particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?
  2. Have you ever adamantly argued something only to find out (or be shown) later that you were wrong? What happened?
  3. Sometimes difficult passages with multiple understandings of certain parts become points of theological pride and contention among believers. Though, rarely, is the primary point of the passage obscure or debated. That being said, first READ v. 25. What does Paul want us to not be unaware of? Then, read vv. 28-32. Why does Paul want us to know these things?
  4. READ Romans 10:1-13. How might this passage help us understand the end of chapter 11?
  5. READ Romans 11:29. Here Paul is likely in part referring to the covenant promises made to Abraham, Moses and David, to name a few. The new covenant where God would fix the peoples’ inability to follow the covenant stipulations is predicted as early as Deuteronomy 30:1-10, and God declared from the beginning that His plan was to use His people, Israel, to bless not just them but the entire world (see Gen. 12:1-3; Is. 42:6; Hos. 2:23; book of Jonah, etc.). What type of theological, cultural, national or denominational pride can creep into our hearts? In other words, is there any undue pride (in one or more of those areas) that we have? Do we truly believe that all people are equal before the foot of the cross?
  6. Why is Paul’s response to this “mystery” (v. 25) in vv. 33-36 a doxology? Why would his response be to praise God? How does the content of his doxology show it to be a proper response? After answering those questions, conclude with this: What undue pride as a believer do you have that needs to be addressed?
  7. Looking back over this week’s sermon and study, what one thing is most important for you to remember and apply?