Future of the Jews
A Sermon on Romans 11:28-32
Originally preached April 9, 1965
Scripture
28As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. 29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy …
Sermon Description
How has God chosen to show mercy to Israel? Some argue that God is done with the nation of Israel and that when Paul says that Israel will be saved, he is speaking of the gathering together of the elect. In this sermon on Romans 11:28–32 titled “Future of the Jews,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has a different interpretation of this passage. He argues that the apostle Paul is prophesying of the day when God stirs up the hearts of the people of Israel and causes a great revival amongst them. God will fulfill His promises to the patriarchs and save many of their physical descendants. The hardening that has come upon Israel is only temporary and is used by God to send the gospel to the nations of the Gentiles. Did Israel stumble in order that they might fall? Paul says no. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the church should look forward to the day when God moves and brings a great revival in Israel and brings many to faith in Jesus Christ. This should encourage the church to evangelize the people of Israel, knowing that God has promised to do a great work of salvation among them, bringing many to faith and new life in Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is explaining God's method of salvation in Romans 11:25-32. This passage sums up Paul's argument in this chapter and explains God's way of salvation.
- God has shut up all people, Jews and Gentiles, in disobedience so that he can show mercy to all. God did not create sin but he uses it to serve his purpose.
- Sin is always rebellion against God. God did not create sin for the purpose of redemption. But God can use sin to fulfill his will and display his mercy.
- God subordinates sin to his purpose but sin is not part of God's purpose. God did not create sin.
- Paul is not saying that God ordains sin in general for redemption. God is not the author of evil. Sin is antithetical to God.
- Though God is not the author of sin, sin is not outside of God's control. God can use sin to serve his purpose. God uses sin to show his mercy and grace.
- God presses people's unbelief to the point where only his mercy can save them. This shows that salvation is by God's mercy alone.
- Paul argues that salvation is by mercy, not human will or effort. No one can boast before God.
- The passage in Romans 11:25-32 reveals God's philosophy of history and how he deals with humanity. God allows sin but uses it for his glory.
- God's glory is shown through displaying his mercy. God's method of salvation emphasizes his mercy.
- Paul quotes Isaiah to show that God uses sin to serve his purpose. God creates the consequences of sin, not sin itself. God is in control of sin's consequences.
- The devil is under God's control. God allowed the devil to act in Job's life but within limits. God is over all.
- Pharaoh is an example of God using sin to fulfill his will. God hardened Pharaoh's heart to show his power and declare his name.
- God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart shows God using sin for his purpose. God did not make Pharaoh a sinner but used his sin.
- God's method in salvation is to show that only his mercy can save. No one can boast before God. Salvation is by grace through faith, not of ourselves.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.