RoparnaIsrael – Who is God’s chosen people?
PURPOSE
The real Israel after Christ is the faithful Jewish remnant – the Christian Church.
FOCUS
Being part of God’s chosen people depends on your faith, not your DNA.
Introduction
Ever since the Fall, God’s primary goal for humanity has been to save everyone.
Adam and Eve were the first to receive the promise of a Savior…
Gen 3:15
Adam & Eve passed on the promise of salvation in the Messiah to their children
But Adam’s children soon forgot the promise…
Gen 6:5-8
However, God found a remnant – Noah and his family. They were called out of the world and became God’s representatives and missionaries. But Noah’s children soon forgot their responsibility as God’s representatives. They began to worship idols (Jos 24:2-3) and built a tower in defiance of God (Gen 11:1-9).
But God found a faithful remnant – Abraham’s family. They were called out and became his people…
Gen 12:1-3
Was Abraham’s call unconditional? Was it an end in itself? Jacob inherits his grandfather’s calling and receives the blessing of being God’s chosen representative (Genesis 32:22-30). Jacob’s name is changed to Israel; the 12 sons of Israel à 12 tribes. Get enslaved in Egypt. Moses called to deliver them.
God renews his covenant with the children of Israel after the exodus from Egypt…
Exodus 19:5-6
A kingdom of what? Was the election unconditional? (Deut 28:1, 9-10)
Was the founding of the nation of Israel an end in itself?
Deut 4:5-7
For what purpose did God elect Israel? (1 King 8:41-43, 60, Isa 49:6) Mission.
Did Israel fulfill its missionary purpose?
Isa 5:1-7
Sometimes they did. IE: Rahab (Josh 6:25), Queen of Sheba (2 Chron 9:1-12). But generally speaking, Israel’s history was dark. What does the vineyard symbolize? How does God feel about it? What was the expected fruit? (1:7-9).
Will God utterly reject His people?
Isa 10:20-23
The northern tribes were rejected and scattered, never to be restored in the Middle East (Hos 9:16-17). But a remnant of Judah would return to Jerusalem after the captivity in Babylon (Zech 1:17, 2:6-12, Ezra 9:15).
After the captivity, God gave his people one last chance, a long one…
Dan 9:24-27
God gave Judah a second chance. 70 weeks of years (Matt 18:21-22).
As the time prophecy came to an end, Jesus told a parable that revealed what was coming…
Matt 21:33-45
Who is Jesus talking about? What is the vineyard? Who are the workers? Who are the servants? Who is the son? What will happen to the Jewish nation?
Jesus founded his church on the faithful remnant of the Jews who received him…
Rom 11:1-5
Has God rejected his people? What has He done? The remnant = 12 apostles (they were all Jews). IE: Ecclesia = the called-out ones.
Into this faithful Jewish remnant (church) were the Gentile Christians later grafted…
Rom 11:16-24
What branches were broken off? Are unbelieving Jews part of the tree?
The New Testament is clear about who the true Israelites are…
Rom 9:6-8, 24-27
Who is the true Israel of God? It is the faithful remnant (2:28-29; 4:16-17; Eph 2:20-21) The promises to Israel are fulfilled in the faithful remnant – the church.
Those who inherited the spiritual blessing of being God’s chosen people were the faithful remnant…
1 Pet 2:9-10
Who is God’s chosen people now? (Jas 1:1) Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20)
It is not DNA but faith that determines a true Israelite…
Gal 3:26-29
Who are the children of Abraham? IE: The Jews thought they were Abraham’s children (John 8:44, Matt 3:9) Zionism is not biblical, but neither is replacement theology. Remnant. God loves the Jews and wants all saved (Rom 9:1-5, 10:1).
APPEAL
Do you want to be part of Israel, God’s chosen people?
