Sermon Outline 6.15.25

Sermon Title: Pride Cuts, Grace Grafts, & Faith Clings
Text: Romans 11:11–24

Theme: Remain in God’s kindness, or risk being cut off.

INTRODUCTION

I. ISRAEL STUMBLED, BUT NOT BEYOND RECOVERY (v. 11)

II. GENTILE SALVATION TO PROVOKE ISRAEL (vv. 12–15)

• Israel’s “trespass” is a misstep, not ruin. God uses it to bring Gentile salvation.
• “Full inclusion” (πλήρωμα) points forward to a future restoration
• Israel’s trespass brought riches to the world & their return even greater blessing.
• God often furthers mercy through another’s fall. Let that humble you
• “Rejection” wasn’t permanent, but it brought global reconciliation through the cross.
• “Acceptance” could signal a future mass return of Israel to Christ & Paul likens it to resurrection.

III. THE ROOT AND THE TREE: DON’T BOAST, BELIEVE (vv. 16–18)

• Paul issues a pastoral warning—don’t let grace give way to arrogance.
• The root is Abraham and the promises: If the root is holy, so are the branches.

IV. THE WARNING: STAND IN FAITH OR BE CUT OFF (vv. 19–22)

• Paul anticipates a wrong conclusion Gentiles might draw: “God removed them to make room for us.”
• “Note” (ἴδε) means “Look carefully!”—pay attention to both realities of God’s nature:
  • Severity toward the unrepentant & Kindness toward those who believe.

V. THE HOPE OF RESTORATION (vv. 23–24)

• If Israel turns from unbelief, God can graft them back in. Mercy isn’t on a timer.
• So we should never count someone out b/c of past rejection. The same power that saved you can regraft them.
• “Contrary to nature” highlights the astonishing grace of Gentile inclusion—it wasn’t expected.

CONCLUSION: THE PRIDE THAT CUTS, AND THE FAITH THAT CLINGS

1. Understand the Pride in This Text

• This isn’t loud arrogance in general. It’s a spiritual entitlement.

2. Recognize How Pride Shows Up Today

• Pride is when we look at someone cut off and say, “Good thing I’m not like them.”

3. Apply the Remedy: Fear and Gratitude, Not Self-Confidence