The Infinite Greatness Of God - Part 3: Grace! Series

The Infinite Greatness of God - Part 3: Grace!

The Book of Romans

Romans 11:1-10

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - September 18, 2016

(Revised April 28, 2021)

BACKGROUND:

*A few weeks ago in Romans 9, we began to study the infinite greatness of God. Tonight in Romans 11 we will return to this theme and focus on the infinite greatness of God's grace.

*Most of us know that the big picture in Romans 9-11 is that the Holy Spirit led Paul to discuss the Jewish nation. In Romans 1:16 Paul boldly said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."

*But what about the Jewish race? What about the Jewish nation? And what about the promises that God made to them as a nation? These are crucial questions, because if God isn't going to keep the promises He made to the Jews, then how can we count on Him to keep His promises to us? (1)

*Paul gives a full answer to these questions here in God's Word. And the bottom line is that God is going to keep every single one of His promises. And though all people are not going to be saved, nobody loves lost people more than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord proved this forever when He died on the cross for our sins.

*Let's begin by reading Romans 11:1-10, and as we read, please think about the infinite greatness of God's grace.

MESSAGE:

*What's so special about Christianity? One time in England some religious scholars were debating this question, and they couldn't agree on an answer.

*The debate went on for some time until C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. "What's the rumpus about?" he asked, and he heard that they were debating what makes Christianity unique. C. S. Lewis immediately responded, "Oh, that's easy. -- It's grace." (2)

*Then they all agreed: The thing that makes Christianity unique is God's amazing grace! But what is this thing called grace? I've often heard preachers say that grace is God's unmerited favor, and that is true. Grace is getting good things from God that we could never deserve.

*Joseph Thayer said the original word for grace speaks "of God's merciful kindness that moves Him to draw people to Jesus. His grace then keeps and strengthens Christians. It increases their faith, knowledge, and affection. And it inspires them to live with Christian virtues." That is a great definition of God's grace, but my favorite definition is an acronym. Grace is G. R. A. C. E. -- God's Riches At Christ's Expense. (3)

*The grace of God is one of the most treasured parts of God's greatness. It is also one of the key themes in Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome. Paul mentions God's grace 5 times in tonight's Scripture, and 24 times overall in the Book of Romans.

*For example, as he greeted the church in Romans 1:7, Paul said, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."

-In Romans 3:24 he said we believers are "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

-In Romans 5:1-2 Paul said, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

-Then, as he was about to close, in Romans 16:24 Paul said, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

*Church: We could never get to the end of talking about God's grace. But tonight's Scripture shows us 3 great results for everyone who receives God's grace by receiving Christ as their Lord and Savior.

1. FIRST: WE WILL NEVER BE ABANDONED BY GOD.

*Because of God's infinite grace, we will never be abandoned by God. He will never cast us away. We see this truth in vs. 1-2, where Paul wrote, "I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew."

*God forever and always knew who was going to be saved because He is bigger than time. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit has existed and will exist for all eternity. Trapped in time as we are, it is impossible for us to grasp the concept of eternity. But one thing we know for sure is this: God is bigger than time.

*God created time. He was there before the beginning of time. And the only way, I can understand it is to see time as sort of like a ruler a with a definite beginning, and maybe no end, but God is standing over and above the whole thing. And no matter how long time lasts, God goes farther! That's why in Isaiah 46:9-10, the Lord could say: "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.'"