October 18, 2026

Romans

Week 5: Faithfulness of God

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When we say God is faithful, it means He is believable.

When we say God is faithful, it means that He is reliable.

When we say God is faithful, it means that He is trustworthy.

When we say God is faithful, it means that He is true.

Is God unfaithful to His people Israel?

Absolutely not!    3:6, 32; 6:1,15; 7:7, 13; 11:1, 11 – (8 times)

1.     Has God rejected his own people? – vv. 1-10

1.1.    Answer #1 – Paul – v. 1

1.2.    Answer # 2 – Elijah – vv. 2-5

Why would Elijah, a hunted man run right into the capital of Israel?

It appears that he either thought that revival and God would create a coup d’état.

This is it – his belief, his expectation, his hope, his confidence, his courage was all placed into this moment. Even though God never promised – this has to be the obvious conclusion of Mount Carmel.

Elijah identified God with his plan and his expectation.

When that expectation was shattered…where…no…who is his God…really?

Verse 4 -But what was God’s answer to him? I have left seven thousand for myself who have not bowed down to Baal.

When our expectations are not met – often we spiral to extremes instead of allowing God to realign our perspective.

1.3.    Answer #3 – Character of God – 6-10

Grace – God’s unearned favor. It is free and undeserved.

The plight of the nation of Israel hangs not on their choices but on the grace of God.

Aren’t you thankful that is the same for you and me?

Our lives are what they are because of God’s grace overruling our bad choices.

2.     Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? – vv. 11-14

Here is the thought.

 “Well, maybe God didn’t fail so we won’t blame Him but what about the Israelites.”

God folded their failure and sin into His sovereign plan!

He used their failure while still holding them responsible for their choices and folded

it into His providential sovereign plan.

1. Salvation has come to the Gentiles.

2. Present setting aside would make Israel rekindle their zeal and passion for God.

No one can thwart God’s plan for your life – even your own sin and stupidity.

You are never without hope in the hands of the Almighty, sovereign God who can turn ashes into beauty.

Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Absolutely not!

3.     Will God raise the dead in respect to the nation of Israel? – Revival – vv. 15-18

3.1.    Olive Tree and Firstfruits – v. 16

        The parable of the olive tree must be understood carefully. Paul is not talking about salvation of individual Christians, but the position of Jews and Gentiles as people groups in the program of God.

        Israel is the olive tree that failed to bear fruit for God.

Though they can live for centuries, older trees may bear less fruit.

At times, a wild branch can be grafted into a cultivated tree and nourished by

its roots, bear fruit again—a fitting picture of God’s restoring grace.

Proverbs 3:9

Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your

increase;

Biblical Principle: Decide first what you are willing, from your heart, going to

give to God and trust Him that you will have enough to make your budget.

3.2.    Grafted wild olive branches – vv. 17,18

God put aside the nation of Israel, an action Paul described as one in which

some of the branches have been broken off.

3.3.    Faith and Unbelief – vv. 19-24

        The great line of division and judgement is Unbelief vs. Faith

        Verses 2,5 and 7 clearly mention God’s sovereign hand in the events of history and His choosing.

This is speaking about Israel and the church and not individual salvation. God

will never “break off “true believers from their salvation, for there is no

separation between Christ and His people.

3.4.    A clear clue of confidence – vs. 25

        When the body of Christ is completed, He will catch it away in the air (the rapture); then will begin the seven-year Tribulation here on earth, where the Gentile nations will be judged and Israel will repent and proclaim Jesus as their Messiah!

4.     God’s Plan – All of Israel will be saved! – vv. 26-32

“since God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable.”

He does not, cannot, will not go against what He predetermined in eternity past and the promises that He made.

How should we respond?

Let’s just let Scripture say it best for us!

5.     Doxology – Adoration – Worship – Glory!

God Is Wise                    He knows the best goal and the best means to that goal.

God Is Omniscient           He knows everything about everything about me.

God Is Just                     He is always fair

God Is Incomprehensible   He is beyond my imagination. He is awesome!

God Is Self-Sufficient        He does not need me, but He wants me.

God Is Limitless               He is not limited in producing His will in my life.

FROM                Him

THROUGH          Him

TO                     Him

ALL THINGS

The majesty and glory of God!

Forever. Amen

Application:

The question beneath chapters 9-11 is not merely, "What will happen to Israel?"

It is, "Can God be trusted?"

Chapter 9 – Yes, because He is Sovereign

Chapter 10 – Yes, because He is just and merciful

Chapter 11 – Yes, because He is faithful.

Can God be trusted when God’s timing doesn’t match ours?                            

Can God be trusted when the sequences of life just don’t make any logical sense?

Can God be trusted when I just can handle it anymore?                                  

Can God be trusted when the humiliation is crushing?                                    

Can God be trusted when I feel so desperate and lonely?                               

Can God be trusted when I am on the edge of hopelessness?                         

Can God be trusted with my eternal soul in salvation?                                    

Can God be trusted with my spiritual growth in sanctification?                          

Will you trust God?