SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
READ: Romans 11 (Focus vs. 11-21)
MEMORY VERSE
“You, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others.” Romans 11:17
BACKGROUND
During a visit with my father to his beloved Ecuador a few years ago, we visited the family farm where he grew up. I noticed a group of strange trees.
My dad explained that when he was feeling mischievous as a boy, he would take a discarded branch from one fruit tree, make slits in a different kind of fruit tree, and tie the loose branch to the trunk like he saw the grownups do.
His pranks went unnoticed until those trees started bearing different fruit than expected.
As my dad described the process of engrafting, I got a picture of what it means for us to be grafted into God’s family. I know my late father is in heaven because he was grafted into God’s family through faith in Jesus.
We can have the assurance of eventually being in heaven as well.
The apostle Paul explained to the believers in Rome that God made a way for gentiles, or non-Jews, to be reconciled with Himself: “You, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root” (Romans 11:17).
When we put our faith in Christ, we’re grafted in with Him and become part of God’s family. “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5).
Similar to engrafted trees, when we place our trust in Christ, we become a new creation and can bear much fruit.
By: Nancy Gavilanes
INSIGHT
In Romans 11, we read about gentiles being “grafted” into the family of God (vv. 17-24). Because of the Jewish people’s “transgression”—rejection of the gospel—“salvation has come to the Gentiles” (v. 11). Their rejection opened the way for gentiles to also receive God’s grace.
That doesn’t mean that God has rejected the Jews. There will always be a believing remnant. And many have already placed their trust in Jesus the Messiah for forgiveness of sin.
Paul says that the Jews would be envious of gentile believers enjoying God’s blessings. This would cause them to also desire these blessings and come to faith in Christ (see vv. 11, 14).
By: Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
How does it feel to know you can be grafted into God’s family? How can you bear good fruit for Christ?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“…when we place our trust in Christ, we become a new creation and can bear much fruit.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
Our natural birth dates tie us in to our “ancestral” tree. Our spiritual birthdays tie us into “God’s tree.” pr
PRAYER
‘Dear God, thank You for loving me and accepting me into Your family.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GOD’S GREAT FAMILY” Bob Kauflin
When the Father made us
He knew we’d run from Him
And try to hide our sin
But He wanted to save us
His own were on His heart
Before He made the stars
Oh, oh, no one is good, not even one
But God can make us daughters
God can make us sons
Jesus paid the price
When He offered up His life
So we could be part of God’s great family
When the Father draws us
It’s like a magnet’s pull
He’s irresistible
When the Spirit calls us
He brings the dead to life
He gives the blind new eyes
Oh, oh, no one is good, not even one
But God can make us daughters
God can make us sons
Jesus paid the price
When He offered up His life
So we could be part of God’s great family
And when He calls, when He draws
We are His forever
He will never let you go
He will never let you go
And when He calls, when He draws
We are His forever
He will never let you go
He will never let you go
Oh, oh, no one is good, not even one
But God can make us daughters
God can make us sons
But Jesus paid the price
When He offered up His life
So we could be part of God’s great family
The One who draws us…
Calls us into His family, yeah…
He’s irresistible…
And we love Him, ’cause He loved us first
In His family
God’s great family
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
ACTS 28
