Blink Theology (Romans 9-11)

Rev Peter Tsukahira
23-08-2019

The first chapters of Romans are called the Roman Road. Paul begins at the beginning with the fallen nature of the world and how God provided a path to redemption.

Romans 3:23-24 New King James Version (NKJV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [a]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

God provided redemption through His Son.

By the time we get to Romans 6:

Romans 6:23 New King James Version (NKJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the [h]gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In the seventh chapter, Paul says while he himself believes the great truths, the truth is he personally struggles.

Romans 7:16-20 New King James Version (NKJV)
16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

"Who will save me from this body of death?"

Paul is admitting to us that he personally has struggles with the truths of God and some of us are shocked and the rest of us are relieved. The fact is, we all struggle.

I didn't struggle against sin until I was born again! Then it became really important to do, say and believe the right things. Then I began to struggle. When I know what's wrong, I don't end up doing it. Many Christians identify with the Apostle Paul in Romans 7.

For so many, Romans 8 is their favourite. It begins with:

Romans 8:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
Free from Indwelling Sin
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

God condemns sin, not you. Not only did Jesus die for us for our sins, He's given us His Spirit to obey Him and walk as He walked.

Jesus is not here anymore. He descended into heaven. He is seated at the right hand of the Father and is awaiting the signal to return.

Jesus is in my heart technically means the Spirit of God is in my heart and He portrays faithfully the Son of God. Don't blaspheme the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives Jesus to us.

Romans 8:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The Spirit within us is interceding and praying within us all the time.

Romans 8:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Nothing is going to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)

And we come to the end of Chapter 8 and here is where we blink our eyes.

Christians have blinked their eyes for a thousand years.

And when we open again, lo and behold, it's Romans 12:1.

Romans 12:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
Living Sacrifices to God
12 I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service.

And we never really get back into the groove after that.

Romans is 16 chapters long.

Why do we blink? What are the consequences?

Because Chapter 9 is about Israel, the nation of the Jewish people. Theologians, scholars and teachers thought, "Why would Paul write about a nation that doesn't exist? Or Israel means us?"

Chapter 11 is about Jews and Gentiles in the church. Again, for almost 2,000 years, scholars, theologians and teachers say Jews don't identify as we're Jews and we've taken that place.

Until today. We read about Israel in our day. Jesus is being worshipped as Messiah and King.

What we see in the last chapters become apostolic for the church. These truths are fundamental for Christianity in our day. It changes the rules of engagement and the roles that churches play. It is truly revelational for the beginning of end times. We have begun the end times. All things that the church has done in the past need to change.

The Word of God is inspired. It is the meaning of the actual words that have authority.

The banner of Christianity was carried for 2,000 years. Along the way, the Christians cut the Jews out of the picture. The Jews became responsible for the death of Jesus. They became the killers of Christ. The church taught that the Jews rejected Jesus so God rejected them and that the church has replaced Israel in God's plan.

Romans 11:1-2a New King James Version (NKJV)
Israel’s Rejection Not Total
11 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. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.

Paul himself was a persecutor of the early believers. No one knows better than Paul but still he writes. It's time to open our eyes again. God has not rejected the Jews.

When Paul writes "you" he means the Gentile leaders and "they" means the Jews.

Romans 11:11-12 New King James Version (NKJV)
Israel’s Rejection Not Final
11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their [b]fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their [c]fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

The day will come when the Jews accept Jesus and there will be greater blessings.

Romans 11:15 New King James Version (NKJV)
15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

When you see the Jews come back for the kingdom of God, there will be an outpouring of the supernatural power of God.

The Book of Acts is the days of Jewish rejection.

Today, the Jews are back in the church.

How does this work in the New Testament?

Romans 11:17-18 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and [d]fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

We are the wild tree. Israel is the cultivated tree.

When you became a believer, you became connected to the people and promises of Israel.

Romans 11:19-20 New King James Version (NKJV)
19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.

The Jews are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We were grafted in to their tree of covenant because we believe.

The broken off branches lost their land and they wandered from nation to nation for almost 2,000 years. They were marginalised and discriminated against. They were kept out of the positions and they were simply killed.

We can sympathise because we experience some of that ourselves.

Paul says don't be arrogant but have the fear of God.

Romans 11:21-22 New King James Version (NKJV)
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, [e]goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

In God's family of His nations, He has many children. But He loves every nation, family and tribe. But there is only one firstborn.

When Israel was obedient, they became bright, glory lights. But when they were disobedient, they became an example for us of chastising but that doesn't mean they mean less than an example to us.

Are you scared enough? The good news is in the next verse.

Romans 11:23 New King James Version (NKJV)
23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

How could Paul have seen this 2,000 years ago?

Romans 11:24 New King James Version (NKJV)
24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

This is an event that triggers an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. There is going to be greater blessing. Now we are coming to the end. The church has to make this turn.

God alone knows the future and He reveals it to Paul.

Romans 11:25 New King James Version (NKJV)
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own [f]opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

We're seeing Jews beginning to come to the kingdom of God.

Romans 11:26-27 New King James Version (NKJV)
26 And so all Israel will be [g]saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”

There is a national turning when the fullness of the nation comes in and it includes your nation. Your time is right now. God is giving you breakthrough. Will you go through the breakthrough? How do you bring the fullness of God to your nation?

Romans 11:28 New King James Version (NKJV)
28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.

God is never changing His love for Israel.

Romans 11:29 New King James Version (NKJV)
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

He is writing to us about Israel.

Romans 12:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)
Living Sacrifices to God
12 I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Push on for Jesus. Come to the altar together. This is the healing for the nations.

RELATED:
BLINK THEOLOGY (ROMANS 9-11)

THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP (I)

THE PATH TO DISCIPLESHIP (II)

THE POWER OF DISCIPLESHIP (III)

THE SHAPE OF THE MOVEMENT OF GOD AND THE FOUNDATIONAL NATURE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD 

FINDING YOUR GIFT AND DESTINY IN GOD'S KINGDOM