2. THEME The key to success in life is to be around the LORD often enough to become godly.

3. Chapter 11 Is Explained by Romans 12:1,2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

4. God’s level of mercy (i.e., compassion) is the key motivation to becoming godly To have that mercy requires drawing near to God often enough and deep enough to absorb His mercy, i.e., have it rub off on us.

5. The Lord said: “Do not learn to IMITATE the detestable ways of the nations there.” De 18:9 “Be IMITATORS of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.” Eph. 5:1 “You became IMITATORS of us and of the Lord!” 1Th 1:6 We do not want you to become lazy, but to IMITATE those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Heb. 6:12 Dear friend, do not IMITATE what is evil but what is good. Anyone who [practices] what is good is from God. Anyone who [practices] what is evil has not seen God. 3Jo 11

6. 1.God Loves His Chosen People – Even Now!

7. A. There is always a remnant of Israelites 2 God did not reject his people…

8. B. The remnant of Israel exists as a gift (by grace) 5 …At the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

9. C. Currently the are blind and deaf spiritually 8 “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day.”

10. 2. God Uses The Bad Behavior Of His Chosen People To Save The Rest Of Us

11. A. God at work in believers motivates Israel to seek salvation 11 Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

14. B. Illustration of grafting 17 …the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in… 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

15. C. God Has A Plan To Care For Israel – Now And Later 25 …Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26b. “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27 And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

16. 3. God’s Goodness Results In Patience, Compassion & Grace – And Salvation!

17. A. The compassion (mercy) of God is far reaching & unending! 32 …God has imprisoned all people in their own disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

18. Goodness of God Results in Patience: taking as much time as necessary to see a right end to things. Results in Compassion (Mercy): fruitful action toward those in peril, misery or distress. Results in Grace: divine enablement to actually do the right thing.

19. B. A just God has compassion on all mankind. How can this be? 33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.

20. THEME The key to success in life is to be around the LORD often enough to become godly.

21. Our Challenge… Spend time with God Get to know Him Become like Him Let Him be seen in and through you