https://youtu.be/j2zt89pf4lI




7,000                                                                                        Romans 11:1-10



I am sure some if not most of you guys have heard about the movie 300Today we are going to talk about a slightly bigger number- 7,000This evening, my goal is to make sure that we examine ourselves and know if for sure in our hearts that we can be counted among the 7,000  It’s a great time especially for our men, myself included as we plan on heading on to the Man’s advanceIt’s a time to self-check, search me oh Lord – that I may be found …and if not show me howWhat an opportunity to seek Gods face and cry out to Him to see that which lacks or blocks usIn our reading today:Paul is speaking to the Israelites who know the word of God – Pastor Crystals MessageThey know that they are a chosen generation, but they (Israelites) have taken this most precious gift as commonIts easy to point fingers and condemn these guys but if we do an honest heart check, we will find that we too have at times taken the word of God as common- (Pastor Matts preaching – Christian!)The idea is that men are sitting feasting comfortably at their banquet; and their very sense of safety has become their ruin. They are so secure in the fancied safety that the enemy can come upon them unaware” (Barclay). The Jews of Paul’s day were so secure in their idea of being the chosen people that the very idea became the thing that ruined them.Paul in Romans 11:1 – Has God rejected and disowned His People?He is almost trying to wake them up – tone?It’s bad that instead of looking inward, they start blaming God for rejecting themThe same God who in I Samuel 12 is showing undeniable love to the IsraelitesAfter the Israelites demanded a King – instead of keeping with God wish to be their everything I Samuel 12:22 (Nkjv) For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His peopleHow many times in our lives, when things are not going our way do, we take this position?After we try on our own- we come to a place and feel like God has left usOnly if we could sooner than later adopt Paul’s response – Certainly Not!Deutronomy 3:16 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”Joshua 1:5 - No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake youThe problem is not God. He is faithful and just. He is true to His word. The issue is you and IIsaiah 59:2(Nkjv) – But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hearHebrews 10:26(Nkjv) – For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sinsThis is our only link- And if we do away with this sacrifice, we are dead in our sinsPaul continues to support his response (to the question he asked himself)For I too I am a Jew – I too have seen what God has done in my lifeI too a chief sinner has seen a God who has not forsaken me and will not1 Timothy 1:15 (Nkjv) - This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Paul is speaking from experience that He has seen God work in his lifeHe continues by reminding them of the story of Elijah in 1 KingsElijah challenges the Prophets of baal – all 450 of themThey build an altar and prepare a bull and they agree that whoever call for fire from heaven and consumes the sacrifice, is the true GodIn 1 King 18 – that they called baal from Morning till way past noon, cutting themselves and no response (Challenge for us …to what length do we go to seek our God)Elijah turn, he set the sacrifice and pours 12 buckets of water so there is no doubtHe prays and fire comes from heaven and consumes ...