gentiles and Israel

Good morning brothers and sisters,
First, for our vacation Bible school celebration today I would like to remind everyone to bring a non-perishable food donation for Cameron today. With the kids we've been focusing on "Kid friendly" foods, but any non-perishable food is welcome. Jelly should be in non-glass jars for safety.

Paul continues this important section of Romans that deals with how Israel fits into God's plan, not that gentiles are included in God's kingdom as well. He is clear throughout: God's covenant with Israel stands, even though when Paul was active many Israelites opposed the church. In this challenging passage from Matthew, the point is also on who is part of God's mission. For Jesus and the early church the question was: are gentiles a part of God's ministry. Here, reluctantly, they are. There will be more about this in worship today; I hope you'll be there.

God bless,
Sam

Romans 11:1-10

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3“Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4But what is the divine reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.



6But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8as it is written, “God gave them a sluggish spirit, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” 9And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; 10let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and keep their backs forever bent.”



*Sunday

Matthew 15:21-28

21Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.