Title: The Return of the Branches: The Four Opposites
It has been two Sundays since we last visited Paul’s expression of the vine and branches in Romans chapter 11, and I think that actually is a good thing. I wanted us to have a couple weeks off to “stew” in this concept of us, as sinning Gentiles, being grafted into the holy root that is the kingdom of God.
Today we will again visit Paul’s illustration of the grafted in branches and the temptation to be prideful, but we will do so from a bit of a different angle. For in this passage, Paul employs a very powerful literary technique of using opposites to make his points more vivid. Today we will be looking at this four points, or as I’ve titled them: The Four Opposites
1 “Broken off” Vs. “Grafted in” (v. 19)
Here we see Paul’s first use of the opposites in his reminder that there are two types of branches in his illustration. The first are the branches that belonged. They were originally intended to be part of the tree. But for reasons we will look at in a moment, they were instead broken off. This, of course, is the Jews. The Jews had every advantage of original design. All they had to do was to continue taking the food of the root and they would have remained.
And, of course, a small number of these branches did. Men like Peter, John, Paul, and arguable even Nicodemous continued in the Way that was intended of them.
But the vast majority of the Jews rejected the teaching of the root, rejecting Christ as the Messiah of Yahweh, and they were broken off.
This of course, led to the grafting in of “wild olive branches.” This, as we discussed a few weeks ago was for two main reasons:
a. God’s Kingdom WILL be populated.
b. There is worth in bringing in wild branches to a domestic root. It sparks fresh vitality in the plant.
2. “Unbelief” vs. “Faith” (v.20)
The second grouping points to the “WHY?” of God’s plan. Here we see that the REASON the Jews were broken off, despite them being the original branches, was simple: They failed to believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ.
On the other hand, the grafting in of the Gentiles was do to the exact opposite, because of their belief that Jesus was the son of God.
And, using the illustration of the root and branches again, what really determines this unbelief or faith? It’s simple. Those who did not believe, did not accept the food that the root was providing, while those that did accept the food the root was providing didn’t just survive, but they THRIVED. They live eternally because the food was that good! Amen?
3. “Haughty” vs. “Fear” (v. 20)
Now comes Paul’s warning. He tells us that the pinnacle characteristic of the unbelieving is they are haughty, or prideful. We looked at this in detail a few weeks ago. No pun intended, but this pride is literally the root of all sin. Those who were broken off were done so because they decided in their pride and arrogance, that they no longer NEEDED the root that gave life, but that they could handle things just as well on their own.
While on the other side of the coin, you have those who fear God. Those who understand that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. (Psalm 111:10). They have a great respect, admiration, and awe for the All-Mighty and his life-giving root. They do not attach themselves to the root and suckle from it as a calf would to a cow, but rather they understand they have been attached to the root, they have been grafted in.
And their faith has taught them two things:
A. If I detach from the root, I will surely die.
B. The consequences of death are dire because my God is perfect judge and I fear Him!
4. “Goodness” vs. “Severity” (v. 22)
Finally Paul brings the reason for his reminder not to be prideful, the reason for his reminder to fear God. Because God is not simply love, as far too many watered down churches and pastors would have you to believe. God is not simply an entity of Grace, forgiveness, Mercy and compassion. When we teach only this we are severely limiting the fullness and character of God as he is revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures.
There is so much more to God than that, and Paul warns us to remember BOTH his goodness upon the faithful, AND his severity upon the Prideful. We cannot afford, either as individual ambassadors, or as a collective church, to teach only half of what Paul is telling us today.
He says it plainly. And, as we close, let us look at the summation of what Paul has told us through these opposites: For there are ONLY two types of branches.
1. God’s SEVERITY is laid upon the HAUGHTY and because of their UNBELIEF they will be BROKEN OFF.
2. God’s GOODNESS is laid upon the FEARING and because of their FAITH they will be GRAFTED IN.
It cannot be said any more clearly that this on this morning.
If you do not know which type of branch you are, you need to know before you leave this room this morning. Do not test God’s patience. Do not be prideful or arrogant in assuming you are okay with God when, in fact, you may not be.
If you have ANY doubt, please, talk with me before you leave this morning.