Jesus is Greater

Jesus is Greater

Dave Riddle - 10/22/2023

Key Passage: Hebrews 1:1-3

In the Last Days

- Hebrews 1:2

- Words pointing to the Messiah

Spoken to us through His Son.

- Hebrews 1:2

- He speaks the same message as the prophets.

- Repent!

Heir of all things

- Hebrews 1:2b

- Psalm 89:27

- Romans 11:36

God created the universe through him

- Hebrews 1:2c

- Colossians 1:16

- Everything that has ever existed!

The Radiance of God’s Glory

- Hebrews 1:3

- 2 Corinthians 4:6

An exact expression of God

- Hebrews 1:3

- Colossians 1:19

- Jesus is the fullness of God

All things are sustained by His word

- Hebrews 1:3

- Colossians 1:17

Jesus is both priest and sacrifice

- Hebrews 1:3

- He made purification for sins. How? By his blood.

- Philippians 2:8-9a

Jesus sits at the right hand of the Majesty on High

- Hebrews 1:3

- Mark 16:19

Exaltation

Pausing to Praise

Dave Riddle – 05/26/19

Key Passage: Romans 11:33-36

A Redemption Mystery

Romans 11 - A Redemption Mystery

Dave Riddle - 05/19/19

Key Passage: Romans 11:25-32

“This mystery” 

• Romans 11:25

• Greek word mysterion (μυστήριον); a secret hidden in the past but now revealed.

Three Connected Truths 

1. Israel

   • Romans 11:25

     • “A partial hardening has come upon Israel...”

2. Gentiles

   • Romans 11:25

     • “...until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”

     • Fullness = plērōma (πλήρωμα)

3. Israel

   • Romans 11:26

     • “...all Israel will be saved,”

     • “Israel” - who is Paul referring to?

       • The church?

       • The ethnic/national Israel (The descendants of Abraham)?

       • Not Israel as a whole, but Israel as a community?

       • Those who put their faith in the Christ.

The Redeemer

• Romans 11:26b-27

• A salvation from sin through faith in Jesus.

Two Concluding Statements

1. God’s election remains

   • Romans 11:28-29

   • They are still God’s chosen people.

   • He keeps his covenant with the patriarchs.

2. God shows Mercy to the disobedient

   • Romans 11:30-32

   • A universal act of disobedience is met with divine mercy!

   • All of us are candidates for the lavish love of God.

God of Grafting

Romans 11 - God of Grafting

Dave Riddle - 05/12/19

Key Passage: Romans 11:17-24

The Allegory of the Olive Tree

A Warning to Gentile Believers

• Don’t be Arrogant 

  • Romans 11:20-21

• Don’t be Puffed with Pride

  • Romans 11:18

• Through Faith Alone

  • Romans 11:20

A Promise to Jewish Unbelievers 

• Those cut off can be grafted in again

  • Romans 11:23

  • By Faith!

    • Romans 11:20

• Key word: persist/remain

  • Romans 11:22-23

  • epimenō (Greek: ἐπιμένω) - to stay at or with, to tarry still, still to abide, to continue, remain. of tarrying in a place. to persevere.

  • Colossians 1:21-23

Chain of Blessing

Romans 11 - Chain of Blessing

Dave Riddle - 05/05/19

Key Passage: Romans 11:11-16

Link 1: Israel’s Loss Leads to the Gentiles’ Gain

• Romans 11:11

• Acts 13:46

  • Repeated in Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome

Link 2: Gentile salvation makes Israel jealous

• Romans 11:11

• Romans 11:13

Link 3: Israeli restoration brings a worldwide blessing

• Romans 11:15

Paul’s Commentary on His Ministry

• Romans 11:13

  • I want you to understand how important my job is!

Paul wants to stir up Envy

• Romans 11:14

New life for some

• Romans 11:14

In Conclusion

• An escalated restatement...

  • Romans 11:15

• ...including two simple metaphors.

  • Romans 11:16

    • A batch of dough

    • A tree and its branches

Always a Trace

Romans 11 - Always a Trace

Dave Riddle - 04/28/19

Key Passage: Romans 11:1-10

Question: Is God Done with Israel!?

Answer 1: No, He is faithful!

• A theological answer.

• Romans 11:2a

• Foreknew: to have knowledge before hand: of those whom God elected to salvation.

• As humans we frequently break promises, but God is faithful. 

• It is outside his character to be unfaithful.

Answer 2: Look at me.

• An anecdotal answer

• Romans 11:1c

• Even someone as bad as Paul was not beyond the reach of God.

Answer 3: Check out history

• A historical answer

• Romans 11:2b

• 1 Kings 18 and 19

  • The seven thousand 

And so, today...

A remnant, chosen by grace

• Romans 11:5

• Not by the law, but by grace through Jesus.

The remainder, hardened

• Romans 11:7-10

• A combination of human responsibility and divine sovereignty.

  • See the example of pharaoh (covered in Romans 9 - Divine Decisions Pt. 2 on 10/28/18)