DON'T BE A GENTILE !?!?!?

INTRODUCTION-- Romans 11:1-24 is an important part of the theme of the Letter to the Romans, which is that salvation is offered to all, Jew and Gentile.

1. Vs. 1-6 show that a "remnant" of Jews, including Paul, like the 7000 faithful men of Elijah's day, have not been cast off by God.
   
2. Vs. 7-16 show that the calling of God ("election") includes Gentiles, and Paul hopes that the jealousy of the Jews that caused them to reject Jesus as the Christ will somehow be reversed, so that they can be saved.
   
3. Vs. 17-24 illustrates Paul's lesson in the picture of an olive orchard, with the Jews, the "natural branches," being broken off by unbelief, and the Gentiles, the "wild olive branches." being grafted in. But Paul warns the Gentiles that they can be broken off, too, like the Jews, if they do not continue in faith.

IDENTIFY-- When I read this text, I am glad that God gave me the opportunity to be among His chosen people, but I also see the warnings of God---"Be not highminded, but fear," and "glory not over the branches." Are there flaws in the Gentile way of thinking that I should be aware of, and guard against?

LESSON-- What is "Gentilism?"

1. The prediction of the Old Testament prophet Malachi was that the Gentiles would be a source of praise for God, when the Jews failed to do what was right. Malachi 1:10-11 "Oh that there were one among you (Jews) that would shut the doors, that ye might not kindle fire on mine altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, saith Jehovah of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the Gentiles, saith Jehovah of hosts."
   
2. However, when Jesus sent His disciples out to preach, he told them not to go to the Gentiles (Matthew 10:5). The Gospel was to the Jew first (Romans 1:16).
   
3. During His ministry, Jesus confined his work among the "lost sheep of the house of Israel," and had some criticism of Gentile behavior.
   
   1. He said that they only saluted their brethren. Matthew 5:43-48 "Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: 44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; 45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same? 48 Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
      
   2. He said Gentiles have wrong views about prayer. Matthew 6:7-8 "In pray-ing use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."
      
      1. The prayer taught to the disciples is simple, and effective.
         
      2. The example of the prayer of Elijah supports this. James 5:16b-18 "The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working. 17 Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit."
         
   3. Jesus said that Gentiles are materialistic in their thinking. Matthew 6:31-33 "Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
      
   4. He also said that Gentiles seek power over others. Matthew 20:24-28 (When the mother of James and John asked Jesus to appoint them to the highest office, the other disciples) "....heard it, and were moved with indignation concerning the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; 27 and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: 28 even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
      
4. The Apostle Peter, and the Apostle Paul, even though he was the "Apostle to the Gentiles," were critical of Gentilism.
   
   1. Peter said that Gentiles were generally sinful. 1 Peter 4:1-3 "Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:"
      
   2. Paul also agreed with this assessment of Gentile behavior. Galatians 2:15-16a (He condemned Peter's show of partiality, and said), "We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law:"
      
   3. Gentiles fail in their thinking about deity.
      
      1. 1 Corinthians 10:20 "But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons."
         
      2. 1 Corinthians 12:2 "Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might led."
         
      3. These false perceptions were the source of many Gentile sins. 1 Thessa lonians 4:3-5 "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; 4 that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God;"
         
   4. Because of these traits, Gentiles were separated from God.
      
      1. Ephesians 2:11-12 "Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; 12 that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world."
         
      2. Ephesians 4:17-19 "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; 19 who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."
         
5. These traits of Gentiles we see all around us.
   
   1. We see them most in those who are without knowledge of God and His Word.
      
   2. Yet, we see them also among some who profess to be Christians.

APPLICATION--

1. If I am a Gentile, do I live in the ungodly ways characteristic of them?
   
   1. Do I divide my acquaintances into lists? Friends and enemies?
      
   2. Do I pray in foolish ways?
      
   3. Do I worry about food, drink, and clothing? Other material things?
      
   4. Do I seek power over other people?
      
   5. Do I wink at sin, and allow myself to be tempted, easily?
      
   6. Do I have the wrong idea about the nature of God? About Christ?
      
   7. Am I separated from God, because I have continued in Gentilism?
      
2. How do I change?
   
   1. Paul's condemnation of Gentiles in Ephesians 4:17-19 (above) is followed by instructions on how to change. Ephesians 4:20-32 "But ye did not so learn Christ; 21 if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: 22 that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. 25 Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need. 29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. 30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you."
      
   2. We become Israelites in a spiritual way.
      
      1. Romans 2:25-29 "For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision. 26 If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision? 27 and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
         
      2. Philippians 3:1-3 "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision: 3 for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:"