28th September 2024

28th September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Obadiah 1v1-21)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


It is always a worthwhile endeavour to consider those of the Jewish faith and the current nation of Israel. Why? Because there can be no room in the Christian heart for arrogance towards the Jews. History hasn’t been kind to the Jewish people and Christians have sometimes acted shamefully towards those who the ignorant have called “Christ killers” As we finish the book of Obadiah I want us to briefly consider our responsibility to those of the Jewish faith.


Firstly, let me stress a few important points. I do not believe that there are two peoples of God - the Jew and the Gentile. I do no believe that the church began at Pentecost. I do not believe that there is a path of salvation for the Jew and one for the Gentile and I do not believe that God has finished with the Jewish people.


Can I support these statements? I think so. In Romans 11 Paul used the image of an olive tree to represent the people of God. He spoke of natural branches symbolising the Jewish people and wild branches symbolising Gentile believers. Natural branches were broken off so the wild branches could be grafted on. Importantly both the natural and wild branches were part of the very same olive tree. The church started when Adam and Eve received coverings from God and their sons later came to worship. If anyone has ever been saved it is by faith in Jesus.


So what is our responsibility to the Jewish people of our own day and age? Some refer to the Jews as “God’s chosen people” and seem to give them a higher status than the Gentiles. Others watch the current conflict and state that the Jews can do what they want because God is on their side. Neither path is to be recommended.


Instead I want us to realise that the Jewish people are still largely without Christ, the Jerusalem temple remains in ruins and every inch of the land of Israel is disputed. Christians argue about the return of Jewish people to the land and wonder when or if the temple will be rebuilt. I prefer to take Paul at his word in Romans 11 and look for the day that a great many Jewish people will come to saving faith in Jesus. They currently reject Christ so that we Gentiles can be brought in. However when the full number of Gentiles has been saved I believe we can and should expect a great Gospel work among the natural branches of God’s one olive tree.


Brothers and sisters, pray for national Israel and ask for an awakening among her people. In many ways Israel resembles Ireland - our shared need is not for clearly defined borders but Christ and Him crucified. To the Jewish people “belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 9v4-5) One day they will also call upon Jesus - thanks be to God.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC 


Q102 What do we pray for in the second petition? In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come,” we pray, that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.
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