Sermon: Seven Thousand by Grace (Romans 11:1-6)

ROMANS 11: 1-6: SEVEN THOUSAND BY GRACE
Douglas Wilson
Christ Church - Moscow, ID
A.D. November 15, 2009

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INTRODUCTION:

In times of spiritual declension—which we are certainly in—it is very easy to fall into the trap that Elijah fell into. Flatterers and false teachers always tell us that things are far better than we think, but when we work our way past their lies, we often have to be reassured by God Himself that things are not nearly as bad as we think. This is not blind optimism; this is faith.

THE TEXT:

“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the

tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of

Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged

down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have

reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this

present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works:

otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work”

(Rom. 11:1-6).

SUMMARY OF THE TEXT:

If there are two ways of hearing, what conclusion may we draw? If there are two ways of being Israel, what

conclusion may we not draw? We may not conclude that God has cast away His people (v. 1). Saul speaks as a

member of the remnant—he is a son of Abraham, an Israelite, of the tribe of Benjamin. Those whom God

foreknew have not been cast off (v. 2); this means that the promises were fulfilled in and through the remnant.

Elijah prayed against Israel (v. 2), but he was praying against one Israel when God had preserved another. Elijah’s

complaint was that they had killed God’s prophets, they had thrown down His altars, and they were trying to kill

Elijah, the one man still remaining (v. 3). How did God answer His prophet? Paul then quotes 1 Kings 19:18.

God said that He had reserved to Himself seven thousand men that had not bent the knee to Baal (v. 4). Paul says

that the first century had a remnant according to the election of grace in the same way (v. 5). And if by grace, then

the seven thousand were not preserved by their works (v. 6). He plainly says that works and grace cannot abide

together; one drives out the other (v. 6).

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