Rejected His People？ - Part 5
John Piper explains that God has not rejected the Gentiles because salvation is granted through faith in Jesus Christ, not ethnicity, emphasizing forgiveness, righteousness, and inclusion in God's people.
This sermon emphasizes the acceptance of Gentiles by God through Jesus Christ, highlighting that salvation is not based on ethnicity but on faith in Christ. It focuses on the forgiveness of sins, the imputation of Christ's righteousness, and the freedom from guilt and condemnation that believers receive. The message encourages a deep understanding that salvation is through Jesus alone, who sacrificed Himself for all people, offering salvation and inheritance to those who believe.
Full Transcript
What if people were asking the opposite question? I ask this to us now. What if people were asking the opposite question and they said, has God rejected the Gentiles? And suppose they looked your way for an answer. I wonder if you would be able to give the answer Paul gave tonight, Sunday.
I wonder if you would be able to give the answer that Paul gave, namely, no, he hasn't rejected the Gentiles because I myself am a Gentile and I'm not rejected. And it isn't primarily or first because of the forefathers, it's because of Jesus Christ. It's because my sins are forgiven through His death.
It's because His righteousness has been imputed to me. It's because I have been freed from my guilt and my condemnation has been taken away. It isn't because I have any ethnic connections.
It's not because I have been born of Ruth and Bill Piper. It's because I have been born of the Holy Spirit who changed my heart and awakened faith and brought me to Christ. I wonder if you would be able to say, He hasn't rejected Gentiles.
I'm a Gentile. And the argument would hold for you. My prayer is that it would hold, that you would understand that salvation isn't by Jewishness.
Nothing I am saying implies any individual Jew will be saved because he's a Jew. We're not saved by any ethnicity at all. We're saved by Jesus Christ, the Jew, who gave Himself for His people and not for them only, but for the sins of the whole world.
And so tonight I feel a kind of enlargement of heart. If you understand this, that Jesus would like to get His arms around here. And Sunday morning He'd like to get His arms around this people and say, for my sake, my blood, my righteousness, you may be saved, you may be part of the people, you may get the inheritance of Israel.
And so may the Lord, the Savior, the Messiah, receive the reward of His suffering. And may you all, may you all receive the safety, the security, the stability of being in Him. For more information visit www.fema.org
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Questioning if God has rejected the Gentiles
- Paul's answer: God has not rejected Gentiles
- Salvation based on Jesus Christ, not ethnicity
-
II
- Forgiveness of sins through Christ's death
- Imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers
- Freedom from guilt and condemnation
-
III
- Salvation is not by ethnic lineage
- Born of the Holy Spirit and faith
- Inclusion in God's people through Christ
-
IV
- Jesus' sacrifice for all people
- Invitation to receive salvation and inheritance
- The security and stability found in Christ
Key Quotes
“No, he hasn't rejected the Gentiles because I myself am a Gentile and I'm not rejected.” — John Piper
“It's because my sins are forgiven through His death. It's because His righteousness has been imputed to me.” — John Piper
“Salvation isn't by Jewishness. We're saved by Jesus Christ, the Jew, who gave Himself for His people and not for them only, but for the sins of the whole world.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, not your ethnic background or heritage.
- Embrace the forgiveness and righteousness freely given through Christ's sacrifice.
- Live with the assurance and security of being part of God's people through faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has God rejected the Gentiles?
No, God has not rejected the Gentiles; salvation is available to all through faith in Jesus Christ.
Is salvation based on ethnicity?
No, salvation is not based on ethnicity but on faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
What role does Jesus' righteousness play in salvation?
Jesus' righteousness is imputed to believers, freeing them from guilt and condemnation.
How can one be part of God's people?
By faith in Jesus Christ and being born of the Holy Spirit, one becomes part of God's people.
What assurance do believers have?
Believers have the security, safety, and stability of being in Christ and receiving His inheritance.