Romans - the Holy Spirit is given for all men

I spoke for a few minutes last Sunday (Pentecost Sunday) at a Bellaire retirement home, substituting for a couple who do a regular service there. So of course I accentuated the Holy Spirit. One thing I missed was that now the Holy Spirit is for all people, not just the Jews. I know I can't say everything there is to say about the Holy Spirit. What I said was pretty good. I think I need to slow down and be freer to repeat myself. But I did some repeating, especially on the part that was most important to me. I just always second guess myself afterwards. I would need my notes now to remind myself what I said.

I was glad that the man who spoke after me underscored some of my message before launching into his message. He used Memorial Day as his launching point. It was great. (I always love the fact that it takes so many of us to replace one couple, this time it was six people. That is a joke I tell each time. Repetition again. But its a cool thing. We had a Spirit filled time. I especially loved the worship.)

Paul, in Romans explains that the Jews were rejected, temporarily, so that the Gentiles could be chosen. The Holy Spirit is part of the deal. This part of God is now for all men, as Joel prophesied. But since the Jews rejected Jesus, God's messiah, God rejected them. God added in all the nations to be his people. It is like the parable Jesus spoke of the wedding feast. The chosen guests refused to come. So God dis-invited them and took in everyone else.

But on the other hand God's promises are forever! God's rejection is only temporary. Because God never takes back his promises. He promised Abraham that he would be their God forever. And God promised through Jesus Christ to save all those who believed on his name. God has promised. Have you believed on him? Do you believe that he keeps his promises specifically his promise to you? Even when we fail God is still faithful. By our actions we may be temporarily rejected but he is faithful to keep us his at the end of the day. Paul gets excited and praises God. I do too.

Romans 11:25-36 ^ For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery-so that you will not be wise in your own estimation-that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; ^ and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB." ^ "THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS." ^ From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; ^ for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ^ For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, ^ so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. ^ For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. ^ Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! ^ For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? ^ Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? ^ For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®,Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation