Foundations, April 5, 2009

The Beauty & Grace of Adoption, April 5, 2009

Romans 11:7-8 (Msg) And then what happened? Well, when Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursuing her own self-interest, she didn't succeed. The chosen
ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result received his stamp of legitimacy. The "self-interest Israel" became thick-skinned toward God. Moses and Isaiah both commented on this: "Fed up with their quarrelsome, self-centered ways, God blurred their eyes and dulled their ears, Shut them in on themselves in a hall of mirrors, and they're there to this day."
Muse and respond to the underlined phrases above.

What consistent area of your life do you tend to pursue your own self interests?


What are the common characteristics that reveal you are being self centered?


What would it look like for God to pursue His interests in you?


How would you know the difference between your self-directed interests and God's interests?


If you were to yield to God's interests in your life, what do you believe would start taking place?

Would you be adding/subtracting anything?


Where are you most "thick-skinned" towards God?


Where are you most "tender-hearted" towards God?


Romans 11:11-12 (Msg) The next question is, "Are they down for the count? Are they out of this for good?" And the answer is a clear-cut no. Ironically when they walked out, they left the door open and the outsiders walked in. But the next thing you know, the Jews were starting to wonder if perhaps they had walked out on a good thing. 12Now, if their leaving triggered this worldwide coming of non-Jewish outsiders to God's kingdom, just imagine the effect of their coming back! What a homecoming!


In what area is Christ asking you to "come home" to Him?


Romans 11:16-18 (Msg) Behind and underneath all this there is a holy, God-planted, God-tended root. If the primary root of the tree is holy, there's bound to be some holy fruit. 17Some of the tree's branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root 18gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you.
Muse & respond to the phrases underlined above.

What do you think it means that the root determines the fruit?


How does that apply to your life?


What is the fruit in your life revealing to you about your root system?


What response is being called for from God?