Romans 11:16–24 NASB95 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

The Tree Illustration:

1.    The root of the tree (i.e. the PATRIARCHS - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and the tree branches (i.e. ISRAELITES) have both been set apart by God for a unique purpose.  (11:16)

(Reminder: Your FAITHFULNESS to God in the present not only blesses you, but also the future GENERATIONS that come behind you.)

2. Some branches were broken off the tree (the HARDENED).

Grafting is the process of joining two plants together to grow as one.

3. GENTILE believers are wild olive branches that God graciously grafted into the tree.

“If you Gentiles were grafted into the tree, and that’s the only reason you have borne fruit, how can you BOAST against the NATURAL branches of that same tree??”

Warning: Natural branches were cut off because of UNBELIEF, and the same thing can happen to you.

Applications:

1. Christians are saved by faith in Christ alone and can’t BOAST about anyone or anything besides JESUS.

Galatians 6:14 NASB95 14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

2. Believers are all part of the same TREE, the same VINE, and the same BODY. We are one. Be discerning, and resist the DIVISIVE spirit of our age.

John 15:5 NASB95 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

If you’re not in the tree, there’s still time!