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Date of Sermon: February 13, 2022
Main Idea: God has a process and a purpose for hardening Key Verse: “…as it is written, ‘God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” Romans 11:8 Bible reading: 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” 9 And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; 10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.” 11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Outline: I. The Process of Hardening Hearts (7-10) A. Rejection of Christ (7) B. A stupor that blinds (8) C. Blessings become a curse (9) D. Blindness results in eternal condemnation (10) II. The Purpose of Hardening Hearts (11-12) A. Hardening gives opportunity for others (11a) B. Salvation of others provokes jealousy (11b) C. Israel’s failure meant blessing for the world (12a) D. Israel’s inclusion means great blessing for all (12b) |