The Unbroken Covenant

Main message: Paul’s argument in Romans 9 (culminating in verse 33) shows God keeps his covenant with Israel, Jesus is both the word/stone that stumbles Israel and the cornerstone for believers, and God’s sovereign plan includes grafting Gentiles into the promises rather than replacing Israel.

Key points:

• God does not break covenant; replacement theology is biblically false and undermines trust in God’s promises.
• Romans 9’s “stumbling stone” language (v.32–33) refers both to the law and to Christ — the word made flesh — which required faith to accept.
• First‑century Jewish expectations were for a political, conquering Messiah; Jesus came first as the sacrificial Lamb, which made his crucifixion a scandal and stumbling block to many.
• The triumphal entry/palm branches reflected political hopes (removal of Rome), explaining why public opinion swung from “Hosanna” to “Crucify him.”
• God’s sovereign election and timing accomplish his purposes: Christ must come as Lamb before returning as King, and Gentiles are grafted into the covenants given to Abraham’s seed.

Scriptures mentioned: Romans 9, Romans 5:8, Romans 9:32–33, John 1