The Gospel of Grace: Why Being Good Isn't Good Enough

       Have you ever seen a church sign that made you stop and think—sometimes for the wrong reason? Phrases like “We Love Hurting People” or “If you love Me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS” can easily send the wrong message, suggesting that our salvation depends on our ability to be good enough. But the gospel isn’t about what we do; it’s about what’s been done for us. Jesus kept the commandments perfectly because we couldn’t. God showed His love for us by sending Christ to die while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8), so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
       From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to redeem a broken humanity. When Adam and Eve disobeyed, sin fractured creation and cut us off from God. Yet even then, God promised a Redeemer who would crush the deceiver and restore what was lost. Through Abraham, Moses, and David, God revealed glimpses of this plan: Abraham’s test showed that God Himself would provide the sacrifice, Moses’ law pointed to the One who could keep it perfectly, and even Israel at its height under David could not remain faithful. Humanity’s story makes one truth clear—we need a Redeemer.
       Paul explains in Romans 11 that Israel’s unbelief did not mean God’s plan had failed. Instead, their rejection of Jesus opened the door for Gentiles to be “grafted in” to God’s family, like wild branches joined to a cultivated olive tree. This beautiful image reminds us that salvation comes entirely by grace through faith, not by works or heritage. Being grafted in should humble us—we belong not because we earned it, but because God chose to include us through Christ.
       God’s kindness and severity work together in His plan of redemption. His grace toward us exists alongside His righteous judgment of sin, and both reveal His holiness. Yet His promises never fail. A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles enters in, and one day, God’s mercy will unite all His people. This mystery should move us to worship: “From Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36). Salvation belongs to the Lord—always has, always will.

Transformation Group Guide: Romans 11 - Grafted In by Grace

Icebreaker Question: Share about a time when you felt like you didn't belong somewhere, but someone welcomed you in. How did that make you feel?

Key Takeaways

• Salvation belongs to the Lord (Jonah 2:9) - God saves, not our efforts
• The Gospel says "done," not "do" - Jesus kept the commandments for us
• We are grafted in by grace - not by works or appearance
• God cannot un-know those He knows are His - our security is in Christ, not our performance
• From Him, through Him, to Him are all things - it's all for God's glory, not ours

Discussion Questions

1. What's the difference between the gospel saying "do" versus "done"? Why is this distinction so important?
2. The sermon traced God's redemptive plan from Adam through Abraham, Moses, David, and ultimately to Jesus. How does seeing this big-picture story help you understand God's faithfulness? What stood out to you most?
3. Have you ever caught yourself trying to earn God's love through good behavior? What does it feel like when you realize salvation is by grace alone and not by works?
4. Paul warns in verse 18, "do not be arrogant toward the branches." How might Christians today be tempted to feel superior to others (whether Jews, other religions, or those who don't yet believe)? What's the antidote to this pride?
5. The Kindness and Severity of God (v. 22): Pastor Josh noted that "in America, we love kind God" but struggle with "wrathful, severe God." Why do we need to hold both truths together? How does understanding God's severity actually help us appreciate His kindness more?
6. Making Others Jealous (v. 11-14): Paul says Israel will be made "jealous" by seeing Gentiles saved. What does it look like for our lives to make others jealous for Jesus in a good way? Can you think of a time when someone's faith made you want what they had?
7. Pastor Josh asked, "How will you build community today before you leave?" How does understanding that we're all grafted in by grace (not by merit) change the way we welcome others into our church community? 
8. Romans 11:7-10 talks about hardened hearts that can't see or hear God's truth. Pastor Josh said, "The grace of God is repulsive to the person who has a hard heart towards God." How can we examine our own hearts for areas of hardness? Who in your life might have a hard heart toward God right now? How can you pray for them?

Practical Applications
Choose 1-2 to focus on this week:

• Daily Reminder: When you're tempted to earn God's love through good behavior this week, stop and say out loud: "The gospel says 'done,' not 'do.' Jesus has already accomplished my salvation."
• Gratitude Journal: Each day, write down one way you've been shown undeserved grace (by God or others).

• Welcome Someone In: Before you leave church next Sunday, intentionally connect with someone who looks like they don't quite fit in or are new. Remember, you were once a "wild olive shoot" that was grafted in.
• Share Your Story: Tell someone this week about how God saved you by grace, not because you deserved it.

• Pray for the Lost: Make a list of 3-5 people who don't know Jesus (including any Jewish friends or acquaintances). Pray daily that God would soften their hearts and make them "jealous" for what you have in Christ.
• Serve Opportunity: Sign up for one of the serving opportunities mentioned (check the church app) as a way to live out grace toward others.
• Reflection Question: How has your understanding of grace deepened through this study? What's one specific way you want to respond to God's grace this week?

Group Prayer Time:

• Thank God for grafting us into His family by grace alone
• Pray for those with hardened hearts to see and hear the truth of the gospel
• Ask God to help us live in a way that makes others "jealous" for Jesus
• Pray for Israel and for Jewish people to recognize Jesus as Messiah

Close by reading Romans 11:33-36 together as a prayer:
"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

Facilitator Note: This is a rich theological passage. Don't feel pressured to get through every question. Focus on the ones that generate the most meaningful conversation for your group. Remember to create space for vulnerability and authentic sharing about our need for grace.