Sermon: Grafted ("Firmly Rooted" series)

Paul has an interesting metaphor which resonates with so much across scripture: that of pruning and grafting branches onto an olive tree. He uses this to describe the pruning of branches which have rejected the Gospel of Christ and the grafting-in of people who were previously seen as living outside of God's chosen people. As we exegete this passage, we can learn a lot about what it means for us to be grafting into this life and how this makes us heirs of the same promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Likewise, it also offers us a heart-shaking message about the power of God to re-graft any branch back into the tree if it believes.