“You will say, then, ‘Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.’ Rightly so: They were broken off by the unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be high minded, but be afraid.” vs19-20

We are to be afraid of being broken off and separated from Christ. We are not to stand in high-minded pride and self sufficiency. True, the Jews were broken off because of unbelief, but that must make us fear! We are not accepted because we are better, but because we’ve obtained mercy. Hold onto mercy, and you will be safe! Hold on to God saving you entirely by grace. Hold onto the dearness and preciousness of the gospel.

Mercy will never fail us; it will save - forgive and cleanse. Pride is what makes us fall because we go without the Savior. Those who fear are safe. Those who fear not will perish. Let fear keep you close to the Lord.

1. Christ is the Vine [vs17]. “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and have become a fellow-partaker of the fatness of the root of the olive tree.” He is the source of all strength and fatness. He is the reason that we are saved: It is not ourselves.

2. Christ is holding you up [vs18]. “Do not boast over the branches. And if you boast against them, you do not support the root, but the root you.” Be careful that you don’t fall! Don’t trust your wisdom, your strength, or your greatness. Don’t trust YOUR ability to serve God. This is nothing but self-righteousness; it leads to meanness; it leads to a fall. “Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor [Prov 18:12].”

3. Yes, Israel was broken off to bring Gentiles in, but it wasn’t because of your greatness; it was because of the hardening of their heart through unbelief [vs19]. “You will say, then, ‘Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.’ Rightly so: They were broken off by the unbelief.” It really is a WARNING, rather than a cause to boast. Take heed, lest the same thing happens to you. They were privileged too! “For if God did not at all spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you [vs21].”