17. Romans Chapter 4 Verses 18-25 Messages In Romans – Abraham’s Unswerving Faith And The Importance Of The Resurrection For Salvation - Message 17 Series

17. ROMANS CHAPTER 4 VERSES 18-25 MESSAGES IN ROMANS – ABRAHAM’S UNSWERVING FAITH AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION FOR SALVATION - MESSAGE 17

[A]. THE PERSEVERING FAITH OF ABRAHAM HAS EXALTED HIM

{{Romans 4:18 IN HOPE AGAINST HOPE he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”

Romans 4:19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb,

Romans 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but GREW STRONG IN FAITH, GIVING GLORY TO GOD,

Romans 4:21 and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

Romans 4:22 Therefore also IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”}}

(a). VERSE 18 – IN HOPE AGAINST HOPE

Just consider for a moment the enormity of Abraham’s faith. God had given him a promise of heirship early in his life, yet by the age of 99, that promise still had not come to fruition. In spite of all obstacles in what we might consider a hopeless situation, Abraham held to that promise in hope, against all hope, for his hope was in the God of hope who can not deny Himself. In hope, beyond what is expected in nature, his faith remained firm. God had promised to him descendants as the stars of the sky in Genesis 15:5 and he took God at His word and held fast to that promise in faith and hope. This was in order that he might become the father of many nations.

I called this a persevering hope. I must say again about hope that it is not to be understood in terms of earthly hope as in relying on some wish – “I hope it won’t rain today.” Biblically, it meant a secure position in faith, settled and firm. There is nothing insecure about Christian hope. My hope is in the Rapture. That means I don’t think in terms of it might happen, but an assured, settled position without wavering that it WILL happen. My hope is in a new body, and that is a 100% certainty as I see the passing of my friends in pain, going to the Lord. Not to have this unswerving hope is like being in a boat with a large hole in the bottom.

I do not wish to cover this now, but the matter of Hagar is considered a lapse in faith by Abraham, and a blemish in hope by some. I have done more on this in the Galatians series. In Romans 5 which we will do later on, there is a progression in hope but I select one verse for now – {{Romans 5:4 “and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, HOPE.”}} Abraham knew all about perseverance.

The subject of hope is big in Romans, the word being used 17 times. One verse that ought to characterise every Christian is this one – {{Romans 8:25 “but with perseverance we wait eagerly in hope for what we do not see.”}}. As we have seen with Abraham, faith and hope are very closely linked. Have you met Christians who have a sort of hope about the future and heaven? They are not really sure, or are they? Well there are plenty like that and it is not good. Preachers, do something about that matter!

The Lord has not left us comfortless. The Holy Spirit is our Companion and leads us into all truth and into all hope. I know a close friend who is having so many medical issues with melanomas throughout his body. He rejoices in hope about seeing the Lord and one day having a new body. This is an enduring hope, settled, strong, and reassuring to others. This is what hope is and lines up with the verse just quoted where we wait eagerly.

Reader; Those who listen - do you have that hope? Is your faith fixed in the Lord, and do you have that hope for the future that can not be altered or dismissed, and will not waver in trying circumstances? That is what the Lord wants for you.

{{Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”}}

(b). VERSE 19 – THE REALITY OF ABRAHAM’S AGED BODY

Abraham assessed his condition in the cold light of day. He contemplated all the facts before him and he considered all the obstacles that confronted him connected with the eventual fulfillment of God’s long-standing promise of an heir. Believers need to be realists. We need to look objectively at situations and face them. At those times faith will always ride above these obstacles. Obstacles must never be allowed to override faith and hope.