A Faith Like Abraham
Romans 4:13-25
* The word Faith carries many different meanings. First, it means “belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or something and many times without logical proof.” In fact, true faith will defy logic. Faith also denotes a ‘system of religious belief or the group of people who adhere to it.”
* For the last 5 weeks, our messages from the Romans epistle has centered on this word, “faith”.
* The crowning principle which we continually learning and know is that the Bible teaches; for by “FAITH” are we saved through grace, and not of works or of ourselves, let any man should boast.” When this truth is deeply embedded in our life then our messages become crystal clear when we read, “Abraham believed (that is, put his complete faith and trust in) God, and because of His faith a right standing before God was granted.”
* I believe a couple of things about us this morning; 1) I believe we all want to go to Heaven when this life is over. Truthfully, no one understanding the seriousness of their words has ever uttered, “I don’t to go to heaven, let me go to Hell.” 2) We want to have a full and meaningful life while here on earth. The problem comes when we chart our course for this life, by this world’s standard. Roy McNeil is the Worship Leader for Bro. Kevin Hamm at FBC, Gardendale. Their home page plays a little video where Bro. Roy is beginning the service with these words; “The Bible says ‘sin’ is fun, but it only for a season. It’ll catch up to you, want us. You know all the fun this world has to give me, I’d gladly give it up for one day in the house of the Lord.” Faith is the answer. Faith is the key. It is by faith we receive our sight. It is by faith that our souls are set free. It is all “By Faith.” This morning, let’s continue our study in God’s word.
* Turn with me to Romans 4 and let’s glean from the Life and Faith of Abraham. Follow along with me.
* Who do you want to be like when you grow up? For us older people, we can leave off the “when you grow up” part and the question still stands. What is your answer?
* If we want heaven and life, we have to chart a course.
* Our text gives to us a faith and a life well lived, pleased God, saw God do some huge miracles, and is in heaven today. Let’s learn logically from His faith. Paul sets a pattern which is easily seen. He begins with;
1. Exposing the Faith of Abraham – Since 4:1 we have read little except about Abraham, his faith, his circumcism, his works, and how God “credited to him” righteousness. Literally, Paul now recaps this stalwart faith of Paul;
a. The Beginning Point – Where exactly did Abraham’s faith begin? It began when he heard God voice. The promise came from God himself. God called, he believed and responded. But he heard God’s voice.
* The starting point for everyone of us is to hear God’s call. If you have never heard God call, maybe you’re too busy, too active, and not listening. God is still speaking today. He speaks to us when we hurt, when we need help, when we don’t think we can go on. He speaks to us when we need HIM. He speaks to us to call us from sin, selfishness, and shame to a Faith in Him. (Listen, we don’t use the word shame anymore because we live in a day of the “seared conscious.” But listen, a day is coming when you will be ashamed once again)
b. The Blessing Point - Abraham heard God’s voice, took Him at His word, trusted him, and was made righteous by faith. Don’t miss this, Abraham engaged his faith. When He did this, God engaged His promise. Most of us consider the “heritage promise” to be the big deal, BY FAITH God granted Abraham a right standing which confirmed the promise. God KNEW what was in Abraham’s heart, just like He knows what is in OUR heart. While man looks on the outside, God sees the inner person. Abraham must have impressed God.
* Please consider this; when I hear God’s voice and respond to Him by faith, my obedience opens the door of blessing which is unimaginable.
c. The Breaking Point – Verses 14-15 tell us this; if there is another way to gain a right standing before God, then this dynamic faith of Abraham is empty, vain, without meaning, and
* This would mean that no one would have to have faith in God because we could work & earn our righteousness.
* This was the breaking point, the line in the sand, for Abraham and Paul. You see, the Bible says, we “live by faith”, are “justified by faith”, we have “access by faith”, we “stand by faith”, we “walk by faith”, are “saved by faith” and even that “without faith, it is impossible to please God.” The model faith was Abraham’s faith and Paul lays this faith out for all to see.
2. Explaining the Faith of Abraham – Look at verse 16 that begins, “this is ‘why’ the promise is by faith”. I am a “why” type of person, I like to know WHY. Why was Abraham made righteous by faith? Why is faith the big number? Why can’t we “work our way” into heaven? Why is the promise from God to Abraham revealed by faith? Why? I’ll offer 3 reasons although, there could be many more;
a. It’s Created by God’s Grace – Grace. Now that’s a word I love to say, sing, even shout. For you remember that justice is God giving us what we deserve, mercy is God NOT giving us what we deserve, and grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve. According to verse 16, God’s promise as well as His guarantee to Abraham was controlled by His grace. That is, He was giving to Abraham (and us) what is not deserved. Abraham clearly understood that Jehovah God desired the best for him and so it was this desire, this trust, this faith, which Abraham engaged. It was controlled by the knowledge that God would extend grace to him. But it didn’t stop there:
b. It’s Confirmed by God’s Greatness - Why did Abraham have this faith? It was because He believed God to be the giver as well as the creator of all things. His belief was not limited to the spiritual, but was also extended to the physical. He believed God could bring life to the dead and could create something from nothing. The faith of Abraham was not a “see it to believe it” type of faith, but rather a “believe it AND I’ll see it” attitude.
* Let’s make this personal for a few minutes. What kind of faith do YOU have?
* Do you have to “see it” before you “believe it” or will you simply believe and have enough trust that God will allow you to see it. And if He doesn’t allow you to see it – will you believe anyway?
* Whoa Bro. Jerry, that’s getting wild, to do that you’d have to engage……..what, faith? May I submit that when we clearly comprehend and embrace the greatness of God, we will understand & develop a faith like Abraham?
c. It’s Conveyed by God’s Goodness – God’s goodness is extended to us in so many ways. Most of the time we think in humanistic terms like family, friends, resources, jobs, and the like. However, consider God’s goodness in the spiritual and eternal realms. From the fall in the garden, God put a plan into motion to bring us, His crown creation, back to Himself. That is, to return us to a right relationship or right standing before Him. To accomplish this, He stopped at nothing even the death of His only Son. Watch this; and if we have faith (like Abraham) He will “credit” to our account all that we need to become right in His eyes.
* God’s greatness drives both His goodness and His grace. Because God is so great, He extends goodness and grace to whom He desires. We are His creation, His people, and the sheep of His pastures. We are the objects of His love and He’s reaching to us calling us to have a deep faith in Him just like that of Abraham.
3. Extending the Faith of Abraham – The faith of Abraham should serve as an example to each of us. His faith led him, directed him, motivated him, challenged him, and in short, “captivated his entire life.” It’s humbling to read about and challenging to live by. However, scripture is clear, this type of faith is not just for Abraham. (Since Abraham was a Senior Adult, since I am a Senior Adult, and since all of us (including Sr. Adults) need to hear this message, I am going to use four letters as an acrostic (AARP) to illustrate how this faith is expect to extend;
a. Available For Everyone – Verse 23 says, “It’s not for Abraham alone.” The faith Abraham expressed is not intended to be the “exception” but rather, the rule.
* It’s not about being a super believer, it about believing. It’s about trusting God’s Son. Jesus came to make this kind of faith “available” for each of us. He said, “I have come that you might have life and have it to the fullest.” He also said, “God loved the world (everyone) so much that He send His only Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish.” In and through Jesus, God made faith available to all. This includes you.
b. Accessible For Everyone – When Jesus died an unusual thing happened. In the temple the veil which separated the common man from the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom. It was almost as if the mighty hands of God grabbed it and ripped it like you would a bed-sheet. In this action, you and I have total access to God (not through another human being) but through God’s only Son. Hebrews tells us that we now can BOLDLY approach the throng. Romans 5 tell us that we gain access by “faith.” We can enter the Holy of Holies and make our petitions known. In His greatness, He made the way. In His goodness, He welcomes us. In His grace, He’ll pardon us. If we’ll come. “If” – think about that word. We must respond.
c. Required For Everyone – In John 14, Jesus says, “I am THE way, truth, and life. NO one gets to the Father, except through me.” IN John 3, once again Jesus teaches us that, “except you are born-again, you will not see the Kingdom of God.” Paul writes, “All have sinned and fallen short, there is no one who is righteous, and the wages of sin is death.” Based on the truth that we have a sin problem and can do nothing about it, we need help. We must have help. We owe a debt we cannot pay. This debt must be paid.
d. Paid For by ONLY ONE – Look at verse 25. He was delivered up (given, offered, allowed to) for OUR trespasses. He was killed, placed in the ground, sealed by the Romans, and guarded by the soldier. Yet this wasn’t the last word. He was RAISED to make us right. It is a faith in Jesus like the faith of Abraham which saves us. It leads us to Abundant & Eternal life.
