Romans 4:18-24 18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
Do you trust me? The auto mechanic tells you that you need a lot of parts replaced in your car - is he telling the truth? Do I really need all that work done on my car? Do I trust him? The investment advisor tells you that you should place all your money into this mutual fund - it's a good fund - I guarantee it, he says! Do you trust him? The doctor tells you to take this pill - there are some side effects, but it will take away the problem you're dealing with - do you trust him? We have to trust a lot of people in this life don't we? Who do you trust? What if someone were to tell you something that was so outrageous, so unbelievable - would you believe it?
That was the situation for Abraham, the man we are focusing on in our sermon for this evening. As we prepare for the birth of Jesus during this season of Advent, we think about Jesus, and the members of his family. Jesus was a descendant of the Old Testament patriarch named Abraham. In that respect, he was the Son of Abraham. Next Wednesday, you will hear about Jesus being the Son of David. You'll also hear about Jesus, the Son of Joseph, the Son of Mary, and ultimately, the Son of God. Tonight, we think about Jesus as the Son of Abraham.
Abraham was asked to believe something that seemed pretty incredible - it had nothing to do with medicine or investments or car repairs. Abraham was told by God that he was going to the father of a brand new baby. From that baby would come millions of people. And from that baby would come someone who would bless the whole world. Would you have believed that promise if you were him? The thing that makes this promise a hard one for Abraham to believe was that he was so old - he was too old to be having a child. Listen to what our text says: "Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead." He was too old! And Sarah his wife - she was too old. And yet God told them - you're going to be parents - not adoptive parents or anything else like that - you and you're wife are going to conceive and bear a child together, and from that child, you'll have many descendants, and from that child will come someone who will bless the whole world.
Would you have believed if you were 100 years old? Trust me, God said to Abraham. And the Bible says that Abraham took that leap of faith and trusted God: "being fully persuaded that God had power to do what was promised." Abraham was not disappointed – at the age of 100, he and his wife who was 90, had a son, just like God promised. That son eventually had another son, and those descendants eventually numbered in the millions - the people of Israel, just like God promised. And from those descendants came someone who would bless the world - that's Jesus Christ. And how did he bless the world? By dying on the cross and taking away the sins of the world - just like God promised. If you were to summarize the theme of Abraham’s life with one word, that word would be "believe." Even if it seems impossible. Even if it seems like it's not going to happen. Even if you have no proof. Believe! That was Abraham!
Do you trust me? In many ways, God asks you that same question. Think about this - today, God wants you to be a "modern day Abraham." Now what does that mean? A "modern day Abraham" is someone who trusts in God's promises, no matter what. Is that you? Do you trust him? Do you believe that of all the things to focus on, this time of the year, the best and most important thing is Jesus Christ? In our culture Jesus seems to be the least important part of Christmas. Someone will tell you that you can't even use his name at Christmas time - you have to say "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas." The story of Jesus is not true, our culture says. If you want to celebrate Christmas, it’s all about the shopping. It’s all about the family gatherings and traveling. It’s all about being nice to other people - charity. It’s all about decorating. It’s all about the food. And then you hear the voice of God call out to you from the Bible, and God says to you, "The story of Jesus is true. God became man. Jesus died for your sins. You are forgiven and loved by God. Trust me, God says. Do you trust him? Are you a modern-day Abraham, trusting God's promises, God's Word?
Have you ever struggled with doubt? Have you ever wondered if everything you've ever trusted about God is true? Do you ever think to yourself, how can any of this be true? Look at my life, my problems? Is there really a God? Can I really trust in him? We doubt sometimes. It's because we live in a sinful world, and we have sin inside of us, and it's impossible for us to escape those feelings of doubt.
And then Christmas comes, and there is the baby Jesus - the manger scene - and he looks like your typical baby. And God says to you, do you trust me? When you look at that baby, so helpless, lying in a manger, and yet that baby is God - how can that be? How can God, who is so big and powerful, become a little baby? Do you trust me, God says. And the baby Jesus grows into an adult, and Jesus tells people that he is not just another teacher, but he is the Messiah. He hasn't just come into the world to teach us how to be better people. He has come to save the world from sin! Trust me, Jesus says. And God speaks to you through his Word and tells you that this Jesus, the Son of God, died on a cross, and that sacrifice was big enough to take away all of your sins. Isn't that an amazing thing? There is a way to get rid of your guilt! There is a way to get a second chance. There is a way to start over. And that way is Jesus Christ. Have you ever doubted? God forgives you! Are you not sure about Jesus and his promises? God has proven that Jesus is who he said he is, by raising Jesus from the dead. As I ponder God's Word, and the fact that Jesus rose from the dead, I become a modern day Abraham.
An interesting thing is highlighted in the Bible - Abraham trusted God. And God saw Abraham's faith - a miracle really, a gift from God that Abraham would believe such things. And as an act of love and mercy, God honored Abraham's faith by "crediting righteousness to him." In other words, God said, Abraham, even though you don't deserve it, I'm going to do something nice for you. I'm going to call you perfect. I'm going to call you holy and righteous. I'm going to bless you, and take you to heaven." Abraham trusted the promises of God, and God in his mercy credited to him righteousness.
If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you and are a modern day Abraham. God has given you a gift that is more valuable and more beautiful than any gift you can find in a store - God has given you the gift of faith. And along with that faith, God gives you something else. Listen to this: "The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." Do you see what else God is giving you this evening? He's giving you righteousness. God looks out over the world and sees all the modern day Abraham's out there, he sees you, and God says, "Even though you don't deserve it, I'm going to call you perfect. Even though you don't deserve it, I'm going to call you holy and righteous. I am going to give you the gift of heaven." Isn't that an amazing thing?
An old old man and his old old wife believe that they are going to have a baby. That's faith. A 21st century man bows down before the manger and worships a baby named Jesus. That's faith. A 21st century woman feels all of her guilt disappear as she believes that Jesus has taken all of her sins away. That's faith.
What do you want for Christmas? I want faith. I want a strong and trusting and unwavering faith in the promises of God. I want to believe in Jesus Christ. During this season of Advent, spend time with God, in his Word, and he will give you the same faith he gave to Abraham. Amen.
