Introduction

Think about that for a moment. Our faith should be steadfast, even when our circumstances change or we face challenges in life.

Now let's look at the full Scripture passage from Romans 4:13-25:

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With this Scripture in mind, let us begin with a prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for this opportunity to gather together and study your Word. We ask that you open our hearts and minds today as we explore the faith of Abraham and Sarah and the promise of justification that you have given to us through your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to be steadfast in our faith, trusting in your promises, even when we face challenges or our circumstances change. We give you all the glory and honor, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Now, let's dive into this Scripture passage and explore the truths that Paul is sharing with us about faith, justification, and God's promises.

"Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods." —C.S. Lewis

God's Promise of Justification

Justification is the act of God declaring us righteous in His sight, not because of our own merit or works, but because of our faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. This promise of justification is a gift of God's grace, and it is available to everyone who believes in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

In Romans 4:13-25, Paul emphasizes that the promise of justification was not given to Abraham and his offspring through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. This is a crucial point because it shows that God's promise of justification is not based on our ability to keep the law or perform good works, but on our faith in God's promise.

The law, as Paul explains, brings wrath and exposes our sinfulness, but it cannot save us or make us righteous before God. Instead, the law serves to point us to our need for a Savior and to the promise of justification that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

This promise is not only for the Jews, who were the original recipients of the law, but also for the Gentiles, who did not have the law. Paul argues that the promise of justification is guaranteed to all of Abraham's offspring, not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. This means that the promise of justification is available to everyone, regardless of their cultural or religious background, as long as they have faith in Jesus Christ.

The faith of Abraham serves as an example for us in understanding the nature of the faith that leads to justification. In Romans 4:17-21, Paul describes Abraham's faith as believing in the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. This is a powerful description of the kind of faith that we are called to have in God's promise of justification. We are to believe in a God who can bring life out of death, who can create something out of nothing, and who can make us righteous in His sight even though we are sinful and unworthy.

Abraham's faith was not a blind faith or a faith without evidence. He had a personal encounter with God, who revealed Himself to Abraham and made a covenant with him. Abraham's faith was based on the revelation of God's character and His promises.

In the same way, our faith in God's promise of justification is not a blind faith, but a faith based on the revelation of God's character and His promises in the person and work of Jesus Christ. We have the testimony of the Scriptures, the witness of the Holy Spirit, and the experience of countless believers throughout history who have trusted in Jesus for their salvation.

Abraham's faith was also a persevering faith, as he continued to believe in God's promise even when the circumstances seemed impossible. He faced the fact that his body was as good as dead and that Sarah's womb was also dead, yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God. Instead, he was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised.

This is the kind of faith that we need to have in God's promise of justification. We need to be fully persuaded that God has the power to save us, to forgive our sins, and to make us righteous in His sight, even when our circumstances seem impossible or our own efforts to be righteous fall short.

The promise of justification is not only a promise for the past or for the future, but it is also a promise for the present. In Romans 4:24-25, Paul explains that the words "it was credited to him" were written not only for Abraham but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness. This means that the promise of justification is not only for those who lived in the past or for those who will live in the future, but it is also for those of us who are living in the now. We can experience the reality of God's promise of justification in our lives today as we believe in Jesus Christ and trust in His finished work on the cross.

In Romans 4:13, Paul states that the promise to Abraham and his offspring was that he would be heir of the world. This means that the promise of justification has global implications, as it is meant to bring blessing and salvation to people from every nation, tribe, and language. The promise of justification is not only for a select few, but it is for everyone who believes in Jesus Christ and trusts in His finished work on the cross.

Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about trusting God when things seemed impossible.

Abraham and Sarah's Faith in God's Promise

Abraham and Sarah's faith serves as an example for all believers, demonstrating the importance of trusting in God's promises, even when faced with seemingly impossible circumstances ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO