6-11-23 Sermon "In Spite of Doubts" 16 Minutes

Romans 4:13-25

This morning I'll be reading Romans chapter 4 verses 13 through 25. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Romans 4:13-25 In the verses that we will look at this morning,,, Paul is speaking to the church in Rome,,, even though at the time of writing this letter,,, he hasn't been there yet. He did know several of the Christians that were there already and had apparently helped with the teaching of the people. So he is talking to them about the connection to the Old Testament scriptures and the way that they will help them with their faith. Romans 4:13–25 (HCSB) 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise is canceled. 15 For the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. 16 This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants —not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all 17 in God’s sight. As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations. He believed in God, who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist. 18 He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be. 19 He considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about 100 years old) and also considered the deadness of Sarah’s womb, without weakening in the faith. 20 He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, 24 but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. The word of God for the people of God,,, thanks be to God! God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ___________________________________ Last Sunday we looked at Matthew 28:16-20 and we seen that,,, “God’s Word Never Changes”,,, No matter what denomination we are,,, or what denomination we become,,, Jesus’ words are the command for us today,,, just as it was for the disciples then!

Verses 19 & 20 said: 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

That means we,,, all Christians,,, everywhere,,, go,,, everywhere,,, baptizing and teaching them,,, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Those words will never change,,, no matter what we are,,, or,,, what denomination we are affiliated with,,, going forward!

We may change denominations or churches,,, different leaders,,, different people,,, whatever,,, “God’s Word Never Changes”,,, and our focus should not change,,, as well,,, no matter what directions,,, we feel God leading us,,, in the days,,, ahead!

This morning we will look at these verses in Romans 4:13-25 and see how they will help us in our walk with God this week.

___________________________________ Verses 13 - 14 said: 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise is canceled.

Paul,,, begins by talking about Abraham since he knows that he must deal with the objection that blessing came through the law and that therefore the Gentiles who did not know the law were cursed (see John 7:49).

When God promised Abraham and his seed that he would be heir of the world,,, He did not make the promise by telling them to live by the law,,, because the law,,, according to Galatians 3:17 says: “And I say this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not revoke a covenant that was previously ratified by God and cancel the promise.”

It was an unconditional promise of grace,,, to be received by faith,,,—,,, the same kind of faith by which we obtain God’s righteousness today.

The expression inherit the world means that he would be the father of believing Gentiles as well as of Jews,,, that he would be the father of many nations,,, and not just of the Jewish nation.

In its fullest sense,,, the promise will be fulfilled,,, when Jesus,,, Abraham’s seed,,, begins His reign,,, as King of kings and Lord of lords.

___________________________________ Verses 15 - 17 said: 15 For the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. 16 This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants —not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all 17 in God’s sight. As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations. He believed in God, who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist.

The law brings about God’s wrath,,, not His blessing.

It condemns those who fail to keep its commandments perfectly and continuously.

And since no-one can do that,,, all who are under the law are condemned to death.

It is impossible to be under the law,,, without being under the curse.

But,,, where there is no law there is no transgression.

Transgression means the violation of a known law.

Paul does not say that where there is no law,,, there is no sin.

An act can be inherently wrong even if there is no law against it.

An example would be,,, you might know that it’s dangerous to drive fast down the street where children are playing,,, but it becomes a transgression if you speed down the street after a sign goes up saying “Speed Limit 20 MPH.”

The Jews thought they inherited blessing through having the law,,, but all they inherited was transgression.

God gave the law so that sin might be seen as transgression,,, or to put it another way,,, so that sin might be seen in all its sinfulness.

He never intended for it to be the way of salvation for sinful transgressors!

Thankfully,,, we have Abraham and his life’s story written out for us that we can use to help guide us!

We,,, as Christians today,,, are included as a part of Abrahams family,,, and share a portion of the benefits,,, because of his faith!

___________________________________ Verses 18 - 22 said: 18 He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be. 19 He considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about 100 years old) and also considered the deadness of Sarah’s womb, without weakening in the faith. 20 He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness.

Abraham believed,,, even though he struggled with doubts,,, he knew that his body,,, and Sarah’s body,,, were both passed child bearing age.

But we know that Sara gave her Egyptian slave,,, Hagar,,, to Abram so that he could have children through her,,, but that wasn’t God’s plan,,, and we know that there were problems caused by this in the future.

The point that stands out for me,,, is that Abraham was human,,, made many mistakes,,, doubted his ability,,, his age,,, Sarah’s age,,, etc.

He made many mistakes,,, but like David who came after him,,, Abraham’s heart was in the right place!

God knew this,,, and that gives us hope today,,, to be able to read and study these words and see that they weren’t perfect,,, but God blessed them anyway!

We can see that Abraham was helped by reading the last part of verse 20 - 22 again,,, that said,,, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness.

Abraham might have struggled with doubts,,, but he was strengthened in his faith,,, and,,, it was credited to him for righteousness.

___________________________________ Verses 23 - 25 said: 23 Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, 24 but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

This was not just written for Abraham alone,,, but was written for us today,,, as well as all that will come after us!

It was written for all that put their faith in our Lord and Savior,,, Jesus Christ!

Who,,, was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

___________________________________ We can see 3 things from these verses,,,

1 - since Abraham was justified centuries before the Law,,, justification is not based on the Law.

2 - Abraham was justified because of his faith in God,,, not because of his works.

3 - He was justified because of his faith in God,,, despite,,, his doubts!

___________________________________ The fact that Abraham was justified because of his faith in spite of his doubts give me hope for my shortcomings that I’ve had,,, and hopefully they will help you as well.

Abraham wasn’t perfect,,, like David,,, he made many mistakes.

But his heart was right,,, and God knew that,,, and because of that,,, God worked with him and helped him along the way.

He will do the same for us if our heart is in the right place as well!

We need to remember that when we fall short and mess up things in our life.

If we can remember that many of our Bible heroes weren’t perfect all the time with their actions,,, and God still blessed them,,, it should give us hope as well.

That’s why these stories are written down for us,,, written down for us to use as guides for ways to live our life,,, and to show us the mistakes that they made so that we don’t make them as well!

But also to show us,,, that if we do mess up,,, God will not abandon us,,, if we just continue,,, to seek His will,,, grow through His word,,, and continue,,, to strengthen that relationship that makes our time on earth,,, so much sweeter,,, day after day!

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