Righteous Living: Unwavering Faith

Abraham was justified by his faith not by his works

Romans 4:1-25

Today we will learn three truths from Abraham (David) and his unwavering faith that provide the example of Righteous living

We will also see what are the very things that waver our faith?

We can learn from the example of Abraham

Abraham ignored human impossibilities and trusted God to keep His promises

Abraham did not stumble at God’s promises

Abraham praised God even before the promises before

Abraham believed God was able to do what He said He would do

This was a message for the Jewish Christians in Rome, and for us to see the example of a life lived out in faith

Justified by faith not by works (VS 1-8)

Man cannot boast in His works because they have not saved Him

Ephesians 2:9 “not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

God promised- it had not yet been fulfilled

What did Abraham want- a son and an heir- He could have done this himself

if we could then we would boast- what we face today is a test of our faith that we cannot escape through our works

Saving faith may thus be defined as a voluntary turning from all hope and grounds based on self merit, and assuming an attitude of expectancy toward God, trusting Him to do a perfect saving work based only on the merit of Christ.

L. S. Chafer,

It is all by faith in God- God said- What has God promised us?

Genesis 15:6 “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”

This first section of verses reminded us of the power of one who believes

It is not their power but the power that is in Christ

VS 3-”Credited to him” He did not work for it- Christ

Christ

This was a before Abraham’s work of Faith with His son Issac- which showed that there had been a change in His life He had faith God would come through

What does this tell us, when we are tested it will show if we have had a heart change- or we are in the flesh

What are we justified by God’s grace by believing in Him and His promises (VS 4-5)

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Nothing’s changed today- Do you believe them or not, you will try do your own thing

Unwavering faith in Christ His promises are true- what we have going on in our lives may be different but it is the same truth- it is not by our works but by the believe God

We can say it but it is a complete other to believe it and live it out surrender to accomplishing anything by your works

Do we sit still

May your will be done- Jesus lived out this statement in obedience

Concerning the ungodly- He has put Christ Righteousness on our account- How powerful is this truth! - We do not need to overthink things or fix people Christ has done the work

If Only I had… There are His- He has done the work

I hope this changes the way we view the ungodly- weren't some of you and me…

Abrahams life is an example of this very fact

We know works can’t save us because of Christ

VS 7-8 - These verses paint a clear picture of the covering work of God through Christ

Christians do sin- David biblical hero- Sinner

Since we are saved by grace then we must repent of our sins

1 John 1:5–7 “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

2. Justified by grace and not by the law vs 9-17

Righteousness is being defined by the grace of God not the law- circumcision a sign of righteousness as an obedience to the law

The Law was meant to show that we are transgressors against a mighty God

Paul early reminds us that this is a matter of the heart not outward change

Romans 2:29 “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”

it is about an inward change not outward visible signs- this is unwavering faith- signs are fading can be immovable and are lacking

Our faith is not by sight, nor feelings- We can easily be so focused on the outward appearance, but know there has been no change on the inside- it is far easier to be concern to change the outside

Circumcision was a seal of the covenant with God and today we are sealed by the Holy Spirit VS 11

Ephesians 1:13–14 “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

There is also a circumcision of the heart that must take place today in our lives

Colossians 2:10–12 “and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

What is a great indicator of the change of the heart- belief in the promise vs 17

We are looking forward to the promise of Christ’s return- do we have unwavering faith in a difficult world

What do we know Christ has died for us; he is calling us to die to our flesh- in order that we will be ready for the second coming of Christ- the pouring out of his abounding grace

What is the promise her if Abraham was justified before the law then the same is for the ungodly- the believe, not obey the law

Romans 4:15 “for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”

Paul was getting that the Jew should not complain that Abraham was saved by the Law but that Salvation is for all people- same message for us

VS 16

The Promise- could not based Salvation on Mans works He would need continual assurance of mans good deeds

you cant earn salvation if you try you can never be good enough

You can know if you believe in a free gift

The Seed

Therefore God’s promised is complete- Abraham has a family- Israel and all those who believe!

Galatians 3:7 “Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.”

3. Justified by resurrection power not by human effort VS 18-25

Contrary to Hope in Hope believed vs 18

Human Hope and everlasting hope

Hebrews 6:19 “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,”

One is fading

What is our human hope

God gives life to the dead

Sarah’s womb was all but beyond child bearing years in human understanding

Abraham’s body was older -

There is nothing Lord cannot revive

What has God promised- consider it done, even if it seems dead

We need revival in our lives-

I ask do we need revival - as we look to God’s will He has called us to declare His word, love others and disciple them- It does seem impossible- we need to talk that this church has been through some things- but necessary for God to receive the Glory why should our faith waver now or in the future- we will still go through things we may have lost the vision but may our faith be unwavering that it is not in the human things we place our faith but that of God. His will His way, that these things we claim to declare His word true, Make disciples and invite others are all possible because of Christ- you may not do all three but you need to do one!

What causes us to waver

Not having a posture of surrender to an almighty God

unbelief- trusting ourselves

it is sin

leads us now where good

Only to places where we think we have made it or achieved something

It only leaves us in turmoil

Jesus is the great news He covers a multitude of sins

What strengthens us

Faith in God- God is glorified

Psalm 28:8 “The Lord is their strength, And He is a saving defense to His anointed.”

What do we learn from Abrahams unwavering faith

Gave glory to God

Believed God could be counted on to fulfill His promise

Didn't know how

But was confident He was fully able to do so

God’s word is the surest thing we have

Through Christ we believe He brings alive that which is dead

We were dead had a account of sin and death, now we are imputed justification through faith

Jesus was lifted up for our sins and also for our justification that we no longer are sinner’s with a debt of death, through faith in Christ His righteousness is placed in our account. Praise God

Abraham believed that the dead body could bring life

We believe that Christ raises the Dead to life

Daily and eternally

Repent from our Sin

Be devoted to Him in prayer and His word

Be obedient

The great news we do this together

This is where we are called to have unwavering faith it begins with Jesus-

Application:

Unwavering faith begins at the cross

Do you believe Jesus died for you

Daily

Unwavering Faith continues through the Gospel

We are sinful people in need of a Messiah He has come in order that we would have life

Trusting God in His desire to change you from the inside

Community

Unwavering Faith keeps its eyes on the promise- eternity

Daily devotion to Him through prayer, study, and obedience- In great expectation for the messiah second coming!