"Marks That Matter"

Romans 4:9–12 CSB

9 Is this blessing only for the circumcised, then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness. 10 In what way, then, was it credited—while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? It was not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also. 12 And he became the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised.

HOOK: "What Does Your Tattoo Say About You?"

Illustration: Imagine someone with a tattoo in a foreign language—looks impressive, but they have no idea what it means.

That’s like wearing or participating in a religious sign without the faith behind it.

Transition: Paul confronts this very issue in Romans 4. What’s the value of a religious sign if it doesn't match a spiritual reality?

BOOK: Romans 4:9–12

Context: Paul continues his argument that Abraham was justified by faith BEFORE circumcision, extending salvation to both Jews and Gentiles.

Key Points:

v.9–10 – Justification came before circumcision.

Abraham’s justification came BEFORE he was called to be circumcised.

Abraham was declared righteous in Genesis 15, circumcised in Genesis 17.

The circumcision was the outward sign of obedience, commitment and life change.

Illustration: A wedding ring doesn’t make someone married; it reflects a prior commitment.

It is the SIGN of the marriage covenant between the man, the woman, and YHWH!

v.11 – Circumcision was a SIGN and SEAL of righteousness by faith.

Romans 4:11 CSB

11 And he received the SIGN of circumcision as a SEAL of the righteousness that he had by faith while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father of ALL who believe but are NOT circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also.

Sign: Points to something.

Seal: Confirms something already real...

Signet ring wax seal by a king on documents

Authorized by the king.

No one can open this seal, but by the authority of the king

If tampered with, you would be put to death.

but because it’s not the SIGN that brings righteousness, even the uncircumcised (gentiles), can be made righteous!

That’s YOU & ME!!

and because of that...

v.12 – Abraham becomes the father of all who believe—circumcised or not.

Romans 4:12 CSB

12 And he became the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised.

It’s not the ritual but the FAITH, that saves.

Those “who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had”

Are YOU following in the FOOTSTEPS of the faith of Abraham??

What are those “footsteps”??

NOT merely acknowledging that there is a God...

NOT merely believing IN GOD...but...

BELIEVING GOD.

DO YOU BELIEVE GOD?

1. Promise of Salvation

John 3:16 – “For God loved the world/cosmos in this way that he gave his only one of his kind Son, that whoever believes/trusts in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 10:9 – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

2. Promise of God’s Presence

Joshua 1:9 – “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 28:20 – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

3. Promise of Peace

Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Philippians 4:6–7 – “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

4. Promise of Strength

Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…”

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

5. Promise of Provision

Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 6:31–33 – “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

6. Promise of Forgiveness

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Isaiah 1:18 – “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…”

7. Promise of Eternal Life

John 10:28 – “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Titus 1:2 – “…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.”

8. Promise of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:38–39 – “You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off…”

John 14:26 – “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things…”

9. Promise of Justice and Restoration

Romans 12:19 – “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Joel 2:25 – “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten…”

10. Promise of Christ’s Return

John 14:3 – “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me…”

Revelation 22:12 – “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me…”

BELIEVING YHWH at His Word is “following in the footsteps”

Circumcision was the SIGN and SEAL of that BELIEF of God’s covenant with His people.

Bridge to Baptism: Just as circumcision was the sign of belonging under the OLD covenant with God shortly after birth (8th day), baptism is the sign under the NEW covenant, at THE NEW BIRTH—but neither saves apart from FAITH.

LOOK: Circumcision & Baptism

Comparison:

Circumcision: Old covenant sign of belonging to God's people.

Baptism: New covenant sign of birth/entry into the community of faith.

Colossians 2:11–12 – Paul links circumcision and baptism spiritually.

Colossians 2:11–12 CSB

11 You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

“A PROFESSION of faith doesn’t justify anybody. It’s the POSSESSION of faith that justifies.” —R.C. Sproul

Illustration:

A passport doesn’t make you a citizen—it proves your citizenship.

Baptism doesn’t save; it shows that you already belong to Christ by GRACE through FAITH.

Warning: Religious signs can become empty rituals. Faith MUST precede the symbol.

TOOK: So What? Now What?

Applications:

If you’ve never placed your faith in Christ, baptism won’t save you—faith will.

If you’ve trusted Christ but never been baptized, it’s time to display outwardly what’s already true inwardly.

For parents: Circumcision was given after physical birth; baptism should be AFTER being born again in Christ.

Illustration: Imagine attending a wedding without knowing the couple or the meaning of the ceremony. You're present, but not truly part of it.

Closing Challenge: Don’t just wear the sign—own the story.

Let your baptism (or the memory of it) remind you of a real, living faith in Jesus.