“Faith That Inherits the Promise”
Romans • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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HOOK – “The Impossible Promise”
HOOK – “The Impossible Promise”
Illustration:
Imagine being told at 99 years old that you'll soon have a child—and through that child, the world will be changed.
It sounds pretty laughable… unless it’s YHWH talking.
Engaging Question:
Have you ever been asked to believe something that seemed utterly impossible?
BOOK:
BOOK:
Key Truths:
The Promise Came Through Faith, Not the Law (v.13–15):
The inheritance isn’t through obedience to the law, but through the righteousness of faith. The law brings wrath—Grace brings faith—faith brings righteousness.
What does the Law do??
The Law Reveals Sin, But Cannot Remove It
The law functions like a mirror—SHOWING us our flaws, NOT fixing them
20 For by the works of the law no person will be declared righteous before him, for through the law comes knowledge of sin.
The law exposes our need for grace.
When that exposure is seen, and our sin has become alive to us, we need to take it to Jesus in surrender...
Confessing
Repenting
Believing Him
Trusting Him
I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.
Attempting to “Earn” God’s Promise Nullifies Grace
If we could earn God’s promises, they would no longer be GIFTS—they would be WAGES
4 Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed.
But grace cannot be earned, only received.
Grace = God’s unmerited favor
The Law Brings Wrath Because We Fall Short of God’s holiness
Wrath is experienced when holiness is manifested to unholiness…
Attempting to inherit the promise through the law leads only to judgment, not joy.
God’s standard is perfect, and none of us meet it
10 For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all.
Faith Anchored in God's Power (v.16–17):
Abraham believed in the God who “gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist.”
Faith Begins Where Human Ability Ends
Abraham’s faith was not grounded in what he could see or do—but in what God could create and revive.
True faith is not self-confidence; it’s God-confidence.
God’s Power Defies Human Impossibility
God calls into existence things that do not exist
YHWH is the only One who truly “speaks things into existence”
He made a nation from a barren womb and a promise from a wandering nomad.
His Word creates reality.
It does NOT MATTER how sinful or how bad off you believe you are...
GOD WILL CHANGE YOUR REALITY:
When you surrender to Him
Begin the journey of repenting and believing HIM at His Word.
Trust.
The Object of Our Faith is What Matters Most
Faith is only as strong as its foundation.
Abraham trusted not in faith itself, but in God’s nature—the One who gives life and fulfills His Word.
A Faith That Does Not Waver (v.18–21):
Abraham’s faith faced reality (his own body was already as good as dead), yet he did not weaken but was fully convinced.
Real Faith Doesn’t Ignore Reality
Faith isn’t denial—it’s defiance.
Defiance of what may not “make sense” or “add up” to what those around you may say or believe
Defiance of the way the situation may look at the moment.
Faith is defiance of despair.
Abraham acknowledged his limitations but trusted in God’s limitless power.
God’s Promises Outweigh Present Circumstances
Even when everything around him screamed “impossible,” Abraham believed the One who had spoken was faithful to perform it.
Conviction, Not Convenience, Defines True Faith
Abraham wasn’t swayed by delay or disappointment.
He clung to the promise because he trusted the Promiser.
Faith Reckoned as Righteousness (v.22–25):
Not just for Abraham—but for us too. Faith in the resurrected Christ is our pathway to righteousness.
Abraham’s Story is Our Story
His righteousness was credited through faith—and so is ours.
The gospel is not a new plan; it is the fulfillment of an ancient promise.
The Resurrection Seals the Promise
Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
His resurrection is the receipt that the payment is settled
All of our “sin accounts” are SETTLED.
They have been MADE RIGHT on the cross!
They have been SEALED by the resurrection
Faith is the Only Door to Justification
We are not justified by works, effort, or moral progress—but by trusting in the One who justifies the ungodly
5 But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness.
LOOK – From Abraham to Us
LOOK – From Abraham to Us
Illustration:
Think of a trust fall—faith isn’t just hoping someone will catch you. It’s knowing who is catching you.
Abraham leaned all the way in on God’s promise.
He didn’t hold back ANYTHING, including his only son of promise...
He KNEW the God who asked him to do it.
Trust God.
Application:
Do we trust God’s promises even when our circumstances scream otherwise?
Are we trying to earn what God offers freely through belief?
TOOK – Living Faith Today
TOOK – Living Faith Today
Challenge:
Faith isn’t denial of reality—it’s defiance of despair.
You may be facing a seeming “dead-end” in:
With your health
With your family
With your finances
Or with your purpose—
but faith sees the God who brings life from the dead.
Illustration/Call to Action:
A seed looks dead when planted—but it holds hidden life.
Will you plant your trust in the God who resurrects, and believe beyond what you can see?
Closing Verse (Tie-In):
Closing Verse (Tie-In):
“He was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do.” (v.21)
Be fully convinced. God keeps His promises.
