Second Sunday in Lent (2026)

Exactly What I Need

“The Promise that Creates Faith”

Text: Genesis 12:1–8 Supporting: Romans 4:1–5, 13–17; John 3:1–17

Goal

That the hearers would trust that the faith they need for salvation is given by God through His promises in Christ—the promised descendant of Abraham who blesses the world.

Malady

We do not naturally trust God’s promises. Like Nicodemus, we rely on our understanding, our works, or what we can see. Left to ourselves, we remain spiritually blind, fearful, and uncertain.

Means

God creates faith through His promise. As He called Abram and gave him faith to trust the unseen future, so God gives us faith through the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the fulfillment of the promise to bless all nations.

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Last week we discovered something important:

What we really need… is a Champion.

Today we learn the next truth.

What I really need… is faith.

Because without faith — we cannot receive what God gives.

And yet here is the surprising reality:

Faith is not something we produce.

Faith is something God gives.

I. The Need: We Need Faith

Jesus says in the Gospel:

“No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

That includes Nicodemus. —That includes you. —That includes me.

Our problem: We do not naturally trust God. —We trust what we can see. —We trust what we can control. —We trust our own efforts. —We trust our own goodness.

What does faith mean? Faith means trusting a promise you cannot yet see.

And that does not come naturally.

Nicodemus struggled with that.

He was highly educated. Moral. Religious.

And yet, he was confused.

“How can these things be?”

Honestly — we understand that question.

Because faith often means walking into uncertainty.

Trusting God when circumstances look unclear.

Believing promises that seem too big.

We need faith.

Exactly what we need.

II. The Call: God Creates Faith Through Promise

That brings us to Abram.

Genesis 12 begins with one of the most important moments in the entire Bible.

God speaks:

“Go from your country… to the land I will show you.”

Notice what Abram is given.

Not a map.

Not a timeline.

Not a guarantee of comfort.

Just a promise.

“I will bless you.”

“I will make you a great nation.”

“In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

And what does Abram do?

“So Abram went.”

Hebrews tells us:

“By faith Abraham obeyed… not knowing where he was going.”

Where did that faith come from?

From the promise.

God spoke.

And God’s Word created faith.

Abram did not generate faith from inside himself.

God’s promise created faith within him.

This is still how God works.

Faith comes by hearing. Hearing the Word of Christ.

III. The Object: The Promised Descendant — Christ

But the promise to Abram was bigger than land.

Bigger than nation.

Bigger than descendants.

God said:

“In you all families of the earth shall be blessed.”

That blessing is Jesus.

St. Paul makes this clear. (Galatians 3:26–29 )

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

You see, the descendant of Abraham who blesses the world is Christ Himself.

And in John 3 we hear the fulfillment:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son…”

The promise to Abram finds its fulfillment in Jesus.

Jesus is the blessing.

Jesus is the salvation.

Jesus is exactly what we need.

And this is why faith matters.

Because faith always has an object.

Abraham’s faith was not in himself. It was not in his obedience. It was not in his journey.

Abraham’s faith was in God’s promise — and that promise is Jesus Christ.

Faith is always anchored outside of us. Faith clings to Jesus.

And that brings us to what Paul says in Romans…

IV. The Gift: Faith Receives Righteousness

Now listen to Romans 4.

Paul says Abraham was justified not by works…

but by faith.

“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

That word counted is important.

It means credited.

Given.

Imputed.

Righteousness was not something Abraham earned.

It was something he received.

Faith does not earn salvation.

Faith receives salvation.

Like empty hands receiving a gift.

And this is why faith is exactly what we need.

Because salvation is a gift.

And gifts are received — not achieved.

V. The Life: Walking by Faith

After God called Abram, his life became a journey.

He lived in tents.

He wandered.

He built altars.

He trusted promises not yet fulfilled.

That is the life of faith for us all.

We also live between promise and fulfillment.

We trust forgiveness we cannot see.

We trust eternal life we have not yet experienced.

We trust a resurrection still to come.

We walk by faith. Not by sight.

And here is the comfort:

The strength of faith is not what saves you.

The object of faith saves you.

And Jesus Christ is that object Jesus, and Jesus alone saves you.

Even weak faith receives a strong Savior.

Exactly What I Need

This is Lent.

“I didn’t know I needed that.”

But now you do.

You don’t need more certainty about the future.

You don’t need perfect understanding.

You don’t need stronger willpower.

You need faith.

And God gives it.

Through His Word.

Through His promises.

Through Jesus.

Faith is exactly what you need.

Conclusion

So when doubts come… Remember Abram.

When fear comes… Remember the promise.

When uncertainty comes… Remember Christ.

Because the God who called Abram… Calls you.

The God who gave Abram faith… Gives you faith.

And the promise is still true: In Christ, —You are blessed. —You are justified. —You are saved.

Exactly what you need.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayers of the Church

Second Sunday in Lent Exactly What I Need — The Promise That Creates Faith

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Heavenly Father, You called Abram by Your promise and created faith in his heart to trust what he could not yet see. Strengthen Your Church throughout the world to proclaim the Gospel clearly, that many may come to faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ, the promised blessing for all nations. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Lord, we confess that we do not naturally trust You. We rely on what we can see and understand, and our hearts are often filled with doubt and fear. Through Your Word and Sacraments, create and sustain true faith within us, that we may cling to Christ alone for righteousness and salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Faithful God, we thank You that salvation is a gift received through faith and not earned by our works. Strengthen all who struggle with doubt, uncertainty, or spiritual weakness. Remind them that even weak faith receives a strong Savior, and that Your promises in Christ never fail. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty Father, guide us as we walk by faith and not by sight. Give patience to those facing uncertainty about the future, comfort to those burdened by anxiety, and perseverance to those enduring hardship. Lead us always to trust that You are faithful to every promise You have spoken. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of hosts, we pray for our military service members and their families, especially those deployed and stationed overseas. Watch over them and protect them in danger. Grant wisdom, courage, and vigilance in the midst of conflict and uncertainty, especially during the military operations in the Middle East. Preserve them in body and soul, and comfort their families with Your peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of compassion, we pray for all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, especially those who are ill, recovering, grieving, or facing death. According to Your will, grant healing, strength, and hope. Assure them that nothing can separate them from Your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, we remember those who mourn the death of loved ones. Comfort them with the promise of the resurrection and the certainty that all who trust in Christ will share in His eternal life. Strengthen our faith to look beyond what we see to the glory You have prepared for Your people. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Savior, as we prepare to receive Your Holy Supper, strengthen our faith through Your true body and blood given and shed for us. Assure us again that the righteousness of Christ is counted as ours, and keep us steadfast until the day we see You face to face. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.