The Promise Realized Through Faith

Justified Through Faith: Embracing God's Promise

Let me start today with offering you a chance to ask yourself

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

Do you struggle with thinking we have to do things to earn God’s trust?

what does that look like?

Do you believe that everyone can be saved? no matter what?

How does one become a Christian?

Do you believe that all people are good?

Why do some reject Christ?

once someone makes a commitment to Christ.

Do you believe that change is unavoidable?

What did Jesus’s death and resurrection accomplish? think deeply on this one.

Does God control our decisions?

What role do good works play, if not to save you?

there are so many more fundamental questions?

And i encourage you to stop sitting on the fence, and seek Biblical answers to these questions

We are studying Romans —- Let me give you an overview to center your mind

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Overview:

Romans 1–4 presents Paul’s argument that the gospel addresses humanity’s fundamental crisis:

both Jews and Gentiles have failed to maintain covenant relationship with God through their distinctive forms of rebellion,

yet WE all face impartial divine judgment.

Rather than performance of the law determining right standing before God,

Paul reveals that Christ’s faithful obedience and sacrificial death demonstrate God’s restorative justice and forgiveness.

Those who embrace the gospel through faith receive justification without grounds for self-congratulation.

Abraham exemplifies this justifying faith—he received righteousness apart from circumcision and law-keeping,

making him the paradigm for both Jewish and Gentile believers as members of God’s covenant community.

**Key Theological Highlights:** * The gospel functions as God’s saving power for all who believe, revealing divine righteousness through faith, while simultaneously exposing God’s wrath against human ungodliness and unrighteousness. (Rom 1:16–2:24)

* God’s invisible attributes—eternal power and divine nature—are plainly evident in creation, rendering all humanity without excuse. (Rom 1:16–2:24)

* All people, both Jews and Greeks, stand under sin with no one righteous; the law cannot justify anyone but instead brings knowledge of sin. (Rom 3:9–31)

* God’s righteousness operates independently of law-observance, extending justification as a gracious gift through Christ’s redemptive death to all believers. (Rom 3:9–31)

* Abraham’s inheritance of blessing came through faith rather than law, establishing faith as the mechanism through which God’s promise rests on grace and extends to all his spiritual offspring. (Rom 4:13–5:1)

* Justification by faith produces peace with God through Christ

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever thought about what it will be like to stand before the throne of God, when you appear in Heaven?

How about hearing from God that you are to do something extreme and maybe even radical?

DO YOU EVER struggle with your position in Christ?

We at Horizon encourage === PAUSE PRAYER PONDER PROCEED —- all centered to PRAISE

this week i was challenged with adding another P ————————— PACE

i realized that i struggle personally and with others on the SPEED of TRANSFORMATION

I want to see FRUIT in me and in others.

Faith and Obedience are too main actions that we must practice

you see it is not about saying the words,

it is about living them out.

Saying we are faithful and that HE is Lord without action is literally FRUITLESS.

Paul uses the examples of Abraham

There is an old phrase

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going”

this is a challenge for many Christians today,

when faith and obedience gets tough

do you dig in , or doubt?

Abraham- obeyed and i was counted as righteousness.

told to leave his homeland with no revelation of where

promised a child in late life

saw challenges, and saw glory

We told would be Father of a Great Nation

then when this fatherhood started with answer to pray

God tells him to sacrifice his son

and Abraham obeyed

That is a Crazy Faith

how do you measure up?

Paul is arguing that it is faith

alone — Solo Fida

Faith and obedience go hand in hand.

Abraham is highlighted in our Study today as a model for our faith

in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews ch 11

Hebrews 11:8 “8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

our study today is meant to help you FOCUS on Faith and obedience

I believe we all embrace the PROMISE Of HEAVEN

but our DAILY CHALLENGE is living in the PROMISE of CHRIST IN YOU TODAY

there is no Faith without Focus

Bible Passage: Ro 4:13–25

God promised Abraham:

the Father of a Great Nation

Faith and Obedience is KEY

God showed Abraham that no matter his bad decision —- God has a PLAN and PROMISE for us ALL

Abraham’s faith, rather than his adherence to the law, was the means by which he was justified before God.

There was no law in Abraham’s Life

the Law was 400 years in the Future

I suggest that from the Fall to MOSES given the Law was the display of FAITH over LAW

then the Law was given and practiced for about 1500 years

Until Christ came to Fulfill the Law

Matthew 5:17 ESV

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Jesus demonstrated FAITH and OBEDIENCE

please don’t miss that

Today we LIVE with the LAW fulfilled

the Promise and Prophesy of the Old Testament —- FULFILLED

We are made right with God through faith and highlights the role of grace in God's promise.

Please understand that their standing before God is based on faith and not their works.

believers to trust fully in God's promises,

especially during challenging times

when they may feel unworthy or uncertain about their faith journey.

justification by faith, illustrating how Abraham’s trust in God's promise serves as a model for Christians today.

It emphasizes that salvation is a gift of grace and is accessible to all who believe.

The focus on faith over works directs us to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham.

Just as Abraham believed and it was counted as righteousness,

so believers today find righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, the descendant of Abraham.

Big Idea: Faith in God’s promises leads to justification,

underscoring the grace that brings salvation to all who believe.

1. Promise, Not Performance

Ro 4:13–15

the promise to Abraham and his descendants comes through faith, not the law.

the limitation of the law, which brings wrath, you might emphasize that the promise is secure and gracious for those who have faith.

reliance on God's promises rather than self-effort is key to a right relationship with God.

r confidence in God's grace rather than their own achievements,

reassuring them of the certainty of the promise through faith.

2. Faith Over Uncertainty

Ro 4:16–18

Abraham's faith serves as a model for believers today.

Emphasize that the promise relies on grace so that it can be guaranteed to all descendants.

We are part of that PROMISE —— this is key

God showed that the PROMISE to ABRAHAM —— included ALL —- not just JEWISH

By showcasing Abraham's hope against hope, despite circumstances, you might encourage your audience to maintain faith in God's promises amid uncertainties.

the power of faith in bringing God's promises to fruition, inviting believers to emulate Abraham's trust.

3. Unwavering Trust in Trials

Ro 4:19–22

In these verses, you might focus on the nature of Abraham's faith as unwavering even when faced with impossible situations.

Please understand that you must—— strengthen their faith through trusting God’s ability rather than dwelling on human limitations.

God’s power and promises can lead to spiritual growth and assurance.

God's faithfulness is a foundation for enduring faith, similar to Abraham's credited righteousness.

4. Faith’s Fulfillment in Christ

Ro 4:23–25

these verses extend the promise of righteousness through faith not only to Abraham but to us today through Jesus Christ.

faith in the redemptive work of Jesus is the climax of God’s promise, assuring believers of justification.

Encourage your audience to embrace the fullness of salvation offered through faith in Christ,

reinforcing that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise.

Prayer:

reflection on the transformational nature of faith,

rooted in grace

and celebrated in Christ.