Romans 4:18-25

Against Hope, Believed in Hope (vv. 18-21)

Against hope -> he had little natural hope, considering he and his wife were old and proven to be barren

The time to exercise faith is when there is no clear reason to aside from the promise of God (Noah, Moses, Mk. 9:20-24)

He believed in hope -> his hope was according to that which was spoken (v. 18)

This is an incredibly firm hope to have, because when God speaks no one opposes Him (creation, Job, final judgement - Rom. 3:19, etc.)

He staggered not at the promises of God and was fully persuaded -> this is not to say that he always had a sunny outlook and felt no worry or discouragement

Abraham’s doubts caused him to run towards God, not away from Him (Gen. 15:1-6)

Faith is trusting what God has said (taking Him at His word), not trusting what you feel (Gen. 6:5; Prov. 28:26; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 8:6)

Saving Faith (vv. 22-25)

You will be saved the moment you repent and trust God to do what He’s promised to do

Because Abraham believed in a promise about future children, he is said to have had faith -> and the righteousness of God was imputed onto him

His faith in God was recorded for our benefit, that we may also believe -> you do not need a million analogies, but rather a real life example

Righteousness will be imputed to all who believe

You must believe the one powerful enough to raise Jesus from the dead (v. 24)

He has more than power to create, but power to re-create and make new (this is the image of a new birth)

Jesus was delivered for our offences and raised for our justification (v. 25) -> that He may be both just and the justifier!

Those who have the Son have life (1 Jn. 5:12) -> so trust in Jesus!