Abrahams faith
Romans 4:1-25
X. Intro:
A. There was a little boy who had been contemplating life and death and asked his mother to explain it to him. “Mother, where did the first man come from?” Her response was: “The Bible tells us that he came from the dust of the ground.” “Oh, I see.” You could almost see the little wheels whirling in his head as he asked. “But, Mamma, what happens to man when he dies?” “Well, dear his body returns to the dust of the ground.” “Oh, I see. So man is made from dust and he returns to dust. Is that right?” Mamma was thrilled that little Johnny was understanding it all so well. She was shocked when a few minutes later little Johnny cried out in fear from his bedroom. Everyone in the household ran to his room and asked him what was the matter. “Oh, Mamma --- there’s someone under my bed and I’m not sure if he’s coming or going!” There are those things about which we are not sure.
B. There are some things in life about which it is not critical if we’re absolutely sure. However, there is one thing about which we MUST be sure! So Paul here does by example what he’s been doing by logic only. Before explaining our theme “What Faith Looks Like” he first cements for us what it is and isn’t.
XI. vs.1-8: Abe made right through Faith and Grace posited
A. Lived in the area that is now southern Iraq. He was a typical Chaldean, pre-Babylonian.
B. Let’s imagine dialogue between Abraham and God. “Abraham, this is God speaking. I want you to leave everything and go to the land I will show you.” “Where’s that?” “If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.” “Try me.” “It’s 1500 miles from here in a place called Canaan.” “Never heard of it.” “I know, and guess what else?” “What?” “I’m going to make you the father of a great nation.” “That’s impossible. I don’t have any children.” “Don’t worry.” “What do you mean, don’t worry?” “Just trust me.” “Let me see if I’ve got this straight. You want me to leave everything, travel across the desert to someplace I’ve never heard of, and become the father of a great nation.” “Right.” “Is this some kind of joke?” “No.” “What am I supposed to tell my wife?” “That’s your problem.”
C. Abraham had righteousness credited (justified by faith) when he trusted in God evidenced by trusting in His promise (by grace).
D. Asthmatic neighbor don Benitez, often came to borrow money or meds, apologizing by saying that he had worked for x number of days, but for no reason his employer would not pay as agreed. We both felt outrage at that abuse of power, because it is so clear that a worker has earned his wages. It’s not like it’s some gift the we can give or not.
XII. vs.9-12: By Faith detailed
A. The Jewish people held up Abraham as an example; they held him up as an example of someone who was justified by the law. The Jews believed that because Abraham had given God total obedience he must have earned extra merit that could help them receive grace
B. Define circumcision regarding its place as a sign of the covenant such that the families of the circumcised were Israel and others were not truly part of the covenant
C. Paul makes a simple case: Abraham was justified before law, even before circumcision, so it can’t have been through law. No it was credited (justified by faith)
XIII. vs.13-17: By Grace detailed
A. Now Paul makes the point that neither works nor genetic heritage can twist God’s arm into making us right with Him.
B. He reminds them of when the promise was given to Abe and in what condition, and being a promise it was by grace or it was not a promise.
XIV. vs.18-25: what does faith look like in Life?
A. Consider the experience of young Daniel in the movie, “The Karate Kid.” Daniel finds himself a little out of place when he and his mother move from New Jersey to California. When a group of tough guys beat him up, he enlists the help of Mr. Miyagi, an elderly Japanese gardener from his apartment complex, to teach him karate for self-defense. Mr. Miyagi agrees to teach Daniel and takes him out to his home.
B. Video Clip
C. He begins with faith, wavers, sees Miyagi is faithful, and grow in faith.
D. Abraham lived, made choices as if what had been promised, but he could not see, was true
E. Look at Abe again.
F.There was a little boy who was caught in a fire at home. He could not get out of the burning house. He climbed up out onto the roof of the burning home, and began to cry for his father’s help. The father looked up at his son from the ground, and told him to jump. “I can’t see you though daddy, how will you catch me?” said the son. The father said, “I can see you”. Without further hesitation the boy jumped into his father’s arms. Sometimes we need to have that same type of pure faith that a child has in their parents in our Heavenly father.
G. What would it look like for us to do the same? What has God promised that we can’t see and have to take on faith? Peace and Joy are found in dieing to self and following him w/cross-bearing, even though we can’t see it.
H. We come to trust God to forgive us in Jesus because He said so. We continue to follow Him because he is faithful.
I. God is faithful:
· even when the medical reports say otherwise
· even when the checkbook says otherwise
· even when our relationship say otherwise
XV. Invitation:
A. Cassie Bernall:
Cassie was a 17-year-old junior with long blond hair, hair she wanted to cut off and have made into wigs for cancer patients who had lost their hair through chemotherapy. She was active in her youth group at Westpool’s Community Church and was known for carrying a Bible to school.
Cassie was in the school library reading her Bible when the two young killers burst in. According to witnesses, one of the killers pointed his gun at Cassie and asked, do you believe in God?" Cassie paused and then answered, "Yes, I believe in God." "Why?" the gunman asked. Cassie did not have a chance to respond; the gunman had already shot her dead.
Cassie’s martyrdom was even more remarkable when you consider that just a few years ago she had dabbled in the occult, including witchcraft. She had embraced the same darkness and nihilism that drove her killers to such despicable acts. But two years ago, Cassie dedicated her life to Christ, and turned her life around. Her friend, Craig Moon, called her a "light for Christ."
According to the Boston Globe, on the night of her death, Cassie’s brother Chris found a poem Cassie had written just two days prior to her death. It read:
"Now I have given up on everything else
I have found it to be the only way
To really know Christ and to experience
The mighty power that brought
Him back to life again, and to find
Out what it means to suffer and to
Die with him. So, whatever it takes
I will be one who lives in the fresh
Newness of life of those who are
Alive from the dead."
B. How about you and me?