Strong in Faith - Rom. 4:13-25

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Faith, Childlike

Faith is a little boy who ties a rope swing onto a tiny sapling’s branch. Then, noticing that the seat of the swing rests on the ground, he goes to get the garden hose and begins to water the sapling.447

Romans is all about the righteousness of God provided to the unrighteous through faith in the Gospel.

To better explain this truth, Paul gives us an example in the person of Abraham.

Romans 4 gives some detail to our understanding of how Abraham was made right with God - through faith.

As we saw last week, Abraham was justified apart from works prior to circumcision - which is the outward sign and seal of the covenant relationship.

And as we move forward into vv. 13-15, Paul mentions that we are heirs to God’s promises by faith - not by the law.

1. Heir by Faith – not the law (vv. 13-15)

Romans 4:13–15 NKJV

13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 4

faith means trusting in or relying on a promise of God’s work and not depending in any way on human performance.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 4

Transgression is defined as the violation of a revealed command

And this inheritance of God’s promises is extended by His grace to all who will call on His name, not just those who are Jews.

2. Grace for All – not just a few (vv. 16-18)

Romans 4:16–18 NKJV

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”

3. Strong in Truth – not weakened by circumstances (vv. 19-22)

Romans 4:19–22 NKJV

19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

v. 19 - the circumstances were against them 100 and 90

v. 20 - Abraham didnt waiver - strengthened in faith - and it led to glorifying God

v. 21 - Because GOd was able to do what He had promised

v. 22 - Abrahams faith was counted to Him for righteousness. k

He wasn’t righteous - but his faith was accounted for righteousness.

4. Us Too – not just Abraham (vv. 23-25)

Romans 4:23–25 NKJV

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.