True Love 12(Romans 4:

INtroduction

Recap

The New International Version Chapter 4

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

So as we established last week, justification in Christ is not by works, but this promise is recieved by faith alone, through Grace alone, in Christ alone.

Let me stop and emphasize this difference. There is a difference in what is the best way and what is the only way. example with parents

Paul, Jesus, Scripture in General is great about flipping the script on us. How is Abraham our father?

The New International Version Chapter 4

As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” o He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

He was beginning of covenant, but it is not through Abraham. The pharisees and scribes misunderstood that.

The gifts must not be better than the giver.

The New International Version Chapter 4

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” t

What does it mean to have hope when there is no hope to be found. This is an opportunity for us to display hope.

The New International Version Chapter 4

19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

God has been bringing death to life from the beginning and is still doing so today

A fully persuaded faith, unwaivering, strengthened

The New International Version Chapter 4

22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.