The Testimony of Father Abraham
The Testimony of Father Abraham
Rom. 4:16-25
Introduction Paul has spent a considerate amount of time presenting the doctrine of justification. Last week we heard three major points about Abraham’s righteousness, his right standing with God. Let me quickly recap those three points:
¨ Abraham did not become righteous by working for it and thereby earning it.
¨ Abraham did not become righteous by obeying God’s command that he be circumcised.
¨ Abraham did not become righteous by obeying God’s laws.
This week, our study on Romans continues Paul’s Gospel defense with The Testimony of Father Abraham. This testimony is outlined for you in the worship folder. But today I would like to approach our meditation differently. I would like you to read the Scripture of one point at a time and then you can ask me questions about it. To keep our time of meditation to a 15 minute limit we can only spend 2 minutes on each point. So I need a time-keeper to keep us moving. To save time I have appointed a time-keeper already.
1. Faith, Faith, Faith (4:16-17)
16Therefore, 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 are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." {17 Gen. 17:5} He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed-- the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
2. Hoping against Hope (4:18-22)
18Against 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." {18 Gen. 15:5} 19Without 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. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."
3. For Us, Too! (4:23-25a)
23The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-- for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25aHe was delivered over to death for our sins
4. Death and Life (4:25b)
25band was raised to life for our justification.
Conclusion Now I have just a couple of questions to ask you. What does this message from God mean? This is the question of faith when it comes to understanding the Word of God. This question has to be answered before it can be applied properly to our own lives. Understanding God is the essence of faith, not time. This is the testimony of Father Abraham. Amen.