06-19-2022 Father's Day

Romans 4:9–21 ESV

9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

We all Need A Father who BELIEVES (Romans 9:11-12)

Purpose - To make Him Father of all who BELIEVE without being Circumcised (Think Naaman, etc…) So that Righteousness could be counted to THEM AS WELL

AND to make him the father of the circumcised - not physically only, but who walk in footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised...

We all Need A Father Whose Actions Teach us about GOD’S GRACE (Romans 4:13-16)

The promise to ALL HEIRS did not come through the LAW - but righteousness of faith!!!

Living by the LAW nullifies FAITH (and brings condemnation)

Abraham’s choice to live by Faith demonstrates that it all RESTS ON GRACE and is available to ALL HEIRS (those who share His Faith in the ONE TRUE, LIVING, HOLY GOD)

We All Need a Father Whose Unwavering Faith Causes them to GLORIFY GOD (Rom. 4:17-22)