Romans 4:13-25 -- "Faith for the Real World"
Notes
Transcript
Since the Fall our world functions abnormally, and humanity as a whole has run off the track on which God initially set it. At various times we all have to face this reality, which may challenge our hope, security, or joy. Sin takes its toll (health, relationships, world events, etc.). For the believer, there is only one answer to the reality of a fallen world and that is to trust in the promises of God, which are ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. There is hope and power for living when the Christian trusts moment by moment in those promises. Trusting in the promises of God is the only answer to the reality of life in a fallen world.
It has been observed that when faced with unpleasant realities, some people dream of castles in the sky, some people live in them, and others comfort themselves by collecting the rest. The question before us this morning is how do we as God’s people deal with the sometimes stark and unpleasant realities of the world in which we find ourselves?
The Realities of Life May Not Look Hopeful.
The Realities of Life May Not Look Hopeful.
The realities of life did not look hopeful for Abraham
He had to face the reality of no offspring (Genesis 15:1-3)
He had to face the reality of both his and Sarah’s ages (Romans 4:19).
The realities of life have not looked hopeful for many others of God’s people.
Examples abound in Scriptures of believers facing situations that did not look hopeful — Israel at the Red Sea; David Facing Goliath; the disciples in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, etc).
Current day example also about of the realities of life that seems crushing: This COVID-19 pandemic; Rioting in the streets; Concern over law enforcements ability to do their job in keeping society safe; Illness, like cancers, seem to be increasing, etc.
The realities of life may not look very hopeful to you at times, maybe at this very moment. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have lost their jobs; businesses that feed families are on the line; their are fears related to the economy and our retirement plans; a Presidential election in four months; your brother just attempted suicide for the 4th time.
The realities of life in our fallen world can be stark and sometimes frightening. However, we must never forget that our gracious Fathers equips us to deal with those realities victoriously.
Faith in the Promises of God Enables us to Face the Realities of this Fallen World
Faith in the Promises of God Enables us to Face the Realities of this Fallen World
Faith in God’s promises equipped Abraham to live in the real world.
Abraham, through faith, maintained hope even in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation (Rom 4:19).
Abraham, through faith, did not “waver concerning the promises of God (v. 20).
Faith in God’s promises will equip you to face the realities of your world.
God, our Father, has made many personal promises to you that become real in your life through Jesus (forgiveness, help in time of trouble, strength to endure, the prospect of a new world coming, the promise to work for our good in all things, etc).
Therefore, be persuaded as Abraham was that God CAN and WILL deliver what He has promised.
Therefore, be persuaded as Abraham was that God CAN and WILL deliver what He has promised.
Let our hope be unquenchable.
Let us not stagger at the promises of God; we shall stand strong in Christ.
Trusting the promises of God in Christ will give us the victory in the face of the realities of live in 2020 and will, in addition, bring into our lives certain other blessings.
Faith in the Promises of God in Christ Brings Blessing into our Lives
Faith in the Promises of God in Christ Brings Blessing into our Lives
Abraham’s faith proved to be a blessing.
His faith was “credited to him as righteousness” (v. 22)
It was confirmed and strengthened as God kept His promises, and Abraham witnessed their fulfillment.
Your faith will prove to be a blessing.
Faith in Christ is the foundation os your relationship with God the Father (Romans 5:1-2).
1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.
Your faith will be confirmed and strengthened. God’s promises are real and certain and will come to pass. You will witness their fulfillment (2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 10:22-23).
12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Trusting in the Promises of God is the Only Answer to the Reality of life in a Fallen World.
Trusting in the Promises of God is the Only Answer to the Reality of life in a Fallen World.
In Christ Jesus, God the Father has given us marvelous promises to cope with the realities of life that we all face. Let us be persuaded beyond any doubt that even when situation do not look hopeful or are discouraging, faith in God’s promises will fully equip us to live victoriously and will bring wonderful blessing into our lives. Truly we can say that trust in the promises of God is the only answer to the reality of life in a fallen world.