Foundational Faith
10/26/2008 Filed in: General
Foundational Faith
(Romans 4:9-25)
1. FAITH HAS ENEMIES
(Romans 4:9-16) Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. [10] Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! [11] And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. [12] And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. [13] It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. [14] For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, [15] because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. [16] Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
- Failure = I am too bad to change
- Fear = It is too good to be true
- Feelings = It does not feel right
2. FAITH HAS ESSENCE
Romans 4:17 (NIV) As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." 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.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
- It is not faith itself; it is the object of your faith that matters
- A little faith is a powerful force
Matthew 17:20 (NIV) He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
- Your faith can be developed by exercise
Romans 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
3. FAITH ACCESSES RIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans 4:18-22 (NIV) 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." [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. [22] This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.'"
F = facts
A = agreement
I = internalization
T = trust
H = hope
4. FAITH OFFERS SPIRITUAL RICHES
Romans 4:23-25 (NIV) 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.
- Jesus's death paid for my debt
2 Cor. 8:9 (NIV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
- Jesus' resurrection is God's receipt
4. YOU CAN FULLY BELIEVE?
- Emotional faith: "I want to!"
- Intellectual faith: "I know I should"
- Volitional faith: "I will! I have! I shall!"
(Romans 4:9-25)
1. FAITH HAS ENEMIES
(Romans 4:9-16) Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. [10] Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! [11] And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. [12] And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. [13] It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. [14] For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, [15] because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. [16] Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
- Failure = I am too bad to change
- Fear = It is too good to be true
- Feelings = It does not feel right
2. FAITH HAS ESSENCE
Romans 4:17 (NIV) As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." 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.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
- It is not faith itself; it is the object of your faith that matters
- A little faith is a powerful force
Matthew 17:20 (NIV) He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
- Your faith can be developed by exercise
Romans 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
3. FAITH ACCESSES RIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans 4:18-22 (NIV) 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." [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. [22] This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.'"
F = facts
A = agreement
I = internalization
T = trust
H = hope
4. FAITH OFFERS SPIRITUAL RICHES
Romans 4:23-25 (NIV) 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.
- Jesus's death paid for my debt
2 Cor. 8:9 (NIV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
- Jesus' resurrection is God's receipt
4. YOU CAN FULLY BELIEVE?
- Emotional faith: "I want to!"
- Intellectual faith: "I know I should"
- Volitional faith: "I will! I have! I shall!"