mySundaySermons

Romans 4:13-25

13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 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, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 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 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 23 Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification. [NRSA]

 

The passage we explore today from the letter to the Romans, by the Apostle Paul, gives us a powerful message about faith. This isn’t faith as mere belief or intellectual acceptance but a dynamic, living, trust-filled relationship with our God.

Paul claims that his faith is reckoned by believing in Jesus Christ. Most folks have speak of faith that they reck’on the have, (to guess or assume.) We hope our faith will be enough, but we are not certain. We visit this passage to remember that even faith is given to us by God.

Faith and Certainty are partners:

Today we’re going to dive into a foundational concept in the Christian life—faith. We’ll draw from the wisdom in Romans 4:13-25. This passage contains a powerful message about Abraham, the father of faith, whose belief in God was accredited to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:13-14 states, “For the promise to Abraham and his descendants is to inherit the world, and not fulfilled through the law. Instead, it is through the righteousness that comes by faith. If it is those who are adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is voided.”

Keeping the laws and commandments w/o faith is empty.

These verses remind us that the promise God made to Abraham was based not on his deeds, but on faith. His righteousness was not achieved by obedience to the law but through faith in the God who justifies the ungodly.

So where does the faith come? It comes from God

Now let’s translate that to our current reality. We live in a world where faith is frequently tested, challenged, and stretched thin. Every day, we face trials, tribulations, and uncertainties that tempt us to question God’s promises.

·     We encounter financial difficulties,

·     health crises,

·     broken relationships, or

·     loss of work or being under employed

·     the heavy burden of loneliness. Since COVID, 40%

And at times, it feels easier to rely on what little we have of strength, understanding, and abilities, or conform to the worldly patterns, rather than trust in God’s promises.

Let’s consider the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the world. We saw loved ones fall sick, businesses crumble, and plans fall apart. It felt like we were walking through the darkest valley, didn’t it? Many wondered where God was during these trying times. Yet, this crisis also brought to light countless stories of resilience, compassion, and unity that bore witness to the power of faith in times of adversity.

 It was a reminder that God was with us, even in the storm.

Romans 4:20-21 says, Paul tells us that “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

Paul brushes over the moment of Abraham’s struggle with his faith. Abraham’s faith did falter, even when the promise seemed impossible by human standards.

1. Famine came to the promised land and Abraham leaves for Egypt.

2. When in Egypt, he fears for his life and tells pharaoh that Sarai is his sister instead of his wife.

3. He and Sarai question God’s timing and offer Hagar as Abram’s offspring.

4. But God is faithful despite the setbacks.

In Abram’s faithfulness he does

1. Relocate his family, twice

2. He finally waits for God to provide a child for he and Sarah

3. He is willing to offer his long awaited heir as an offering to God.

Faith is the relationship we receive from God and share with God.

But he trusted in God, the one who “gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” (Romans 4:17).

Beloved, our faith today calls for the same kind of growing trust in God’s faithfulness. It calls us to believe, not in the seen, but the unseen; not in the temporal but the eternal; not in our management skills, but in God’s ability to shape our lives.

Faith is knowing that Even in the face of adversity, failure, and disappointment we are to remain confident in God’s promises.

We are called to trust God when facing

·     that chronic illness,

·     when the bills pile up,

·     when our job is hanging by a thread, or

·     when our relationships are strained.

We are to remain steadfast, believing that God is at work, even when we can’t see the results.

Beloved, remember that your faith is not in vain. Romans 4:22-24 says, “That is why his faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness.’ But the words ‘it was counted to him’ were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord.”

Our faith, like Abraham’s, is credited as righteousness. Not because of our works, but because of our belief in God, who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead. It’s our faith in the God of resurrection, the God of new beginnings, the God who makes all things possible.

We don’t have to reck’en we have faith, God is ready to give us faith, if we will receive and trust God. It is the same promise given in the garden, it’s the same promise given to Abram and Sarai, it is the same promise that Jesus invites disciples to receive.

So today, I urge you, my brothers and sisters, let’s make a choice to trust in God’s promises, like Abraham did. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Let’s allow our trials to strengthen our faith and bring glory to God.

·     Remember, faith doesn’t make things easy; it makes them possible.

·     Faith is not earned, it is a gift given, if we will receive and use it as our greatest treasure.

·     May the Lord strengthen our faith and help us trust in Him more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.