In Romans 4, Paul continues to reference the life of Abraham as a critical example of faith. But who was Abraham? Is his life the kind of life we should model? He was a man who made bold steps of faith and, at the same time, had blatant character flaws. His life story could easily be the next binge-worthy Netflix series. For Paul, Abraham is more than an intriguing storyline; his life is a picture of what it looks like to live with an unwavering hope. Join us this week as we dig into the life of Abraham.
Romans 4:1-25
Abraham Justified by Faith
4 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” 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.
The Promise Realized Through Faith
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. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
For Adult Homes & Groups
1. What stuck out to you in the story of Abraham?
2. Tim Keller talks about the Christian faith as a “trust transfer.” What are you tempted to trust in outside of the promise of Jesus?
3. Read Romans 4:22-25. What are some ways you can actively hold on to this promise of God throughout your week?
4. Is there someone where you live, work, learn, and play who needs to hear this message? How could you share it with them?
For Families with Kids
1. Read Romans 4:13-25 together. What’s good about promises we make? Why? What might be bad about promises we make? Why?
2. What promises has God made that He invites us to believe so we can be saved? (Read John 3:16-17 for help.) Is there anything God says we have to do before we believe His promises? Is there anything God says we must do after we believe in Him?
3. Reread Romans 4:20-21. How can we grow in our faith like Abraham? Make a list of goals for the summer that show how you and your family can grow together in your faith. Plan to accomplish them by the end of summer.