S5•E08 | Romans 4 | Abraham: The Prototype of Faith

What it Meant:

Who Was Abraham?

• The father of faith.
• 3 main religious faiths in the world claim him as father.
• Meets God at 75.
• Received a Promise. Gen 12:1-3
• Leaves his family, homeland – “Ur of the Chaldees”.
• No son.
• Waits 25 years for one son.
• Fails repeatedly as he goes.
• LIVED 450 years before the Law was given.
• Was a friend of God – BEFORE the LAW was given.

What it Means:

Romans 4:1-10

• If Abraham cannot be justified by his works – neither can you.
• If David cannot be condemned by his sin – through faith -neither can you.
• Neither our good works nor our bad deeds are the determining factor of our standing before God.
• I’m blessed!

Why It Matters:

God responds to faith:

• Yes, you are a sinner, but the question is – do you believe God sent Jesus to die for you and redeem you from your sin?
• If God delays in your life – it is not denial of his purpose for your life.
• When you are confronted with sin, do you repent or excuse it?
• When you realize your sin, do you run to God or do you deny it?

Profile of Faith:

John Newton

• Godly mother, wicked father.
• Became a sailor – and ended up in the slave trade.
• Became a slave himself.
• On board a ship he read “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis.
• Storm tossed him into the sea. He cried out to God and a wave tossed him back on that ship.
• He surrendered to Christ – and wrote, “Amazing Grace”.
• “I am not the main I ought to be, I am not the man I wish to be, but by the grace of God, I am not the man I used to be.”

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