17 (As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
18 Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”
19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
Romans 4:17-19
1. God said these words to Abraham
“I have made you a father of many nations” Romans 4:17; Genesis 17:5
2. The Faith of Abraham noted
a) He believed in the presence of God
b) He also believed that God is the Giver of life to the dead
c) He further believed that God calls those non-existent things as though they exist
d) He believed in God’s word of promise
i) Things were contrary to hope
ii) Yet, he believed with hope in his heart
3. The result of the kind of Faith Abraham had
a) He became the father of many nations
b) According to what God had said
“So shall your descendants be” Romans 4:18
c) The word “descendants” was used repeatedly Genesis 17:7-10
4. A closer look at the Faith of Abraham
20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Romans 4:20-22
1. Abraham did not waver at the promise of God
a) Unbelief was held at bay
b) Faith did not waver
2. Abraham was fully convinced
a) What God has promised
b) He was able to perform (fulfil)
3. This was the Faith that Abraham had
a) This was the faith that God blessed
b) Righteousness was accounted to him
JUSTIFICATION FOR ALL WHO HAVE GENUINE FAITH
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,
24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
Romans 4:23-25
1. The story of Abraham’s faith
a) It was not written just to praise Abraham
b) It was written for our encouragement
2. Justification and Righteousness accounted
a) Abraham is an example for us
b) We will find Justification too
c) If we have the same genuine faith that Abraham possessed
3. What are we to believe in?
a) We believe in God the Father
That God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead
b) We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
That the Lord was delivered up to death because of our offenses
c) The resurrection of the Lord Jesus
That the Lord Jesus was raised for our Justification