The Faith Of Our Father
Romans 4:9-25
Introduction
Poor Raul. He gets accused of saying things he never said. "At that time Jesus
came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by Jordan in the John". An
illustration of what not to say!
In chapter four, Paul is illustrating the principle of justification by faith, by grace, by
power.
Preachers love to use illustrations. If a sermon is a house, the foundation of the house is
the gospel of Jesus Christ. The wood, brick and timbers are the meat of the message.
Illustrations serve as windows. Illustrations are used so you can see into the house and
out of the house. The point of an illustration is to help you see. A sermon with too many
illustrations is like a house with too many windows. Can a house have too many
windows? I think so. A house made completely of windows is fragile. There needs to be
some substance to the house. The book of Romans is a giant sermon on the subject of
justification by faith. Can you think of a subject more important than, "how can a person
be saved?" I can't. Paul says the answer is faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, by grace not
works, by resurrection power and not human effort. Paul picks a hero, our father
Abraham. I say "our" father--because he is the father of faith, for all people who possess
faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have you ever visited some of the great 'religious' pilgrimage sites in the world? Mecca.
The Shrine of Guadalpupe in Mexico. Have you heard of the Hindu religious festival
called Maha Kumbh Mela--celebrated every 12 years at the confluence (where the rivers
meet) of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers? It is the fabled waters of the Sangam. It is
claimed to be the worlds largest single religious event. Tens of millions are drawn to the
event. Caste and economics are temorarily set aside. The event is led by a small army of
stark naked holy men who lead millions by the water side. A common site is to see
worshippers take long knives and pierce their tongues in order to sentence themselves to
eternal silence--as an act of devotion and commitment to not offend the gods. Some
worshippers stare into the sun until they are blind. One Hindu book promises, "Those
who bathe at the conflux of the black and white river, the Ganga and the Yamuna, go to
heaven" with absolution for the whole family. Shaving boothes line the river--because
another sacred writing says for every hair thrown into the river--you are promised a
million years residence in heaven." Millions--Billions of people believe--they can be
made right with God--if they can faithfully perfom some rite, some ritual, some
ceremony.
There were some exciting moments in this last winter olympic. The motto was, higher,
faster, further.
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The Faith Of Our Father
Romans 4:9-25
If faith were an olympic event, the first gold medalist in the faith event is Abraham. Paul
uses the example and illustration of Abraham to help the Jewish reader and the Gentile
reader to understand what it means to have faith in God, confidence in Christ. I don't
know about you, but I learn best by model and example. If I needed to write something,
or build something, or do something, I would invariably say, "show me". "Give me an
example".
Paul gives two examples, Abraham and David (vv.1-8). Both were justified by faith and
not by works. I think there are several reasons why Paul picks two examples. Even
though Paul is illustrating saving faith, he picks two witnessess to establish this fact.
Paul will then focus on the example of one of the witnesses' in this case Abraham.
Paul relates the experience of Abraham in Genesis 15. Abraham had defeated the warring
Kings (Genesis 14) and was wondering if they would return to fight again. God appeared
to him and assured him that He was his shield and 'exceeding great reward'. "But the
thing Abraham wanted most was a son and heir. God had promised him a son, but as yet
the promise had not been fulfilled" (Wiersbe p.524).
Most of you know the story. Abraham was told to look up, into the stars. "So shall thy
seed (descendants) be!" God made a promise; and Abraham believed God's promise. The
Hebrew word translated 'believe' means "to say Amen". In other words--it means to
agree with God. This faith was 'accounted, imputed, reckoned as righteousness'.
"Every Jew would hold that Abraham received at least three things: (1) righteousness, the
very essence of justification; (2) an inheritance, "I am the Lord that brought thee out of
Ur of the Chaldees, to give this land to inherit it" (Gen 15:7); (3) a posterity, "And thou
shalt be a father of many nations" (Gen 17:4)"(Alva J. McClain Romans pp.112-113).
McClain goes on to ask, how did Abraham get those three things? Paul is going to show
how Abraham acquired his righteousness, his inheritance and his posterity. How did he
get it? By faith.
Abraham; Justified By Grace (vv.9-17)
Paul has already pointed out 'we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the
deeds of the law"(3:28). Jew and Gentile are both saved exactly the same way (3:29-30).
Well then how do you explain God's command concerning circumcision? Wasn't
Abraham saved by keeping the Law and receiving the rite of circumcision? I want you to
think carefully for a moment. The Jew insisted--that in order for a Gentile to enter into
God's covenant and be a part of the family of faith--you must be circumcised and keep
the law. Paul is going to pull a little switch-a-roo (not a real word). In order for the Jew
to be a part of God's forever family, the Jew can no longer trust in rites and obedience to
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the law. The believer in God must have confidence in God. Does this mean there is no
place for circumcision and the law?
Paul has already said, "for as many as have sinned without the law will also perish
without the law"(2:12). "but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of
the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter"(2:28-29). External observances can never no
never save the lost sinner.
Paul no argues that Abraham was saved--before he was ever circumcised.
(v.9) Does a Gentile have to become a Jew in order to be saved? The answer is no!
Does a Jew have to become a Gentile in order to be saved? No! Is faith available to
everyone? Yes!
(v.10) If Abraham was justified by grace--then why was he ever circumcised? Paul
points out that Abraham was justified before circumcision. From a Jewish point of viewAbraham was not a Jew in the beginning--he was 'uncircumcised'. Abraham was ninetynine years old when he was circumcised (see Gen.17:23-27).
The events in Genesis 17 took place between 14 and 23 years after the events in Genesis
15. Paul's reasoning and conclusion is irrefutable. Circumcision had nothing to do with
the righteousness or justification of Abraham.
(v.11) If Abraham can be saved by faith, saved by grace, not by works of the law or the
rites and rituals so can you!
"Then why was circumcision given? It was a sign and a seal (Rom. 4:11). As a sign, it
was evidence that he belonged to God and believed His promise. As a seal, it was a
reminder to him that God had given the promise and would keep it. Believers today are
sealed by the Holy Spirit of God (Eph. 1:13-14). They have also experienced a spiritual
circumcision in the heart (Col. 2:10-12), not just a minor operation, but the putting off of
the old nature through the death and resurrection of Christ. Circumsion did not add to
Abraham's salvation; it merely attested to it" (Warren Wiersbe Vol. 1 p.525).
Some people believe you are saved by grace through faith plus baptism. Plus going to
church. Plus being good.
(v.12) Abraham is the father of the Jew "of the circumcision" "but who also walk
in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised".
In other words to the believer who simply believes God!
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(vv.13-17) Paul argues that Abraham was justified before circumcision and before the
law was given! The Rabbi might argue--Abraham kept the law--even though the law had
not been given!
(v.13) "For the promise"--that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or
to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith". The key here is the
promise. Abraham wasn't justified by keeping the law--but rather believing the promise.
(v.14) Paul goes back to his original arguement. If the keepers of the law are the
possessors of faith, salvation, justification, that what good is a promise? The imputation
of righteousness comes from keeping the rules--not loving--believing--trusting--the
lawgiver. Abraham was justified by believing God's promise, not by keeping God's law.
God's law through Moses (Abraham's son) was not yet given. God's promise to Abraham
was pure grace. Abraham did not earn it or merit it.
Nothing has changed. God still justifies the ungodly because they believe God's gracious
promise of Jesus Christ--not because they obey the law.
(v.15) The law brings wrath--judgment. Where there is no law--there is no
transgression. This is why men make laws. Why is it a crime--if you don't pay your
taxes? Why is it a crime to speed? The law was not given to save men, but to show
men they need to be saved (Rom. 4:15).
Think about it. The law undermines faith. If the Jew can inherit the promises of God by
keeping the law of God, the offer, the unconditional promise of God of believing Him is
made void! Which is it? Is salvation on the basis of trying--to keep the law--or trusting
the Lord? Which is it? Faith or works, grace or law, belief or behavior? The law not
only undermines faith--but it also underlines failure (see Phillips p.82).
Have you gone back to the law? Did you fail? Good--now go back to the Lord.
Don't you see what Paul is doing? He is stripping you of any confidence that you might
have in yourself, in your goodness, in your ability to keep the law. Paul doesn't want you
to trust--works to save you --good deeds to save you. They have no righteous-no merit
with God. All your religious exercises are futile, Salvation is by faith alone--but faith
alone--will never be alone. Real faith will produce real change and real change will
result in a changed life!
(v.16) It must be faith. Listen Jew--God wants to save the Gentile. Listen Gentile--God
wants to save the Jew. The Jew thought--God favors us! Paul says-no--faith brings
favor--therefore it is of faith. That it might be by grace--what is that? Grace is is God's
unmerited, unearned favor. Faith is the road that leads to the shores of Grace. Grace is
the vast ocean so big--there is enough for everyone--with just as much left over. Faith is
the hand that reaches up to God and Grace is the hand of God reaching down to us. Faith
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is a kind of sixth sense--we see and smell and sense--God. Faith makes real and tangible,
obtainable--the things of the Spirit. Faith makes the invisible visble. The intangible
tangible. The impossible possible. The unobtainable, obtainable. The unforgivable,
forgivable.
Faith brings us into God's favor--and then places us in God's family. "so that the promise
might be sure to all the seed (Jew and Gentile)
(v.17) "I have made you a father of many nations". LOOK AT THAT. It is in the
past tense.
There is nothing uncertain about faith! The human being who is uncertain about
his or her faith is not looking at the finished work of Jesus Christ the Lord--with the
eyes of faith--that person is looking with doubt at his or her own works and well he
or she should! You are filled with doubt because you are filled with self! You are
filled with doubt because you are filled with debt--the debt you want to pay--the debt you
refuse to let Jesus pay! Paul says--that it is of faith so that the promise might be sure!
But you know more about God that Paul--you know more about faith than Paul, you
know more about salvation than Paul--not!
Abraham; Justified By Resurrection Power (vv.18-25)
Can we compete in this Olympic called faith? Do we have the spiritual muscle and the
moral intestines necessary to make our mark in this world? Do we have to participate at
a world class level? The answer is yes. You see faith is not restricted to a mighty few-but is given in measure to everyone. I believe everyone has been given a measure of faith
and can participate. Why? Because our goal is not to obtain a gold medal, or a
perishable crown. The stakes are heaven and hell.
2 Peter 3:9; "The Lord
is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is
longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to
repentance".
What exactly did Abraham do?
Alva McClean in his commentary on Romans outlines this section this way (Romans,
pp.118-120). He lists five qualities of the faith of Abraham.
Abraham believed God.
Abraham believed against hope.
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Abraham believed in spite of circumstances.
Abraham believed without staggering.
Abraham believed God could perform.
Abraham believed God.
What kind of God did Abraham believe in? Look back at verse 17; "he believed---God,
who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did"
The Lord did not say, "I will make you the father of many nations"--the Lord said "I have
made made you" in the past tense. From God's perspective--God's promise is done--an
accomplished fact--not an uncertain hope. Abraham did not have a son when God gave
His promise to the old man. Abraham was 100 years old! No wonder Paul wrote "and
calls those things which do not exist as though they did". God does the same thing today!
The Lord God says you are called, chosen, adopted, accepted in the beloved, predestined,
justified, glorified (see Romans 8:29-30). Are we glorfied yet? Yes--and No! From
God's perspective yes--on this side of eternity we still are very much not glorified!
They showed the young figure skater Sarah Hughes--no more than maybe 6 years old,
saying, "when I grow up I'm going to win a gold medal in the Olympics, I can't wait!"
At the tender age of 16 she stood on the plateform--no one really picked her to win!" We
exercise human faith and human will and sometimes accomplish amazing things--but
Abraham's faith was not in faith--it was in God! Paul says we are seated in Christ in the
heavenly places" (but in feels like we are here in Church).
Abraham believed against hope.
(v.18) "who, contrary to hope, in hope believed!
"He believed against hope!" What does that mean? There was no human basis for
which to hope. Sarah Hughes had a chance. She was part of the USA Olympic Team.
She could really skate. Sarah Abraham's wife--was an old womb--with a barren womb.
Do you know what the Guiness Book of World Records is for the oldest woman who ever
had a baby?
LOS ANGELES -- A 63-year-old Southern California woman has become what is
thought to be the oldest woman in the world to give birth to a healthy infant.
But she accomplished the feat only through the use of eggs donated by another woman
and by lying about her age, according to University of Southern California doctors.
She gave birth to a 6-pound, 2-ounce girl at Loma Linda University Medical Center on
Nov. 7, 1996. The father is 60.
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Abraham believed God--even when it looked like there was no hope. Faith gives hope.
Sometimes all you have to go on--when things are wrong--we simply continue to believe
God. Out of our faith emerges hope!
Abraham believed in spite of circumstances.
(v.19) " He did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a
hundred years old) and the deadness of Sarah's womb.
Abraham believed without staggering.
(v.20) "He did not waver" or stagger. The Greek word "diakrino" doubt, go both wayspulled apart in judgment. The word means divided--Abraham is two men; the one man
who wants to believe God and serve Him, the other--a man who wants to go his own way.
All of people are that way--they are double minded--unstable in their ways. One part
says, "I believe God." The other part says, "maybe I don't". Abraham was not that way.
He believed God with all his heart. He refused to cave in to unbelief.
Abraham believed God could perform.
(v.21) "and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to
perform". Abraham was convinced--God makes good on His promises. God has all the
power, authority, ability, to make sure his promise comes to pass.
What is God's biggest promise? Human beings can be "justified freely by His grace
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"(Rom.3:24).
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotton Son, that whosover believes
in Him would not perish but have everlasting life"(John 3:16).
In order for you to be saved, you must believe God can make good on His promise to
save you! Do you believe God can make you, mold you, transform you, into the image
and likeness of Christ Jesus the Lord? I am not talking about being a little god, or being
the second person of the trinity, I am talking about molding and shaping you into the
character of Christ (Rom.8:28-29). The Lord Jesus has promised to do it. Everything
human and natural was going against Abraham. "I know God can do it". Once again
Paul writes,
(v.22) "and therefore it was accounted (logizomai) to him for righteousness" placed
in Abraham's heavenly bank account.
What's the bottom line? Did Abraham earn righteousness? No! Did He receive
anything by works of righteousness? No. How did he get his righteousness? By faith,
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apart from the law. His inheritance? By faith. His posterity? By faith. Abraham did not
get a single thing that was not "imputed" "reckoned" accounted. The Jews thought--we
are following in Abraham's footsteps--but were they--really?
(vv.23-25) The word 'faith' or 'believe' occur some 16 times in this chapter.With
inescabable logic--Paul makes the application. This isn't just about Abraham. This
is about you. This is about you believing God raised Jesus from the dead!
God only has one way to save humanity! It is by faith apart from works. Revelation
may change--but salvation never changes. Salvation is by faith in God. The promised
son of Abraham--would have the promised son of David--the promised son of God.
Abraham's faith--in a future son--is our faith--in the past--but still in the future. We do
not place faith in a fact--but faith in the God, the only God who can raise people from the
dead. This chapter contains the whole history of redemption. Life--from the dead-Beginning with Abraham and ending with Jesus--raised from the dead.
Conclusion
Do you know you are saved? Do you have the kind of faith of Abraham? This is not
faith, in faith, rather it is faith grounded in God and rooted in His promises.
Do you live in constant fear about your relationship with Christ? If the answer is yes
then your soul is in distress and you are at the mercy of every religious charlatan on radio
and TV, you are also at the mercy of every religious cult.
The devil does not want you to have confidence, assurance, that you are the present
possesser of eternal life. The issue of salvation is never settled with you. People ask,
"are you saved?" And you say, "I hope so, I think so, I don't know".
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