God’s Promise and Our Faith March 20, 2011 Romans 4:1-5, Second Sunday in Lent

A lesson from a broken wind generator He worked 5 minute and submitted a bill for $2,015 $15 to replace 3 bolts $15 to replace 3 bolts $2,000 to know which 3 bolts to replace $2,000 to know which 3 bolts to replace

Most religions teach “It does not matter so much what a person believes as what they do.” “So if you live a good and moral life, then you are pleasing God.”

There is an essential difference between knowledge and action Action without knowledge is useless! It does not matter how hard you work at it…If you do not know which 3 bolts to replace…the generator will not work!

God’s promise comes by faith Abraham received his promise Abraham received his promise by FAITH The things we work for are an obligation and have nothing to do with faith The things we work for are an obligation and have nothing to do with faith God’s come to us is the same way as Abraham received them – by faith God’s come to us is the same way as Abraham received them – by faith

Abraham received his promise by FAITH “Abraham, humanly speaking, was the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? Romans 4:1-3

Abraham received his promise by FAITH If so, he would have had something to boast about. But from God’s point of view Abraham had no basis for pride. For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.” Romans 4:1-3

God made a promise to Abraham Genesis 12:1 A son A son Wealth Wealth Prominence Prominence

Abraham acted Genesis 12:4 Abraham did as God directed Abraham did as God directed Abraham was a pioneer from a civilized land going into a wild open unknown world Abraham was a pioneer from a civilized land going into a wild open unknown world

There was a force behind the action “Abraham believed God” The reason was faith Trusting in God’s promise of care, Abraham went into a wild land We don’t know whom else God may have called, who didn’t believe then go But Abraham believed!

Things we work for are an obligation; not a gift “For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.” When people work, their wages are not a gift. Workers earn what they receive. But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.” Romans 4:3-5

The wages of life Stubbornness Stubbornness Selfishness Selfishness God’s justice God’s justice Punishment Punishment Broken hearts and shattered lives Broken hearts and shattered lives Death Death

John won big at the races… Trying to figure what God owes us is always a matter of faulty mathematics

A rookie fireman was given a problem by his captain… Trying to save yourself makes as much sense as tying a rope around your waist to be pulled down from a fourth story window.

So what we receive from God Comes to us as His gift “It is clear, then, that God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was not based on obedience to God’s law, but on the new relationship with God that comes by faith.” “It is clear, then, that God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was not based on obedience to God’s law, but on the new relationship with God that comes by faith.” Romans 4:13-16

So what we receive from God Comes to us as His gift “ So if you claim that God’s promise is for those who obey God’s law and think they are “good enough” in God’s sight, then you are saying that faith is useless. And in that case, the promise is also meaningless. Romans 4:13-16

So what we receive from God Comes to us as His gift “For the law brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)” Romans 4:13-16

So what we receive from God Comes to us as His gift “So that’s why faith is the key! God’s promise is given to us as a free gift. And we are certain to receive it, whether or not we follow Jewish customs, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.” Romans 4:13-16

So now… We are children of Abraham We are children of Abraham We are children of faith We are children of faith We are children with God’s promise We are children with God’s promise

You too can receive when you believe Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. – Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise God made to Abraham and to us Receive the promise – heaven & God’s loving kindness & eternal life & forgiveness with hope and joy

God’s promise is received by faith This is the way it always has been The wage we earn is death The wage we earn is death God’s gift is life God’s gift is life For everyone who believes For everyone who believes

The peace of God which surpasses all human understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ unto eternal life. AMEN...