Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. People mentioned in the Scriptures

a) Righteous people of faith are mentioned

b) Wicked and unrepentant people are also mentioned

2. Reasons why the righteous are mentioned

a) As examples

b) As encouragement to follow their examples

3. Reasons why the wicked are mentioned

a) That we may not follow their bad examples

b) That we may avoid falling into the sinful traps they fall into

THE EXAMPLE OF ABRAHAM

1. Why Abraham was chosen as an example

a) He is regarded as the father of the Jews   (Romans 4:1)

b) He is also regarded as the father of faith

2. Abraham’s faith is worth studying

a) There are many insights of faith that we can benefit from

b) His faith is a great encouragement to the heart

c) A study of his faith can bring such an uplift to the heart

THE DOCTRINE OF OBTAINING RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH

1. Abraham received righteousness (justification) from God by faith

a) Not by his works   (Romans 4:2)

b) But by his faith   (Romans 4:3)

c) Abraham simply believed God

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”   Romans 4:3

2. Abraham received the promises of God by faith

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.

14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect

Romans 4:13-14

a) The promise of God that he would be an heir of the world

b) This promise was given through the righteousness of faith

3. Faith in God is closely connected to Grace

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

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

Romans 4:16-17

a) Faith is required

b) Faith in God

c) Faith in God’s promises

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM

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.

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 4:18-22

1. Contrary to hope, in hope believed   (Romans 4:18)

a) Faith and hope are closely related

b) Hope must be held strongly

2. Not being weak in faith   (Romans 4:19)

a) Nort weak in faith

b) This means “strong in faith”

3. He did not waver at the promise of God   (Romans 4:20)

a) He did not doubt

b) He did not waver

4. Being fully convinced   (Romans 4:21)

a) He was absolutely convinced

b) He believed with all his heart and mind

“Therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness”   Romans 4:22

CONCLUSION

1. Make a comparison between our faith and that of Abraham

2. Can we see the differences?

3. Can we spot our weaknesses?

4. Our challenge:

a) To commence with a genuine faith

b) To cultivate a growing faith

c) Till we have a faith that is clear and certain as that of Abraham’s!