Justification by Faith: Abraham's Example and Assurance

 

Summary

In this sermon, the focus is on the profound theme of justification by faith, as articulated by the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans. The message begins by establishing the universal need for salvation, emphasizing that both Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of God's grace. Paul meticulously addresses objections and clarifies that justification is not through the law or circumcision but through faith alone, using Abraham as a prime example. Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness before he was circumcised, illustrating that faith precedes works or any legalistic adherence.

The sermon delves into the nature of faith, using Abraham's story to highlight its characteristics. Abraham's faith enabled him to believe in God's promises against all odds, even when circumstances seemed impossible. This faith was not based on visible evidence but on the sheer word of God, demonstrating a profound trust in God's character and promises. The sermon underscores that true faith involves assurance and certainty, not mere intellectual assent or wishful thinking. It is a faith that acts, as seen in Abraham's life, where he lived out his belief in God's promises despite the apparent impossibility.

The message also addresses the common misconception that faith is blind or escapist. Instead, it argues that faith faces reality but transcends it by focusing on God's power and promises. It acknowledges doubts but overcomes them through a steadfast trust in God. The sermon concludes by encouraging believers to hold onto this faith, which is a gift from God, and to remain steadfast in the face of challenges, fully persuaded of God's promises.

Key Takeaways:

1. Universal Need for Salvation: Both Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of salvation, as all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. This underscores the universal applicability of the gospel and the necessity of faith for justification. [01:32]

2. Faith Precedes Works: Abraham's justification by faith before circumcision illustrates that faith is the foundation of righteousness, not adherence to the law or rituals. This challenges believers to prioritize faith over legalistic practices. [03:27]

3. Nature of True Faith: True faith involves believing in God's promises against all odds, relying solely on His word. It is characterized by assurance and certainty, not mere intellectual assent or wishful thinking. [22:24]

4. Faith Faces Reality: Faith is not blind or escapist; it acknowledges reality but transcends it by focusing on God's power and promises. It overcomes doubts and remains steadfast in the face of challenges. [35:10]

5. Faith in Action: Abraham's faith was demonstrated through his actions, living out his belief in God's promises. True faith is active and transformative, impacting how believers live and respond to God's word. [29:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Justification by Faith
- [00:29] - Universal Need for Salvation
- [01:02] - Addressing Jewish Objections
- [01:49] - Positive Exposition of Justification
- [02:36] - Abraham as an Example
- [03:11] - Circumcision and Faith
- [03:56] - The Role of the Law
- [04:29] - Faith and Grace
- [05:07] - Abraham's Faith Illustrated
- [06:01] - Characteristics of Faith
- [08:42] - Abraham's Faith Against Hope
- [10:57] - Believing God's Promise
- [18:17] - Faith and Assurance
- [22:24] - Certainty in Faith
- [35:10] - Faith Faces Reality
- [42:48] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Justification by Faith

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 3:21-31
2. Romans 4:1-25
3. Genesis 15:1-6

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 3:21-31, how does Paul describe the concept of justification by faith? What role does the law play in this process? [02:05]

2. In Romans 4, how is Abraham used as an example of justification by faith? What specific actions or beliefs of Abraham are highlighted to illustrate this point? [06:14]

3. How does Genesis 15:1-6 depict Abraham's faith, and what was the result of his belief in God's promise?

4. What are some of the objections Paul addresses regarding justification by faith, and how does he respond to them? [02:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the universal need for salvation among both Jews and Gentiles, and what implications does this have for the understanding of the gospel? [01:32]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of true faith, and how does it differentiate from mere intellectual assent or wishful thinking? [22:24]

3. How does the sermon address the misconception that faith is blind or escapist, and what does it propose as the true nature of faith in facing reality? [35:10]

4. In what ways does the sermon illustrate that faith is active and transformative, using Abraham's life as an example? [29:08]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you rely more on works or rituals rather than faith for your sense of righteousness? How can you shift your focus to faith as the foundation of your relationship with God? [03:27]

2. Consider a promise from God that seems impossible in your current circumstances. How can you cultivate a faith like Abraham's, which believes against all odds? [10:57]

3. When faced with doubts or challenges, how do you typically respond? What steps can you take to ensure your faith acknowledges reality but remains steadfast in God's promises? [35:10]

4. Think of a situation where you might have been tempted to view faith as an escape from reality. How can you reframe your understanding of faith to see it as a means to transcend reality through God's power? [35:10]

5. Identify a specific area in your life where you can put your faith into action, following Abraham's example. What practical steps can you take this week to live out your belief in God's promises? [29:08]

6. How can you encourage others in your community to understand and embrace the concept of justification by faith? What conversations or actions can you initiate to share this message? [01:32]

7. Reflect on a time when you felt fully persuaded of God's promises. What contributed to that assurance, and how can you cultivate a similar confidence in other areas of your faith journey? [22:24]

Devotional

Day 1: The Universal Need for Salvation
The message of salvation is universal, addressing the profound truth that all humanity, regardless of cultural or religious background, stands in need of God's grace. Both Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of salvation because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. This underscores the universal applicability of the gospel and the necessity of faith for justification. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, emphasizes that no one can claim righteousness through their own efforts or heritage. Instead, salvation is a gift from God, accessible to all who believe. This truth challenges believers to recognize their own need for grace and to extend the message of salvation to others, knowing that it is relevant to every person. [01:32]

Romans 3:22-24 (ESV): "The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Consider someone in your life who may not know about the universal need for salvation. How can you share the message of God's grace with them this week?


Day 2: Faith as the Foundation of Righteousness
Abraham's story illustrates that faith is the foundation of righteousness, not adherence to the law or rituals. Before Abraham was circumcised, his faith was credited to him as righteousness, demonstrating that faith precedes works. This challenges believers to prioritize faith over legalistic practices, understanding that it is through faith alone that we are justified. The Apostle Paul uses Abraham as a prime example to show that righteousness is not something earned but received through trust in God's promises. This understanding liberates believers from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and encourages them to live a life of faith, trusting in God's grace and promises. [03:27]

Galatians 3:6-9 (ESV): "Just as Abraham 'believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all the nations be blessed.' So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you might be relying on your own efforts rather than faith. How can you shift your focus to trust in God's promises today?


Day 3: The Assurance and Certainty of True Faith
True faith involves believing in God's promises against all odds, relying solely on His word. It is characterized by assurance and certainty, not mere intellectual assent or wishful thinking. Abraham's faith enabled him to believe in God's promises even when circumstances seemed impossible. This kind of faith is not based on visible evidence but on a profound trust in God's character and promises. Believers are called to cultivate a faith that is assured and certain, one that acts and lives out the belief in God's promises despite the apparent impossibility. This faith is transformative, impacting how believers live and respond to God's word. [22:24]

Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."

Reflection: Identify a promise of God that you find difficult to believe fully. What steps can you take to deepen your trust and assurance in that promise?


Day 4: Faith that Faces and Transcends Reality
Faith is not blind or escapist; it acknowledges reality but transcends it by focusing on God's power and promises. It overcomes doubts and remains steadfast in the face of challenges. Abraham's faith faced the reality of his and Sarah's old age but transcended it by trusting in God's promise of a son. This kind of faith does not ignore the difficulties of life but chooses to trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises despite them. Believers are encouraged to hold onto this faith, which is a gift from God, and to remain steadfast in the face of challenges, fully persuaded of God's promises. [35:10]

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you focus on God's power and promises to transcend the reality of this situation?


Day 5: Faith in Action
Abraham's faith was demonstrated through his actions, living out his belief in God's promises. True faith is active and transformative, impacting how believers live and respond to God's word. It is not enough to simply believe; faith must be lived out in daily actions and decisions. Abraham's willingness to leave his homeland and trust God for a future he could not see is a powerful example of faith in action. Believers are called to live out their faith in tangible ways, allowing it to shape their lives and influence those around them. This active faith is a testimony to the world of the reality of God's promises and the transformative power of belief. [29:08]

James 2:21-24 (ESV): "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."

Reflection: Consider a specific action you can take this week to demonstrate your faith in God's promises. How can this action impact your life and the lives of those around you?

Quotes

"Now that's his great theme and it is his great theme right away to the end of this fourth chapter but you remember that he felt it was necessary that he should make it quite clear first of all as to make it quite clear that everybody has need of this salvation so he proves it in Chapter one from verse eighteen to the end that the Gentiles are in a desperate need of it then in Chapter two he proves that the Jews are in equal need of it." [00:20:55]

"Abraham was justified by faith abraham believed god and it was counted unto him for righteousness, very 1 there is no clearer a more dramatic statement as to the nature of faith possibly anywhere in the scripture then we have in these verses that we are now looking at together here I say the great elements in faith are laid out in the for us in a particularly clear manner." [00:37:57]

"Faith in every application faced not only for justification faithful living faithful battling faithful surmounting obstacles faith in the whole range of its great activities so that I say at one of the same time as we are looking at justification by faith we shall be learning something about faith itself the things which always characterize it." [00:45:54]

"Abraham became the father of many nations who against hope believed in hope that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken so shall thy seed be now this is the thing which we will which we must start this is the astounding thing that is true in the history of Abram that one men thus became the father of many nations." [00:51:48]

"Abraham was to have a very large and numerous natural progeny you remember God used two illustrations when he told him this he said as the send by the seashore is innumerable and you can't count it so shall thy seed be or as the stars in the heavens are go out and try and count them and you'll find you can't count them well in the same way you won't be able to count your own natural progeny." [01:10:57]

"Abraham was given to see a way back at that point that salvation was not by works not by anything a man does but that God was going to save he was going to save by sending his son who after the flesh was going to be of the seed of Abraham so that in this word so we have included not only the Lord Jesus Christ himself but the way of salvation through his death through his blood." [01:29:52]

"Abraham is the father of all who are justified by faith therefore this word so includes all that very well then here I summarize once more is the first thing that Abraham's faith enabled him to do it enabled him to believe this daggering promise in all the fullness that I've just been describing to you but secondly it enabled him to believe that on the bare word of God nothing else whatsoever." [01:45:05]

"Faith is that which is content with the bare word of God because he's God abraham believed God and it was accounted unto him for righteousness but wait a minute I must interpret it and here's my third point Abraham's faith enabled him to believe this gaggling promise merely on the Word of God and in spite of all appearances to the contrary." [01:54:47]

"Faith is not merely hoping against hope faith is fully persuaded faith is assured faith is certain faith isn't just something that whistles in the dark to keep up its courage that isn't faith at all fully persuaded now this is important and I want to give you therefore some further statements in the scripture to substantiate this point." [02:18:03]

"Faith is not something that refuses to face the facts now there are some people think of faith in that way and the result is that the man the world says are what you call faith I call escapism and that is what the clever men of the world are saying about us tonight they say look at those Christian people what are they doing they say they are not rare lists they go into their little buildings they pull down the blinds they shut out the world and its problems and they persuade themselves of certain things wishful thinking escapism they don't face the facts of life they run away from one man reads another these others believe the Christian message and they believe in God and so on this is all escapism." [02:55:10]

"Faith doesn't turn its back super its back upon problems it's announced it will looks at them straight in the face and then rises above them go straight through them if you like let me put it to you like this there are some people who think that because they are assailed by doubts that they haven't got any faith that's a complete fallacy to be entirely free from doubt doesn't always significative as faith and which is psychological there is a sense in which you can define faith like this that faith is that which enables a man to overcome his doubts and to answer them." [03:16:23]

"Faith means unbelief kept quiet like the snake Neath Michaels foot oh yes this is a very important aspect of faith it considers the difficulties but it overcomes them though it considers the difficulties it isn't weakened it still remains strong oh how important is this negative of the Apostle let me just give you the other negative and we'll leave it at that this evening the second negative is that he did not stagger at the promise of God through unbelief." [03:55:32]

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Transcript
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