THE FATHER OF FAITH
Romans 4:1-5; 17-25

Introduction:     In the first three chapters of Romans all humanity is seen under the penalty of sin. All men need to be saved and beginning in chapter four the Bible teaches that all are saved the same way. People in the O. T. were saved the same way as people in the N. T. Abraham (the father of faith) in the O. T. came to God through the way of faith.

I.          THE STATED PURPOSE OF FAITH (VV.1-5)

            A.        The Obvious Means Of Grace (vv.1-2)

God channels His grace to sinners through faith. My faith doesn’t earn me the salvation of God – it is the channel through which God in His grace gives me His salvation because I’m will to believe.

            B.         The Only Means Of Grace (vv.3-5)

(Gen.15:5-6) The first time justification by faith is mentioned in the Bible. What does that mean? It means Abraham was saved by faith!

“Counted” = to put to someone’s account (bookkeeping term). Abraham put his faith in God and God put saving righteousness to his account. (Illus: Abraham was saved when he placed his faith in the Christ that was to come – all the O. T. foreshadows pictured Jesus. The O. T. saints demonstrated their faith by keeping the types and shadows that were found in the rituals in the O. T.).  (See Gal.3:8; 13-14)

II.         THE STERLING EXAMPLE OF FAITH (VV.17-21)

Not only are we saved by faith, but we live by faith.

            A.        Touches The Invisible (v.17-18)

Faith is not based on what I feel or what I can see – faith is based on what God says (the Word of God). These two things Abraham believed:

1. God could bring to life things that were dead.
2. God could cause to exist things that did not exist. 

Abraham need resources beyond his human ability.

B.         Taps The Impossible (v.19)

            C.        Trusts The Improbable (v.20)

God say it is so – he believed it was so.

            D.        Takes The Inevitable (v.21)

III.       THE SUPREME OBJECT OF FAITH (VV.23-25)

            A.        The Resurrected Lord

            B.         The Returning Lord

Conclusion:       Are you facing something that seems impossible? Jesus offers an exchange. Take your problems to Jesus and exchange them for His strength and peace. Take you sins to Jesus and exchange them for His forgiveness and salvation.