Saving Faith: Faith in the Promises of God (Part 1)

*don’t forget to listen to this message at JoshuAudio

Saving Faith: Faith in the Promises of God (Part 1)

Romans 4:18-25

4-11-07

Informed by v. 13-17. Read: Rom. 4:13-25

A. Abraham’s Example

1. Abraham believed against hope. (v.18)

The promise God made was that he would be the father of many nations that God would bless (Gen. 15:5).

2. He didn’t weaken in faith when considering the physical complications to God’s promise. (v.19)

a. He was old (“close to death” – over 100).

b. Sarah’s womb was barren and was old (over 90)

3. He did not distrust God causing him to waver concerning the promise. (v.20)

- BUT he grew strong in his faith. (Why?) B/c he believed the promise and gave glory to God.

- “AS he gave glory to God, he grew in faith.” He trusted God so much and praised Him for the promise given that it led to increased faith.

4. He was fully convinced of God’s power and faithfulness. (v.21)

a. God’s ability to bring about the promised outcome

(He is all-powerful – Omnipotent)

b. God’s faithfulness (1 John 1:9, Heb. 10:23)

B. Saving faith is faith in the promises of God

1. Abraham’s faith was a saving faith b/c he had faith in the promises of God. (v.22)

- He didn’t weaken, did not distrust. He was fully convinced and gave glory to God and grew in faith.

2. Saving Faith is faith like Abraham’s (v. 11-12)

- Without faith in God’s promises there is not saving faith. You are still in your sins and under the condemnation of God. His wrath abides upon you.

- No other kind of faith will do! Not at all!!

We are justified by faith. This is salvation. Faith in the right object (Jesus Christ and His work); faith that leads to obedience (and when not greater repentance); faith that endures until the end (no matter how much persecution we suffer); and faith that trusts the promises of God.

It is a faith that believes what He says is true and trustworthy. That He will do what he promises to do. It ‘s a faith that takes God at His word and doesn’t act like He is a liar – saying, “If God says, it will be so!”

Examination:

Are you wavering? Is your faith weakening or being strengthened because you give glory to God because you believe He will do what He says? Do you act as God is a liar not worthy of trusting? Do you trust Him? Do you have faith in His promises? Is the faith you say you have faith that saves?

Part2: We will look at some of these promises and at other men and women who were saved because they had the kind of faith that trusted the promises of God – b/c God said it!

*download this file in Word here