Faith in the Promises of God (Part 1)- Discussion/Study

*For a refresh and reminder, go to JoshuAudio to listen to last week’s message. And for a preparation for tonight’s Part 2, study Hebrews 11.

April 11, 2007

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

Discussion & Study

Romans 4:18-25

Background passages:

1.) In Romans 4:13-14, how does Abraham receive the Promise and what makes faith null and the promise void?

2.) In Romans 4:15-16, what brings wrath and what brings grace?

3.) In Romans 4:17, if God promises to make Abraham ‘a father of many nations’, what does he promise to ‘the dead’ and ‘the things that do not exist’?

Faith Origin: Abraham, our fatherly example

4.) What hope did Abraham have? (vs. 18)

(Hebrews 11:1,8)

5.) What were the visible circumstances that could have shaken or weakened his faith? (vs.19) What happened to Abraham’s faith when he considered these physical matters? (vs.20)

6.) How convinced was Abraham in God’s promises? Why? (vs.20-21)

Faith Application: Abraham’s faith should be our faith

7.) Why did God grant righteousness to Abraham? (vs.18-21) Who also receives the righteousness given to Abraham? (vs. 11-12,23-25)

8.) What gets us righteousness from God? (vs. 13-17)

9.) So why are Abraham, and us, not saved by works? Why are we not saved by our obedience to the law? (vs. 13-16)

The four keys to Abraham’s faith: (1) Abraham ignored the human possibilities and trusted God to keep His promises (2) Abraham did not stagger at the promises of God (3) Abraham praised God before the evidence was there (4) Abraham believed God was able to do what He had said He would.

EXAMINATION TIME: What are you trusting in? Yourself? Someone else’s promise? Or the promises of God?

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