DIG DEEP Bible Study, Pastor David Cooper, Riches in Romans #14

DIG DEEP Bible Study, Pastor David Cooper, Riches In Romans #14

Romans 4:19-25

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

1. FAITH AND FACTS. “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” (Romans 4:18). Hope here means human reasoning or logic. Our reasoning is powerful but limited (Isa 55:8-10). Face the facts without weakening in faith.

(1) Face facts of science there is nothing in science that refutes anything in the Bible or the teachings of Jesus. A lot of “science” we hear politicians talk about is more fiction than fact.

(2) Face the facts of situations. The facts of God’s promises are greater than the facts of human circumstances. Faith is not denial of facts.

2. SPIRITUAL VERTIGO. “Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God” (Romans 4:19-20). Don’t lose your balance. People get spiritual vertigo and fall. Do not waver through unbelief. Faith means “don’t doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light.” The answer is to strengthen your faith by focusing on God’s promises. Just like you strengthen your mind by

study and your body by exercise, strengthen your faith. Faith is flexible! We have both biblical promises and personal promises from God to feed our faith.

3. GIVE GOD GLORY. “but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God” (Romans 4:20). Abraham gave glory to God. Don’t glory in yourself or your good works or your own accomplishments. Take credit for nothing. Take nothing for granted. Give God glory for all things.

4. POWER OF PERSUASION. “being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:21). He was fully persuaded of God’s power. Our faith does not rest on man’s wisdom but on God’s power (1 Cor 2:5).

5. CHECK YOUR CREDIT SCORE. “This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’ The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Righteousness has been credited to you. He (Jesus) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:18-25). The righteousness of Jesus has been credited to your life! Christ’s righteousness is a divine deposit made to the bank account of your life.