LESSON - ROMANS 4:18-25 (NIV based)

 

THEME - Justification by Faith

 

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Illustration & Characteristics of Abraham's faith:

 

    Q: How would you define "faith"?  A: Heb. 11:1

       FAITH = belief, trust; more than intellectual assent; it is practical submission of the entire person to the guidance and control of such truth; firm belief in something for which there is no proof

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v.18 against all hope - believed

 

v.19 without weakening in his faith - impossible situation

 

v.20 did not waver, was strengthened, gave glory to God even as it became more impossible

 

    Q: In v.20, is Abraham giving glory to God before or after God had fulfilled His promise?  A: before

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v.21 fully persuaded - that God had the power to do what he had promised

 

    Q: Concerning our faith today, what are we being asked to do or believe?  A: to believe God has done & will do what He has promised thru the death of Jesus Christ

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v.23 it was credited to him (phrase used 9 times in chapter 4)- also applies to us: see v.16 guaranteed to all of Abraham's offspring (of believers)

 

v.24 believe in God & Jesus' substitution-ary, atoning death & resurrection

 

v.25 justified because of a living Savior

 

    Q: Is it possible to be saved if you believe Jesus was not raised from the dead?  A: no, they don't believe God has done what He said and promised thru Jesus Christ - living Savior

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BIG IDEA:  Do we have faith like Abraham?  Are you & I sure of what we hope for & certain of what we do not see, unwavering, un-weakening, rock solid in impossible situations, fully persuaded that God has the power to help us get thru impossible situations - not leaving or forsaking us?

 

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Works Cited:

Bible. “The Holy Bible: New International Version.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.

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Copyrights:

Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc®

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

Copyright © 2015 Mel W. Coddington, and permission is hereby granted that this document may be used, copied, and distributed non-commercially to non-profit organizations, individuals, churches, ministries, and schools worldwide, provided the copies are distributed at no charge and retain this sources documentation as supplied herein. This document is not for sale, resale, or for use as a gift or premium to be offered in connection with solicitations or contributions.

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File name: Romans4_18-25-Lesson.___ (.htm, .doc, .pdf)

Translation used: NIV

Source: www.BelieverAssist.com

Updated: 1-3-15