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®
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File name: Romans4_18-25-Lesson.___ (.htm, .doc, .pdf)
Translation used: NIV
Source: www.BelieverAssist.com
Updated: 1-3-15