A sermon idea based on Romans 4:16-25.
Romans 4:16-25 NRSV
[16] For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, [17] as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. [18] Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” [19] He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. [20] No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, [21] being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. [22] Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.” [23] Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, [24] but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, [25] who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
The Big Idea
Because we are human beings living in a broken world, we will all face moments when we feel hopeless, but because of God’s good gifts, we can always choose to believe in hope in spite of our feelings.
Have you ever felt hopeless? It’s that feeling we get when there seems to be no way up and no way out of our suffering. It’s the belief that tomorrow holds no particular promise of being any better than today.
The secret to dealing with the feeling of hopelessness is making a decision to believe in hope in spite of the feeling of hopelessness.
From the story of Abraham as shared by the Apostle Paul…
5 Reasons You Can Always Choose Hope!
1. Your Creator raises the dead! (v. 17b)
2. God is glorified in your weaknesses. (vs. 19-20)
3. God is faithful to his promises! (vs. 20-21)
4. God is able to deliver! (v. 21)
5. Jesus died for you and rose again! (vs. 23-25)
Appreciate these notes?
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