2022 1224 The Hope of All Men and Women
Romans 4 • Sermon • Submitted
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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.”
Believe in Hope
story of Abraham is a story of hope
the role of faith is highlighted
the outcome of righteousness is declared and sealed
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. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone,
Righteousness to Us
Abraham is not the central character in this narrative
the story involves all of mankind
from creation to the end of times
but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
Must Believe
the story is about all of us who believe
belief is in the one who raised Jesus from the dead
this is the true Christmas story
it is not about the birth of Jesus
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
Birth of Jesus
Jesus was made fully human in every way
he had to come as a baby and learn obedience as a human being from day 1
it was his sinless life that enabled the atonement of our sins
atonement - payment of the penalty of death
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Obedient to Death
Jesus was a human being in every way
he had to be obedient up to and pass the point of death
Jesus conquered death because he was sinless
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
raised to life for our justification
raised to life so that we can be free to live
we are alive because our sin has been paid for by Jesus
The Christmas Story
Christmas is about a baby Jesus and the giving of gifts
Jesus is actually about his death and the giving of life
Easter cannot happened unless Jesus came as a baby human
the greatest gift does not come as parcel wrapped in tinsel
the tree and Santa and all the trappings of Christmas are a sideshow
Our Response
the greatest gift is having our sin forgiven and the penalty paid
death no longer has a hold over us
this is what we believe
today I want to offer this free gift of hope in eternal life
it is all ready to go - it is available to all
We Believe
Jesus as a human did no sin
he paid for our sins by dying on the cross
all we need to do is
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.