Faith

February 28, 2015
Opening Hymns:
I Need Thee Every Hour http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh397.sht

Scripture Reading:
Romans 4:13-25

¹³ It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴ For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, ¹⁵ because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”^[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

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.”^{[b] 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.

Message:

How can our lives be transformed when we live by faith and not by the law?

 

First, think about how your life changed as you became an adult. When we are younger our behaviors can be shaped by rewards and/or punishments for following or not following the rules. If we wanted to pull our sister’s hair we might not, not because we love our sister and don’t want to hurt her, but because our parents would yell at us if we do. As we grow we care more about what others think and feel (hopefully). Our actions are then more based off of relationships and love, than rewards and punishments.  

Likewise, our relationship with God can change when we base our actions off of faith and love. We become more mature in our faith. Some of the early Christians may have been naturally inclined to hold onto the law, and the old teachings. The laws are very important, but one common problem is to feel superior to others if you are following the laws better than other people are… and that is what was going on when Paul was writing to the early Christians in Rome.

Some people thought if others were uncircumcised they wouldn’t be saved. Also, if they were following the Ten Commandments better, or spending more time in the temple, or sacrificing and giving more… they might think that they were MORE saved. Some early Christians were essentially trying to earn their way into heaven.

Paul discourages this. He explains that even back when Abraham was called by God, it was his faith in our Lord and not his deeds that were important. Paul emphasizes that prior to Abraham’s circumcision the Lord makes a covenant with him.

If we try to take salvation into our own hands by good deeds and following the rules, we miss the message of salvation that Jesus had come to teach us. Instead, recognize that wherever we are at in our relationship with God, He loves us… and is stretching out His arms to us in love. All we need to do is have faith, and we can be with our Lord forever.

Time of Prayer
Dear heavenly Father thank you for giving us Your Son to die for us on the cross. Let us live our lives loving and serving others. Please forgive us when we judge, let our hearts and minds be focused on you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.  


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
545 The Church’s One Foundation http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh545.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God