Proper 5
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
Lesson 1: Genesis 12:1-9 (C)
Yahweh calls Abraham to go to Canaan and promises to make of him a great nation. Today we learn how Jews and Christians came into existence through one man, Abraham. Yahweh commanded him to leave his family, friends, culture and vocation to go to a strange land. With his barren wife, Sarah, and his nephew, Lot, Abraham obeys the command and accepts the promise that he will become a great nation. His obedience and trust will result in his being a blessing to the rest of the world. Wherever he settles, he builds an altar where he worships God.
Lesson 1: Hosea 5:15-6:6 (E, L); Hosea 6:3-6 (RC)
An appeal to return to and know God.
Lesson 2: Romans 4:13-25 (C); Romans 4:13-18 (E); Romans 4:18-25 (L, RC)
The promise to Abraham came by faith and not by the Law. In chapter 3 Paul stated the cardinal doctrine of justification by grace through faith. In chapter 4 he uses Abraham as an example of one who was righteous by faith and not by the Law. If we can be righteous by keeping the Law, faith is unnecessary. Since it is impossible to perfectly keep the Law, our salvation rests upon grace. The expression of grace is God's promise and faith believes in and accepts the promise. All, Jew and Gentile, with the faith of Abraham are made righteous.
Gospel:
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (C); Matthew 9:9-13 (E, L, RC)
Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to be a disciple and eats with "sinners." The calling of a despised outcast, a tax collector by the name of Matthew, provides the setting for Jesus' response to the Pharisees who criticize him for his fellowship with publicans and sinners. His answer indicates that God wants mercy to be shown rather than the keeping of ceremonial observances. As God's Son, accordingly he felt his mission was to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not condemn the morally sick but came to them as a physician to heal them.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 33:1-12 (C) - "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord (v.12)."
Psalm 50 (E); Psalm 50:1-15 (L); Psalm 50:1, 8, 12-15 (RC) - "I will show the salvation of God!" (v. 23b)
Prayer Of The Day
"O God, the strength of those who hope in you: Be present and hear our prayers, and, because in the weakness of our moral nature we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, so that in keeping your commandments we may please you in will and deed."
Hymn Of The Day
"Jesus Sinners Will Receive"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (C); Matthew 9:9-13 (E, L, RC)
1. The call (v. 9). A follower of Christ does not choose to follow but is chosen. Christ came to Matthew where he was - at the infamous business of collecting taxes for the Roman conquerors and getting rich on the side by demanding more taxes than the law required. It is a sign of Christ's love for the sinner and his vision of a person's potential. Each Christian receives a call to follow Christ. Is this the case in today's world? If so, how does the call come? The call comes wherever and whenever the gospel is proclaimed. The gospel brings the Spirit who calls, enlightens and gathers people into the kingdom of God.
2. Jesus eats with sinners (v. 10). What does it say theologically that Jesus, Son of God, eats with publicans and sinners? What does it say about the nature of God? Does it not say that God is one of mercy for the disobedient and rebellious? Does it not say it is the will of God to have every person go to heaven and not to hell? That God's mercy is extended prior to his justice? To share a meal is to accept those invited to the table. Does this mean that God accepts sinners even before they repent?
3. Obligation to follow suit (v. 13). If God in Christ shows mercy to sinners as demonstrated by Christ's call to Matthew and eating with sinners, then God's children are expected to do the same. The Pharisees were not doing this; they looked at sinners in judgment and criticized Jesus for his friendliness to sinners. The religious people were self-righteous and thus just as great sinners as the publicans. The religious Pharisees were more interested in making religious sacrifices than in loving the people who were in need of mercy.
Lesson 1: Genesis 12:1-9 (C)
1. Leave (v. 1). God told Abraham to leave home! It was to be an adventure into the unknown, a launching into the deep. For Abraham it must have been similar to the astronauts' experience when they went to the moon. The unknown is always fearful and calls for courage. In Abraham's case, it was a matter of obedience regardless of the dangers and insecurity.
2. Blessing (v. 2). If Abraham obeyed, God promised to bless him. Why would he bless him? What did Abraham ever do to deserve God's blessing? The reason God gave was to bless other nations. God bless America that through America other nations would be blessed. God bless me! Why? That I can be a blessing to others.
3. Altar (vv. 7, 8). Wherever Abraham settled, he built an altar. It indicates that he was a religious man. An altar is the place of meeting God, of offering gifts to him and receiving his blessing. An altar is more than a table to hold communion vessels. It is more than a center of worship. An altar is a place of sacrifice: God's sacrifice of his Son and our sacrifice of praise.
Lesson 1: Hosea 5:15-6:6 (E, L); Hosea 6:3-6 (RC)
1. What God can do for us (vv. 1-3). A suggestion is made that God's people should return to God. Can't you hear some say, "Why go back to God? What good will that do? How can things be any better than what we have now?" These verses point to the goodness and mercy of God. As in the gospel, God expects his people to show similar love rather than to observe religious events.
2. A desperate God (v. 4). Like a parent at the point of despair, twice God asks about his people, "What shall I do with you?" Here is another insight into the kind of God we have. He longs to have his people with him in covenantal love and loyalty. God has appealed to them through the prophets. He sent judgment to get them to repent. He wants from his people love and a relationship of peace, but they are content to render cheap sacrifices and burnt offerings. Here we find a wooing and pursuing God and a people whose love for God is fickle.
Lesson 2: Romans 4:13-18 (E); Romans 4:13-25 (C)
1. Promise (v. 13). The Bible is full of God's promises to his people. What is a promise? Is it not based on words? Sometimes the promises are connected with a sign such as the rainbow and circumcision. Water is the sign of God's promises in baptism. Likewise, bread and wine of the holy communion are signs of the promise that God will forgive. A promise is only as good as the word of the person making the promise. Can God's Word be trusted? Has God ever broken a promise?
2. Grace (v. 16). Why does God make promises to us? His promises are the product of his grace. All of his promises are for our good: mercy, forgiveness, deliverance, protection and providence. His grace is shown not only in promising nothing but good but in initiating the promise. We do not go to God and say, "Promise me you will bless me." No, God originates the promise. He comes to us with a promise and in return he asks us to trust him.
3. Faith (vv. 13, 16). When does the promise become a reality to us individually? It is when we accept the promise by faith. It is the hand that reaches out to receive the blessings God promises. The promise is salvation. It comes to us through sheer grace. Salvation becomes a personal possession when we accept our divine acceptance. Thus, faith does not save, only grace does. But, faith is indispensable for the promise to be a reality in our lives.
Lesson 2: Romans 4:18-25 (L, RC)
Getting right with God (vv. 22-25). God the Father longs for his rebellious people to return. God the Son hobnobs with sinners to call them to repent. Suppose sinners respond? How can they get right with God? They are accepted on the basis of faith in God's promises, not the basis of their morality. The promise, like the one made to Abraham, may seem humanly impossible, but faith believes that God can do anything. The impossible promise is that God will forgive, accept the sinner no matter how bad a sinner he is. Can God transform a life from evil to good? Faith that God can is credited to man as righteousness and on that basis he is restored to God's fellowship. This faith is based on Christ whose death and resurrection made access to God possible.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel:
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (C); Matthew 9:9-13 (E, L, RC)
1. The Making of a Disciple. 9:9
Need: How does one turn from a sinner to a saint, from a delinquent to a disciple? We often hear that to become Christians we are to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. This has become a cliche and not many understand its meaning. The text gives the steps to becoming a disciple.
Outline: Steps to becoming a disciple.
a. Confronted by Christ - "He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office."
b. Called by Christ - "Follow me."
c. Changed by Christ - "He rose and followed him."
2. The Man for Sinners. 9:10-13
Need: It was upsetting to the religious leaders of Jesus' day that Jesus would be friendly with the worst sinners of the day, publicans. He was not only friendly, but he attracted them and even shared a meal with them. He became known as a friend of publicans, prostitutes and other notorious sinners. What does a good man have in common with a bad man? They have different values, goals and understandings of life. This unusual behavior of a good man says something about man and God.
Outline: Jesus' association with sinners says something about -
a. Man the sinner - v. 12. The sinner is sick and needs a divine physician to heal him. To save is to heal, to be made whole.
b. Christ the Savior - v. 13. God in Christ shows mercy to sinners. The self-righteous feel no need of Christ because they have no sense of sin. The self-righteous are content with their religious observances and overlook their responsibility to be like Christ - merciful.
3. Are You in the Wrong Crowd? 9:11 - "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
Need: Jesus is doing something that "good" people would avoid doing. We teach children to avoid bad company because they could easily be influenced to engage in evil deeds. It is a reasonable question asked of the disciples by the Pharisees: "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" According to the text, the disciples had no answer. Jesus answered for them. It is a question we need to ask ourselves as Christians: Why do we (or do we?) associate with the criminal element of society? It is a fact that generally we avoid contact with lawbreakers. Maybe we as Christians should mingle with them.
Outline: Why eat with sinners?
a. Is it not a bad example to do so? "Evil companionships corrupt good morals."
b. Is it not approving their sinful ways?
c. Is it not to demonstrate God's love and mercy to sinners?
d. Is it not to bring sinners back to God?
Lesson 1: Genesis 12:1-9 (C)
1. O For a Faith Like This! 12:1-4
Need: While all of us have faith to some degree, we identify with the father of the epileptic who said to Jesus, "Help my unbelief." Abraham had the faith that we all need even though all may not want it.
Outline: God gives us a faith like this -
a. Faith of obedience - vv. 1, 4.
b. Faith of trusting God's promises - v. 2.
c. Faith of fulfilling a commission - v. 3.
2. The Father of our Faith. 12:1-9
Need: Often we sing, "Faith of our Fathers," but in this Lesson we see the father of our faith. We have here an opportunity to preach a biographical sermon on Abraham. Abraham was the father of a new people chosen by God. Out of Abraham came the Hebrews and Christians to whom God revealed himself and to whom God gave his Son for the world's redemption. For us today, we need a model of our faith that can be an example for our devotion to God.
Outline: The sort of man our father of the faith was -
a. A man of courage - vv. 4, 5. At age 75, he leaves all for a strange land.
b. A man of faith -
1. Obedience to God's command - vv. 1, 4.
2. Trust in God's promise - v. 2.
c. A man of God - a builder of altars for worship - vv. 7, 8.
Lesson 1: Hosea 6:3-6 (RC); Hosea 5:15-6:6 (E, L)
1. God the Desperate. 6:4
Need: Twice in this verse God cries out in desperation, "What shall I do with you?" It is a question asked by a parent of a naughty child, by an employer of a lazy worker, a judge of a criminal. Because of love for his people, God is at his wits' end to know what to do to bring his people back to him and to make them faithful to the covenant.
Outline: God is so desperate that -
a. He goes to any length to win us, even the cross.
b. He accepts the smallest gift offered to him.
c. He uses the most unworthy person for his purposes.
Lesson 2: Romans 4:13-18 (E); Romans 4:13-25 (C)
1. Why It All Depends on Faith. 4: 13-16
Need: For many Christianity is very complex and confusing. There are so many doctrines, positions and interpretations. They need to have the Christian religion simplified into a few terms which they can grasp and understand. The whole body of teachings boil down to the bottom line of faith. Luther was so convinced of this that in his translation, he added the word, "sola," "alone," after the word, "faith." In this sermon we want to show how we come to this bottom line.
Outline: The bottom line of the gospel -
a. Is preceded by promise - v. 13.
b. Is preceded by grace - v. 16.
c. Is faith that personalizes the grace - vv. 13, 16.
2. In What do You Have Faith? 4:13-18
Need: It all depends on faith (v. 16), in what do we believe? It is not enough to have faith, for it can be misplaced in someone or something not worthy of faith. It can be a misguided or foolish faith. In this sermon, we find in the text the proper safe places to put our faith.
Outline: As Christians, we believe in -
a. God - v. 17.
1. Brings life out of death.
2. Creates something out of nothing.
b. God's Promise: his Word - vv. 13, 16.
c. Hope - v. 18. Hope against hope - when the promise seems to be impossible of fulfillment.
Lesson 2: Romans 4:18-25 (L, RC)
What Counts with God. 4:18-25
Need: What really pleases God? What can we do to move God to accept us as sinners? The one thing we can do to get right with God is to believe. Faith is the one good work for which God gives us credit. It is faith in God's promises even though they seem impossible of fulfillment, as in the case of Abraham and Sarah who were promised a child though they were far past the age of childbearing.
Outline: What counts with God?
a. Faith in God's promises - vv. 18-23.
b. Faith in God's Son - vv. 24-25.
Yahweh calls Abraham to go to Canaan and promises to make of him a great nation. Today we learn how Jews and Christians came into existence through one man, Abraham. Yahweh commanded him to leave his family, friends, culture and vocation to go to a strange land. With his barren wife, Sarah, and his nephew, Lot, Abraham obeys the command and accepts the promise that he will become a great nation. His obedience and trust will result in his being a blessing to the rest of the world. Wherever he settles, he builds an altar where he worships God.
Lesson 1: Hosea 5:15-6:6 (E, L); Hosea 6:3-6 (RC)
An appeal to return to and know God.
Lesson 2: Romans 4:13-25 (C); Romans 4:13-18 (E); Romans 4:18-25 (L, RC)
The promise to Abraham came by faith and not by the Law. In chapter 3 Paul stated the cardinal doctrine of justification by grace through faith. In chapter 4 he uses Abraham as an example of one who was righteous by faith and not by the Law. If we can be righteous by keeping the Law, faith is unnecessary. Since it is impossible to perfectly keep the Law, our salvation rests upon grace. The expression of grace is God's promise and faith believes in and accepts the promise. All, Jew and Gentile, with the faith of Abraham are made righteous.
Gospel:
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (C); Matthew 9:9-13 (E, L, RC)
Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to be a disciple and eats with "sinners." The calling of a despised outcast, a tax collector by the name of Matthew, provides the setting for Jesus' response to the Pharisees who criticize him for his fellowship with publicans and sinners. His answer indicates that God wants mercy to be shown rather than the keeping of ceremonial observances. As God's Son, accordingly he felt his mission was to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not condemn the morally sick but came to them as a physician to heal them.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 33:1-12 (C) - "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord (v.12)."
Psalm 50 (E); Psalm 50:1-15 (L); Psalm 50:1, 8, 12-15 (RC) - "I will show the salvation of God!" (v. 23b)
Prayer Of The Day
"O God, the strength of those who hope in you: Be present and hear our prayers, and, because in the weakness of our moral nature we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, so that in keeping your commandments we may please you in will and deed."
Hymn Of The Day
"Jesus Sinners Will Receive"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (C); Matthew 9:9-13 (E, L, RC)
1. The call (v. 9). A follower of Christ does not choose to follow but is chosen. Christ came to Matthew where he was - at the infamous business of collecting taxes for the Roman conquerors and getting rich on the side by demanding more taxes than the law required. It is a sign of Christ's love for the sinner and his vision of a person's potential. Each Christian receives a call to follow Christ. Is this the case in today's world? If so, how does the call come? The call comes wherever and whenever the gospel is proclaimed. The gospel brings the Spirit who calls, enlightens and gathers people into the kingdom of God.
2. Jesus eats with sinners (v. 10). What does it say theologically that Jesus, Son of God, eats with publicans and sinners? What does it say about the nature of God? Does it not say that God is one of mercy for the disobedient and rebellious? Does it not say it is the will of God to have every person go to heaven and not to hell? That God's mercy is extended prior to his justice? To share a meal is to accept those invited to the table. Does this mean that God accepts sinners even before they repent?
3. Obligation to follow suit (v. 13). If God in Christ shows mercy to sinners as demonstrated by Christ's call to Matthew and eating with sinners, then God's children are expected to do the same. The Pharisees were not doing this; they looked at sinners in judgment and criticized Jesus for his friendliness to sinners. The religious people were self-righteous and thus just as great sinners as the publicans. The religious Pharisees were more interested in making religious sacrifices than in loving the people who were in need of mercy.
Lesson 1: Genesis 12:1-9 (C)
1. Leave (v. 1). God told Abraham to leave home! It was to be an adventure into the unknown, a launching into the deep. For Abraham it must have been similar to the astronauts' experience when they went to the moon. The unknown is always fearful and calls for courage. In Abraham's case, it was a matter of obedience regardless of the dangers and insecurity.
2. Blessing (v. 2). If Abraham obeyed, God promised to bless him. Why would he bless him? What did Abraham ever do to deserve God's blessing? The reason God gave was to bless other nations. God bless America that through America other nations would be blessed. God bless me! Why? That I can be a blessing to others.
3. Altar (vv. 7, 8). Wherever Abraham settled, he built an altar. It indicates that he was a religious man. An altar is the place of meeting God, of offering gifts to him and receiving his blessing. An altar is more than a table to hold communion vessels. It is more than a center of worship. An altar is a place of sacrifice: God's sacrifice of his Son and our sacrifice of praise.
Lesson 1: Hosea 5:15-6:6 (E, L); Hosea 6:3-6 (RC)
1. What God can do for us (vv. 1-3). A suggestion is made that God's people should return to God. Can't you hear some say, "Why go back to God? What good will that do? How can things be any better than what we have now?" These verses point to the goodness and mercy of God. As in the gospel, God expects his people to show similar love rather than to observe religious events.
2. A desperate God (v. 4). Like a parent at the point of despair, twice God asks about his people, "What shall I do with you?" Here is another insight into the kind of God we have. He longs to have his people with him in covenantal love and loyalty. God has appealed to them through the prophets. He sent judgment to get them to repent. He wants from his people love and a relationship of peace, but they are content to render cheap sacrifices and burnt offerings. Here we find a wooing and pursuing God and a people whose love for God is fickle.
Lesson 2: Romans 4:13-18 (E); Romans 4:13-25 (C)
1. Promise (v. 13). The Bible is full of God's promises to his people. What is a promise? Is it not based on words? Sometimes the promises are connected with a sign such as the rainbow and circumcision. Water is the sign of God's promises in baptism. Likewise, bread and wine of the holy communion are signs of the promise that God will forgive. A promise is only as good as the word of the person making the promise. Can God's Word be trusted? Has God ever broken a promise?
2. Grace (v. 16). Why does God make promises to us? His promises are the product of his grace. All of his promises are for our good: mercy, forgiveness, deliverance, protection and providence. His grace is shown not only in promising nothing but good but in initiating the promise. We do not go to God and say, "Promise me you will bless me." No, God originates the promise. He comes to us with a promise and in return he asks us to trust him.
3. Faith (vv. 13, 16). When does the promise become a reality to us individually? It is when we accept the promise by faith. It is the hand that reaches out to receive the blessings God promises. The promise is salvation. It comes to us through sheer grace. Salvation becomes a personal possession when we accept our divine acceptance. Thus, faith does not save, only grace does. But, faith is indispensable for the promise to be a reality in our lives.
Lesson 2: Romans 4:18-25 (L, RC)
Getting right with God (vv. 22-25). God the Father longs for his rebellious people to return. God the Son hobnobs with sinners to call them to repent. Suppose sinners respond? How can they get right with God? They are accepted on the basis of faith in God's promises, not the basis of their morality. The promise, like the one made to Abraham, may seem humanly impossible, but faith believes that God can do anything. The impossible promise is that God will forgive, accept the sinner no matter how bad a sinner he is. Can God transform a life from evil to good? Faith that God can is credited to man as righteousness and on that basis he is restored to God's fellowship. This faith is based on Christ whose death and resurrection made access to God possible.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel:
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (C); Matthew 9:9-13 (E, L, RC)
1. The Making of a Disciple. 9:9
Need: How does one turn from a sinner to a saint, from a delinquent to a disciple? We often hear that to become Christians we are to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. This has become a cliche and not many understand its meaning. The text gives the steps to becoming a disciple.
Outline: Steps to becoming a disciple.
a. Confronted by Christ - "He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office."
b. Called by Christ - "Follow me."
c. Changed by Christ - "He rose and followed him."
2. The Man for Sinners. 9:10-13
Need: It was upsetting to the religious leaders of Jesus' day that Jesus would be friendly with the worst sinners of the day, publicans. He was not only friendly, but he attracted them and even shared a meal with them. He became known as a friend of publicans, prostitutes and other notorious sinners. What does a good man have in common with a bad man? They have different values, goals and understandings of life. This unusual behavior of a good man says something about man and God.
Outline: Jesus' association with sinners says something about -
a. Man the sinner - v. 12. The sinner is sick and needs a divine physician to heal him. To save is to heal, to be made whole.
b. Christ the Savior - v. 13. God in Christ shows mercy to sinners. The self-righteous feel no need of Christ because they have no sense of sin. The self-righteous are content with their religious observances and overlook their responsibility to be like Christ - merciful.
3. Are You in the Wrong Crowd? 9:11 - "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
Need: Jesus is doing something that "good" people would avoid doing. We teach children to avoid bad company because they could easily be influenced to engage in evil deeds. It is a reasonable question asked of the disciples by the Pharisees: "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" According to the text, the disciples had no answer. Jesus answered for them. It is a question we need to ask ourselves as Christians: Why do we (or do we?) associate with the criminal element of society? It is a fact that generally we avoid contact with lawbreakers. Maybe we as Christians should mingle with them.
Outline: Why eat with sinners?
a. Is it not a bad example to do so? "Evil companionships corrupt good morals."
b. Is it not approving their sinful ways?
c. Is it not to demonstrate God's love and mercy to sinners?
d. Is it not to bring sinners back to God?
Lesson 1: Genesis 12:1-9 (C)
1. O For a Faith Like This! 12:1-4
Need: While all of us have faith to some degree, we identify with the father of the epileptic who said to Jesus, "Help my unbelief." Abraham had the faith that we all need even though all may not want it.
Outline: God gives us a faith like this -
a. Faith of obedience - vv. 1, 4.
b. Faith of trusting God's promises - v. 2.
c. Faith of fulfilling a commission - v. 3.
2. The Father of our Faith. 12:1-9
Need: Often we sing, "Faith of our Fathers," but in this Lesson we see the father of our faith. We have here an opportunity to preach a biographical sermon on Abraham. Abraham was the father of a new people chosen by God. Out of Abraham came the Hebrews and Christians to whom God revealed himself and to whom God gave his Son for the world's redemption. For us today, we need a model of our faith that can be an example for our devotion to God.
Outline: The sort of man our father of the faith was -
a. A man of courage - vv. 4, 5. At age 75, he leaves all for a strange land.
b. A man of faith -
1. Obedience to God's command - vv. 1, 4.
2. Trust in God's promise - v. 2.
c. A man of God - a builder of altars for worship - vv. 7, 8.
Lesson 1: Hosea 6:3-6 (RC); Hosea 5:15-6:6 (E, L)
1. God the Desperate. 6:4
Need: Twice in this verse God cries out in desperation, "What shall I do with you?" It is a question asked by a parent of a naughty child, by an employer of a lazy worker, a judge of a criminal. Because of love for his people, God is at his wits' end to know what to do to bring his people back to him and to make them faithful to the covenant.
Outline: God is so desperate that -
a. He goes to any length to win us, even the cross.
b. He accepts the smallest gift offered to him.
c. He uses the most unworthy person for his purposes.
Lesson 2: Romans 4:13-18 (E); Romans 4:13-25 (C)
1. Why It All Depends on Faith. 4: 13-16
Need: For many Christianity is very complex and confusing. There are so many doctrines, positions and interpretations. They need to have the Christian religion simplified into a few terms which they can grasp and understand. The whole body of teachings boil down to the bottom line of faith. Luther was so convinced of this that in his translation, he added the word, "sola," "alone," after the word, "faith." In this sermon we want to show how we come to this bottom line.
Outline: The bottom line of the gospel -
a. Is preceded by promise - v. 13.
b. Is preceded by grace - v. 16.
c. Is faith that personalizes the grace - vv. 13, 16.
2. In What do You Have Faith? 4:13-18
Need: It all depends on faith (v. 16), in what do we believe? It is not enough to have faith, for it can be misplaced in someone or something not worthy of faith. It can be a misguided or foolish faith. In this sermon, we find in the text the proper safe places to put our faith.
Outline: As Christians, we believe in -
a. God - v. 17.
1. Brings life out of death.
2. Creates something out of nothing.
b. God's Promise: his Word - vv. 13, 16.
c. Hope - v. 18. Hope against hope - when the promise seems to be impossible of fulfillment.
Lesson 2: Romans 4:18-25 (L, RC)
What Counts with God. 4:18-25
Need: What really pleases God? What can we do to move God to accept us as sinners? The one thing we can do to get right with God is to believe. Faith is the one good work for which God gives us credit. It is faith in God's promises even though they seem impossible of fulfillment, as in the case of Abraham and Sarah who were promised a child though they were far past the age of childbearing.
Outline: What counts with God?
a. Faith in God's promises - vv. 18-23.
b. Faith in God's Son - vv. 24-25.
