The Promise Keeping God

Sermon Text

Romans 4:16-22

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

Main Idea

Saving faith is trusting the God who always keeps His promises. Abraham was declared righteous not because of his works, but because he believed God's promises. The same promise of righteousness is offered to all who trust in Christ.

Key Points

• The promise comes by faith according to grace (Romans 4:16).

  • God's promises are received by faith, not by keeping the law.

  • The law exposes sin and brings wrath; it cannot earn salvation.

  • Grace ensures that God's promise is certain for all who believe, both Jew and Gentile.

  • Even faith itself is a gift of God's grace.

• Abraham's faith rested on God's character and His promises.

  • Abraham believed specific promises God had spoken, not a vague religious faith.

  • His confidence rested in the God who "gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist."

  • Despite impossible circumstances—his advanced age and Sarah's barrenness—he trusted God's Word.

• Faith perseveres despite impossible circumstances.

  • Humanly speaking, Abraham had every reason to doubt.

  • Yet he did not allow present circumstances to outweigh God's promises.

  • Genuine faith may struggle at times, but it ultimately rests on God's faithfulness rather than human ability.

• Faith strengthens believers to obey God.

  • Throughout Scripture, God's people obeyed because they trusted His promises:

    • Moses at the Red Sea.

    • Israel at Jericho.

    • Gideon against Midian.

    • Hannah praying for a son.

    • Mary receiving the promise of Christ.

    • Christ's resurrection itself.

  • Faith gives glory to God because it acknowledges His power rather than our own.

• God's promises are for believers today.

  • Christians should cling to God's explicit promises found in Scripture rather than promises they wish God had made.

  • Examples include:

    • Philippians 1:6

    • Romans 8:28

    • Romans 8:38–39

    • John 11:25

    • John 14:3

    • 1 John 1:9

• Righteousness is credited through faith alone (Romans 4:22).

  • Abraham's righteousness was not earned.

  • God credited righteousness to Abraham because he believed.

  • Likewise, believers receive Christ's righteousness by faith alone.

Applications

• Ask whether your confidence rests in your performance or in God's promises.

• Believe what God has actually revealed in His Word.

• Trust God's promises even when circumstances seem impossible.

• Remember that God's faithfulness—not your strength—is the foundation of your hope.

• Rest in the righteousness of Christ rather than your own efforts.

• What does Romans 4 teach about the relationship between faith and grace?

• Why is Abraham the ideal example of saving faith?

• How does God's faithfulness encourage perseverance through difficult circumstances?

• What promises of God most encourage you today?

• What is the difference between biblical faith and vague religious belief?

• How does Abraham point us ultimately to Christ?

• In what ways do Christians sometimes rely on works instead of grace?

• How should God's promises shape our daily decisions and obedience?

• Why is Christ's imputed righteousness essential to the gospel?

• How can this passage strengthen someone struggling with doubt or fear?

• Grace – God's undeserved favor toward sinners.

• Faith – Receiving and resting upon Christ and God's promises.

• Justification – God's declaration that a sinner is righteous because of Christ.

• Imputation – The crediting of Christ's righteousness to believers.

• Promise – God's certain and trustworthy covenant commitment.

• Righteousness – Perfect obedience before God, fulfilled in Christ.

• Law – God's holy standard that reveals sin but cannot save.

• Gospel – The good news that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone.

• Hope – Confident expectation rooted in God's promises.

• Covenant – God's binding relationship with His people established by His gracious promises.