Romans 4:16-18 "God Calls Things Into Insistence"

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 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 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”

Video Notes:

The immediate referent is God calling Abraham as father of many nations into existence, though he had no offspring. However, the text has a wider application.
Creation ex nihilo (out of nothing) – (Genesis 1, Hebrews 11:3, Psalm 33:6–9, Colossians 1:16, John 1:3-4)
Story of the boastful scientist.
Our spiritual life – (1 Corinthians 4:7, John 3:27, Psalm 36:9, John 7:38)
He called creation into existence. He called Abraham’s offspring into existence. He called faith into existence in our hearts and he calls the spiritually dead to life. This is the power of God’s Word!
Why should we doubt or disbelieve anything that comes from the mouth of the God who literally speaks things into existence? This is the greatest assurance! This isn’t like us, limited people who, when we make promises, are planning, hoping, or maybe even lying. Even with our best intentions, we aren’t immortal and almighty. Things happen that prevent us from keeping our promises. This is not how it is with God. All His promised are true because the calls all things into existence makes them true by speaking them.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Romans 4:16-18 "God Calls Things Into Insistence"

Video Notes:

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL