The Gospel is Faith

There was this group of people in the Gospels that Jesus often interacted with. They loved the Bible, attended worship at the Temple, were leaders in synagogues, observed the Torah as closely as anyone could, lived exemplary moral lives, gave their offerings, and were zealous for all things relating to Yahweh. If we were comparing them to a group today, they would be conservative evangelicals. That’s us, by the way. Yet, despite their obvious religious piety, Jesus said they were “white-washed tombs.” All nice and painted up on the outside and nothing but a rotting corpse within. Their “faith” was empty. I’m speaking, of course, of the Pharisees. The warning is clear. Outward religion as an attempt to reach God is a futile pursuit. You may look good on the outside, but inside are “dead man’s bones.”

So then, what makes genuine faith genuine? How do I know that the power of the gospel has changed me and brought me into a relationship with my God? In Romans 4:1-25, the Apostle Paul leads us to the answer. When we have a real, transformative, life-giving faith in Jesus Christ, we will enjoy the forgiveness of sin, practice heartfelt acts of service for Christ, and understand the depth of the promise that God has given us. We’ll know the power of the resurrection in our lives.

Sermon Notes

The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1-8)
The Gospel is Faith
Romans 4:1-25
Todd Dugard

November 15, 2020

Faith: great trust or confidence in something or someone
Cambridge Dictionary

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

Faith is great trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Without faith it is impossible to please [God].
Hebrews 11:6a

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I must have faith in Christ…

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…to be forgiven (v. 1-8)

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…to be genuine (v. 9-12)

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…to receive the promise (v. 13-25)

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.
2 Corinthians 1:20

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which…
• makes me an heir (v. 13-15)

• raises me from the dead (v. 16-17)

• gives me hope (v. 18-19)

Hope is a confident expectation and desire for good things in the future.
John Piper

• strengthens my resolve (v. 20-21)

• binds me to all believers (v. 22-24a)

• rests in the power of the resurrection (v. 24b-25)