Romans Chapter 4
1. REALISE your
nothingness [vv 2,16a]
Both before conversion... Lk 18:9-14 [Justification by faith]
and after.... Rom
12:3
i.e. FAITH IS FROM GOD!
He is the Author of Faith.
2. REJOICE in
God's forgiveness [vv 5-8, 24,25]
Psa 32:1-2,11
Psa 33:1-3
First praise in the Book
of Revelation is for forgiveness (Rev 1:5b-6
Paul's rejoicing + worship (1 Tim 1:12-17)
Everytime you rejoice in God's forgiveness, your faith in God who
justifies freely is deepened!
3. RECEIVE the
Holy Spirit (seal) + flow freely with Him
The Holy Spirit is our Seal today
(Eph
1:13,14;4:30)
True circumcision is of the Spirit
(Gal
5:5,6; Phil 3:3)
Building on faith is by praying in Spirit
(Jude 20)
4. REHEARSE (follow) the Examples of faith [vv 12,23,24]
It is a relay race! (Heb
11:39,40;12:1,2
Follow the faith of your leaders
(Heb
13:7
5. RELY not on
your strength/ability [v 19]
Don't consider your weakness or count on your strength.
Peter Vs. Paul (Lk
22:31-34; Phil 4:13) "I can do nothing.
Faith is not presumption (Acts
19:11-16)
Fasting and prayer means a fresh denial of
fleshly
strength which helps to strengthen faith and remove unbelief.
Mt 17:19-21
6. REST on God's
Promises [v 20]
Rom 10:17 - Hear it again and again
eg. Mary (spiritual blessing) "Be it unto me according to Your word."
Centurion (physical blessing) "Speak a word only."
Peter (material blessing)
7. RECKON God's Power and Faithfulness [vv 20b,21/ Heb 11:11]
Man may desire to do good to us but may not be able! But God...!
The first in the list of faith
heroes is "OURSELVES"!!!
And that's on Creation!
Read the first page of the Bible often!
Conclusion:
Mustard seed size of faith grows into a big tree!
Christ is the Author and
Finisher of our faith!