Faith Talk – June 22, 2025

Sunday: June 22, 2025
Series: Romans: The Righteousness of God
Sermon: Hope Against Hope and Fully Convinced

Romans 4:13 – For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

This sermon examines how Abraham's faith serves as a model for all believers, illustrating that salvation is achieved through faith alone, rather than obedience to the Law. Paul shows that Abraham received God's promise centuries before the Law was given, and that his faith was credited as righteousness when he believed God could give life to the dead, both physically (through Isaac's birth) and spiritually (through salvation).

Abraham "hoped against hope" when he was 100 years old and Sarah was 90, trusting God's promise despite impossible circumstances. This same faith pattern applies to believers today who trust in Jesus, who was "delivered over because of our transgressions and raised for our justification." The sermon emphasizes that saving faith is being "fully convinced" that God has the power to fulfill His promises, particularly the promise of eternal life through Christ's death and resurrection.
 
Main Points

• Abraham was justified before the Law was given - centuries before Moses, proving salvation isn't through Law-keeping
• God's promises are guaranteed through grace and faith - not dependent on human performance
• The God of Abraham gives life to the dead - both physically (Isaac) and spiritually (salvation)
• Abraham "hoped against hope" - trusted God's promise despite impossible circumstances
• Being "fully convinced" defines saving faith - complete trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises
• Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment - the promised Seed who died for our sins and rose for our justification

Homes with Adults

• Abraham was "fully convinced" that God could do what He promised, even when circumstances seemed impossible. What current situation in your life requires this kind of hope-against-hope faith?
• The sermon mentions that God sometimes waits until something is humanly impossible before fulfilling His promise, so He gets all the glory. How have you experienced God's timing in your own life, and how did it strengthen your faith? How can you apply that to a current circumstance?
• Paul connects Abraham's faith to God's ability to give physical life (Isaac) to our faith in God's ability to give spiritual life (salvation). How does understanding this connection strengthen your confidence in the gospel?

 
Homes with Students

• Abraham had to trust God's promise for 25 years before Isaac was born. What promises from God are you waiting to see fulfilled, and how do you stay faithful during the waiting?
• The sermon emphasizes that saving faith means being "fully convinced" God can do what He promises. What doubts or fears challenge your confidence in God's promises?
• Abraham became "the father of many nations" through faith, not genetics. How does this truth impact how you view your spiritual identity and belonging to God's family?

 
Homes with Kids

• Abraham and Sarah were way too old to have a baby, but God gave them Isaac anyway. What seems impossible to you that God could still do?
• Abraham hoped when there was no reason to hope. When do you find it hardest to trust God's promises?
• God kept His promise to Abraham even though it took a very long time. How can you remember to trust God when you're waiting for Him to answer your prayers?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Abraham, whose faith shows us how to trust You completely. We're grateful that Your promises are guaranteed through grace and faith, not through our performance or ability to keep the Law.

We ask for Abraham's kind of faith—to hope against hope when circumstances seem impossible and to be fully convinced that You have the power to do what You promise. Help us to trust Your timing even when You wait until situations seem humanly impossible, knowing that You do this to strengthen our faith and bring glory to Your name.

We commit to believing in Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of Your promise to Abraham—the one who died for our transgressions and was raised for our justification. When we face impossible situations, remind us that You are the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist. Strengthen our faith as we wait on Your promises. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Materials needed:

• Large poster board or long sheet of paper
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Small sticky notes
• Bible for reference

 
Instructions:

1. Create Abraham's timeline:
   • Draw a long line across the paper
   • Mark key events in Abraham's life:
     • Age 75: God's promise (Genesis 12)
     • Age 85: Still waiting, gets discouraged
     • Age 99: God renews promise
     • Age 100: Isaac is born
   • Calculate and write how many years Abraham waited (25 years!)
     
     

2. Add your family's timeline:
   • Below Abraham's timeline, create spaces for family members
   • Have everyone think of prayers or promises they're waiting for God to fulfill
   • Write these on sticky notes (so they can be moved when answered)
     
     

3. Discussion questions:
   • How do you think Abraham felt during those 25 years of waiting?
   • What helped him keep believing when it seemed impossible?
   • How can we encourage each other while we wait for God's answers?
     
     

4. Create "Hope Against Hope" cards:
   • Each family member decorates a small card with the words "Hope Against Hope"
   • Include a Bible verse like Romans 4:18 or 4:21
   • Keep these cards in places where you'll see them when you're tempted to lose hope
     
     

5. Weekly check-ins:
   • Each week, look at your family timeline together
   • Celebrate any answered prayers by moving sticky notes to an "Answered" section
   • Pray together for the items still waiting, asking for Abraham's kind of faith
     
     

6. Add new promises:
   • As you learn more Bible verses about God's promises, add them to your timeline
   • Discuss how these promises give you hope even when circumstances look impossible
     
     

This activity helps families visualize both the challenge and the reward of long-term faith, while creating an ongoing tool for prayer and encouragement.