Resting On Grace
Romans 4:13-25
I. The Promise of Grace (Romans 4:13-16) We see that Paul reminds us of the promise that God made to Abraham in verse 13. This is the Abrahamic Covenant is given throughout Genesis. Allow me to refresh our memories so we can see Paul’s context.
What was the promise to Abraham?
- His descendants would be positioned as heirs of the world. (Gen. 12:3; 15:5, 18:18)
- They would possess land. (Gen. 15:18-21)
- His people would be numerous (Gen. 13:16; 15:5) “like dust of the earth and the stars in the sky.”
- His descendants would receive a powerful blessing. (Gen. 12:3)
- His descendants would provide a Redeemer. (Gen. 22:8) Remember, Abraham was tested here! Isaac, his only son was placed on the alter on Mt. Mariah. God provided a ram in the briers. Was Abraham deserving of his son being spared? Are we deserving of our life being spared? That’s grace!
Grace: Grace is God’s unmerited favor to an undeserving people. A.W. Tozer said “Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines him to bestow benefits on the undeserving.” God’s Riches at Christ Expense.
What does grace promise the believer?
a. We are not dependent upon the law (v.13)
b. We are declared heirs through faith (v.14)
c. We have definite assurance through faith (v.16) “promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed…”
verse 16 really is the linchpin of this whole passage! We are to rest on grace!
II. The Power of Grace (Romans 4:17-19)
1. Grace bears life (v.17) “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been
saved” (Ephesians 2:4-5)
2. Grace gives birth (v.17) Only God has the power to bring to life and only God has the power to raise the
dead.
III. The Products of Grace (Romans 4:20-25)
- To grow stronger in the faith (vv.20-21)
- To gain salvation because of faith (vv.22-25)