Take God At His WordTake God At His WordRomans 4:1-8Romans 4:1-8

Grace Community ChurchGrace Community Church2/4/20072/4/2007

““Football is a profession that is judged by performance and Football is a profession that is judged by performance and results,” says Tony Dungy, head coach of the results,” says Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. “However, those things come and Indianapolis Colts. “However, those things come and go so quickly that, as a coach, I have to base my go so quickly that, as a coach, I have to base my career on something more.”career on something more.”

““When people ask me, ‘How do you stay so calm on the When people ask me, ‘How do you stay so calm on the sideline?’ I have to tell them it is Christian maturity and sideline?’ I have to tell them it is Christian maturity and Christ working in me. It’s not natural. It didn’t happen Christ working in me. It’s not natural. It didn’t happen overnight. It was a process. I know how powerful God’s overnight. It was a process. I know how powerful God’s spirit is. I know He can change people. And I know that spirit is. I know He can change people. And I know that He will do that if we allow Him to.” He will do that if we allow Him to.”

Tony Dungy – Head Coach Indianapolis ColtsTony Dungy – Head Coach Indianapolis Colts

"I've said all along that God is in control,"I've said all along that God is in control,

I have to believe that he's in control here, I have to believe that he's in control here, too.”too.”

Tony DungyTony Dungy

www.BeyondTheUltimate.orgwww.BeyondTheUltimate.org

Romans 4:1Romans 4:1

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our 1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? forefather, discovered in this matter?

What is Abraham’s story? What is Abraham’s story?

Hebrews 11:8-19Hebrews 11:8-19

Romans 4:1-3Romans 4:1-3

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our 1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2If, forefather, discovered in this matter? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but he had something to boast about—but not before God. not before God. 3What does the 3What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as and it was credited to him as righteousness.”righteousness.”

Genesis 15:1-3Genesis 15:1-3

1After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a 1After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:vision:

““Do not be afraid, Abram.Do not be afraid, Abram.

I am your shield,I am your shield,

your very great reward.”your very great reward.”

2But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give 2But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3And Abram said, my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”household will be my heir.”

..

Genesis 15:4-6Genesis 15:4-6

4Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This 4Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” 5He took from your own body will be your heir.” 5He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”offspring be.”

6Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it 6Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:4-5Romans 4:4-5

4Now when a man works, his wages are not 4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. as righteousness.

Romans 4:6-8Romans 4:6-8

6David says the same thing when he speaks of the 6David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:righteousness apart from works:

77 “Blessed are they“Blessed are they

whose transgressions are forgiven,whose transgressions are forgiven,

whose sins are covered.whose sins are covered.

88 Blessed is the manBlessed is the man

whose sin the Lord will never count against whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”him.”

How is God asking you to How is God asking you to trust him?trust him?

Trust God for your salvation…Trust God for your salvation… Trust God for your future…Trust God for your future…

““Abraham believed God, and it was credited Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”to him as righteousness.”

Will You?Will You?