Conceiving in a Closed Womb...

Sermon Notes
Wednesday May 18, 2011

Sermon: Conceiving in a Closed Womb… Pt. 2: The Details of a Dead Womb
Sermon Text: Romans 4:18-25 (NKJV)

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

The summary of Abraham and Sarah’s theological life shows how they were “dead” but were justified and brought back to life. Their situation was an analogy to how Jesus died but was resurrected and brought back to life. It shows how the death of Christ justifies us and makes us right with God, so that we will make it to Heaven. You may be “dead”, but you must have faith in Christ’s death and resurrection so you can be acquitted of your offenses.

Point 1: Destroys Confidence in Self (vs 19)

19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.

Abraham and Sarah’s bodies couldn’t produce a child and they had no reason to do or believe what God wanted them to be. In Genesis 12 God announces that they would produce a child but it wasn’t until Genesis 21 that their first child was born. Many years had passed in between these two events and you may wonder why God waited to allow this to happen. He waited to ensure that they had no thought that they would come alive and to destroy their self confidence.

Sometimes you’re in a “dead” situation and you’re thinking “How did I get here?” and you’re saying “My back is against the wall.” You must remember that in John 15:5, Jesus says “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.” God has to destroy your confidence that you were the one who had to revive yourself so that He would get the glory.


Point 2: Deposit a Seed (vs 20)

20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God

Now that Abraham is in his “dead” situation, he has faith. He anchored himself in the promises of God and now a seed could be planted.

Even when you situation is good and “dead”, you still have to believe. God wants to see that you have faith in the midst of the “dead” situation. Many times we give up on the situation and we say its dead, so let’s bury it. But be encouraged because it’s when your situation is good and “dead” that Jesus will show up and turn things around. The seed has to be planted in your faith.


Point 3: Delivers a Living Faith (vs 21)

21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised

Abraham believed the promise and gave God all the glory.

Once the seed has been planted in your faith, God can deliver you into a living faith. You can’t depend on the flesh, but you must have faith that God will follow through on what he said he would do. God has the power to raise us from the “dead” and give us new life. If you’re in a “dead” situation and you don’t have faith, there can be no resurrection.

Life Application: (vs 24-25)

24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification

If you believe GOD raised Jesus from the dead, there is no situation you’re dealing with that will remain “dead”. The power in Jesus can bring your “dead” situation back to life. When you believe this, you can be acquitted of your sins. You are able to tap into Jesus’ power by your faith, not by your effort. In a “dead” situation, you must remind yourself to walk back through how Abraham did it. By your faith, you are a child of God, so nothing you’re going through is going to stay “dead”. You can’t claim to be a Christian and say you have faith, but not believe that your own “dead” situation won’t be resurrected.