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May 3, 2020

Romans 15:4, 8-13 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol  Him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

In today’s sermon text from Romans 15, the apostle Paul unfolds a truth that should give us tremendous hope—that the promises made to Abraham and the patriarchs are given for us in the church as well (Romans 15:8). This morning we’ll read God’s declaration that He will make Abraham a blessing to all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:1-4), along with assurances that we are called to be His people (Isaiah 63; Isaiah 42). We’ll also sing the hymn The God Of Abraham Praise, which contains the line “Hail! Abraham’s God and mine,” and the psalm All Nations Clap Your Hands—Psalm 47, which looks forward to “the heirs of Gentile thrones” meeting together as the children of Abraham. With all these assurances that God’s promises in ancient times are still valid for us today, we can say, in the words of our final hymn, that He is both “our help in ages past” and “our hope for years to come.” —Henry C. Haffner

Key Words: Servant, Truthfulness, Promises, Gentiles, Hope, Abound
Keystone Verse: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)