June 7th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"The Faith that Counts" (Romans 4:13-25)

Jun 01, 2026

∙ Paid

Lectionary Readings — Proper 5 — June 7, 2026

Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:1-12; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
[Note to subscribers: We will be following the Epistle track (Romans) for the sermon manuscript from now until September 13, 2026, Proper 19]

Call to Worship (based on Romans 4:13-25)

Leader: The promise was given not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

People: We come today not trusting in our own merit, but in the grace of the God who justifies the ungodly.

Leader: Abraham believed God — and against all hope, he hoped. He did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God.

People: We, too, believe. Strengthen our faith, O Lord, that we might not waver in the face of what seems impossible.

Leader: God is faithful — fully convinced that what He has promised, He is able to perform.

People: We rest our lives on that faithfulness. His Word will not return empty; His promises will not fail.

Leader: The words “it was credited to him as righteousness” were written not for Abraham alone.

People: They were written for us — for all who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Leader: Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

People: Because He lives, we stand forgiven. Because He rose, we stand righteous before God.

All: We worship You, Father — the God of Abraham, the God of the resurrection, the God of every promise kept. To You alone be glory, now and forever. Amen.

Opening Prayer (based on Genesis 12:1-9)

Let us pray:

Sovereign Lord and Father,

You are the God who calls — who speaks into ordinary lives and summons Your people toward extraordinary purposes. We come before You this morning as those who, like Abram, have heard Your voice and gathered in response to it.

We confess, Father, that obedience does not always come easily. We cling to what is familiar — to the land we know, the comforts we have built, the plans we have made for ourselves. We are slow to go when You say go, and slow to trust when the destination is unclear. Forgive us for the times we have hesitated at the threshold of Your calling, for the faith we have offered You in half-measures.

Yet even now, You are a God of promise. You spoke to Abram not with a map, but with a word — and that word was enough. Remind us today that You do not ask us to see the whole journey before we take the first step. You ask only that we trust the One who holds the journey in His hands.

As we open Your Word this morning, attune our hearts to hear You speaking still. Let the same faith that moved Abram to build an altar in a foreign land move us to surrender every unfamiliar thing to Your purposes. You are working a story far larger than our own, and we are humbled and grateful to be written into it.

May Your Son, Jesus — the fulfillment of every promise made to Abraham — be exalted in this place today. May Your Spirit grant us ears to hear, hearts to receive, and the courage to follow wherever You lead.

To You alone be all glory and honor.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.