Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Romans 5:1
In these desperate days, we need a faith that will hold fast in times of trouble. When the winds of circumstances, storms of calamity and floods of affliction come, we need faith like an anchor.

In Romans 5, we learn how God builds us up to have a rock-solid faith: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

First, God builds our rock-solid faith through our tribulations.

Tribulation means pressure; without pressure, we do not get stronger. We need the conflict; it may come from the enemy, or it may come from God, but God is over it all.

Adrian Rogers says, “Satan will bring conflict to cause you to stumble; God will bring conflict to cause you to stand.”

Pressure will come from the world; the moment we decide to become like Jesus, the world will try to squeeze us back into its mold. It can also come from the flesh; the “flesh” is the proclivity to sin that is still in us, even after salvation. Pressure also comes from the devil, himself; when we’re saved, we find out for ourselves just how powerful he can be.

But our conflict teaches us constancy. Our endurance is built through our ability to withstand pressure. When conflict comes, some retreat or resent, and others resign. But we should resolve to follow God through the conflict.

Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Constancy develops character; we grow the most when we face the hottest fires of affliction.

Finally, our faith takes its full effect. As our character develops hope, we gain godly confidence.

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).

Adrian Rogers says, “Hope is faith in the future tense; it believes God not only for the present, but it believes God for the future.”

Apply it to your life
Do you want to have a rock-solid faith in spite of stormy circumstances? Remember, conversion brings conflict, which brings constancy, which brings character, which brings hope and confidence.