4/14/2020 Romans 4

1. Do you believe God as Abraham did

2. What are you doing as a result of your faith in God

3. Faith in God is the source of our righteousness with God

4. How is your faith affecting others

5. There is power in the resurrection of Christ

Let me make some opening comments. When I read Paul’s writing I have to pay attention and take my time, there is always a lot there, he through the Holy Spirit spends a long time laying the groundwork for the point being made. Then gives what he believes. You can only do this when you know what you believe through study of the scriptures. Again and again in the NT the phrase as it is written, refers to an Old Testament passage. Reinforcing the importance of studlying the entire Bible.

Romans 4:3 (KJV) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

• Belief is the only way we can truly be righteous In gods eyes, our physical righteousness is not spoken of in high regard

• Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

• Matthew 5:20 (KJV)For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

  • Our righteousness is not good enough to make us acceptable with God

Romans 4:18-20 (KJV) 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

• Phrases that stand out to me

  • Against hope believed in hope(v18)

  • Being not weak in faith (v19)

  • He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief (v20)

  • Strong in Faith(20)

  • Giving glory to God (v20)

    • How did Abraham have the impact that he had, He believed God

    • With this principal he fulfilled 2 verses,

      • Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

      • Revelation 4:11 (KJV) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

      • Faith is the only way we can please god

      • Abraham did some awesome physical things

        • Left the land of his people

        • Followed God

        • Sacrifices Isaac

      • Why, because he was a man of Faith, our Faith should be faith of action

Romans 4:21-22 (KJV) 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

• Again Abraham’s Faith leads to imputed righteousness

• This the second time this concept is mentioned in the same chapter

• Must be important

Romans 4:23-24 (KJV) 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

• Same righteousness available to Abraham through faith is available to us,

• It was written down for our benefit

  • Romans 15:4 (KJV)For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

• What do you write down for the benefit of yourself and others

Romans 4:25 (KJV) Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

• He died for our sins

• He rose again so that we could go to heaven

Do I recognize what my sin did to Jesus Christ?

Do I through faith keep sin under?