Romans 4

Spoiler alert!

DV it might go something like this:

HOW CAN WE BE RIGHT WITH GOD?

Paul is showing that the gospel is the power of God for salvation (1v16ff)

Our need: We are all sinners who deserve God’s judgement (3v9ff)

God’s solution: But now a righteousness from God has been revealed (3v21ff)

Paul shows that the Old Testament law testifies to (3v21) and is upheld by this gospel of righteousness / justification by faith (3v31)

A Case Study from The Old Testament:

“What did Abraham discover in this matter?” (v1)

How was he justified / put right with God? (And how are we justified?)

“What does the Scripture say?” (4v3)

I.                 3 WAYS WE (& ABRAHAM) ARE NOT JUSTIFIED:

(1)   … not by works (v2, v5)

(2)   … not by circumcision (vv10-12)

… not by the covenant sign / seal (v11)

… (not by baptism or Communion)

(3)   … not by keeping the Law of Moses (vv13-15; cf. 3vv19-21, 31)

Abraham Justified c. ? 2091BC

           

645 years

           

Law Given c. ? 1446BC

            … (not by our family or national or religious heritage)

I.                 3 WAYS WE (& ABRAHAM) ARE JUSTIFIED:

(1)   … as a gift (v4)

… by grace (v16)

(2)   … by believing God (vv3, 11, 17, 18)

… by trusting God (v5)

… by faith (vv5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 19, 20, 24)

(3)   … by the death and resurrection of Jesus (v24-25)

Justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone,

to the glory of God alone, according to the Scriptures

OUR RESPONSE:

(Learn from Paul how to read the Old Testament and understand the role of the Old Testament law – v24)

Receive God’s free gift of justification by faith: Trust in Jesus!

“Therefore” …. Rejoice in peace with God and in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5vv1-2)