How can God Justify Man by Faith? – Romans 4
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TITLE: How Can God Justify Man by Faith? – Romans 4
SUBJECT: Romans
PROPOSITION: God justifies man by faith in the same way Abraham is justified by faith and 1) Abraham Trusted God, Not Self (1-8), 2) Abraham Believed being Uncircumcised (9-12), 3) Abraham Believed before the Law (13-16), 4) Abraham trusted in the sure word of God (17-24).
OBJECTIVE: Each hearer will become familiar with the message of the book of Romans.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Romans 4:1-5
2. About the Text:
1) In Romans 3, we learned that God is righteous because . . .
a. He is faithful.
b. He is just.
c. Man is Guilty.
d. He justifies by faith in Jesus Christ.
2) From this, Paul concluded, “We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28).
3) The question he pursues in chapter four is, “How Can God Justify Man by Faith?”
4) The answer is, “In the same way that God justified Abraham.”
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: God justifies man in the same way Abraham was justified by faith.
I. Abraham Trusted God, Not Self (1-8)
1. Paul chooses Abraham as the quintessential example of faith (1).
2. If Abraham had been justified and gloried in his own works, he would not have been trusting in God (2).
3. The scriptures says that Abraham believed God and God counted it for righteousness (3).
4. Paul pauses here to explain what he means by works (4).
1) By “works” he means that which incurs debt and owes another.
2) This kind of work cannot be according to grace, which is a gift.
5. Who does God counts as righteous? (5)
1) He who trusts that God will justify him.
2) He who does not try to earn justification through debt-based works.
6. David agrees with this in Psalm 32:1-2 (6-8).
1) God does not forgive based upon debt He owes man.
2) He covers them by His grace.
3) He refuses to count them by His grace.
II. Abraham Believed when Uncircumcised (9-12)
1. Does the circumcision or uncircumcision receive this justification? (9)
2. Abraham received justification while uncircumcised (10)
3. Abraham received the sign of circumcision so that both the circumcised and uncircumcised might be justified (11-12).
III. Abraham Believed Before the time of the Law (13-16)
1. God did not make the promises to Abraham through the law either (13).
2. If the heirs are through the law alone, then God’s promise to Abraham can’t stand (14).
3. The law works wrath/judgment because it brings transgression (15).
4. So, to be effective for everyone, the promise must be by grace through faith (16).
IV. Abraham Trusted in the Sure Word of God (17-24)
1. Abraham trusted in God without requiring demonstration (17).
2. He even believed in God when all of the evidence seemed contrary to God’s word (18-21).
1) God promised to Abraham that he would be a father of many nations.
2) Abraham had no children.
3) God said he would have children.
4) Abraham and Sarah’s bodies were beyond the age of bearing.
5) God said that he would have a son by Sarah.
6) Abraham believed God and was fully assured that these things would occur.
7) That is the essence of faith, trusting in the word of God even when all of life appears against it.
3. It was due to this kind of faith that God counted Abraham as righteous (22).
4. This is the same kind of faith that God wants us to have in Jesus Christ (23-24).
CONCLUSION:
1. God justifies man in the same way He justified Abraham…
1) Abraham Trusted God, Not Self
2) Abraham Believed when Uncircumcised
3) Abraham Believed before the time of the Law
4) Abraham Trusted in the Sure Word/Promise of God