ROMANS SERIES #13 3/23/2014 JUSTIFIED BY FAITH ALONE

ROMANS CHAPTER 4 The Men of Faith (vs. 1-8) The Meaning of Faith (vs. 5-8) The Membership of Faith (vs. 9-12) The Means of Faith (vs )

LOOKING BACK We studied two MEN of faith in verses 1-8 The example of Abraham (vs. 1-5) The example of David (vs. 6-8) We reviewed the MEANING of faith F for facts of our faith in the truths of Scripture A for agreement or affirming the facts of faith I for internalization of faith in the desire of our hearts T for trust through repentance and confidence in God H for hope of eternal life in God and heaven Hebrews 11:1,3,6

Romans 4: ¶ Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

THE MEMBERSHIP OF FAITH (4: 9-12) The Membership or… The Benefactors or The Included Ones The Jews said only the circumcised were saved. The New Testament Judaizers said the circumcised who believed were saved. The Scriptures said both the circumcised who believed and the uncircumcised who believed would be saved! Jer. 9:24-26 Remember that Abraham was not justified by a rite, or by a writ (the Law), but by God’s grace through faith. And don’t say “yes, but…”

MATTHEW HENRY WROTE… …those nations that were uncircumcised in flesh, and the Jews are ranked with them and are as near to ruin for their sins as they; for all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart: they have the sign, but not the thing signified, ch. 4:4. They are heathens in their hearts, strangers to God, and enemies in their minds by wicked works. Their hearts are disposed to idols, as the hearts of the uncircumcised Gentiles are. Note, The seals of the covenant, though they dignify us, and lay us under obligations, will not save us, … That only is circumcision, and that baptism, which is of the heart, Rom. 2:28, 29.

Romans 4: ¶ For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 ¶ Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed -- God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness."

THE MEANS OF FAITH (4:13-25) Not through the Law but through belief and reckoning. We believe. He reckons. 17 times - Faith- noun - Believe- verb Remember: Faith not works (vs. 1-8) Grace not law (vs. 9-17) Divine power not human effort (vs )

7 CHARACTERISTICS OF ALL GOD-GIVEN FAITH Faith despite the impossibilities – “hope against hope.” Faith without undermining doubt – “becoming weak” Faith not discouraged by natural weakness – “his own body, already dead” Faith in spite of surrounding circumstances – “Sarah’s womb” Faith not vacillating in easy or difficult times – “did not waver in unbelief…grew strong in faith” Faith, because it is God-given, glorifies God – “giving glory to God” (the 3 in the fiery furnace) Faith believes God’s promises are certain and His power is sufficient – “He promised He was able”

BRINGING IT ALL HOME! 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. We are justified by faith alone! Romans 4:3-5 The MEN, the MEANING, the MEMBERSHIP, the MEANS