Message Notes

SENIOR SUNDAY SCHOOL 22 October 2023

Text: Romans 4

Subject: “Accounted for Righteousness”

AN IMPORTANT REVIEW

1. The Example of Abraham

a) The Scriptures clearly stated

“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3

b) The Original statement

And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6

c) It was clear to Paul

i) God is the Justifier

ii) God accounted righteousness to Abraham

iii) The basis was his “belief” (faith) in God

2. Paul’s conclusion

But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness (Romans 4:5)

a) It is not work that results in Justification

b) It is God who justifies

c) God can justify even the ungodly

d) Faith’s blessing is to be accounted righteousness by God

WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION?

6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,

And whose sins are covered;

8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”

Romans 4:5-8

1. Justification deals with the issue of sin

a) One key issue is the subject of Sin”

b) Sin has many aspects:

i) Sin is omission

ii) Sin is transgression

iii) Sin is also iniquity

c) The sinner is therefore liable

i) To be judged by God

ii) To be tried

iii) To be found guilty

iv) To be sentenced

v) To be punished

2. Justification deals with the Issue of Forgiveness of sins

a) Blessed that all lawless deeds are forgiven (Transgressions)

b) Blessed that all sins are covered

c) Blessed that God would not impute sin to the sinner

3. Paul cited a Psalm written by David

1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,

And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Psalm 32:1-2

a) Transgression is forgiven

b) Sin is covered

c) God does not impute iniquity

OTHER IMPORTANT TEXTS THAT DEAL WITH THE ISSUE OF SIN

1. Isaiah 44

I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,

And like a cloud, your sins.

Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

Isaiah 44:22

a) Transgressions are blotted out like with a thick cloud

b) Sins are blotted out like with a cloud

c) This is how God redeems

2. Psalm 103

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:10-12

a) God has not dealt with us according to our sins

b) He has not punished us according to our iniquities

c) He has removed our transgressions far from us

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To appreciate afresh our Justification

a) Our sins and transgressions have been fully dealt with

b) We are forgiven!

2. Justification teaches us that we have been redeemed by God

3. Let us treasure our Justification that comes by faith in the Lord