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According to Grace

Text: Romans 4
2 April 2006

(I) DEFINING THE PHRASE “ACCORDING TO GRACE”

“Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace…” Romans 4:16a

1. The operating system of God’s dealings with man

2. The basis of God’s salvation granted to man

3. Even “faith” runs on the operating system of “grace”

(II) THE EXTENT OF THE OPERATING SYSTEM OF 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” Romans 4:6b

1. Tracing the ethnic line of Abraham

a) The seed of Abraham

b) Those who are “of the law”

2. Tracing another line… the line of faith of Abraham

a) They too may be called “seed of Abraham”

b) They too may speak of Abraham as “father”

“Father of all…”

(III) THEOLOGICAL AUTHORITY FOR THIS LINE OF REASONING

“As it is written, ‘I have made you a father of all nations'” Romans 4:17

1. Authority of the Scriptures

2. Divine Authority of God Himself (He made this statement)

3. Exegetical Significance of the phrase “Father of all nations”

a) Nations (plural)

b) Must have greater reference than just Israel

c) Not all Gentile nations…

d) Only those who possess the same faith as Abraham

(IV) POSSESSING THE KIND OF FAITH THAT ABRAHAM HAD

“Who contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he may become the father of many nations, according to what was spoken…” Romans 4:18
“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God” Romans 4:20
“And being fully convinced that what He has promised He was also able to perform.” Romans 4:21

1. The giving of a word of promise

2. Believing in the promise of God’s word brings a sense of Hope

3. This Hope generates faith in God and His promises

4. Faith in turn casts out unbelief

5. This faith may become a very powerful entity