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SSS4 : Epistle to the Romans : Lesson 12

Text: Romans 4
24 June 2017

ABRAHAM THE FATHER OF FAITH

1. Abraham our father (Romans 4: 1)

a) Abraham our father according to the flesh
b) A reference to ethnicity of Abraham as a Jew

2. He is greatly revered by Israel

a) Because of the covenant God gave to him (Genesis 15:18)
b) He is called the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8)

ESTABLISHING THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION

1. Paul has to prove that Abraham was justified by faith

2. The Book of Genesis was not written theologically (as Romans was)

THE SCRIPTURES

1. Paul once again cites the Scriptures

2. He was a Biblical Theologian

3. The source of his theological authority- “The Scriptures” (Romans 4:3)

HOW WAS ABRAHAM JUSTIFIED?

1. Was he justified by his works? (Romans 3:2)
If so, then he has something to boast about!

2. Abraham was justified by his faith (Romans 3:3)

a) Abraham believed God
b) It was accounted to him for righteousness (Romans 3:3)

3. The text cited
And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

a) He believed
i) The word “believed” is from the word “faith”
ii) Translation: “He had faith in the LORD”
b) He accounted to him for righteousness
i) The LORD accounted this faith of Abraham for righteousness
ii) Abraham is a good example of what it means to be justified by faith

4. The appeal to “works” (Romans 4:4)

a) If one worked then he needs to receive wages

b) “Grace” is the opposite of “works”

5. The person who believes (the person who exercises faith) (Romans 4:5)

a) He does not believe that works can save anyone
b) He believes in God as the One who justifies the ungodly
c) His faith is accounted for righteousness

6. Further citation of the Scriptures (Romans 4:6-8, Psalm 32)

a) The blessed state of the person to whom God has imputed righteousness
b) God imputes righteousness apart from works (Romans 4:6)
c) Blessed is the man whose lawless deeds are forgiven (Romans 4:7)
d) Whose sins are covered (Romans 4:7)
e) Blessed is the man to whom the LORD
Shall not impute sin (Romans 4:8)