Message Notes

SENIOR SUNDAY SCHOOL 15 October 2023

Text: Romans 4:1-4

Subject: The Example of Abraham

1. The Theme of Faith

a) This was carefully taught by the Apostle Paul

b) The place of faith cannot be underestimated

2. Four significant statements about Faith

a) “The just shall live by faith” Romans 1:17

i) Paul cited Habakuk 2:4

ii) Faith was also a major truth taught by the prophets

b) “The righteousness of God (revealed) through faith in Jesus Christ” Romans 3:22

i) We understand God by faith

ii) We understand God’s righteousness by faith

c) God is the “Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26)

i) God is the Divine Justifier

ii) He justifies everyone who has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

d) “We conclude that a man is justified by faith” Romans 3:28

i) The conclusion was obvious to the Apostle Paul

ii) Justification cannot be earned

iii) No one can be justified by the deeds of the Law

iv) A person is justified by faith

THE EXAMPLE OF THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM

1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?

2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

Romans 4:1-4

1. Abraham is honoured as the father of the nation of Israel

2. His example is of great significance

3. Was Abraham justified by his works?

a) If he was justified by his works

b) Then he has something to boast about

4. The Scriptures were very clear concerning his justification

a) “Abraham believed God”

i) He found faith in God

ii) He trusted the LORD

b) “It was accounted to him for righteousness”

i) That means, Abraham was “justified by faith”

ii) God accounted to him “righteousness”

iii) Righteousness was imputed to him by God

5. If Righteousness (Justification) is obtained by works

a) If Righteousness are wages of work

b) Then Justification is to be seen as a debt owed to Abraham

c) But this was not how Abraham was justified before God

THE LESSONS WE MUST PONDER OVER CAREFULLY

1. Justification

a) This is “imputed righteousness”

b) God is the Justifier

c) He justifies a person

i) By His grace

ii) Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

2. Abraham

a) He is honoured as the father of the Jews

b) He was justified because of his faith in God

c) He was not justified by his works

3. Understanding of our Justification

a) Thanks to God for His grace and mercy

b) Thank God for the Lord Jesus Christ who came to be our Saviour

c) Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we stand Justified before God

d) The righteousness of the Lord Jesus is imputed to us

e) God is our Justifier

f) Our challenge is to understand Faith better and to live by it