2022 1211 Romans 4 Promise comes from Faith

GOD IS FAITHFUL

GOD IS FAITHFUL

NO ONE RIGHTEOUS

THERE IS HOPE

Romans 3:22–23

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Faith leads to Righteousness

Romans 4:5

However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.

Romans 4:10 NIV

Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!

FAITH BEFORE WORKS

important matter re righteousness

righteousness is a god quality

we, all of mankind, need to regain that righteousness

it is a matter of the heart, a desire deep in our spirit

whole of humanity searching for that deeper status

Romans 4:11–12 NIV

And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

ABRAHAM’S ROLE

Abram believed God re the promise

name changed came to signify the future fulfilment of the promise

circumcision given as a seal , a sign of that righteousness

Abraham is the father of all believers

FATHER OF ALL NATIONS

Paul continues to bring the Jews and the Gentiles under the one seal

the law demands circumcision which is based on faith

the uncircumcised has that same faith

the promise applies to all who have faith, whether by the law or not

Romans 4:13–15 NIV

It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

promise received through the righteousness coming from faith

the law brings faith yet it is corrupted by man’s legalism and works

the promise was that Abraham would be the father of many nations

he did not have a son so the promise was not seen

the promise could only be believed by faith

LAW BRINGS WRATH

the law is unable to produce faith

it demands obedience

obedience leads to works

the law says righteousness can only come through fulfilling all the law perfectly

all fall short of this standard

only God is righteous in himself as revealed by Jesus who had no sin

Romans 4:16 NIV

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

PROMISE BY GRACE

faith is an expression of God’s grace

grace says it is all God and zero man

PROMISE GUARANTEED

our God is faithful and so is his promise

Abraham has become the father of many nations

the father of the circumcised operating in faith

the father of the uncircumcised also operating in faith

PROMISE ALL INCLUSIVE

all inclusive - male or female

jew or gentile

every race, every tribe, every nation

NEXT WEEK

the hope we have