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Question of the Day Where did your grandparents live, and how did they support themselves?

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Question of the Day Where did your grandparents live, and how did they support themselves?

Context The Book of Romans Written by Paul to the church at Rome Written by Paul to the church at Rome Composed of Jewish & Greek Christians Composed of Jewish & Greek Christians It is the longest letter of the Apostle It is the longest letter of the Apostle Probably written around 56 A.D. Probably written around 56 A.D. Jews in the church were trying to impose some of the law’s requirements on the Gentiles Jews in the church were trying to impose some of the law’s requirements on the Gentiles

But first, this message from the past…. I greatly longed to understand Paul's Epistle to the Romans, and nothing stood in the way but that one expression, 'the righteousness of God', because I took it to mean that righteousness whereby God is righteous and deals righteously in punishing the unrighteous.. Night and day I pondered until... I grasped the truth that the righteousness of God is that righteousness whereby, through grace and sheer mercy, he justifies us by faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of Scripture took on a new meaning, and whereas before 'the righteousness of God' had filled me with hate, now it became to me inexpressible sweet in greater love. This passage of Paul became to me a gateway to heaven. -Martin Luther-

Key Truth Abraham’s life proved that salvation comes through faith alone and cannot be earned through adherence to a set of rules.

Overview Saved by Faith Saved by Faith Sealed with a Sign Sealed with a Sign Secure in God’s Promise Secure in God’s Promise

Romans 4 : 1 – 5 Luke 11:43 Genesis 15: 1 – 3 Saved by Faith

Paul uses Abraham as an example of faith Paul uses Abraham as an example of faith One of Abraham’s persistent character traits is humility One of Abraham’s persistent character traits is humility Abraham had much material prosperity to boast over Abraham had much material prosperity to boast over Luke 11:43 Luke 11:43 Abraham’s trusted God to do what He said Abraham’s trusted God to do what He said Genesis 15:6 Genesis 15:6 Abraham’s faith was born out of a sense of desperation Abraham’s faith was born out of a sense of desperation Genesis 15:1-3 Genesis 15:1-3 Romans 4:19 Romans 4:19 Abraham believed in God’s promises Abraham believed in God’s promises Abraham had to have faith in God to believe what he said Abraham had to have faith in God to believe what he said

Saved by Faith Justification before God only comes by faith Justification before God only comes by faith Our wages are the result of work accomplished Our wages are the result of work accomplished Making ourselves righteous before God is an job we are incapable of performing Making ourselves righteous before God is an job we are incapable of performing God “…credited…” Abraham’s righteousness God “…credited…” Abraham’s righteousness Justification by faith is the first step to serving God Justification by faith is the first step to serving God Justification – rendered righteous before God, by God Justification – rendered righteous before God, by God Sanctification – living a life in dedication to God Sanctification – living a life in dedication to God Glorification – clothed in splendor Glorification – clothed in splendor

Romans 4 : Sealed with a Sign

Which came first…the faith or the sign? Abraham’s physical state had no bearing on the righteousness granted by God Abraham was circumcised after God made him righteous Abraham was 75 when he left his family Abraham was between 75 & 80 when he was saved by faith God ordered the sign of circumcision when Abraham was 99 What is our equivalent sign of the circumcision? God’s acceptance of Abraham uncircumcised proved God’s ability to save Gentiles Verse 11 Abraham is the father (pattern) of all who come to God by faith

Romans 4 : Secure in God’s Promise

Abraham’s righteousness was not from keeping the Law(13-15) Abraham’s righteousness was not from keeping the Law(13-15) The Mosaic Law had not been written The Mosaic Law had not been written The dangers of relying on legalism The dangers of relying on legalism Makes faith useless Makes faith useless Invalidates God’s faith promise to Abraham Invalidates God’s faith promise to Abraham Makes us vulnerable to judgment of God Makes us vulnerable to judgment of God Living by the Law turns God’s love into a contract Living by the Law turns God’s love into a contract

Secure in God’s Promise “For this reason it is by faith…in accordance with grace…”(16,17) From the beginning God understood the hopelessness of our situation We are unable to live up the standard of the law Instead, He looks for those with a heart of trust in Him He accepts our faith in Jesus’ sacrifice All this is made possible by the sheer mercy of God Since we are unable to earn our righteousness, it has to be given by God

It’s God’s game and He gets to make the rules It’s God’s game and He gets to make the rules The key to salvation-accepting God’s way of doing things The key to salvation-accepting God’s way of doing things Our common tendency Our common tendency 1. Sanctification 2. Justification 3. Glorification

Overview Saved by Faith Saved by Faith Sealed with a Sign Sealed with a Sign Secure in God’s Promise Secure in God’s Promise

Adult Two Couples Class