1. The Righteousness of God Romans 3:19-26 Romans 10:3-4

2. “The Righteousness of God” GOD (Holy) MAN (Sinners) How can a holy God accept sinners into His fellowship? How do sinners escape punishment for their sins and God remain just? How does God justify sinners? Answer revealed in the gospel, Romans 1:16-17 “Righteousness of God” “From faith to faith” The just shall live (have life) by faith, Hab 2:4 (1:13; 2:1-4) Justified -- Live Gal 3:11 2

3. The Righteousness of God The means by which God declares sinful man righteous or just, Phil 3:9 3

4. The Righteousness of God How will God count man righteous? God, by His very nature, is totally righteous, Psa 48:10; 50:6; 71:15-16 ◦ How can the righteous God remain righteous and not immediately punish all sinners for their sin? Ezek 18:20; Rom 6:23 God shows His righteousness by setting forth Jesus as the appeasement of His wrath against sin, Rom 3:25-26 4

5. The Righteousness of God How will God count man righteous? Due to his sin, man is unrighteous and under wrath, Rom 1:18; 3:9-10, 19; 3:23 ◦ Dilemma: How can unholy sinners approach the holy God without immediate condemnation? ◦ Answer: “The righteousness of God” is demonstrated in the “redemption that is in Christ Jesus”, Rom 3:21-22, 24-26 (Mercy, 11:32) 5

6. The Righteousness of God How God declares sinners righteous Romans 1:16-17; 3:19-26 Not by works of the Law, Rom 3:20-21 (9, 12, 23); Phil 3:9 ◦ Why not by the Law? ◦ If by the Law, then faith is void and the promise is of no effect, Rom 4:14 ◦ Law brings wrath--not redemption, Rom 4:15 Through faith in Christ, Phil 3:9; Gal 2:16; Acts 13:38-39 (Rom 1:17) 6

7. Redemption that is in Christ Jesus Righteousness of God Justification by God From faith to faith By grace through faith 7 Romans 3:22-24; 4:16 (Gal 2:16, 21; 3:11-14)

8. How was Abraham Justified? Romans 4:1-5 WORKS (LAW) FAITH (GOSPEL) Perfect law-keeping IF SO, THEN… He could boast in the flesh He could not boast in God God would be indebted to him His works would be imputed for righteousness BUT: Abraham sinned NOT BY WORKS! Sinner seeking grace IF SO, THEN… Could not boast in the flesh He could boast in God God would be merciful to him His faith was imputed to him for righteousness SO: Abraham believed God JUSTIFIED BY FAITH! 8

9. SALVATION OF ISRAEL Romans10:1-4 WORKS (LAW) FAITH (GOSPEL) Righteousness that is of the deeds of the Law is not the righteousness of God, Rom 10:3-5 (3:27-30) Righteousness that is of faith is revealed in the word of faith (the gospel), Rom 10:6-8 9

10. The Righteousness of God Justification by grace through faith Gospel is preached to produce faith leading to salvation, Rom 10:8-13; 6:17- 18 Personal faith is accounted for righteousness, Rom 4:5-8 ◦ From faith (gospel) to faith (personal), Rom 1:17; 10:17 ◦ No boasting, Eph 2:9 (Rom 3:27-28) 10

11. THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS FROM GOD BY FAITH Philippians 3:8-11 11

12. Without the righteousness which is from God by faith, you… Cannot be “in” Christ, 3:9; Gal 3:26-27 Cannot “know” Him, 3:10, Rom 5:1-2 ◦ Power of His resurrection, Jno 11:25-26 ◦ Fellowship of His sufferings, 2 Cor 5:21 ◦ Conformed to image of His death, Rom 6:4-5 Cannot attain to resurrection from the dead (unto eternal life), 3:11; Rom 6:23; John 5:29 ◦ No crown of righteousness, 2 Tim 4:6-8 12

13. The Righteousness of God Romans 3:19-26 Obtain life by faith; No other way, Rom 1:17 Faith that saves is faith that obeys God will justify you by grace, through faith