Romans Chapter 4 - the Agreement of the Gospel with the Old Testament

1. Paul’s Letter to the Romans The Agreement of the Gospel with the Old Testament (Romans 4)

2. Your Questions? Any Questions from last topic or from preparation for today?

3. Review The Gospel Introduced (Romans 1:1 – 1:15) The Gospel Defined (Romans 1:16-17) The Good News of God-Righteousness to all who believe on Christ The Universal Need for Righteousness (Romans 1:18 – 3:20) The Whole Word Guilty before God Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19 NKJV)

4. Review The Basis and Terms of the Gospel (Romans 3:21-31) RIGHTEOUSNESS – fulfilling what God expects from us JUSTIFICATION – God’s official pronouncement that a person is Righteous REDEMPTION – Delivering someone by payment of the necessary price PROPITIATION (Mercy Seat) – A place where God can righteously show mercy GRACE – The kindness of God by which He freely blesses those who don’t deserve it FAITH – The act of transferring all hope to God, and depending upon Him alone

5. The Agreement of the Gospel with the Old Testament (Romans 4) The Purpose of Romans 4 is to show that the Gospel does not contradict the Old Testament. Romans 4 shows that the Old Testament does not claim that God’s Righteousness is attained by Law-Keeping or by Religion

6. Two Powerful Examples – Abraham and King David Abraham – God promised he would produce a great and mighty nation all the nations of the earth would be blessed through him “blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Genesis 22:17-18 NKJV) David – God promised an everlasting Kingdom “And it shall be, …that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. ...And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” (1 Chronicles 17:11-14 NKJV)

7. Example of King David – Righteous through Law-Keeping? Read Romans 4:5-8 Did King David believe that a person was righteous before God through keeping the commandments? NO! He knew he had sinned greatly, but his sins were forgiven through God’s mercy. God would not count his sins against him. What does this prove about Righteousness through Law-Keeping? Righteousness is not through Law-Keeping because Law-Breakers can be justified - God justifies the ungodly (wicked) who believe on Him (v5) How does David describe the ungodly person who is justified by faith? He is “Blessed” or happy, because He knows that his righteousness depends upon God and not upon himself.

8. Example of Abraham – Righteous through Religious Rituals? Circumcision was the sign of God’s special relationship with Abraham & his descendants. It was an important ritual of the Jews’ religion. Read Romans 4:9-12 Was Abraham counted righteous before or after he received the sign of circumcision? What does this tell us about whether righteousness comes through religious rituals? Abraham’s righteousness did not depend upon religious rituals – he was righteous because of his faith alone.

9. Abraham’s Children Read Romans 4:13-15 Could Abraham have received God’s promise if it had come through Law-Keeping? The law would have cancelled the promise because it brings about wrath. Read Romans 4:16 If God’s promise did not come through Law, on what basis did it come? On the basis of GRACE! Why did God give the promise on the basis of Grace? So that it might be sure to all Abraham’s children! Who are Abraham’s children? All who have faith like Abraham are his children and therefore heirs of God’s promise.

10. Abraham’s Faith Read Romans 4:17 What two things does the verse say about the God in whom Abraham believed? “God, who gives life to the dead,” and He creates and makes things happen with the Word of His Power – “calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” Read Romans 4:19-22 How do you think this faith in God was seen in Abraham’s life? He glorified God by believing that He was able to do what He had promised, even though it seemed impossible Do you think Abraham was righteous because he sacrificed his son to God? Abraham did NOT sacrifice his son (though he was willing to)! He was righteous because he trusted God to fulfil His promise. (v22)

11. Counted Righteous by Faith Read Romans 4:23-25 Why does the Holy Spirit give the example of Abraham being counted Righteous by Faith? So that we can have confidence before God, just like Abraham. What does v25 say was the reason for the death of our Lord Jesus? He was delivered up (as a ransom) because of offences – our sins. What does v24-25 say about the resurrection of our Lord Jesus? He was raised because of our Justification. If the Lord Jesus was delivered because of our sins and raised because of our justification, what must we do to be counted Righteous before God? Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. (Romans 4:23-25 NKJV)

12. For next time… The Practical Benefits of the Gospel (Romans 5:1-11) Try to read the passage two or three times before our next meeting Think about what the passage says about Peace with God Tribulation, or trouble God’s love Reconciliation Think carefully about your position before God Read pages 45 – 48 in Alive and Free Write down any QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK