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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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Big Idea: Many live without inner peace and deep joy because they have not discovered or don’t fully believe that God really has taken our sins away, so Paul points to Abraham to show that righteousness comes by faith, not works.

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  • Righteousness Comes by Faith- the story of Abraham.

  • Righteousness Comes Apart from Works- the story of David

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  • Righteousness Comes by Faith- the story of Abraham.
    • Abraham is the prototype of faith, showing what it means to depend on God’s promise.

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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Genesis 12:1-4

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

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Genesis 15:5-6

He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

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  • Righteousness Comes by Faith- the story of Abraham.
    • Abraham is the prototype of faith, showing what it means to depend on God’s promise.

    • Anyone who does not work for salvation, but treasures Jesus will be counted righteous before God.

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his dueAnd to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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The one who works

(v. 4)

The one who does not work (v. 5)

work

wages

due

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness

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The one who works

(v. 4)

The one who does not work (v. 5)

work

Faith

wages

gift

due

Grace//righteousness

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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Nobody can produce new evidence of your depravity that will make God change his mind. God justified you (so to speak) with his eyes open. He knew the worst about you at the time when he accepted you for Jesus’s sake; and the verdict which he passed then was, and is, final.

J.I. Packer, Knowing God, pg 273

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Works Religion

  • obey a law
  • by your own works
  • You can boast
  • God owes you
  • trust in self

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Works Religion

  • obey a law
  • by your own works
  • You can boast
  • God owes you
  • trust in self

Grace Religion

  • believe a promise
  • by God’s grace
  • no room for boasting
  • God owes you nothing
  • trust in God

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Works Religion

  • obey a law
  • by your own works
  • You can boast
  • God owes you
  • trust in self

Grace Religion

  • believe a promise
  • by God’s grace
  • no room for boasting
  • God owes you nothing
  • trust in God

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

Boasting only in Jesus

(not to impress others)

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  • Righteousness Comes by Faith- the story of Abraham.

  • Righteousness Comes Apart from Works- the story of David

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Romans 4:1-8

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 

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  • Righteousness Comes Apart from Works- the story of David
    • Sin is not primarily a crime against man. It is a crime against God.

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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  • Righteousness Comes Apart from Works- the story of David
    • Sin is not primarily a crime against man. It is a crime against God.
    • God deals with our sin:

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  • Righteousness Comes Apart from Works- the story of David
    • Sin is not primarily a crime against man. It is a crime against God.
    • God deals with our sin:
      • God deals with our sins by forgiving them

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

(separated//Lev 16)

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Psalm 103:11-12

 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

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  • Righteousness Comes Apart from Works- the story of David
    • Sin is not primarily a crime against man. It is a crime against God.
    • God deals with our sin:
      • God deals with our sins by forgiving them
      • God deals with our sins by covering them

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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  • Righteousness Comes Apart from Works- the story of David
    • Sin is not primarily a crime against man. It is a crime against God.
    • God deals with our sin:
      • God deals with our sins by forgiving them
      • God deals with our sins by covering them
      • God deals with our sins by NEVER counting them against us

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

(you ALWAYS or you NEVER)

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God deals with our sins by NEVER �counting them against us:

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God deals with our sins by NEVER �counting them against us:

  • Unfaithfulness to spouses impacting the home

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God deals with our sins by NEVER �counting them against us:

  • Unfaithfulness to spouses impacting the home
  • Immorality coldness divorce have broken apart families.

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God deals with our sins by NEVER �counting them against us:

  • Unfaithfulness to spouses impacting the home
  • Immorality coldness divorce have broken apart families.
  • Killed our own babies through abortion

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God deals with our sins by NEVER �counting them against us:

  • Unfaithfulness to spouses impacting the home
  • Immorality coldness divorce have broken apart families.
  • Killed our own babies through abortion
  • Adultery/sexual sins w/same or opposite sex

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God deals with our sins by NEVER �counting them against us:

  • Unfaithfulness to spouses impacting the home
  • Immorality coldness divorce have broken apart families.
  • Killed our own babies through abortion
  • Adultery/sexual sins w/same or opposite sex
  • Stolen things or defrauded people or slandered people

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God deals with our sins by NEVER �counting them against us:

  • Unfaithfulness to spouses impacting the home
  • Immorality coldness divorce have broken apart families.
  • Killed our own babies through abortion
  • Adultery/sexual sins w/same or opposite sex
  • Stolen things or defrauded people or slandered people
  • Fear/anxiety riddle our bodies and minds day and night

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God deals with our sins by NEVER �counting them against us:

  • Unfaithfulness to spouses impacting the home
  • Immorality coldness divorce have broken apart families.
  • Killed our own babies through abortion
  • Adultery/sexual sins w/same or opposite sex
  • Stolen things or defrauded people or slandered people
  • Fear/anxiety riddle our bodies and minds day and night
  • Hurt the poor or looked down on minorities/immigrants

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God deals with our sins by NEVER �counting them against us:

  • Unfaithfulness to spouses impacting the home
  • Immorality coldness divorce have broken apart families.
  • Killed our own babies through abortion
  • Adultery/sexual sins w/same or opposite sex
  • Stolen things or defrauded people or slandered people
  • Fear/anxiety riddle our bodies and minds day and night
  • Hurt the poor or looked down on minorities/immigrants
  • Anger and hatred fills our hearts and forgiveness is far.

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God deals with our sins by NEVER �counting them against us:

  • Unfaithfulness to spouses impacting the home
  • Immorality coldness divorce have broken apart families.
  • Killed our own babies through abortion
  • Adultery/sexual sins w/same or opposite sex
  • Stolen things or defrauded people or slandered people
  • Fear/anxiety riddle our bodies and minds day and night
  • Hurt the poor or looked down on minorities/immigrants
  • Anger and hatred fills our hearts and forgiveness is far.
  • Worshiped idols of property, money, houses and cars

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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  • Righteousness Comes Apart from Works- the story of David
    • Sin is not primarily a crime against man. It is a crime against God.
    • God deals with our sin.

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  • Righteousness Comes Apart from Works- the story of David
    • Sin is not primarily a crime against man. It is a crime against God.
    • God deals with our sin.
    • God counting our righteousness apart from works is the highest, greatest, deepest joy in life.

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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Romans 4:1-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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God counting our righteousness apart from works is the highest, greatest, deepest joy in life.

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God counting our righteousness apart from works is the highest, greatest, deepest joy in life.

  • To be known, loved, forgiven, included, and encouraged

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God counting our righteousness apart from works is the highest, greatest, deepest joy in life.

  • To be known, loved, forgiven, included, and encouraged

  • To be a part of an eternally significant purpose and community

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God counting our righteousness apart from works is the highest, greatest, deepest joy in life.

  • To be known, loved, forgiven, included, and encouraged

  • To be a part of an eternally significant purpose and community

  • To find eternal significance and security

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God counting our righteousness apart from works is the highest, greatest, deepest joy in life.

  • To be known, loved, forgiven, included, and encouraged

  • To be a part of an eternally significant purpose and community

  • To find eternal significance and security

  • To anchor in and live in joy and peace

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MONDAY MATTERS

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MONDAY MATTERS

  • Assess your current attitude toward sin in your life. Boasting?

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MONDAY MATTERS

  • Assess your current attitude toward sin in your life. Boasting?
  • Pray that God would help you get rid of any unholy complacency or pride toward it.

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MONDAY MATTERS

  • Assess your current attitude toward sin in your life. Boasting?
  • Pray that God would help you get rid of any unholy complacency or pride toward it.
  • Seek guidance about how best to confront it, not in perfect faith, but faith in a perfect God.

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MONDAY MATTERS

  • Assess your current attitude toward sin in your life. Boasting?
  • Pray that God would help you get rid of any unholy complacency or pride toward it.
  • Seek guidance about how best to confront it, not in perfect faith, but faith in a perfect God.
  • Live in more freedom and joy by treasuring Jesus more than anything else.

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MONDAY MATTERS

  • Assess your current attitude toward sin in your life. Boasting?
  • Pray that God would help you get rid of any unholy complacency or pride toward it.
  • Seek guidance about how best to confront it, not in perfect faith, but faith in a perfect God.
  • Live in more freedom and joy by treasuring Jesus more than anything else.
  • Help others see the magnitude of forgiveness and embrace and enjoy it forever. There is nothing better!

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