“God’s Grace to Abraham and David” (Romans 4:1–8)

“God’s Grace to Abraham and David” (Romans 4:1–8)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, July 16, 2017

Romans 4:1–8 (NIV)
4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Romans 1:1–2 NIV
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

Romans 3:21 NIV
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

Romans 3:31 NIV
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

1. God does not owe anyone anything (1–5).

      a. God does not owe anyone any of the credit for their salvation—because it is all by grace through faith (1–3).

Genesis 15:6 NIV
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

      b. God does not owe anyone anything in return for their attempts at good works—because salvation is all by grace through faith (4–5).

Romans 3:25–26 NIV
25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.