Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:1-25), continued

• Romans 4:18-25 – Abraham believed God would bring life to a dead womb (Sarah and Issac). We believe God brought life to a dead tomb (Jesus). We share the type of faith Abraham had. Compare Hebrews 11:8-19.

God helped the helpless (Romans 5:1-11)

• Romans 5:1 – Paul now begins to focus on people under the New Covenant. We are “justified by faith” when we have the same kind of faith that Abraham had.
• Romans 5:2 – Jesus has given us access to the grace of God. We rejoice in that grace because we now have hope.
• Romans 5:3-5 – Even tribulations don’t get us down, because we recognize them as opportunities for growth and maturation.
• Romans 5:6-8 – A righteous person is one who will abide by the law exactly. A good person goes beyond and shows mercy and compassion. Christ died for us while we were enemies with God.
• Romans 5:9-11 – We have no power to reconcile ourselves to God. God made it possible through Christ. See II Corinthians 5:18-21, 15.

Adam vs. Jesus (Romans 5:12-19)

• Romans 5:12 – Adam ate the forbidden fruit and sin entered the world. This section draws a parallel between Adam and Jesus. This spiritual death spread to all because all sinned.
• Romans 5:15-16 – What Adam did led to condemnation. What Jesus did led to justification. Note that if all died because of Adam’s sin, then all were saved by Jesus, but clearly the Bible does not teach this.

Introduction

• The mark of a great man is what he does and who he is.

Paul could change when he learned he was wrong.

• He went from persecuting Christians to teaching Christ all over the world.

Paul could feel sorrow for sin.

• Acts 22:20
• Acts 8:4
• I Timothy 1:12-13
• II Corinthians 7:10

He was humble yet had self-respect.

• I Corinthians 9:27
• Acts 16 – He demanded that the authorities come and release him when they learned they had imprisoned him illegally.

He was able to compare values and choose the best.

He never looked back.

He had purpose in life.

• Philippians 3:13
• He wasn’t just shadowboxing. He was fighting the enemy.
• His purpose was serving the Lord.

He had faith in the outcome.

• II Timothy 4:6-8

Conclusion

• These characteristics made Paul great and will make any man or woman great.

Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:1-25)

• Romans 4:2 – Compare Romans 3:20, 28. None of us can be saved on the basis of law-keeping.

• Romans 4:4 – In a physical job, the employer owes the employee his wages – it is not a gift. It is not that way with God and salvation. Salvation is a gift from God. Regardless of how many good deeds we have done, none of them can make up for our sins. “Words” here is about being perfect.

• Romans 4:1-8 – If a person never sinned, he would be righteous by works. If he sinned and God forgave him because of the man’s faith, he would be righteous by grace (through faith). Abraham fell in the latter category, as do all of us.

• Romans 4:3 – “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

  • Scripture records this statement on three occasions:

    • Genesis 15:6 – When God said Abraham would have an heir.

    • Genesis 17:16; 21:5; Romans 4:18-22 – When God said Sarah would be the mother.

    • Genesis 22:10; James 2:21-24 – When Abraham was willing to offer Isaac.

  • Abraham had a long record of obedient faith even before Genesis 15:6.

    • Genesis 11:31; Acts 7:2-4 – Abraham and family moved from Ur to Haran.

    • Genesis 12:1, 4 – Abraham traveled from Haran to Canaan.

    • Genesis 12:7 – He built an altar to God after God’s promise.

    • Genesis 12:8 – He again built an altar.

    • Genesis 13:4 – He called upon the name of the Lord.

    • Genesis 13:6-12 – Abraham made peace with Lot.

    • Genesis 13:14-18 – Abraham built another altar after God renewed His promises.

    • Genesis 14:18-20 – Abraham met Melchizedek and gave him a tenth of all.

• Romans 4:6-8 – Even Abraham sinned (Genesis 12:13). He, like us, was justified by faith instead of perfect works.

• Romans 4:9-13 – Abraham’s faith was credited to him before he was circumcised. The Jews prided themselves on circumcision, but Paul brought up this fact that they may have never thought about.

• Romans 4:14-17 – Law systems, such as the Law of Moses, bring about wrath because no one perfectly obeys the laws. What we need is a system of faith and grace.