Sermon Central
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Romans Chapters 4-5
Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 8, 2024 (message contributor)
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1. Introduction To Romans 4
Contributed on Mar 25, 2024
Five practical benefits of understanding Romans 4 are shared. The theme of justification by faith is contrasted with justification by works which is characteristic of false religions and cults. The grace teaching in Romans 4 is essential in evangelism and forms the foundation for Christian living.
Today we resume a study in Romans that we taught in 2019. Five years ago, we expounded Romans 1-3 verse-by-verse with 35 messages. Those are available on our YouTube channel for anyone who wants to review them.i Romans is a book that cannot by properly understood without giving detailed attention ...read more
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2. What Abraham Experienced
Contributed on Apr 1, 2024
The exposition of Romans 4:1-3 examines Abraham's justification by faith. Paul supports his position that Abraham was justified by faith (not works) using Genesis 15:6 as his text.
Intro In Romans 3:28 Paul came to this all-important conclusion: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”i In this context, to be justified means to be declared righteous before God.ii The Greek word translated justified (dikaioo) is a forensic or ...read more
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3. Imputed Righteousness
Contributed on Apr 8, 2024
Message deals with the imputation of sin to Christ on the cross, where divine justice was served, and the imputation (crediting) of Christ's righteousness to those who put their faith in him. The practical benefits of this are addressed.
Intro Have you ever read something, and when you finished, you asked yourself, “What did I just read? What did these paragraphs say?” A common reason for that is we did not know what some of the words meant, so we just skimmed over them. There is a word in our text today that is tempting to skim ...read more
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4. Hope For The Ungodly
Contributed on Apr 15, 2024
In this exposition of Romans 4:4-8, we see the logic of grace and David's testimony affirming justification by faith. This way of salvation is something the angels desire to look into and something that will bring everlasting glory to God.
Intro Follow with me as we read Romans 4:1-3: “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, ...read more
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5. Circumcision
Contributed on Apr 22, 2024
Using OT Scripture, Paul proves in Romans 4:9-12 that circumcision is not a prerequisite for justification. Justification is by faith alone. Vital principles applicable today are taught in this passage of Scripture.
Intro Romans 4 naturally divides into sections: 1. Justification is by faith, not by works (vv.1-8). 2. Justification by faith is not dependent on ritual (vv. 9-16). 3. The kind of faith that leads to justification is exemplified by Abraham (vv. 17-22). 4. Justification is available now for all ...read more
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6. Legitimate Use Of Rituals
Contributed on Apr 29, 2024
For a person to be declared righteous by God, rituals/sacraments are unnecessary. Justification is by faith alone. So, what is the value of rituals like water baptism and the Lord's Supper? Using Romans 4:11, this message seeks to answer that question.
Intro Last week we expounded Romans 4:9-12. There Paul used Abraham’s experience to prove circumcision is not a prerequisite for justification. In that study, we did not have time to talk about why God gave Abraham the rite of circumcision. If it is of no value for justification, then what is its ...read more
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7. Legalism Exposed
Contributed on May 6, 2024
This exposition of Romans 4:13-16 addresses the problem of trying to attain righteousness through good works. The law was given to expose our sinfulness and lead us to Christ for salvation. The deception of legalism is a problem that must be addressed.
Intro Our text today is Romans 4:13-16: “It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is ...read more
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8. Assurance Explained
Contributed on May 13, 2024
This exposition of Romans 4:16 celebrates the assurance of salvation by grace while encouraging believers to continue in the faith.
Intro In Romans 4, Paul uses Abraham as a model for how to be saved. He makes this statement in verse 13: “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”i The promise of being heir of the world is ...read more
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9. Authentic Versus Counterfeit Faith (Part I)
Contributed on May 20, 2024
Justification is by faith alone. But we must be sure that the faith we are operating in is the biblical faith Paul is talking about in Romans 4. The authentic faith of Abraham is described in verses 16-22. This description is examined.
Intro Jesus made an alarming statement in the Sermon on the Mount: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out ...read more
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10. Authentic Versus Counterfeit Faith (Ii)
Contributed on May 27, 2024
This message examines the qualities of saving faith as revealed in Romans 4:18-22. In this chapter, Paul uses Abraham's example to teach the kind of faith response to God that ultimately leads to eternal salvation. Hint: It is not easy believism.
Intro A major theme in Romans 4 is faith. Paul is aggressively contending for justification by faith alone. The issue we are currently addressing is the kind of faith Paul has in mind when he uses the word. We know from James 2 that some forms of faith are dead and worthless. We know from Jesus’s ...read more
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11. Faith’s Essential Content
Contributed on Jun 3, 2024
Romans 4:23-25 provides a concise statement of the Christian faith: Lordship of Christ, his sacrificial death on the cross, and his resurrection. Salvation depends on believing these essentials. Religions that proclaim Jesus as a good teacher or prophet but deny these tenets are false religions.
Intro We have been examining Abrham’s faith as a model for the kind of faith God is looking for in you and me. Abraham’s faith was a saving faith. After describing his faith, Paul says in Romans 4:22: “And therefore ‘it was accounted to him for righteousness.’” Paul has grounded his teaching on the ...read more