Justified: Just Like Abraham (Romans 4:1-3)

After articulating his gospel centering on a righteousness from God through justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone, Paul points us to Abraham as proof.

I. Abraham was a sinner like us, yet counted as righteous by God
II. Justification by faith saved Abraham from his past (the flesh).
III. Justification by faith secured Abraham’s future (his works can’t undo God’s declaration).
IV. So should it be for you, only believe God, and be justified.

Theology Matters (Romans 3:27-31)

In Romans 3:21-26, Paul shared that justification by faith alone is received by us freely by God's grace alone, accomplished entirely on account of the redemption which is in Jesus Christ, as God set Jesus forth as a propitiation, God was vindicated: just and a justified, and worthy of our worship! In Romans 3:27-31, Paul follows the world's greatest paragraph by demonstrating how our theology matters to how we consider ourselves, others, and God and his law.

The Vindication of God (Romans 3:25-26)

In v25-26, Paul continues to explain what “justification” is.  Justification puts God in an awkward, apparent tension of being unjust in which God can only be vindicated if Jesus was, in fact, offered as a propitiation sacrifice. A vindicated God is a God who is worthy of our worship and our full devotion.

1. Justification is received by faith alone.
2. But this does not answer God’s personal anger/wrath against sin.
3. Unless Jesus functioned as a propitiatory sacrifice
4. Then God is both just and justifier of the one who has faith.

The Cost of Justification (Romans 3:24b)

Paul continues to explain what “justification” is, and what it costs, and what are the implications for believers in Jesus of living in freedom.

1. Justification is founded upon a redemption which is free for all believers.
2. Justification was paid for by the immeasurably valuable two halves of redemption:
   a.Jesus’ passive obedience
   b.Jesus’ active obedience
3. Justification and Freedom

Justified by God’s Amazing Grace (Romans 3:24)

In Romans 3:24, Paul shares that justification by faith alone is by God's grace alone. It is not a cooperation of man with God's grace, but justification is an act whereby God declares sinners righteous and forgives their sin on account of Christ's redeeming work imputed to them.

‘But Now’-The Most Wonderful Words (Romans 3:21-23)

In Romans 3:21-23, Paul begins to share the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ alone. We see that with the gospel comes the central event in human history where a new era begins to overlap with the old era.

An Accountable World (Romans 3:9-20)

We must make clear that by the works of the law, the world will not be justified, but will be held accountable:

1. Accountable for being under sin’s dominion (9-10a).
2. Accountable for practice of sin in thoughts/words/action (10b-18).
3. Accountable in knowing silence (19-20).

How to Become a Fool (Romans 1:18-32)

The sermon is from Paul’s Letter to the Romans 1:18​-32 focusing on the wrath of God seen in the folly of our thinking. In sin, we refuse to worship and give thanks to God but exchange Him for created things and God hands us over to pursue all manner of ungodly practices, including homosexuality. To miss these truths is to completely lose the amazingness of God’s grace.

The Foolishness, Darkness, & Poverty of ‘God-Making’ (Romans 1:21-23)

In Romans, so far, Paul has introduced the saving gospel as by Sola Fide, now he begins to explain the urgency of believing the gospel -- despite all mankind knowing God, they suppress his truth, and God's wrath is revealed upon all nations in their grossest sin:  God-making.

The Wrath of God (Romans 1:18-20)

Big Point:  In v16-17, Paul has introduced the saving gospel as by Sola Fide, now he begins to explain the urgency of knowing the gospel—because of the wrath of God and three reasons why the wrath of God is righteous/just.

1. God’s Wrath is just because of SIN-people commit ungodly and unrighteous acts.
2. God’s Wrath is just because God of the SUFFICIENCY of his revelation-He has given sufficient knowledge of himself to those who commit ungodly and unrighteous acts.
3. God’s Wrath is just because when all people SUPPRESS his truth.Suppression of God’s truth is sin against him, and all who suppress his truth are without excuse and under His wrath.