Sermon Notes
Date: 05/21/2023
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Romans
Key Text: Romans 4:1-12
Description:
If there was ever any counterargument to the doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone, the Jews need only point to their forefather Abraham. After all, he was the first and great patriarch. He was even recognized as the “friend of God.” If anybody had a resume of “works” to gain justification, he did.
But, he didn’t.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and shows us how Paul masterfully reminds the reader that the justification God provides has nothing to do with what what Abraham did, or what we do, for God. It’s about what GOD DID for Abraham… and what GOD DOES for us.
Abraham did not achieved justification by working to please God, but by believing God. It was God’s grace through Abraham’s faith that brought about his righteous state… and God purposely did all this, while Abraham was still [gasp!] uncircumcised.
Listen to Sermon Podcast
Download Sermon Podcast (right click)
Questions:
The following are questions to help you think about the sermon, as well as offer a set of discussion questions for family worship, or gathering together in other settings. My prayer is that these questions will allow you to dwell longer, and meditate more, upon God’s holy Word and will be fodder for sanctifying conversations. — M.S.
-
Why does the doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone seem to go “against the grain” of mankind?
-
What part do our works play in justification?
-
How is sin the great equalizer of the human race?
-
Romans chapter 4 has been called “Apologetic Theology,” what does that mean and why is it spoken of in that way?
-
Why was the life of Abraham such an excellent way to argue Paul’s point? What were the prevailing ways Jews thought about Abraham in the first century?
-
The Jews were proud of their forefather Abraham, but of what could Abraham be proud? (4:2-3)
-
What was Abraham’s spiritual condition when he put his faith in God? (4:5; also Josh. 24:2-3)
-
How are faith and righteousness related? (3:22; 4:3, 5)
-
Paul quotes David in 4:6-8 to substantiate his argument. What is Paul’s point in 4:1-8, and why is David a particularly strong witness?
-
What was Abraham’s physical condition when he put his faith in God? (4:9-10)
-
Why does Paul call attention to the fact that Abraham was uncircumcised at the time he was justified? (4:11-12)
Scandia Bible Church 