Romans Chapter 4

A review of chapter 1

I Want to Share the Gospel

— The heart of the Gospel

— Encouraged by the Gospel

— The need for the Gospel

A review of chapter 2

A Warning for Those Who Know

— Knowing right but doing wrong

— Judged on what you know

— The heart is at the heart

A review of chapter 3

No Reason to Boast

— Jews have been specially blessed

— All are equally guilty

— Jesus died equally for all

THE PROMISER IS POWERFUL TO ACT

You are going to have heart surgery. You meet your heart doctor for the first time. What questions do you ask him?

PROMISES ARE TRUSTED, NOT EARNED

Romans 4:1-8

Abraham Is Exhibit #1

Read Romans 4:1-5

In Romans 3 we discover that no one is righteous, but that a righteousness from God has been revealed. This righteousness is of a sort that leaves no room for human boasting. Readers might be thinking, “But there must be something I must do to be saved.” How does Abraham’s experience answer that thought?

Romans 3:26 says that God justifies the one who has faith. in Jesus. Romans 4:5 says that faith trusts the God who justifies the wicked (verse 5). What comes first, faith or justification? Why is it so important to understand this?

Read Romans 4:6-7

Explain how verses 7 & 8 show that a salvation that depends on human action will never work.

How could you use verse 8 to help a lady who has had an abortion, has rejoiced in forgiveness, but later in life is tormented even more by the action of her youth?

THE PROMISES ARE FOR ALL

Romans 4:9-12

Timing is everything

Read Romans 4:9-12

Abraham’s faith is referred to in Romans 4:9. What promise was he trusting (see Genesis 15:6)?

Jewish readers may have thought, “OK, so maybe you’re saved by trust, but you still have to do one little physical thing to be righteous in God’s eyes: you have to be circumcised.” How does Abraham’s experience show that to be false?

Some might then wonder, “So circumcision is pointless?” What was circumcision?

Why does President Bush put his signature on new laws?

Read 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13 & Galatians 5:22-23. What seal has God put on us? When did God put it on us? What results does this seal have in our lives?

NOT INABILITY, BUT LIMITLESS ABILITY

Romans 4:13-25

God’s promises depend on one able to keep them

Read Romans 4:13-16

What’s the problem with God saying, “I’ll give you heaven if you obey my laws?”

Describe someone you know who understands something about Jesus but doesn’t know for sure whether he/she will be in heaven after death.

Read Romans 4:17-25

Give examples of how God has shown this characteristic in history, that he calls things which are not as things that are.

Agree or Disagree and Explain Abraham never doubted God’s promise that he would have a son (verse 20).

Abraham trusted the fact that God had the ability to give him a son. What fact does God invite us to trust?

Why did God raise Jesus from the dead?

The Promiser Is Powerful to Act

Promises are trusted, not earned. The promises are for all. Promises depend not on our inability but on God’s limitless ability

Passport to Rome