Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Romans 4:1
In Romans 1-3, Paul addressed the fate of heathens, hypocrites, and humanity. But Romans 4 is a passage for those who believe it’s time for some good news, which is grace.
Adrian Rogers says, “Grace is the unmerited favor and kindness of God shown to one who does not deserve it and can never earn it. You will be saved by grace, or you won’t be saved at all.”
This grace is the good news that Abraham discovered: “What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God” (Romans 4:1-2).
Abraham was the first of the Jewish race, the father of Israel. If anyone could behave himself into Heaven, it would be Abraham. But the Bible argues that Abraham himself knew that God’s grace is what saved him, not his works: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).
Because Abraham believed God, he respected God’s glory and received God’s gift of righteousness.
This grace is also the good news that David described: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin” (Romans 4:7-8).
If Abraham would be considered the greatest of saints, David would be the greatest of sinners. David had committed adultery and then murder as a means of covering up his sins. But God brought him to a place of repentance; David learned that through God’s grace, his iniquity was forgiven, his sins were covered, and God would not charge him for his sin.
Adrian Rogers says, “God does not overlook sin, God Himself pays the price of that sin; that’s what Jesus did on that cross.”
Finally, this grace is the good news that Paul disclosed.
What Abraham discovered and David described is what the Apostle Paul proclaimed to everyone, the Jews and the Gentiles. He confirmed that this grace doesn’t come by ritual; rather it is received by God alone, upon salvation, as we receive His Holy Spirit.
Apply it to your life
Have you experienced God’s amazing grace in your own life? Remember, Adrian Rogers says, “Faith believes God, not for what God has done, but for who God is.”
