The Significance of Grace through Faith
Romans 4: 1-8

I. The Controversy in Works
A. Awakening to Reality (1-2)
1. Acknowledging Abraham’s Example (1) – What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2. Anticipating the Glory (2a) – For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory.
3. Avoiding God’s Judgment (2b) – But not before God.

B. Baffling the System (2-3)
1. Believing in the Bible (3) – For what saith the scripture?
2. Breaking Free from Deception – We must not be fooled into thinking that works can save us.

II. The Confirmation through Faith
A. Abiding in Scripture (3a) – For what saith the scripture?
1. Firmly Fixing Our Focus: We must anchor our faith in God’s Word.
2. Foundational Faith: Scripture is our authority, not human opinion or tradition.

B. Believing God’s Promise (3b) – Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
1. Blessed Belief: Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness because he believed God’s promise.
2. Building Blocks of Faith: Faith trusts God’s promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain.

C. Counting on Justification (4) – Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
1. Courting Conditional Salvation: Works-based justification leads to earning a reward, not salvation.

D. Distinguishing between Faith and Works (5) – But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
1. Distinguishing Deception: Faith without works is not dead, but works without faith are worthless.
2. Divine Declaration: Faith trusts God’s promise, even when we’re unable to perform works.

III. The Consecration in Grace
A. Declaring God’s Blessing (6) – Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.
1. Definitive Declaration: David describes the blessedness of those who receive righteousness as a gift from God.

B. Dealing with Guilt and Sin (7-8)
1. Forgiveness of Sins – “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.”
2. Covering of Sins – “Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
3. Cleansing from Sin – “We are made clean through the blood of Christ.”