WEEK 6: Man s Justification By Faith Romans 4-5

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1 WEEK 6: Man s Justification By Faith Romans 4-5 February 11, 2016 Therefore, since we have been made right in God s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God s glory. Romans 5:1-2 NLT We are justified by faith. In other words, we are made right with God, not based on anything we do or somehow deserve. It is a free gift made possible by the grace of God and expressed through the sacrifice of His Son in our place on the cross. Our justification simply requires that we believe in the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ as our sin substitute and Savior. We must believe that God has poured out His righteous and just wrath on Jesus, as our sinless sacrifice. In doing so, He satisfied His own justice and was able to declare us as righteous in His sight. We didn t have to earn our way into God s good graces and, the fact is, we never could have. Because even our best deeds done on our best days are nothing but filthy rags to God. So God did for us what we could not have done for ourselves. He justified us through His Son s death. Take Notes (Teaching): As you listen to today s lesson, write down anything significant that you hear. Be ready to share them with the men at your table during the discussion time Ken Miller 27 Momentum a ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church

2 Take Part (Discussion): Sometimes God has a way of speaking through others as they provide insights or different applications from the lessons. As you discuss around your table, write down anything you hear that makes an impact on you. Or if you hear another man share a struggle or concern, write it down so that you can pray for him during the week. Take Time (Prayer): Be sure and leave a few minutes for the sharing of prayer requests. Remember, keep your requests short and sweet. Don t let the details bog you down. We don t have to understand all that is going on to pray effectively Ken Miller 28 Momentum a ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church

3 HOMEWORK Homework for week 7 God s Gift of Sanctification Romans 6-7 To begin, read chapters 6-7 all the way through, being sure to mark any repetitive words or phrases. Look for anything that catches your attention or raises a question. Write them down here: What do you think Paul means when he says we are to walk in newness of life in verse 4? What would that look like for you today? In verses 5-14, Paul says that our old self was crucified with Christ. He says we are no longer slaves to sin. He tells us we are dead to sin and alive to God. He encourages us to not let sin rule or reign in our bodies. What if your natural response to these statements by Paul? How applicable do you feel them to be in your own life, and why? Look at verses In what ways do you present yourself as a slave to sin? Paul says that we have been set free from sin. But what are some specific ways that your slavery to sin shows up on a regular and recurring basis? In verses 19-23, Paul refers to our sanctification or holiness. The Greek word he uses is hagiasmos. Because we have been justified by and declared righteous before God, He is in the process of transforming us into the likeness of His Son. According to verse 22, what does Paul say the result of freedom from slavery to sin should be? 2016 Ken Miller 29 Momentum a ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church

4 Read Galatians 5: How does Paul describe our sanctification in these verses and how is it contrasted with the deeds of the flesh? In chapter seven, Paul gives us his own personal testimony regarding his experience with sin as a believer. In what ways can you relate to what he has to say? When Paul talks about the law inciting sin within you, what examples come to mind for you? Why do you think it is important that we continue to view the law of God as holy and righteous and good (Romans 7:13)? When Paul says, I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out (Romans 7:18), what do you think he means? Take a few minutes to read Romans 7: Focus your attention on the different laws to which Paul refers. When you re ready, write down beside each one what you think they are referring to: The law of God The law of my mind The law of sin 2016 Ken Miller 30 Momentum a ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church

5 WEEK 6: Man s Justification By Faith: Romans 4-5 Abraham and the Christian experience justification before God in the same way: faith in God s promise, apart from works. For Abraham, it was faith in God and the promise that he would be the father of many nations. For the Christian, it is faith in God and in the promise that Jesus death and resurrection atone for our sins, reckoning us righteous before God. C. Marvin Pate, Romans: Teaching the Text Commentary Series The main point: Man is justified by faith - The contrasting themes: Faith Works Grace Law Justification Condemnation Love Wrath Jesus Adam Eternal life Death Uncircumcision Circumcision Gentiles Jews Righteousness Sin Jesus free gift Adam s trespass - Abraham s faith was counted to him as righteousness Logizomai reckoned, credited, imputed Abraham s right standing was unearned and undeserved - How was it counted to him? o Before circumcision was commanded by God o Before the law was given by God o As a result of his faith, not his works o So he would be the father of those who believe o Those who walk in the footsteps of faith (vs 12) - What was the promise? Go from your country and your kindred and your father s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Genesis 12:1-3 ESV o It was given before the law, not because of it 2016 Ken Miller Momentum, A ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church

6 o o o It depends on faith It rests on grace It is guaranteed to all of Abraham s offspring (Gentile and Jew) - Hope against hope o That God would make him the father of many nations o Against all human hope, he believed in God o See Genesis 15:5-6 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, And to offsprings, referring to many, but referring to one, And to your offspring, who is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. Galatians 3:16-18 ESV o Jesus was the means by which the promise was fulfilled (Rom 8:29; Rev 5:9, 7:9-10 Future-focused Faith - Our faith results in our justification - But we should never lose sight of our future glorification - That is the hope of our calling (Ephesians 1:15-23) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 ESV - Ours is a future-focused faith: Things hoped for, things not seen - Even our present reality should give us hope for the future - Suffering --- endurance --- character --- hope --- no shame (Romans 8:18, 23-25) - Present reality: We have been justified Our hope: We will be saved Past condition: We were enemies, but we were reconciled Present reality: We are reconciled Our hope: We shall be saved The Free Gift - We were imputed Adam s guilt and condemnation - We inherited his sin nature and there s nothing we could do about it - But God could and did by sending His Son - It is a gift, provided by His grace, and through His Son In hope, against all human hope, Self-desperate, believe; Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to that alone; Laughs at impossibilities, And cries: It shall be done! Charles Wesley Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior Titus 1: Ken Miller Momentum, A ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church