Justification by Faith: Abraham's Example and Christ's Resurrection

 

Summary

In our study of Romans 4:22-25, we delve into the profound doctrine of justification by faith, using Abraham as a pivotal example. Abraham's faith was not just a belief in God but a trust in God's specific promises, particularly the promise of a seed through whom all nations would be blessed. This faith was credited to him as righteousness, illustrating the principle that justification comes through faith, not works. This is not merely a historical account but a timeless truth applicable to all who believe in God, who raised Jesus from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus is central to our faith, as it is God's declaration that the work of Christ on the cross was sufficient for our justification.

The resurrection is not just a miraculous event but a divine proclamation that Jesus is the Son of God, and through His death and resurrection, our sins are atoned for. This faith that justifies is a faith that believes in the resurrection as God's ultimate statement of satisfaction with Christ's atoning work. It is a faith that acknowledges Jesus as Lord and trusts in His righteousness alone for salvation. This faith is not based on our merit or works but solely on the finished work of Christ.

Abraham's faith serves as a model for us. Despite his and Sarah's physical inability to have a child, he believed God's promise. Similarly, justifying faith believes God's word about Christ, despite our awareness of our sinfulness and unworthiness. It is a faith that looks away from self and rests entirely on Christ's righteousness. This faith gives us boldness to approach God, knowing we are clothed in Christ's righteousness and fully accepted by Him.

Key Takeaways:

- Justification by faith is a central tenet of Christianity, exemplified by Abraham, whose faith was credited as righteousness. This faith is not about works but trusting in God's promises, particularly the promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. [02:35]

- The resurrection of Jesus is God's declaration of satisfaction with Christ's atoning work. It is essential to believe in the literal resurrection, as it confirms Jesus as the Son of God and the sufficiency of His sacrifice for our sins. [15:25]

- True Christian faith is not a general belief in God but a specific trust in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. This faith acknowledges Jesus as Lord and rests on His righteousness alone for salvation. [13:22]

- Like Abraham, justifying faith believes God's promises despite our awareness of personal sinfulness. It looks away from self and rests entirely on Christ's righteousness, giving us boldness to approach God. [41:41]

- The resurrection is a proclamation of our justification, affirming that God is fully satisfied with Christ's work. This faith gives us confidence to face judgment, knowing we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. [30:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Romans 4:22-25
- [01:05] - The Nature of Faith
- [02:13] - Justification by Faith Illustrated in Abraham
- [03:26] - Abraham: The First Example of Justification by Faith
- [04:05] - The Comprehensiveness of Christianity
- [05:14] - Faith Beyond Abraham
- [06:41] - God's Method of Justification
- [07:35] - The Essence of Christianity
- [08:40] - Faith That Glorifies God
- [10:48] - The Trinity in Faith
- [12:36] - Faith in the Resurrection
- [15:25] - The Importance of the Resurrection
- [17:31] - The Declaration of the Resurrection
- [20:37] - Delivered for Our Offenses
- [27:58] - Raised for Our Justification
- [30:05] - The Proclamation of Justification
- [33:21] - The Gifts of the Resurrection
- [36:25] - The Declaration of Justification by Faith
- [39:52] - The Assurance of Justifying Faith
- [44:18] - Faith Beyond Personal Sinfulness
- [46:11] - Confidence in the Resurrection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 4:22-25
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
- Isaiah 53:5-6

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 4:22-25 say about how Abraham's faith was credited to him? How does this relate to the concept of justification by faith? [02:35]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus in the context of our justification? [30:05]

3. How does the sermon describe the nature of Abraham's faith, especially in light of his and Sarah's physical inability to have a child? [41:41]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between faith and works in the context of justification? [06:41]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the resurrection of Jesus serve as a divine proclamation of our justification, according to the sermon? What implications does this have for our understanding of salvation? [30:05]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Abraham's faith serves as a model for believers today? How can this model be applied to our own faith journey? [41:41]

3. The sermon emphasizes that true Christian faith is not a general belief in God but a specific trust in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. How does this distinction affect the way we understand and live out our faith? [13:22]

4. What does the sermon imply about the role of personal merit or works in the process of justification? How does this align with the teachings of Romans 4:22-25? [06:41]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust in God's promises due to your circumstances. How can Abraham's example of faith inspire you to trust God more fully in similar situations? [41:41]

2. The sermon highlights the importance of believing in the literal resurrection of Jesus. How does this belief shape your daily life and interactions with others? [15:25]

3. Consider the idea that justification by faith means looking away from oneself and resting entirely on Christ's righteousness. How can you practice this in your spiritual life, especially when you feel unworthy? [41:41]

4. How can the understanding that the resurrection is a proclamation of our justification give you confidence in facing life's challenges and uncertainties? [30:05]

5. The sermon suggests that true Christian faith acknowledges Jesus as Lord and rests on His righteousness alone for salvation. How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus to reflect this truth more fully? [13:22]

6. In what ways can you share the message of justification by faith with someone who may not understand or believe it? What specific steps can you take to engage in such conversations? [06:41]

7. Reflect on the assurance that comes from knowing you are clothed in Christ's righteousness. How can this assurance impact your approach to prayer and worship? [41:41]

Devotional

Day 1: Justification by Faith, Not Works
Abraham's story in Romans 4:22-25 illustrates the profound truth that justification comes through faith, not works. Abraham's faith was not merely a belief in God but a deep trust in God's specific promises, particularly the promise of a seed through whom all nations would be blessed. This faith was credited to him as righteousness, demonstrating that justification is a gift from God, not something earned by human effort. This principle is timeless and applies to all who believe in God, who raised Jesus from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus is central to our faith, as it is God's declaration that the work of Christ on the cross was sufficient for our justification. [02:35]

"For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.' Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." (Romans 4:3-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own efforts rather than trusting in God's promises? How can you shift your focus to faith in God's work through Christ today?


Day 2: The Resurrection as God's Declaration
The resurrection of Jesus is not just a miraculous event but a divine proclamation that Jesus is the Son of God. Through His death and resurrection, our sins are atoned for, and this faith that justifies is a faith that believes in the resurrection as God's ultimate statement of satisfaction with Christ's atoning work. It is essential to believe in the literal resurrection, as it confirms Jesus as the Son of God and the sufficiency of His sacrifice for our sins. This faith acknowledges Jesus as Lord and trusts in His righteousness alone for salvation. [15:25]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection impact your daily life and faith? What steps can you take to live more fully in the light of this truth today?


Day 3: Faith in the God Who Raises the Dead
True Christian faith is not a general belief in God but a specific trust in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. This faith acknowledges Jesus as Lord and rests on His righteousness alone for salvation. It is a faith that looks away from self and rests entirely on Christ's righteousness, giving us boldness to approach God. Like Abraham, justifying faith believes God's promises despite our awareness of personal sinfulness. [13:22]

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back." (Hebrews 11:17-19, ESV)

Reflection: What specific promise of God do you need to trust in today, despite your circumstances or feelings of unworthiness? How can you actively place your trust in God's power and faithfulness?


Day 4: Boldness Through Christ's Righteousness
Abraham's faith serves as a model for us. Despite his and Sarah's physical inability to have a child, he believed God's promise. Similarly, justifying faith believes God's word about Christ, despite our awareness of our sinfulness and unworthiness. It is a faith that looks away from self and rests entirely on Christ's righteousness. This faith gives us boldness to approach God, knowing we are clothed in Christ's righteousness and fully accepted by Him. [41:41]

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you approach God with boldness today, knowing you are clothed in Christ's righteousness? How can this confidence change the way you pray and interact with God?


Day 5: The Resurrection as a Proclamation of Justification
The resurrection is a proclamation of our justification, affirming that God is fully satisfied with Christ's work. This faith gives us confidence to face judgment, knowing we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. The resurrection assures us that our sins are forgiven and that we have been made right with God. It is a powerful declaration of God's love and grace, inviting us to live in the freedom and joy of being justified by faith. [30:05]

"Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of your justification through the resurrection influence your perspective on life's challenges and your future? What practical steps can you take to live in the freedom and joy of this truth today?

Quotes


And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our lord from the dead who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification. [00:00:22]

The whole of this Christian Life is a life of faith we walk by faith and not by sight it's Faith from beginning to end and therefore it is very important that we should be clear as to the real nature of faith and we've considered that both positively and negatively in the terms which the Apostle uses. [00:01:32]

Abraham is the first person in whom this great doctrine of justification by faith is first declared and emphasized in an explicit Manner and we've seen already in the earlier parts of the chapter the significance of realizing that now then having dealt with that the Apostle goes on in verses 23 to 2 I to say one of the most important things that any human being can ever consider and ever face. [00:03:13]

This Faith about which he's speaking is a faith in God and as he has indicated in the case of Abraham it is always a faith that glorifies God it is a faith that believes his word that is how we glor if y God we saw by believing his word taking it absolutely because it is God's word in spite of everything else and apart from everything else and submitting ourselves utterly and entirely to it and to him. [00:09:14]

Christianity this justifying faith is a faith that believes in God in particular in terms of the fact that he raised up the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead now then this is a particular Faith what he means is this that God has said something special and peculiar in the resurrection now we remember that Abraham was justified in this way God made a statement to Abram. [00:13:19]

The fact of the Resurrection is basic and Central and vital to Christianity it's not a matter that we can even allow to be discussed it is crucial the Apostle puts it here at the very center you remember how in the 10th chapter of this Mighty epistle he RAR says the same thing again he says here that if Thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God have raised him from the dead Thou shalt be saved. [00:16:26]

The resurrection is the proclamation of the fact that God is fully and completely satisfied with the work that his son did upon the cross you remember how our Lord at the end said it is finished and he knew that it was finished and the people heard him saying it is finished yes but he died and his body was put in a grave so they said to one another it is finished by which they meant at that point it was the end. [00:29:14]

God in raising him from the dead is making this tremendous Proclamation that the son has borne the full punishment of our sins that he is fully satisfied that his law is fully and completely satisfied if he had not raised him from the grave we could draw no other conclusion than this that he was not able to Bear the punishment of the guilt of our sins that it was too much even for him. [00:30:05]

The resurrection declares that and it is in that sense that he is risen again for our justification it's there we see it so clearly the work was done on the cross but here is the proclamation that it's enough furthermore it declares this that our Lord having risen from the dead and having appeared for 40 days to chosen Witnesses ascended into heaven or as it's put in Hebrews chapter 4 in verses 14 15 and 16 he has passed through the heavens and has entered into the holiest of all. [00:31:02]

The Christian is a man who looks only and enti to the righteousness of Jesus Christ his whole righteousness is in Christ Christian faith is a faith that looks only to the Lord Jesus Christ and to nothing and to nobody else that's the first thing but let me emphasize it by putting it like this the Christian is a men like Abram of old who believes this word of God in spite of everything that he knows to be true about himself. [00:40:25]

What's justifying faith it's this it is the faith that believes What God Says in Christ in spite of all I know about my past sins in spite of all I know about my present sinfulness in spite of the fact that I know that I've still got an evil nature within me that I can say with Paul in me that is to say in my flesh dwelleth no good thing it is something that believes the word of God in spite of it. [00:41:41]

Faith is this protest against every Vice that assails us within and from hell it stands with Paul in chapter 8 and says who shall bring anything to the charge of God's elect it is God that justifi who is he that condemneth in the light of that there's no one there's nothing that is it it is in spite I say what we know about ourselves so my dear friend stop talking about your past sins stop talking about your present sinfulness in this matter of justification you mustn't mention them. [00:43:52]

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Transcript
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