| I. The Introductory Question |
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VERSE 4:9 |
| A. The Question: |
Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? |
(9a) |
| B. The Subject: |
For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” |
(9b) |
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| II. Circumcision Was Not a Factor |
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VERSES 4:10-12 |
| A. The Questions: |
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| 1. First: |
How then was it credited? |
(10a) |
| 2. Second: |
While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? |
(10b) |
| B. The Answer: |
Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; |
(10c) |
| C. The Explanation: |
XXX |
(xxx) |
| 1. The Gift: |
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| a. A Sign: |
and he received the sign of circumcision, |
(11a) |
| b. A Seal: |
a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, |
(11b) |
| 2. Its Purpose: |
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| a. For the Gentiles: |
so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, |
(11c) |
| b. For the Jews: |
and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. |
(12) |
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| III. The Law Was Not a Factor |
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VERSES 4:13-15 |
| A. The Statement: |
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| 1. The Subject: |
For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world |
(13a) |
| 2. The Predicate: |
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| a. Negatively: |
was not through the Law, |
(13b) |
| b. Positively: |
but through the righteousness of faith. |
(13c) |
| B. The Explanation: |
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| 1. The Supposition: |
For if those who are of the Law are heirs, |
(14a) |
| 2. The Results: |
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| a. Concerning Faith: |
faith is made void |
(14b) |
| b. Concerning the Promise: |
and the promise is nullified; |
(14c) |
| 3. The Reasons: |
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| a. With the Law: |
for the Law brings about wrath, |
(15a) |
| b. Without the Law: |
but where there is no law, there also is no violation. |
(15b) |
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| IV. Faith Is the Only Factor |
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VERSES 4:16-25 |
| A. The Statement About Faith: |
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| 1. The Assertion: |
For this reason it is by faith, |
(16a) |
| 2. The Reason: |
in order that it may be in accordance with grace, |
(16b) |
| 3. The Result: |
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| a. Generally: |
so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, |
(16c) |
| b. Specifically: |
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| (1) Jews: |
not only to those who are of the Law, |
(16d) |
| (2) Gentiles: |
but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, |
(16e) |
| B. The Person of Faith, Abraham: |
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| 1. His Position: |
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| a. The Statement: |
who is the father of us all, |
(16f) |
| b. The Scripture: |
(as it is written, “A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU”) (Genesis 17:5) |
(17a) |
| 2. His God: |
in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. |
(17b) |
| 3. His Faith: |
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| a. The Action: |
In hope against hope he believed, |
(18a) |
| b. The Results: |
so that he might become a father of many nations |
(18b) |
| c. The Promise: |
according to that which had been spoken,
“SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” (Genesis 15:5) |
(18c) |
| C. The Process of his faith: (He knew…) |
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| 1. The Circumstances: |
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| a. Himself: |
Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, |
(19a) |
| b. Sarah: |
and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; |
(19b) |
| 2. The Promise of God: |
yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, |
(20) |
| 3. The Character of God: |
and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. |
(21) |
| 4. The Justification by God: |
Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Genesis 16:6) |
(xxx) |
| D. The Application of His Faith: |
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| 1. For Abraham: |
Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, |
(23) |
| 2. For Us: |
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| a. The People of Faith: |
but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe |
(24a) |
| b. The God of Our Faith: |
in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, |
(24b) |
| c. The Savior of Our Faith: |
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| (1) His Death: |
He who was delivered over because of our transgressions |
(25a) |
| (2) His Resurrection: |
and was raised because of our justification. |
(25b) |