Romans: Standing Unashamed on Solid Ground (Romans 4:1-25)

Services

Sunday - 9AM Sunday School & 10:15AM Worship Service | Wednesday - 4:45PM Fellowship Supper & Students, 5:30PM Children's Bible Study, 6PM Adult Bible Study Prayer Meeting

Apr. 12, 2026

 Pastor Scotty Jernigan
 Romans 4:1-25
 Book of Romans, The Epistles, apostle Paul, Faith
Romans chapter 4 focuses on what it truly means to believe God and how that belief should transform our everyday lives.
  • Justification Through Faith, Not Works: Paul’s teaching is that we are made right with God not through our own effort, rituals, or keeping the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Paul makes it clear that if we could earn our way to heaven, it wouldn't be grace; grace is a gift for the ungodly who trust in God.
  • The Example of Abraham: Looking back at the life of Abraham, our "father in the faith," we learn that long before the ritual of circumcision was established as a sign, the scriptures tell us that "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness". This reminds us that our standing with God is based on a personal relationship and trust, not external symbols.
  • Hoping "Against All Hope": Despite being nearly 100 years old and facing the physical impossibility of having children, Abraham remained unwavering in his faith regarding God's promise. He didn't ignore the facts of his circumstances, but he was fully persuaded that God had the power to do exactly what He promised.
  • The "Jesus Plus Nothing" Principle: We are challenged to remember that salvation is "Jesus plus nothing else". While things like baptism, church ordinances, and rules are important for our structure and obedience, they are the "wrong path" if we seek them for justification.
  • The Four Pillars of Our Faith: Four essential theological truths found in Romans:
    • Righteousness: Credited to us through faith.
    • Redemption: God buying us back from slavery.
    • Justification: God declaring us "not guilty".
    • Atonement: Jesus paying the price for our sins on the cross.
  • Belief in Action: True belief isn't just an intellectual thought—it requires action. Just as you wouldn't sit in front of a perfect steak dinner and leave without eating it, we must "dive into" our faith. If we truly believe, it will naturally spill out into how we serve, obey, and share Jesus with others throughout the week.

We invite you to carry this "unashamed faith," trusting that God is surrounding the things that are surrounding you.