TITLE: Imputed for Righteousness

TEXT: Romans 4:19-25

PROPOSITION: The only way to be right before God is through "accounted as righteous."

QUESTION: How?

KEY WORD: Accountings

SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. KJV – "imputed"; NKJV – "accounted"
2. God is keeping books – Revelation 20:12
3. Picture an accountant – writing on your account – "Paid in full"
4. Parable of unjust steward – Luke 16:1-8

 

Learn from Abraham:

 

1. Not weak in faith (19)
   Faith can be weak or strong
   our goal is to be strong and growing in faith
   where is your faith right now? Strong, Growing
   
   
2. Not waver at the promise of God (20-21)
   God said it – I believe it
   Our faith wavers – Not the promises of God
   Song – Standing on the Promises of God
   
   
3. Conclusion – It was accounted to him for righteousness
   Put on his record – AS IF it were paid
   God looks at the record – "Paid in Full"
   
   
4. He was not righteous – it was just written to his account
   He did not pay the bill
   Bill for sin = death (Romans 6:23 – wages of sin is death)
   Short of death – what would it take to pay the bill?
   Pray, read, attend, study, give, worship, teach, work, serve others
   All these are good – they just come up short of full payment
   NOTE: We should do all these things BECAUSE we are righteous
   NOT to OBTAIN righteousness
   
   
5. Not just for him – this is for us – you and me, tonight (24)
   God will do the same for us who believe
   We can be like Abraham – out of debt, free and clear – imputed
   
   
6. Believe in Jesus, died for our sins, raised for our justification (25)
   Believe in the D, B. R
   Believe in imputed righteousness