The Apostle Paul has been teachingteaching that God declares people righteousrighteous

based on faithfaith, not worksnot works.

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Two examplesTwo examples

The man after God's own heart,

DavidDavid.

AbrahamAbraham, the father of all the Jews

Romans 4 1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the Scripture? (Gen 15:6) Abraham believed God, and it was countedcounted unto him for righteousness.

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Some want us to be counted righteousrighteous because of our worksour works;

They thinkthink it gives them bragging rights.

But even Father Abraham was countedcounted righteous by his faith and notand not by his works.

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Abe lovedloved the Lord, but he didn'tdidn't live a perfect life.

We know that he liedhe lied on some occasions.

He doubteddoubted that God would give him a son through his wife Saraiwife Sarai.

He lay withlay with his wife's handmaiden.

Just like us, Abraham neededneeded grace and mercy.

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He could not benot be righteous in his own works.

He had to be countedcounted righteous.

His faithfaith had to be counted for righteousnessfor righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

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If we could earncould earn our relationship with God, He would owe usowe us for our work.

When you workwork all month on your jobyour job, are your wages by the graceby the grace of your employer?

If our salvationsalvation or any part of our relationship with God could be earnedcould be earned,

GraceGrace and MercyMercy would not be needed.

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But as we saw this morning in 3:10

"There is none righteous, no, not one."If we needneed grace and mercy, and we have

receivedreceived grace and mercy,

We must grantgrant grace and mercy to other folks.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

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Ephesians 2 8-10 For by graceby grace are ye saved through through faithfaith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of gift of GodGod: Not of worksNot of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good worksunto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in themwe should walk in them.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

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But it is just as truejust as true of us today.

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1 15 Adultery Sin. sin

November

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16 Told a lie Sin. sin3 17 Held a grudge Sin. sin

Faith

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circum-cision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned (counted) to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

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Did God count Abe's faith for righteousness before he was circumcised or after?

BeforeBefore!!

Genesis 15 1-3 After these things the Word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt Thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me Thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

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4 And, behold, the Word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward Heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.

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In chapter 16 Sarai convinced Abe to have a son with Hagar.

Genesis 17 24 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

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Abe's faith was counted unto him for righteousness many years beforemany years before he was circumcised.

Therefore he is the father of allfather of all who put our faith in Godfaith in God through our

Savior and Lord Savior and Lord Jesus ChristJesus Christ..

John 3 16-18 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.

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Jesus Christ, The Son of God

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Everyone who will place his trustplace his trust and hopehope in Jesus Christ, the Son of GodJesus Christ, the Son of God

Will be savedWill be saved from sin and from hell.

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If you have notnot been saved; if you have nothave not received The LordThe Lord into your heart;

He loves you and wants to save yousave you from sin and from hell.

Wednesday night will be our annual

Thanksgiving ServiceThanksgiving Service.

17November 21, 2010

Plan to give a thanksgiving testimonythanksgiving testimony for the good thingsgood things God has done in your life.

The children are planning something special for that night also.