Abraham's Example of Faith

This is the outline I preached from last Sunday. Amazingly, without planning it to come off this way, it became a sequal to last weeks sermon. It seems I have a little mini-series developing here! Any way, here it is:

1. Intro:
1. Greeting
2. Recap of Last Week:
1. We saw Paul's example of righteous waiting.
1. He Waited
2. He Got Distressed
3. He Acted
3. Today we'll be looking at Romans 4:19-21, and Abraham's example of faith.
2. Scripture: Romans 4:19-21 (18-22 for context)
3. Pray
4. Point 1: Face the Facts (vs 19)
1. Explain the context of the verses pertaining to the book verses the context of this story.
2. Context: Abraham was promised offspring as numerous as the stars. He was already very old and Sarah was considered barren.
3. Application:
1. We are like Abraham spiritually; dead.
2. We are as good as dead because of sin.
3. We need to recognize that without God, we're worthless.
4. We need to face the facts of our human state of being.
4. Illustration: Missions week @ Bethany 1st semester was a flop but 2nd semester was a huge success because I recognized I couldn't do it; it had to be God doing it all.
5. Point 2: Don't Waver (1st part of verse 20)
1. Explain Waver
2. Context: Abraham could have hesitated and not believed what God told him. He could've given up because of his age and walked away from the promise of God. Instead he was strengthened in his faith.
3. Application: We need to stand and act in confidence in what God is having us do, in where he is having us go. We cannot doubt or "waver."
4. Illustration: How many times does scripture tell us to not doubt, to have courage, or stand firm when we need to do something? If we doubt or waver it just makes things worse for us. (James 1:5-8).
6. Point 3: Give Glory to God (last part of 20 & 21)
1. Context: Despite Abraham's physical circumstances, Abraham believed God was going to follow through on His promise and gave God glory for it. Unfortunately, he had to be persuaded to believe this. Remember Hagar & Ishmael?
2. Application: We've seen many examples about God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. We need to stay constantly persuaded and give glory to God because He will do what He promises.
3. Illustration: How many of us have experienced God's promises being fulfilled? What about beyond the examples in the Bible? Most believers can share personal examples. Ways from our own lives that God has provided and fulfilled His promises. There's been a number of times God's provided for me just when I needed it most, especially financially! In fact when I learned I needed to preach and speak at churches to raise my finances for my trip, God provided that ability!
7. Conclusion: We need to follow Abraham's example of Faith.
1. We need to face the facts of our humanity and thus our own inability.
2. We need to not waver or doubt God's abilities but instead believe more fully on Him.
3. We need to give glory to God because we know He has the power to do what He promises.