Abraham’s example of faith
Factor #1 -- a Dream 
Genesis 12:1-3--(God said) I will make you into a great nation…
Factor #2 -- Decision 
Genesis 12:4--So Abram left, as the LORD had told him...
Factor #3 -- Delay 
Genesis 16:1--Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children...
Factor #4 -- Difficulty 
Genesis 17-18--How can a son be born to a man my age?
Factor #5 -- Dead-end 
Genesis 21:1-6; 22:1-12--Take your only son, whom you love, and sacrifice him…
Factor #6 -- Deliverance 
Genesis 22:12-14--(God said) Don’t hurt the boy…I’ve provided a lamb…

Psalm 50:15[LB]--I want you to trust me during your times of trouble so that I can rescue you and you can give me glory.



What to do when you reach “Dead End”



1. Remember what God can do.
Romans 4:17[GN]--Abraham believed in God who brings the dead to life and whose command brings into being what did not exist.

Luke 18:27--Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."



2. Rely on what God has said.
Romans 4:18[Ph]--When hope was dead within him, Abraham went on hoping in faith… He relied on the Word of God…

Hebrews 11:17[LB]--While God was testing him, Abraham still trusted in God and his promises, so he offered his son Isaac.

Romans 4:18[JB]--Though it seemed Abraham’s hope could not be fulfilled… he did become the father of many nations, exactly as God had promised.



3. Face the facts with faith.
Romans 4:19,20a--Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead…and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief…

2 Corinthians 4:18--So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.



4. Expect God to act.
Romans 4:20-21[LB]--But Abraham never doubted…he praised God for this blessing even before it happened. He was completely sure that God was able to do anything He promised.\



FAITH in action
1. Jesus John 11:40-41--...Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me..."

2. Paul 2 Corinthians 1:9-10--.Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us ... he will deliver us...(and) we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.

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