Romans 4:17-20 

I. REMEMBER WHAT GOD CAN DO

"Abraham believed in God who gives life to the dead and who creates something out of nothing." vs. 17 (LB)

II. RELY ON WHAT GOD HAS SAID

"When hope was dead within him, Abraham went on hoping in faith... He relied on the word of God..." vs. 18 (Ph)

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

"Though it seemed Abraham's hope could not be fulfilled...he did become the father of many nations, exactly as God had promised." vs. 18 (JB)

III. FACE THE FACTS WITH FAITH

"Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead...and Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he didn't waver with unbelief..." 

vs. 19-20a

"We fix our eyes...on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:8

IV. EXPECT GOD TO DELIVER

"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." vs. 20-21 (LB)



"But this happened so 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..." 2 Corinthians 1:9-10