The Faith Of Abraham

Romans 4:17-22
[17] as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. [18] In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” [19] He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. [20] No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, [21] fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. [22] That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How does Paul describe the object of Abraham’s faith? Discuss the importance of Scripture in filling out the object of our faith.
2.   What does it mean to say that Abraham’s situation was a “perfect blend of impossibility”? How do “can” and “cannot” come together in this passage?
3.   Calvin describes it, how is Abraham’s condition similar to ours?
4.   What are some of the words used to characterize Abraham’s faith in this passage? How does this challenge you?
5.   How does Paul’s description line up with the depiction of Abraham in Genesis? How does Abraham’s weakness encourage us?

References: James 5:11; Deuteronomy 32:39; Jeremiah 32:17; Genesis 17:5; 15:5, 6; Hebrews 11:17-19.