Advent: Waiting Together with Abraham

Sermon Outline for November 28, 2021 

Waiting with Abraham 

Genesis 12-21 

Part I: The promise and fulfillment of God, the doubt of Abraham 

Relevant passages: Genesis 12:1-7; 15:1-6; 17:1-27; 21:1-5 

Galatians 3:29, “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to  promise.”  

Part II: Lessons from waiting with Abraham 

#1—Faith and doubt can coincide in a person. 

#2—Faith and doubt are demonstrated by our actions. 

James 2:14-26, 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith  but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without  clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,”  but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by  itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. . . .  

#3—It is possible to take ‘faithful action’ while struggling with doubt.  

#4—Keep your eyes on God, not on the problems of the world or your own personal failures.  

- “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If  you look at God you’ll be at rest.” 

- "When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket  and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer." 

– Corrie Ten Boon 

Sending Word: Hebrews 12:1-3, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of  witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us  run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and  perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat  down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from  sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

Questions for Discussion: 

- What are things in your life that you are waiting on God to do?  

- What actions in your life demonstrate ‘doubt’ in God’s providence?  

- What are ‘actions of faith’ you could be taking as you wait for God’s answer?