Connect Hebrews 11:19 with Romans 4:17-21 on faith and God's promises. Setting the Stage: Two Impossible Situations • Hebrews 11:19: “Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.” • Romans 4:17-21 (BSB – excerpts) – v.17 “...the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.” – v.18 “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed...” – v.19 “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.” – v.20-21 “Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God...being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.” The same man, Abraham, meets two “dead-end” scenarios: 1. A promised son through a barren, aged couple (Romans 4). 2. That very son laid on an altar with a knife poised above him (Hebrews 11). Faith That Anticipates Resurrection • Romans 4 introduces God as the One who “gives life to the dead.” • Hebrews 11 shows Abraham banking on that very truth when Isaac’s life seemed forfeit. • The link: Abraham’s faith in Genesis 15 (promise of a son) grows into Genesis 22 (sacrifice of that son). He trusted the same resurrection-power twice. Other confirmations • 2 Corinthians 1:9 “...that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” • John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life...” The character of God never changes. How Abraham’s Faith Operated Romans 4 details four movements that also surface in Hebrews 11: 1. Facing facts honestly (v.19) – no denial of physical impossibility. 2. Refusing to let facts overrule God’s word (v.20). 3. Growing stronger in faith through worship (“gave glory to God”). 4. Settling the matter internally (“fully persuaded,” v.21). Hebrews 11:19 shows the same mindset: • He “reasoned” (logizomai) – calculated that a resurrecting God nullifies the finality of death. • He acted accordingly: knife raised, altar ready. Faith became obedience (James 2:21-22). The Same God, the Same Promise-Keeping Power • Promise to Abraham – “father of many nations” (Romans 4:17). • Promise to believers – “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). • The guarantee for both: God’s ability to reverse death itself. Connections • Romans 8:11 “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.” • 1 Peter 1:21 “Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead...so your faith and hope are in God.” Living Out This Faith Today • Identify “dead” areas: relationships, health, ministries, cultural climates. • Apply God’s character: He “calls into being what does not yet exist.” • Act in obedience: take the next faithful step, even when circumstances scream impossibility. • Give glory to God along the way, strengthening faith rather than waiting for sight. Takeaway Abraham teaches that genuine faith counts on God’s resurrecting power before the miracle is seen. Romans 4 shows the inner conviction; Hebrews 11 shows the outward expression. Both assure us that every promise anchored in the living God is as certain as His victory over death. |
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