Faith, Patience, and Endurance: Abraham's Journey of Promise

God’s promise to Abraham was not just for a single nation, but for all nations of the earth. This inheritance was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. When God appeared to Abraham after years of silence, He called him to walk blamelessly and reaffirmed His covenant, changing his name and declaring him the father of many nations. The blessing promised to Abraham was ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who became a curse for us so that the blessing of Abraham might come upon all nations through faith, and that we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Abraham’s journey was marked by faith, patience, and endurance. He believed God’s promise even when it seemed impossible—when his own body was as good as dead and Sarah’s womb was barren. He did not waver in unbelief but was strengthened in faith, fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised. This faith was credited to him as righteousness, and the same principle applies to us: if we believe in the God who raised Jesus from the dead, righteousness is credited to us as well.

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death. Just as the law of thrust and lift allows a plane to overcome gravity, so the higher law of the Spirit overcomes the pull of sin and condemnation. No accusation can stand against those whom God has justified. Christ did not just die instead of us; He died as us, bearing our offenses and setting us free.

Abraham’s training in righteousness gave him three essential attributes: faith, patience, and endurance. Faith enabled him to obey God and step into the unknown. Patience allowed him to wait for God’s timing, and endurance gave him the strength to persist through trials. These qualities are not the result of willpower, but of God’s work in us. Willpower will fail, but faith, patience, and endurance—rooted in God’s promises—will see us through. As we walk with God, may our eyes be opened to see the inheritance freely given to us, and may we be strengthened to hope against hope, giving glory to God regardless of our circumstances.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s promise to Abraham extends to all nations, not just one people group. This inheritance is not achieved by human effort or adherence to the law, but by the righteousness that comes through faith. The blessing of Abraham is fulfilled in Christ, who brings the promise of the Spirit to all who believe. [15:40]
• 2. Faith is not a product of willpower or determination, but a gift and fruit of the Spirit, strengthened by God Himself. Abraham’s faith was tested beyond human limits, yet he did not waver because he was fully persuaded of God’s ability to fulfill His word. Our faith, too, is sustained by God’s faithfulness, not our own strength. [18:57]
• 3. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus is a higher law that sets us free from the law of sin and death. Just as the law of thrust and lift overcomes gravity, so the Spirit overcomes the pull of sin and condemnation. No accusation or condemnation can stand against those whom God has justified in Christ. [24:07]
• 4. Patience and endurance are essential companions to faith in the life of a believer. Abraham’s journey required him to wait on God’s timing and to endure through long seasons of uncertainty and apparent impossibility. These qualities are forged in us as we trust God through trials, making our faith resilient and mature. [33:52]
• 5. The promises of God are obtained not by pledges or outward acts, but by a heart that believes and obeys. God’s faithfulness is the foundation of our hope; He swore by Himself because there is none greater. When faith, patience, and endurance are at work in us, we are able to receive and walk in the fullness of God’s promises, regardless of circumstances. [39:45]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [15:02] - God’s Covenant with Abraham
• [15:40] - Father of Many Nations
• [16:24] - The Blessing through Christ
• [17:04] - Righteousness by Faith
• [18:17] - Faith Against All Odds
• [18:57] - Abraham’s Unwavering Faith
• [20:13] - Christ’s Sacrifice and Justification
• [22:14] - The Law of the Spirit of Life
• [23:34] - Overcoming Gravity: Spiritual Laws
• [24:59] - Abraham’s Spiritual Training
• [26:16] - The Three Attributes: Faith, Patience, Endurance
• [30:32] - The Limits of Willpower
• [33:12] - The Role of Patience
• [39:45] - Endurance and Receiving the Promise
• [41:49] - Knowing God’s Faithfulness

Bible Reading

Genesis 17:1-6 (ESV) — > When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.”

2. Romans 4:13-25 (ESV)
> For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 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. 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.” 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. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

3. Hebrews 6:13-15 (ESV)
> For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.

Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 17:1-6, what changes did God make in Abraham’s life when He reaffirmed His covenant with him?
2. According to Romans 4:18-21, what was Abraham’s attitude toward God’s promise, even when it seemed impossible?
3. In Hebrews 6:13-15, what did Abraham do after receiving God’s promise, and what was the result?
4. The sermon mentions that Abraham’s faith was “credited to him as righteousness.” What does this mean, and who else does this apply to? [[20:13]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the promise to Abraham was not just for one nation, but for all nations. Why is this significant for us today? [[15:40]]
2. Abraham’s faith was described as “fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.” What does it look like to be fully persuaded in our own faith journeys? [[19:33]]
3. The sermon compares the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” to the law of thrust and lift overcoming gravity. What does this illustration teach us about how the Spirit works in our lives? [[23:34]]
4. The sermon says that faith, patience, and endurance are not the result of willpower, but of God’s work in us. How does this challenge the way we usually try to grow spiritually? [[32:29]]

Application Questions

1. The promise to Abraham extends to all nations and is received by faith, not by our own effort. In what areas of your life are you still trying to “earn” God’s favor instead of trusting His promise? [[17:41]]
2. Abraham believed God even when his situation looked hopeless. Can you think of a time when you had to trust God against all odds? What helped you keep believing? [[18:57]]
3. The sermon says that no accusation or condemnation can stand against those whom God has justified. Are there accusations or feelings of condemnation you struggle with? How can you remind yourself of your freedom in Christ this week? [[21:35]]
4. Faith, patience, and endurance were described as gifts from God, not products of willpower. Where have you been relying on your own strength instead of asking God to strengthen your faith? [[32:29]]
5. Abraham’s journey required him to wait for God’s timing and endure long seasons of uncertainty. Is there a promise or hope you are waiting on right now? How can you practice patience and endurance in this season? [[33:52]]
6. The sermon used the illustration of the law of thrust and lift overcoming gravity to describe how the Spirit sets us free from sin and condemnation. What “gravity” is pulling you down right now, and how can you lean into the Spirit’s power to overcome it? [[23:34]]
7. The sermon says, “May our eyes be opened to see the inheritance freely given to us.” What is one practical step you can take this week to become more aware of what God has already given you in Christ? [[25:35]]