Abraham: More Than We Imagine

The Life of Abraham: More Than We Imagine
Genesis 17

A. THE STORY

1. A story about ABRAHAM

2. A story about NAMES

Abram / Abraham Sarai / Sarah
  Ishmael
  Isaac
  God Almighty / El Shaddai

3. A story about TIME

  How old are you?
  How much time has passed by?
  What happens next year?

4. A story about ASSURANCES

  Name
  Promise
  Covenant
  Covenant sign

B. THE LAUGHTER

1. Why are you laughing?

Not that he either ridiculed the promise of God, or treated it as a fable, or rejected it altogether; but, as often happens when things occur which are least expected, partly lifted up with joy, partly carried out of himself with wonder, he burst out into laughter. [John Calvin]

2. God’s response

 No rebuke
 Promise repeated

3. Abraham’s faith and obedience

C. THE LESSONS

 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us

1. Expect God to do something

2. Expect God to do something unexpected

3. Expect God to do something unimaginable

John Olson