UNSTAGGERING FAITH
Romans 4:20-21
In this chapter Abraham is given as an illustration of salvation by grace. There are seven great steps in the faith of Abraham given here. In verse 12, we are admonished to walk in those steps. Abraham had a faith that staggered not at the promises of God. We need more men with this kind of faith.
I. WHAT IT IS TO STAGGER.
1. To stagger means to lack control of and to be in a condition of uncertainty and confusion.
2. James gave us a description of the staggering man; James 1:6-8. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
II. ABRAHAM WAS BETWEEN THE UPWARD PULL OF FAITH AND THE DOWNWARD PULL OF UNBELIEF.
1. It is possible for those who are Christians to stagger.
2. In the face of natural impossibilities, Abraham staggered not.
III. WHY DO WE SOMETIMES STAGGER?
1. We might mention many things but all could be summed up in one
word, "UNBELIEF,"
2. We need faith like that of the Apostle Paul; Acts 27:25. Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.
3. THERE ARE SEVERAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF STAGGERING IN THE BIBLE.
a. Peter walking on the water; Matt. 14:28-30.
b. The children of Israel Isa.7:2.
c. Many who failed to enter the Promised Land Heb.3:19.
IV. THE SECRET OF UNSTAGGERING FAITH.
1. It could be found in one word, "LOOKING."
a. ABRAHAM LOOKED NOT AT HIMSELF.
b. Abraham did not look to Sarah, nor to nature.
2. WHEN DO WE STAGGER?
a. When we look to the arm of the flesh.
b. When we look to our own ills and disappointments.
3. Where are we to look?
a. Unto Jesus; Heb. 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
b. To that which is eternal; II Cor. 4:18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
