Introduction: Most of us have made promises we could not keep or have been disappointed when other failed to keep promises to us. Disappointment turns into heartache and trauma when broken promises destroy our human relationships. In money matters and in job performance - broken promises can bring anguish. For example, a promotion is promised, only we watch as others advance. We have learned that we cannot always count on people to keep their promises. Yet God never breaks a promise He has made! He never has and He never will! Our Epistle lesson for this day reminds us that we can count on God to keep His promises.

I.                   God raised life from Abraham.

A.   God promised Abraham many descendants.

1.     The idea seemed impossible because Abraham and Sarah were both old and childless.

2.     Yet Abraham believed God could nevertheless do what He had promised. “being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised. (V.21)

3.     Abraham was counted righteous through faith in God’s promise. “This is why it was credited to him as righteousness.”(V.22)

B.   God raise life from Abraham by letting Sarah give birth to Isaac.

1.     Thus Abraham became the father of the Jewish nation.

2.     Thus Abraham became the forefather of Christ.

C.   What God did for Abraham shows that nothing is too hard for God. 

1.     To us it may appear at times that God is promising the impossible when He promises to deliver us from trouble. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”  (Psalm 34:17) to let good occur from suffering “…we rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4) to be with us always and everywhere. “I will be with you and will watch over you wherever you go…” (Genesis 28:15a)

2.     Yet, we like Abraham can believe God’s Word no matter how circumstances speak against it.

Transition: In keeping His Word the Lord raised Abraham to life. He also raised Jesus to life.

II.                God raised Jesus to life.

A.   The promises and assurances of Christ’s resurrection where hard to believe.

1.     For the people in Christ’s day, even for Christ’s own disciples.

2.     For the people of Athens in Paul’s day – “A few became followers on that day…” (Acts 17:32a) and for many people to this very day.

B.   That God did actually raise Jesus from the dead shows that God accomplished the hardest thing of all, our deliverance from sin. “ but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness –“(V.24b)

1.     Christ was put to death to atone for our trespasses and sin. “He was delivered over to death for our sins…”(V.25a)

2.     He was raised from the dead to assure us of our justification by God. “[He] was raised to life for our justification.” (V.25b)

3.     Like Abraham we are counted righteous through faith in God’s promise – a promise God has now fulfilled.

a.     God keeps His promises to remove each sin and our burden of guilt.

b.     God keeps His promise to reckon us each day as His pure people in Christ.

Conclusion: We human beings make promises and may even break them. But God never will! He who brought life out of old Abraham and raised Jesus from the dead can surely be counted on to keep His promises!