* Focus on the Person and trust Him with the promise.

* SF Giants pitcher - he’s focusing on God over his platform.

* Bible Backstory on Romans 4:

* Paul is trying to show two things:

* Salvation comes through faith, not works.

* Salvation is for all people, not just Jews.

* He uses Abraham as an example.

* Abe believed and his faith was “credited to him” as righteousness - he didn’t have to work to get it.

* But look at how his belief was tested, and how Abe made it through.

* Vs 17-22 - Abe received salvation.

* Genesis 15:5-6 - the promise!

* Genesis 22:1-3 - the test!

* Genesis 22:9-13 - salvation!

* He focused on the PERSON over the PROMISE because he was “fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised.” (Romans 4:21)

* “THIS” was credited to him as righteousness.

* Problem - if you focus on the promise (or whatever God has given to you) over God Himself, you begin to operate strategically rather than spiritually.

* Abe did this and ended up shacking up with his servant girl and they had Ishmael.

* We did this with HGTV, but God jolted us back in line.

* Focus on the Person and trust Him with the promise.