Greatness through Faith

Greatness through Faith

Genesis 22:1-14

I. Introduction

A. Ariel Castro abducted three young ladies in the early 2000s and held them as his sexual slaves for over a decade. At his sentencing, he made the statement, “I am not a monster.” His actions said the opposite. We cannot simply say we are good people and it is so. Our actions speak the truth about who we are.

B. How often do try to say that we are people of faith and yet our actions betray us? We see sports figures after a good play pointing their finger heavenward when there is no other evidence of faithfulness. We watch performers at awards shows perform lewd acts on stage and then give praise to God when they win

C. The true life lived to honor God does so with much more than just lip service. The true life that acts faithfully does not need words to prove it.

D. For Abraham there was an obstacle to his faith – his priorities. Isaac was the most important thing to him. Not only as his son but as the key to his blessing

E. Background

1. The original promise – Genesis 12:2 – “I will make you into a great nation.”

2. The promise before the covenant – 15:1 – “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

3. The promise of the son – 15:4 – “The word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” Goes on to say that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky

4. Abraham tries to push the covenant his way – having a child with Hagar – Ch 16:1-4

5. A new covenant – Ch 17

a) 17:3 – Father of many nations

b) 17:15-19 – Covenant involves the son of Sarah – Isaac

F. Now God tests Abraham to see if he trusted God’s faithfulness

II. Abraham trusted God’s plan (1-5)

A. Illustration – Rollercoaster - Some see the thrill of a roller coaster in the fact that they are out of control. Others see it as overwhelmingly fearful. The difference is that some put their faith squarely in the car that has taken thousands of similar rides and has always come safely back. Without that faith, the ride is full of fear. With that faith, the ride is full of satisfaction and joy.

B. Exegesis

1. God’s plan seems unreasonable and irrational, but it is his plan

2. God has already made promises to Abraham that this plan jeopardizes

3. Abraham trusts that God will fulfill his promises in spite of the unreal request.

a) 22:5 – He speaks of the boy returning

b) 22:8 – God will provide the lamb for the burnt offering

C. Application

1. Henry Blackaby says - Experiencing God - When God reveals His plan what you do next reveals what you believe about God.

2. Abraham knew God had his best interest at heart and therefore he could follow God even when it seemed unreasonable

3. We must follow God’s plan – no matter how difficult it looks

4. We are often called upon to conduct ourselves in ways that seem odd to others around us

III. Abraham trusted God to provide (6-8)

A. Exegesis

1. Abraham had brought no sacrifice for the fire

2. Isaac questions him on it to which Abraham replies, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering my son.”

3. God does in fact provide a lamb that will substitute for Isaac – V13

4. Abraham calls the place Jehovah Jireh – “The LORD will provide”

B. Application

1. Priorities become the obstacle to faith – Does Abraham want his son and his stuff more or does He wish to trust God?

2. We must trust in all tests that God will provide

a) It may be when we are tempted to sin - 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it

(1) Shady deals

(2) Acting upon lust and adultery

(3) Going along with the world

b) It may be when we are called to take the next step toward God’s calling for your life

(1) Sunday School teacher

(2) Full-time ministry

(3) Full-time missionary

IV. Abraham trusted in God’s promises

A. Exegesis

1. God had promised Abraham blessings through Isaac

2. At this point, the promises are jeopardized by the very God who gave them

3. Abraham is forced to decide if God is faithful or cruel

a) He has seen God provide in many ways – Promises fulfilled

b) Hebrews 11:19 – “He considered that God was able to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”

4. Abraham decides to trust God no matter what the consequences as God has always been faithful

B. Application

1. We must trust in the promises made by God

a) Promises

(1) The promise of good news (Romans 1:1-2) Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures

(2) To Forgive our sins – 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

(3) Abundant life – John 10:10 – “I come that they may have life and have it to the full

2. We must let that faith in God’s faithfulness guide our lives

V. Conclusion

A. You must trust God - Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life.”

B. It was His faith that made him great

C. God never asked Abraham to do anything that He Himself was not willing to do

1. He sacrificed His own Son – John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

2. But, He did not, in the end, stay the knife, but crucified His own son as a sacrifice for the sins that you and I have committed.

3. It was the beginning of another promise that you can trust – there is forgiveness and restoration through the blood of Jesus Christ

4. It begins with faith in Jesus