Commitment on Trial

Genesis 22: 1-12

Genesis 22:1–12 (NLT)

1 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”

2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.

4 On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.

5 “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

6 So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together,

7 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”

8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

9 When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood.

10 And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice.

11 At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!”

12 “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

ETS: God put Abraham to the test.

ESS: Every believer will have their commitment tested at some point in their life.

OSS: Believers will commit to live life in total surrender to Christ.

P Q: Why is our commitment tested?

UW: Facts

INTRODUCTION:

No matter how committed you are to Jesus Christ, somewhere along the way that commitment will be tested.

If there ever were a man who was committed to God it was Abraham’s. In fact, the book of Romans tells us (Romans 4:3)

Romans 4:3 (NLT)

3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

Abraham was called out of a Pagan background by God and instructed to leave the land of his fathers. He was to go with no destination given. Time and time again, his faith was put to the test.

In-spite-of his abiding and enduring faith, Abraham was put to the supreme test here in our text.

TS: Notice several facts from this test of Abraham's faith and commitment.

I. OUR COMMITMENT WILL ULTIMATELY BE PLACED ON TRIAL. (Genesis 22:1-2)

Genesis 22:1–2 (NLT)

1 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”

2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

A. The trial will test our willingness to listen to God. (Genesis 22:1)

Genesis 22:1 (NLT)

1 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”

1. Are we willing to listen unconditionally?

(Luke 6:46)

Luke 6:46 (NLT)

46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

a. Are we willing to hear his voice no matter what he might say to us?

1) He might point out a problem.

2) He might call us to attest.

B. Our tests will grow in severity as we grow spiritually.

1. Notice the progression of Abraham's tests:

a. leave your homeland. (Genesis 12:1,4)

Genesis 12:1 (NLT)

1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:4 (NLT)

4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

b. Let go of Lot. (Genesis 13)

c. Let me supply your heir. (Genesis 15:1-6)

Genesis 15:1–6 (NLT)

1 Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”

2 But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth.

3 You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”

4 Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.”

5 Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.

2. God will challenge your commitment at each stage of personal spiritual growth.

a. Your first test is to trust him for salvation. (John 1:12)

John 1:12 (NLT)

12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

b. Other tests involve commitment to his lordship.

1) The test of stewardship: will you tithe? (Malachi 3:10)

Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

2) The test of being an open witness for Christ. (Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

3) The test of allowing him to lead you in selecting a spouse, job, home, et cetera. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

C. The tests will sometimes be quite severe. (Genesis 22:2)

Genesis 22:2 (NLT)

2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

1. The use of severe trials can test us to the core of our being.

a. This trial tested Abraham's commitment to the extreme.

2. The question is: how will I respond to extreme tests?

a. What type of test are you facing right now?

b. How will you respond to that test?

II. THE TRIAL OF OUR COMMITMENT REQUIRES ACTION ON OUR PART. (Genesis 22: 3-4 )

Genesis 22:3–4 (NLT)

3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.

4 On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.

A. Are we willing to act immediately? (Genesis 22:3a)

Genesis 22:3a (NLT)

3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.

1. Delayed obedience is disobedience!

a. Abraham obeyed promptly.

2. There are reasons for the timing of God's tests.

a. The timing will affect your life.

b. The timing will affect the lives of others.

1) Your family

2) your friends

3) your business associates

4) people you don't even know

B. Are we willing to act openly? (Genesis 22:3b)

Genesis 22:3 (NLT)

3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.

1. It is easy to fancy ourselves committed when no public action is needed.

a. Peter fancied himself to be totally committed until he was in the courtyard of the high priest. (Matthew 26:33; 26:69-75)

Matthew 26:33 (NLT)

33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.”

Matthew 26:69–75 (NLT)

69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”

70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.

73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”

74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.

75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

2. Real commitment means not being afraid to act publicly.

a. Jesus commands us to be willing to be public with our commitment to him. (Matthew 10: 32)

Matthew 10:32 (NLT)

32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.

C. Are we willing to act indefinitely? (Genesis 22:3c)

Genesis 22:3 (NLT)

3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.

(Genesis 22:4)

Genesis 22:4 (NLT)

4 On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.

1. We must be willing to live in a total commitment and obedience with no end in sight.

a. How long are you willing to obey God?

1) Like Isaiah (Isaiah 6: 11-12)

Isaiah 6:11–12 (NLT)

11 Then I said, “Lord, how long will this go on?” And he replied, “Until their towns are empty, their houses are deserted, and the whole country is a wasteland;

12 until the Lord has sent everyone away, and the entire land of Israel lies deserted.

III- OUR RESPONSES DEMONSTRATE THE TRUE EXTENT OF OUR FAITH IN GOD. (Genesis 22: 5-8)

Genesis 22:5–8 (NLT)

5 “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

6 So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together,

7 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”

8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

A. Do we really trust him to keep his promises? (Genesis 22: 3)

Genesis 22:3 (NLT)

3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.

1. God’s promises never fail!

a. God promised Abraham that Isaac would be the promised heir.

b. God promised that through Isaac a nation would be born.

c. Abraham had to decide whether or not to trust in those promises.

2. The question boils down to a matter of trusting God and his promises!

a. Do you believe God?

1) God cannot lie!

(Titus 1:2)

Titus 1:2 (NLT)

2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.

(Hebrews 6:18)

Hebrews 6:18 (NLT)

18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.

B. Are we willing to make all of the preparations to act without any physical assurances? (Genesis 22: 6)

Genesis 22:6 (NLT)

6 So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together,

1. Everything must be done in faith to move forward in obedience to God's commands.

a. Abraham did all he needed to do in order to carry out what God had told him to do.

(Genesis 22:3)

Genesis 22:3 (NLT)

3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.

C. Do we trust God to provide what is necessary to pass his test? (Genesis 22: 7-8)

Genesis 22:7–8 (NLT)

7 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”

8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

1. Faith is the beginning place of living triumphantly through the trials that we must face. (Hebrews 11:1, 6)

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

2. God will provide the resources we need to fulfill our test.

a. He did so for Abraham.

b. He did so for Moses.

c. He did so for the apostle Paul.

IV- OUR TRIALS DEMONSTRATE HOW COMMITTED WE REALLY ARE TO GOD. (Genesis 22: 9-12)

A. Are we committed enough to risk losing what we treasure most?(Genesis 22:9-10)

Genesis 22:9–10 (NLT)

9 When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood.

10 And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice.

1. Sometimes the test appears to require that we give up something that is very dear to our hearts.

a. The test that Abraham was called to perform demanded the sacrifice of the son he had waited a lifetime to have.

2. Trust is the key that unlocks the door of miraculous opportunity!

a. The question is, “Do I really trust God to fulfill his promises?”

B. Total commitment to God will not go unnoticed! (Genesis 22: 11-12)

Genesis 22:11–12 (NLT)

11 At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!”

12 “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

1. God will always reward our faith when we live in full surrender and commitment to him.

a. What he does will not always be what we expect. It will sometimes be better.

1). When God worked through Moses to deliver the children of his Israel, he did more than Moses could have ever dreamed at the burning bush.

2. He calls for you and I to give our selves as a sacrifice to him.

(Romans 12:1)

Romans 12:1 (NLT)

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

CONCLUSION:

There is nothing more satisfying in life than living in complete obedience and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest knowledge in all of the world is to know that you can say, “Dear Lord, I have obeyed you and I understand that you are pleased with me.”

The closer you live to Jesus, the more sensitive you will become to grieving him. Just like your spouse, the more you love them, the less you want to hurt them. If you hurt them, you hurt yourself. The closer you live to Jesus, the more you will strive to be obedient.

The greatest lesson you can teach your children is, “my child obey God at all costs.” The greatest experience is to emerge from a fierce test knowing that you have obeyed God. There is no substitute for that peace in your heart.