preparing for your promise

Genesis 22“Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “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.” 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. On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. “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.” 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, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We…”

“After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, “Abraham!” “Yes?” answered Abraham. “I’m listening.” He said, “Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I’ll point out to you.” Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. He took two of his young servants and his son Isaac. He had split wood for the burnt offering. He set out for the place God had directed him. On the third day he looked up and saw the place in the distance. Abraham told his two young servants, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I are going over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and gave it to Isaac his son to carry. He carried the flint and the knife. The two of them went off together. Isaac said to Abraham his father, “Father?” “Yes, my son.” “We have flint and wood, but where’s the sheep for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “Son, God will see to it that there’s a sheep for the burnt offering.” And they kept on walking together. They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. He laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son. Just then an angel of God called to him out of Heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes, I’m listening.” “Don’t lay a hand on that boy! Don’t touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn’t hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me.” Abraham looked up. He saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. Abraham named that place God-Yireh (God-Sees-to-It). That’s where we get the saying, “On the mountain of God, he sees to it.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭14‬ ‭MSG‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/97/gen.22.1-14.MSG

What’s the outcome that you want to share with the Church? trusting in the promise of God . .

Who is Abraham?

Abraham, often referred to as the "Father of Faith," is one of the most significant figures in the Bible. His story begins in Genesis 12, when God calls him out of his homeland, Ur of the Chaldeans, and promises to make him the father of a great nation.

One of the key episodes in Abraham's life is the covenant God establishes with him. In Genesis 17, God informs Abraham that he will be the father of many nations and that the covenant will continue through his descendants. This covenant, often referred to as the Abrahamic Covenant, is foundational in the narrative of the Bible, marking the beginning of God's relationship with the nation of Israel.

Abraham is also known for his willingness to obey God, even when asked to do the unimaginable. In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Abraham demonstrates his obedience and faith by preparing to follow through with God's command. However, at the last moment, God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac, sparing his life.

From Abraham's life, we can learn the virtue of faith. Despite numerous challenges and uncertainties, Abraham trusted God and followed His commands. His life serves as an example of unwavering commitment and obedience to God, even in difficult circumstances.

Relevant scripture passages related to Abraham include Genesis 12:1-4, Genesis 17:1-7, and Genesis 22:1-19.

What is the definition of promise ?

PART I: The Call to Sacrifice

1. The Unexpected Request

A. Hook: How often have we found ourselves facing requests or situations that seem beyond our comprehension? Abraham was no different.

the unexpected exceedingly abundantly above all you may ask or think

B. Understanding God's Call (Genesis 22:1–2 “Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “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.””

Hebrew: "נִסָּה" (Nissah) – "to test, try, prove" Greek (Septuagint): "πειράζω" (peirazō) – "to attempt, test, tempt" God's tests are not to break us, but to strengthen our faith.

“God’s call is for you to be His loyal friend, for whatever purpose He has for your life.” – Oswald Chambers “My Utmost For His Highest”

The value that God calls you is the value in how God sees you

“God, who has called you into fellowship (“koinania”) with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”                – 1 Corinthians 1:9 “God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

“koinania” fellowship- “the fullest possible fellowship & partnership with God, and with others in the church. Intimate fellowship with God and His son Jesus produces this type of fellowship and unity in a church. Only God can produce this genuine koinania fellowship, love, and unity.”

Let me give a little more info about koinania .......It comes from the Greek root word koinōnos (κοινωνός) meaning "partner, companion, comrade".In Greek, koinonia means "fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation".It refers to the bond or fellowship between people who share common beliefs, interests or activities.In the New Testament, koinonia often refers to the early Christian communities and the fellowship/sharing between believers.It can also refer more specifically to the Eucharist or Lord's supper as a means of participating in Christ and the community of believers.The related verb koinōneō (κοινωνέω) means "to share, participate, commune" and emphasizes the act of sharing/participating.

. The Pain of Obedience

The Sculptor and the Marble

In a quaint little town, there lived a renowned sculptor named Henry. He was known for his breathtaking statues that adorned the town square, museums, and even some homes. People often wondered how he could take a raw, hard, and seemingly lifeless block of marble and transform it into a masterpiece.

One day, a young apprentice named Tim approached Henry, wishing to learn the secrets of his craft. Henry, seeing the potential in the young lad, decided to impart his wisdom. He handed Tim a chisel and a hammer, pointed towards a raw block of marble, and said, "Begin."

Tim eagerly approached the block and started chipping away. However, he soon realized that it wasn’t as easy as Henry made it seem. With every strike, he felt the resistance of the marble. It was hard, unyielding, and painful. Hours turned into days, and the block seemed to mock him with its unchanged form.

One evening, exhausted and teary-eyed, Tim approached Henry and said, "Master, this is too painful. The marble won't yield. Every time I strike, I feel the pain shooting up my arm. How do you do it?"

Henry, understanding Tim’s frustration, said, “Tim, the pain you feel is the pain of obedience. The marble is obedient to the sculptor's hand, no matter how painful the process. In the end, that obedience gives rise to something beautiful. But the process is painful, and the marble must endure to allow the masterpiece to emerge."

He continued, "In life, we are often like that block of marble. God, the ultimate Sculptor, shapes and molds us. At times, His molding can be painful and difficult to understand. Yet, through our obedience and endurance, we are transformed into the masterpiece He envisions."

Surrendering what's dear (Isaac) for the unknown.

Application: Just as the marble undergoes a painful process to become a beautiful statue, sometimes our obedience to God requires us to go through challenging situations. It may not be comfortable, but the end result is a refined, stronger, and more beautiful version of ourselves. In our walk with God, the pain of obedience can lead to the most profound spiritual growth and transformation.

Isaac's name in Hebrew, "Yitzchak," means "he laughs," referring to the joy of his miraculous birth. Now Abraham was asked to give him up.

A. Embracing Sacrifice: Beyond Comfort Zones

Hook: "Imagine a life without challenges, a life where everything went your way, where you never had to step outside of your comfort zone. It might sound pleasant, but it's in the discomfort, in the sacrifice, where our character is tested and refined."

B. Content: Discuss how many biblical figures, like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, had to step out of their comfort zones and make great personal sacrifices.

C. obedience often means letting go of short-term comforts to gain long-term spiritual growth.

D. how stepping outside our comfort zones can lead us closer to God's purpose for our lives.

The Refiner's Fire: When Obedience Burns

Hook: "Gold doesn't become pure and beautiful without first passing through the refiner's fire. Similarly, our faith doesn't reach its highest potential without being tested by the flames of obedience."

Explore the idea of obedience as a refining process.

Use examples like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego or the story of Job to highlight how obedience amidst suffering can lead to purification, deeper faith, and God’s affirmation.

the idea that while the fire might burn, the outcome is a stronger and more resilient faith.

A reflection on our own attachments.

2. Immediate Obedience

A.Hook: When was the last time you responded without hesitation to God's calling, even when it was difficult?

B. Acting Without Delay (Genesis 22:3 “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.”

How many time do we delay WHAT we know God has told us to do ?

Our trust in God's plan, even when unclear. The growth that comes from instant obedience.

He obeyed immediately. He avoided partial obedience and delayed obedience, following God's boldly into the unknown

C. The Journey of Faith

Every step towards Moriah was a step in trust.

3. The Power of Provision

Hook: In our greatest moments of need, when we feel we've given our all, God's provision is often just over the horizon.

Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14 “Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.””

Abraham had to trust God but Isaac had to trust Abraham'

Emphasis on God's timely provision.

4. The Testing of Our Heart

Hook: How we react under pressure, under testing, reveals the true state of our heart.

God tested Abrahams heart to see where his heart was and in relation to trust in him with the greatest sacrifice that he asked him to do .

Abraham had faith that God will provide - even in his darkest hour, he held true to God’s promises and believed that the Lord will provide for him, making sure that Isaac was kept safe from harm.Ultimately,

we can trust in God’s divine intervention and protection as no matter what test comes our way,

A Mirror to Our Soul

God already knows, the test is for us.

When we look in the mirror, what do we see? It's not just our physical appearance staring back at us, but also a reflection of who we are on the inside. A mirror can be a powerful tool in showing us the truth about ourselves, even if it's not always easy to face. But the reality is that God already knows who we are, and the purpose of this mirror is for us to see ourselves clearly. It's a test of our self-awareness and willingness to grow and improve. As TD Jakes once said, "Look in the mirror and own up to who you are, because once you own up to it, you can then become whoever you want to be." So let's embrace the mirror as a tool for our soul's growth and transformation.

God showed Abraham the ram when Abraham did what God said .