Abraham, Isaac, and the Cross

(S1) — John 3:16-18 (NIV)

BIBLES/PRAY

(S2) — Through the Bible in 2025

Scripture and the Wesleyan Way— “How the bible is both simple and complex”

We could say that about {John 3:16}…

Series—Genesis and Jesus— Abraham, Isaac and the Cross

(S3) — The Loss of a child...

“If we are going to understand he whole of God’s plan of redemption…we have to deal with this and other difficult stories”

Why would God consider taking a way what mattered most to Abraham and Sarah—the one he gave to them in the first place?

The challenge of Isaac’ question to Abraham

7b Why, is there no lamb for the burnt offering?

God asks Abraham to do the unthinkable; to give up everything, but nothing God wasn’t willing to do himself!

(S4) —

— Creation—Fall—Flood—Noah—Sign

— repopulation of the earth through Noah sons (Shem, Ham, Japeth)

— Table of Nations (ch. 10)

— Sin/Drunk/Ham (naked)

— Tower of Babel (ch. 11)—a people seeking to be God

Today we look at Abraham a central figure in God’s Story of redemption, as God narrows his plan for the world to one specific man (family)—How God was going to rescue the world

(S5)

We know Abraham was faithful…committed…

(Abram) asked to leave his homeland (ch. 12)—to be the patriarch of a great nation, to be part of God’s blessing to the world

{12:1-4}

Out of whom would come kings to rule God’s people, prophets to speak for God, and the only who who could save humanity from its sin—The answers to all the why questions we have of God…should always points us to Jesus and the cross

Today we will look at Abraham…but I want us to see who God is in this difficult and complex story

Abraham which means exalted father, ancestor, called by God (3x’s). Know among the faithful in {Hebrews 11}. But was faith his great begnning? No!

“Its interesting that God’s work of recovery, began with Abraham. Purposely choosing him to be the faithful one”

In {Joshua 24} we learn that he was born into a family (Tereh), who worshipped idols.

“He started out as an ordinary man, the same as we. But he believed because the God of glory appeared to him. It was God who initiated, and it was God who caused him to believe.

(S6) —

{Romans 9:16} — {Philippians 1:6}

Gods’ blessing—Abram’ problem—2x God appeares to him—Isaac

“And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” {Genesis 15:6 }

Abraham was faithful…and he took God at his word and for good reason

(S7)

{21:1}

Sarah trusted God, but his gift brought her laughter— God would blessed them in their old age (89/99)—If you think your too old for God to bless you or use you to be a blessing to others...think again

Caring for Seniors —give them purpose

Imagine thier joy…they could see a bit more clearly, God’s plan and their part in it

But then God appeares to Abraham again…and here they are!

(S8)

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.””

There is alot to unpack here…but I want to turn our focus to God in Abrahams story (4)…

Notice first, the initial uses of GOD (Elohim)—5x’s-1-3, 8-9

— In Hebrew THE is placed before God—one reason for this...

(Elohim) is often used to differentiate from a pagan god...“The” before God’s name allowed the author to indicate to his readers that this message being given to Abraham, which might be thought to come from a pagan god, was really coming from the one and only God, Elohim.11 Wilbur Glenn Williams, Genesis: A Commentary for Bible Students (Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 1999), 176.

This is the God who CREATED all things...is OVER all things...

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” {Isaiah 55:8–9}

This also indicates that Abram knew God, but did not yet really know God

Exodus 6:2–3 “And God said to Moses, “I am Yahweh—‘the Lord.’ I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty’—but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them.”

The first truth being revealed in this difficult story

(S9)—

I. God is GOD, and we are NOT!

In this life, we can not fully understand or fully know God and His ways.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” {1 Corinthians 13:12}

Abraham’s journey was a most difficult one that only few can relate to...he could see only...he would need great faith so trust in God’s ways...that God is God and he was not!

Dad — “But, I am still God”

This is the God who TRANSCENDS all things

Faith takes into account that we TRUST...what God is doing, saying, thinking...that is beyond our understanding.

— I believe God is saying to Abraham, for this to work, you have to put me first...before your family, country, church, people...you have to be all in!

Are you all in for Jesus?

We are told that what was about to happen to Abraham was a test

Reading the phrase ‘God tested Abraham’ in Hebrew, the verb comes before the subject when it is considered more important. So it would read...tested God, Abraham’s faith

See Jane Run—Run, see Jane

But It doesn't read that way, instead

“The God—He tested Abraham.” This word sequence indicates that God was entirely responsible for the heartrending experience Abraham was about to have.11 Wilbur Glenn Williams, Genesis: A Commentary for Bible Students (Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 1999), 176.

We also learn that the summons by God (by name) was part of the test. When God calls it will not be easy, if it is then you should question the call…

—Jesus told his disciples, “to follow me you must take up your cross.”

…to test is to EXAMINE by trial and to hear God’s call takes our listening even whe its hard

(S10) — Second truth be revealed in this difficult story

II. God both TESTS and CALLS the faithful

Two questions—

Didn’t God know everything He needed to know about Abraham? God did, but Abraham did not. 11 Wilbur Glenn Williams, Genesis: A Commentary for Bible Students (Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 1999), 176.

When a teacher gives a test...they do not know how the student is doing untill they see the results.

My knowledge is limited. But God’s is not! So the test in Genesis 22 was entirely for Abraham. God wanted him to see the main object of his spiritual loyalties.11 Wilbur Glenn Williams, Genesis: A Commentary for Bible Students (Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 1999), 176.

Abrahams response to God’s call is an acknowledgement of his faithfulness…”Here I am”

God is saying to Abraham—”Do you trust me…? then…

Genesis 22:2 ““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.””

Give me what I gave you! Why would God give and then ask Abraham to give it up?

— What kind of God is this? Remember, God is God and we are not!

Is God is asking you today to trust Him in a certain situation?

— Which is exactly what Abraham does..

(S11)

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

Can you imagine the difficulty of Abrahams journey?

— up at the crack of dawn…making preperations…the anguish of what was coming in the not knowing?

“Lord we trust you in what we don’t know. The unknown is a most difficult place to be. But you are God and we are not! And so we lay our anxieties, worries and cares at the feet of Jesus. May we lean into not what we know, but who we know. There we will find God’s peace for the journey.”

(S12) — 3rd truth revealed to Abraham

III. God is with us THROUGH all things

Abraham was never alone in his obedience...we learn two things about god

God is OMNIPRESENT— God is everywhere...without spacial dimension— God is eternal and spiritual

Psalm 139:7–10 “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.”

God’s covenant with Abraham (slipt carcass in two)...before he knows if Abraham fully trust him

Being all in for God means...fully RELYING on His presence

2. God is IMMANENT—nearer to us than we can imagine

Then maybe the hardest part of this story…Isaacs question

(S13)

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?””

…is anything to hard for the lord?

Being all in means trusting God in the moment…

“You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for Good.” Max Lucado

How are you trusting God in your moment?

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

God Blessed Abraham and made away to bless the nations and the world through a child. Abrahams faith led to a family called Israel...son of Issac, grandson of Abraham—Jacob who wrestled with God

Your not alone in your wrestling with God. Do you trust in that God is the God who PROVIDES?

Then they arrive...and God calls to Abraham one more time—just in the nick of time!

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.” 13 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son.”

4th truth revealed about God in this difficult story

(S14)

IV. God is the God who PROVIDES

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.””

God has asked everything of Abraham...God has staked everything on Abrahams faith— Imagine God’s relief! I have finally found the man!

— a difficult story to say the least...

What God is to Abraham, Jesus to us!

Jesus is god and we are not—Jesus both tests and call us to follow him—Jesus’ promise to his disciples and us, I will be with you...through all things—Jesus is God’s provision the lamb in the thicket who came, lived, suffered, and died to save the world...

(S15)

John 3:16 ““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

How does Abrahams faith…change or challenge your view of God? Do you see God as God over yourself? How do stand up to the test when God calls? Do you depend on God who is with you through all things? Who provided a lamb in the thicket and Jesus the lamb who came to save?

Abraham asked Isaac to carry the wood...God asked Jesus to carry the beam of a cross on his shoulders...God asks everything of us, by GIVING everything he had!

Both simple and complex at the same time—“If we are going to understand he whole of God’s plan of redemption…we have to deal with this and other difficult stories”

John 3:17–18 “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.”

God isn’t going to ask you to give up a child...he isn’t going to take your child...but God is asking you to be ALL IN...

— Not all in? Not there yet? Take a next step

In Jesus and the cross, we are rescued, redeemed, and set free...to know the Greatness of God and his love!