It Is Only A Test

Pastor Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture:   Genesis 22

I.       Abraham in the School of Faith

A.      God tested Abraham’s faith and obedience” (NLT)

1.       God tested Abraham at different times in his life.  Some of these he passed and some of these he failed.

2.       Temptations and tests are not the same.

                   a.       Temptations arise from our own desires.

                   b.       Tests come from the Lord to achieve a special purpose.

3.       A test from the Lord is a compliment!  A test is a set up for promotion if we pass.

B.      Tests never make sense

1.       God told Abraham to do something that seemed totally absurd.  After 25 years of waiting for Isaac, Abraham was now given instructions to kill him!  The tests of God never make sense (Job, Joseph, David, Daniel)

2.       Obedience is easy when it makes sense and seems comfortable.  God wants to find out if we will submit to His will and obey Him even when your mind, will, and emotions are crying, “NO!”

3.       God has a purpose for our lives.  But in order to move into it, we must pass the tests that God places before us.

C.      Tests reveal submission and obedience (Hebrews 5:7)

1.       In Gethsemane, Christ was “heard because of His reverent submission.” (NIV)  Submission is an attitude.  Submission is manifested by our choice to obey even when everything in us wants to run from it. 

2.       After submission (verse 7) comes obedience (verse 8).  Christ “learned obedience.”  Obedience is not an attitude.  It is an action.

a.       Jesus told a parable about two sons, one who said “yes” but did not obey (Matthew 21:28)

b.       Isaiah 1:19  “If you are WILLING and OBEDIENT, you will eat the good of the land.

II.      Abraham’s Greatest Test

          A.      “So Abraham rose early in the morning.” (Genesis 22:3)

1.       Everytime God told Abraham to do something hard, Abraham instantly obeyed.  The longer you wait to obey, the harder it becomes to obey.

2.       Abraham obeyed the Lord at the earliest time possible.

          B.      “We will come back to you” (Genesis 22:5)

1.       This demonstrates FAITH. (Hebrews 11:17-19) He knew that God’s promise was stronger than the circumstance.

2.       When a test gets crazy, keep your eyes on God’s promise.

          C.      “God will provide for Himself the lamb” (Genesis 22:8)

1.       In the place of obedience we discover God’s provision (Jehovah-Jireh)

2.       God promises to provide “grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 14:16)  God is never late, but seldom is He early!

3.       Remember:  The test would not be a test if you knew when, where, and how the test would end.  You must simply trust and obey, knowing that God will provide.

          D.      “He bound Isaac…and laid him on the altar” (Genesis 22:9)

1.       God’s altar has the right to require anything of us:  the future, our families, our finances, our fears, our pleasures, our hobbies, our plans, etc.  It is usually the thing that we cherish the most that God will tell us to lay on his altar.

2.       Positions, titles, and relationships can be as hard to lay on the altar as are possessions.  We must also lay our opinions on the altar when we are asked to do something.  We will always be asked to lay upon the altar anything that we are depending upon in place of God.

          E.      “I will bless you…I will multiply you.” (Genesis 22:10-18)

1.       Abraham was stopped short in his greatest test.  God is not interested in taking from you, but rather He wants to give more to you if He can trust you.

2.       Abraham now moved to the next level in the “School of Faith.”  His obedience brought him into a place of growth without limits.  Your obedience in times of testing is going to produce worldwide blessing!