Will You Pass the Test?

Introduction

Studying for Ph.D. Quals - restudying for giving a lecture on history of preaching. I forgot everything I once knew! You’ve probably forgotten a lot you learned in school as well, (Algebra, calculus, etc) but what you haven’t forgotten has been what God has taught you.

Life is a series of tests designed by God to grow you, teach you about yourself and Him. Tests aren’t always pleasant but they are necessary. ()

Today, one of the most difficult tests in the Bible, and three truths about tests of faith that you need to know.

1. Know testing is coming.

Think about where we are in our journey. - Primeval history - familiar stories about what happened in the beginning. - focus on one family from which God will build a great nation that will bless the world - and that ultimately bring forth the Messiah.

Abraham - promise of a child - but would that promise come to fruition? 75 years old when promise made! For years, he waited, no child - until finally, 25 years after promise made, a child - Isaac!

1. Know testing is coming.

· Chapter 22 – climatic in Abraham’s journey.

Chapter 22 – climatic in Abraham’s journey.

· Chapter 21 – Finally had their son – imagine the joy. God had come through for Abraham and Sarah.

Chapter 21 – Finally had their son – imagine the joy. God had come through for Abraham and Sarah.

· Chapter 22 takes us by surprise. God tested Abraham – would Abraham give up his son and sacrifice him to God?

Chapter 22 comes out of nowhere. God tested Abraham () - a Crisis of Faith - Why would God ask this? And, would Abraham do it?

· Only son – by this time Ishmael is not in Abraham’s home. God is very specific – only son – son of promise – the son you love – Isaac.

Only son – by this time Ishmael is not in Abraham’s home. God is very specific – only son – son of promise – the son you love – Isaac.

Only son – Ishmael is no longer in Abraham’s home. He’s been sent away. God is very specific – only son – son of promise – the son you love – Isaac.

· Crisis of faith – why would God ask such a thing? This is horrible.

Crisis of faith – why would God ask such a thing? This is horrible.

· Isaac 11 or 12 years old – Abraham had grown to love this child – the bond was strong. This made no sense.

Isaac 11 or 12 years old – Abraham had grown to love his child and bond with him. This made no sense.

·What Abraham did not know is what we know from the passage – this was a test of his faith. Would Abraham obey God regardless of what God asked of him?

What Abraham did not know is what we know from the passage – this was a test. (22:1)

· Know testing is coming. You can expect it. reminds us that we will face various kinds of trials.

Know testing is coming. You can expect it. reminds us that we will face various kinds of trials.

· reminds us that we will face various tests.

Two realities about your coming tests:

· Two realities about your coming tests:

You need the tests. No one likes testing. (Hudson and broccoli - you don’t get sad about skipping over tests. None of us say, “Bring on the tests!) Tests are challenging, and in some instances even painful. But testing is ultimately for your sanctification. (The process of God making you holy.) Every difficulty you go through God can use for your good – no wonder James says to count it all joy! Your greatest spiritual growth will likely come through your greatest difficulties as you learn to fix your eyes on Jesus and trust Him while you are going through immense suffering. Think back over your life. You know it’s true.

· You need the tests. No one likes testing. They are challenging, and in some instances even painful. But testing is for your good. Every test is ultimately for your sanctification. (The process of God making you holy.) Think about it – every difficulty you go through God can use for your good – no wonder James says to count it all joy! Your greatest spiritual growth will likely come through your greatest difficulties if you fix your eyes on Jesus during those greatest difficulties.

God knows when to give you the tests. God is sovereign! Notice he didn’t give Abraham and Sarah a child in – he made them wait. God had tested Abraham throughout the past 35 years, but his greatest test came thirty five years after the call. Abraham had repeatedly seen the faithfulness of God. Abraham was prepared for this test.

· God knows when to give you the tests. God is sovereign! Notice he didn’t give Abraham and Sarah a child in – he made them wait. God had tested Abraham throughout the past 35 years, but his greatest test came thirty five years after the call. Abraham had repeatedly seen the faithfulness of God. Abraham was prepared for this test.

God’s testing is purposeful and He knows when to give you the tests.

· God’s testing is purposeful and He knows when to give you the tests. In every test God gives you are already prepared to pass the test. In every test, you can recount God’s faithfulness.

If you know testing is coming get ready! You need a rugged, ready for anything faith that comes through daily walking with the Lord and intentional discipleship. Some of us aren’t ready for the tests! We will fail!

If you know testing is coming get ready! You need a rugged, ready for anything faith that comes through daily walking with the Lord and intentional discipleship. Some of us aren’t ready for the tests! We will fail!

· If you know testing is coming get ready! You need a rugged, ready for anything faith, not a showcase faith.

Hudson - where does the sun go? He’s not ready for the test!

Not that you’re always ready for every test that God gives you - but He’s not random. He knows how He is going to use every test.

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/09/683771090/note-to-lottery-winners-dont-tell-roommates-you-won-10-million

2. Know the content of the test.

· Abraham does exactly what God says. The next morning saddles his donkey and chops wood knowing he would bind his son to the wood he chopped.

Abraham does exactly what God says. The next morning saddles his donkey and chops wood knowing he would bind his son to the wood he chopped.

· Emotions that flooded Abe’s heart as he prepared. Did he tell Sarah?

Emotions flooded Abe’s heart as he prepared. Did he tell Sarah?

· The night before his journey, tossed and turned knowing what awaited him.

The night before his journey, tossed and turned knowing what awaited him.

· Constantly questioning God – “God did I hear you correctly? Are you sure this is what you want me to do?”

Constantly questioning God – “God did I hear you correctly? Are you sure this is what you want me to do?”

· Abe, Isaac, and two other men made the long journey to Moriah. They traveled for three days. For three days Abraham lived with the truth that he was going to sacrifice his son. Every moment was precious. Every moment was painful.

Abe, Isaac, and two other men made the long journey to Moriah. They traveled for three days. For three days Abraham lived with the truth that he was going to sacrifice his son. Every moment was precious. Every moment was painful.

· At the bottom of the mountain – “Wait, we will come back.” Words of faith! Abraham knew this was the child of promise, and he knew that somehow God was going to come through for him.

At the bottom of the mountain – “Wait, we will come back.” Words of faith! Abraham knew this was the child of promise, and he knew that somehow God was going to come through for him.

19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

· Isaac – “Where is the lamb?” How the question must have stung Abraham’s heart! All he could say was, “God will provide.”

Isaac – “Where is the lamb?” How the question must have stung Abraham’s heart! All he could say was, “God will provide.”

· Why is God doing this? What is the content of the test? What is it that God is after?

Why is God doing this? What is the content of the test? What is God after?

· Simple test: Who does God love more, his son or his God? Who took first priority in his life? His son, or his God?

Simple test: Who does Abraham love more, his son or his God? Who took first priority in his life?

· Isn’t this the content of your tests as well? God’s tests in your life are designed to reveal who you love and who you trust, and the way you respond in testing demonstrates who you love and who you trust. Does the way you respond to your tests reveal that God is the Rock on which you stand?

Isn’t this the content of your tests as well? God’s tests in your life are designed to reveal who you love and who you trust, and the way you respond in testing demonstrates who you love and who you trust. Does the way you respond to your tests reveal that God is the Rock on which you stand?

· Sometimes it seems as if the God who is saving you is trying to kill you – and the truth is – He is trying to kill you.

Sometimes it seems as if the God who is saving you is trying to kill you – and the truth is – He is trying to kill you.

· Have you ever asked, “God why are you doing this?” For a believer, God is killing every part of your old self that still clings to what you desire and what you want rather than clings to God’s desires for you.

For a believer, God is killing every part of your old self that still clings to what you desire and what you want rather than clings to God’s desires for you. Some things I’m not going to let go of unless God takes them from me...

· If you are going through a season of testing right now, what is God trying to put to death in you? Pride? Lack of trust? Self-sufficiency? Greed? Idolatry? Is your tendency to love the gifts more than the giver of the gifts?

Question for you: If you are going through a season of testing right now, what is God trying to put to death in you? Pride? Lack of trust? Self-sufficiency? Greed? Idolatry? Is your tendency to love the gifts more than the giver of the gifts?

· This is why I need the tests. I need God to slay me. I need Him to crucify my old self. I need sanctification.

This is why I need the tests. I need God to slay me. I need Him to crucify my old self. I need sanctification.

How do I make it through? Know the end goal: a blessed eternity where you are conformed to Christ.

· DMV – impatience. My impatience reveals that I believe my time is mine rather than God’s – that my schedule is more important than His. Ultimately, a lack of trust.

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/09/683771090/note-to-lottery-winners-dont-tell-roommates-you-won-10-million

3. Know the answer to the tests are provided.

Abraham built an altar and bound his son to it. The horror! What was Isaac thinking? Saying? Was there a struggle? “Daddy, what are you doing? Stop!” Disbelief as his father raised the knife – his father was going to kill him.

· In Israel – temple built on the spot where it was believe that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice – from temple mount you see Gehenna – in OT – a place of pagan worship and child sacrifice. Moloch – Could Abraham see smoke rising from Gehenna and could he have been thinking, “God, you are no different than the pagan gods.”

In Israel – temple built on the spot where it was believed that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice – from temple mount you see Gehenna – in OT – a place of pagan worship and child sacrifice. Moloch – Could Abraham see smoke rising from Gehenna and could he have been thinking, “God, you are no different than the pagan gods.” Child sacrifice was not uncommon in Abe’s day.

· God to Abraham – I am very different. God stops Abraham and Abraham looks up to see a ram caught in the thicket.

God to Abraham – I am very different. God stops Abraham and Abraham looks up to see a ram caught in the thicket.

· Nothing you can sacrifice, even your own child, will appease me. Your sacrifices will not put you in better standing. I am the one who provides the sacrifice. The sacrificial lamb points to a greater sacrifice that would appease God – His own Son.

Nothing you can sacrifice, even your own child, will appease me. Your sacrifices will not put you in better standing. I am the one who provides the sacrifice. The sacrificial lamb points to a greater sacrifice that would appease God – His own Son. ( - For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…) Jesus it the “Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29)

· 1500 yrs later God would do what He stopped Abraham from doing. He would march His Son up a mountain and slaughter His own Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

1500 yrs later God would do what He stopped Abraham from doing. He would march His Son up a mountain and slaughter His own Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

· God provides! In every difficult situation you face know that God has provided His Son for you. His Son has given you a right relationship with Him, access to His presence, and the Spirit of God that resides in you and empowers you to walk by faith. Jesus really is the answer to all your tests because in Him you have all you need to walk by faith.

Every time a Jew went to the temple with his sacrificial, probably thought about this story. God provides. “We don’t have to sacrifice our children.

God provides! In every difficult situation you face know that God has provided His Son for you. His Son has given you a right relationship with Him, access to His presence, and the Spirit of God that resides in you and empowers you to walk by faith. Jesus really is the answer to all your tests because in Him you have all you need to walk by faith.

· At Mt. Moriah, God saw that Abraham loved him. 1500 yrs later the whole world saw that God loved us.

At Mt. Moriah, God saw that Abraham loved him. 1500 yrs later the whole world saw that God loved us and nothing can separate us from His love. (, )

What do you do in light of this passage?

A. Run to the answer. If you know Christ, you know that you have what you need to walk through difficulties and even grow through your difficulties. If you do not have Christ, all of your difficulties will be meaningless and purposeless.

B. Prepare for future tests. Now is the time to prepare. If you are not walking closely with the Lord now and cultivating your relationship with Him, you will likely stumble when testing comes. Take advantage of every opportunity to grow in your faith.

C. Ask the right question. When testing comes, ask what instead of why.

D. Know God will provide. You have all you need in Christ to make it through your testing. He will provide strength, hope, faith, wisdom, and whatever you need. Trust Him.

This morning, turn to the answer. Jesus is the answer. If you have never placed your faith in Him, believe today.

Maybe you are in a season of testing, and you are failing the test. You are not trusting God, you are trusting yourself. Repent of your lack of trust and put your eyes solely on Him.