Sermon Tone Analysis

Series:

- For the last two weeks we’ve been talking about the story of Abraham, Sarah, and their son Isaac

- Week One:

• With GOD all things are POSSIBLE

• There is nothing that God can’t do

• His vision for our LIFE is bigger than we think!

- Week Two:

• When we step out in FAITH we get Isaacs!

• When we step out in FAITH we get to see God bring forth that vision inside of us

• When we step out in FAITH, the vision God brings to pass in our lives has power and potential

- TODAY:

• What happens when our FAITH is tested?

• What happens when it looks like God is being UNFAITHFUL?

• What happens when it looks like what God said is being voided – or taken back?

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Intro:

- The very first verse we’ll read today is going to be something we’re going to spend a little bit of time on.

(ESV)

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

Note:

- We have to be very clear about what is going on here

{God doesn’t tempt us, but He will allow us to be tested}

Temptation = is designed to hurt us or destroy us

{Example: Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan [Matt.41].

Paul encourages married couples to use self-control so that Satan won’t tempt them [1Corthians 7:5].

We’re encouraged to keep watch over ourselves lest we be tempted [].

There’s talk of a Tempter who tempts in .

}

- Tempting someone is an attempt to get them to sin or fall away.

(ESV) 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

Testing = is designed to strengthen us

(ESV) 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

- James reminds us that the testing of our faith is part of the process of growing as a believer.

- The testing of our faith produces steadfastness which leads us to walking out the vision of God for our lives.

• James also reminds us that sometimes this testing of our faith comes via trials!

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How did God test Abraham’s Faith?

(ESV) After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

· This was HUGE!

· GOD is telling Abraham to sacrifice the most important thing in his life…his “one and only son”!

· This was the “promise” !

· This was the gift God had given them!

· This was the MIRACLE!

· The only other place in the Bible where a Father willingly allows his son to be sacrificed is God the Father and Jesus [but Abraham doesn’t know that]

In Abraham’s case, it was to have his faith tested

In God’s case, it was to give us LIFE through grace BY FAITH in Jesus [His son]

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4 Observations When Abraham’s Faith Was Tested:

1.

He willfully obeyed God

(ESV) 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac.

And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.

3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac.

And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.

· Is our first response to obedience?

· [it’s often fear and rebellion]

· It’s easy to obey God when our faith isn’t being tested…but what about when hardship and trials come our way?

· Abraham’s obedience in was shaped by God’s promise to Abraham in “I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.”

· This is why it’s so important to know what God has said so that when hard times come [because they will] our FAITH ISN’T DERAILED because we’ve forgotten who God is and what God has promised/said.

Application:

Maybe your faith is being tested by a job change, a relationship issue, a money woe, a schooling decision, an addiction, etc.

Remember:

God is Good!

His calling for every disciple is towards a total reliance and dependency on HIM!

We are called to hold on to this world loosely….so

what has you scared to obey God?

2. He allowed his faith to drive

Remember that FAITH IS the assurance of things HOPED FOR and the conviction of things not seen!!!

Instead of letting his thoughts run wild….

Instead of letting the request bring him to ruin….

Instead of letting the probable drowned out the possible….

HE SPOKE FAITH INTO HIS TESTING!

(ESV) Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”

5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”

· Abraham’s assurance of the things he HOPED for and his conviction of the things HE COULD NOT SEE!

· WE have NO REASON to believe that Abraham is going to come down off that mountain with Isaac!

· BUT ABRAHAM BELIEVED THAT HE WOULD!

Application:

Keep your faith in the driver’s seat!

Just because your faith is being tested or you may be experiencing hardship, doesn’t mean you have to be silent!

Speak LIFE into your situation!

Speak HOPE into your situation!

Let the assurance of the things you HOPE FOR drowned out your doubts, fears, and anxiety.

[God’s always faithful; God is love; God is able; God can restore; God can _____]

3. Abraham even speaks this FAITH to Isaac!

(ESV) Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son.

And he took in his hand the fire and the knife.

So they went both of them together.

7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!”

And he said, “Here I am, my son.”