Timeless Abraham Test of Faith

Timeless Abraham Test of Faith

Welcome

Illus: As a teenager I Failed my drivers test twice. First time was too aggressive, 2nd time to passive and third time a got my drivers license.

When ever I had a test in school, I’d get very nervous, sweaty palms, things seemed to move in slow motion, i just hated taking tests!

There is nothing like a test to get you out of your comfort zone!

When was the last time you were outside of your comfort zone? Some of you might be thinking coming here tonight is out of my comfort zone! So glad your here!

“If were growing, were always going to be outside of our comfort zone?”
[1]

This is true of any kind of growth but especially true in our journey following Christ, our growth in Christ.

Timeless series is studying the timeless truths and lessons of OT characters.

When you think of being outside your comfort zone Abraham lived it. He faced many tests of Faith and like us he didn’t pass them all!

Abraham is one of the most significant characters characters in the Bible. His story throughout Genesis 12-24.

Commanded by God to leave all that was near and familiar and to go to a place that was remote, unknown, and perhaps undesirable, because of the promise of God, That he would be the father to countless descendants and his people would live in the promised land, He would be blessed and a blessing to all people. Abraham obeyed. He had no idea how long it was going to take, the route that he was on, but walked by faith.

With every promise comes a test. God’s calling on your life always accompanies tests of faith.

For Abraham wandering in the dessert. Doubting God’s promise of children with his wife Sarai who had been barren and growing impatient, thinking God needed some help to fulfill his plan Sarai and Abraham agreed that he should have a child with their maid, Hagar, which was Ishmael. Facing famine and going to Egypt standing before Pharaoh Gen 12 and later on before King Abimelech Gen 20 fearing for his life because of the beauty of his wife, not trusting that God would protect them and keep the family together he lied twice that his wife was his sister, God showed very and delivered them from those situations. All kinds of drama with family as they travel and deal with blended family and when he’s 100 years old and Sarai is 90 God tells them it’s time to have a son and it’s a joke to Sarai, it’s laughable to have a child at their age and yet she gives birth to Isaac.

But the ultimatetest to his faith, greater then the call to leave his homeland and even the promise of a son so late in life, was the command to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, to God

Pray

In both the Old and New Testaments, the words translated “test” mean “to prove by trial.”

The testing or trials we undergo come in various ways. Following Christ will require us to move out of our comfort zones and into the unknown. Perseverance in testing results in spiritual maturity and growth. How do we grow? Over time, under pressure!

James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). What! I think this is one of my least favorite verses!

The testing of faith can come in small ways and daily irritations; do you have any of those? They may also be severe afflictions (Isaiah 48:10) and attacks from Satan (Job 2:7).

Why do we consider it pure Joy? Trials help us become mature and complete, they are the tools that shape our character and refine our lives.

The ultimate test of faith is not how loudly you praise God in happy times but how deeply you trust him in dark times - Rick Warren[2]

How can we trust God in the dark times? By faith.

Faith is like a muscle; it develops by being used. The more you use your faith, the more it gets stretched. And the more it gets stretched, the more God is able to use and bless your life.

We are commanded to live by Faith. Hebrews 11:6 says it;s impossible to please God without Faith. It’s not easy…there are times when we will be tested as we will see tonight when it doesn’t make sense.

Abraham, faced many tests of faith. Called from his homeland, years on the road, wife was barren till she was 90yrs old and now Him and his son Isaac. …and the biggest test of his life still ahead.

Hebrews 11:17-19

17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

First point we learn from His story is…

1. My Faith will be tested.

Don’t be shocked, don’t surprised when the test or trial comes! Some people encounter a test of faith and I can’t believe it, God where are you, I thought you loved me, who is this happening???? It paralyzes their faith. Its a test! That kind of response shows they don't know God very well and don’t understand his word! 1 Peter 4:12 says don’t be surprised at the fiery trials they show you are a partner of Christ!

God tests Him and he test us!

Genesis 22:1, 2

1Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

This is far out for us. The shock and disgust of this thought of child sacrifice. What was God thinking?

Human sacrifice was not beyond the range of Abraham’s experience. It took place in Ur and it was part of Canaanite culture. Abraham came from a pagan, occult practicing people group.

God was not tempting Abraham. God was not enticing Abraham to do wrong, but was testing him to see if he would do what was right.

God was not instituting or condoning child sacrifice. As seen in Deuteronomy 12:31 and the other passages, God abhors child sacrifice. It's important to remember that God prevented the sacrifice from actually occurring. He did not desire the sacrifice as an act of worship or for any other reason beyond testing Abraham.

God was not telling Abraham to do wrong. God has the right to take human life,God's moral authorityhe’s the only one with the power and right to give and take life and could therefore authorize Abraham to do so in a particular case.

What, burnt offering meant to an ancient middle easterner. First cut the offerings throat. Then dismember, then a sacrifice by fire in which the offering was consumed on the altar.

Some might ask: How can God be so cruel? Subjecting Abraham to unbearable anguish!

But has not God Himself done the same?

It’s a foreign thought that we humans would be asked to do something that God himself ordained for His Son Jesus Christ. Should he not teach us the value of willingly giving up that which is precious for righteousness sake. Do we value Isaac (and our own sons) above the Son of God?

The point was for Abraham to demonstrate that he trusted God completely and placed him above all else, even his own son.

God tested Abraham.Why would God do that? Does He still do that today?

Testing has to do with Faith. It strengthens and builds faith.

In order for faith to grow it must be exercised.God provides opportunities to exercise our faith. …testing.

We can’t get confused between temptation and testing. God does not tempt people.

James 1:13, 14

13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

Tempting is designed for our failure. Temptation is from Satan & our flesh.

Testing is designed for our growth. Testing is one of God’s most common methods.

Testing produces good things…maturity in us.

There doesn’t seem to be another way in the Bible, I have looked! There is no other way to become mature than through persevering through tests in life.

1 Peter 1:6, 7

6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

They were tested, we are tested. This is the way our Faith is purified and strengthened.

Abraham was tested by offering his son. His son represented his future, his livelihood, the thing on earth that was most dear to his heart.

What about today, what is a common test of faith? Interesting that the tests we encounter often involve Money, trusting God with our livelihood…trusting God in tithing, in our generosity… 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine.Underline that “Your faith of greater worth than gold.”

Makes me question myself…how am I stewarding, investing and directing my life…to build faith which is more valuable than gold? Or is my life predominately about the accumulation of money?

God will test us in the area’s of what we value to make sure we value Him most.

What are the tests in your life right now? How are you doing?

Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God-trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us. [3]Oswald Chambers

But the focus is not on the testing itself but the Faith that it produces.

Remember what Faith is according to Heb 11:1

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Faith is based in certainty about God’s goodness, plan & power. To walk by Faith and not by sight. It is certain that God is going to come through.

That is what we see in the life of Abraham with his son Isaac, a Faith that’s tested and convinced of God’s goodness.

recap - Our faith will be tested…

2)[4] I need to be convinced about God’s goodness.

Abraham experienced the goodness of God. Given a son in old age…he knew God was good.

Are you convinced of the goodness of God? Do you believe he is good? That his plan and purpose for you is the best?

Psalm 34:8

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

To taste means to experience.

Illus: Had the privilege to go down and serve with Dori & Ikaika hobbs with YWAM Mazatlan 3 times the past year and a half. The ministry of Homes of hope, finish building a house, at that dedication It’s such a high, i have to do it again! Ministry to the kids, feeding center, Bible distribution it’s an incredible experience. The Taco’s are also the best Mexican food I’ve ever had! Every time new people come they get to experience it for themselves.

After the experience you’re convinced. Abraham had enough experiences with God that he was convinced. All he wandering in the desert, being rescued by God time after time, receiving Isaac when they thought there is no way.

Genesis 22:3-5

3Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”…He’s convinced, early in the morning he get’s up and saddles the donkey…

Are you that convinced of God’s goodness?

We become convinced by experience. Obedience, worship, prayer, Bible study. service, ministry, mission trips. We have to go with God, we gotta get beyond the talk and go. Times of prayer, obedience…we have to journey with God to experience His goodness. Leave our comfort zone, step out in faith, take the risks of Faith God is asking us too.

Have you experienced the faithfulness of God?

Recap -We will be tested and we need to convinced of God’s goodness.

3) I need to be convinced about God’s plan.

God’s plan, is for your best.

Illus: Tough to reconcile the loss and suffering we experience in this life. I think of Kit who was our Friday pastor, my mentor, people ask me where I went to seminary and I tell them the university of Kit Lauer. I spent 7 years in his mini van going everywhere with him. It was not my plan to loose Kit to Leukemia. On his death bed he asked me to carry on the ministry. That will be 7 years ago this April 24th. The longer I journey I get these glimpses into some things that are being accomplished. On a daily basis i recall lessons he taught me and the things he did. The ways God’s plans are being fulfilled. You know the verse countless times Kit would recite from this stage?

Job 13:15

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him;

God even though your plans leads right through the middle of suffering and loss I am convinced that your plan is better than mine.

Genesis 22:6-8

6Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

Abraham says…God will provide the Lamb for the burnt offering. Why? Because Abraham remembered God’s promise to Him.

Hebrews 11:17, 18

17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”

The same for us. We need to remember God’s word, his promises. To align ourselves with God’s word and his plan.

No matter the circumstances you face, your past or how bleak the future appears God has a plan.

Only God can turn a mess into a message. a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victory into a victory.[5]

No matter the test whether In our relationships, in our families, in your finances, at School, at work, remember…He works all things together for the Good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.The lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in Spirit. His plan is really best.

Recap -To pass the test of our faith,we need to be convinced of His goodness & Plan.

4) I[6] need to be convinced about God’s power.

When God asks us to do the impossible it’s because He is the one that has the power to make it possible.

If my thoughts are always on myself and my limited power and abilities, it’s easier to have a hard time to be convinced of God’s power.

When my thoughts are on Him, my focus is on his Word I begin to be convinced about God’s power.

Story continues…

Genesis 22:9-14

9When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”“Here I am,” he replied.

12“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”