Crisis in the Lives of the Saints- part 2

                               Abraham   5/10/09 Listen to Audio

Intro: Genesis 22—Amazing incident in the Abraham’s life!

How could God ask such a thing?

There are similarities between this incident and gospel of

Christ.

I. Abraham was tested, not because of disobedience,

but to show greater obedience.

Abraham was not selected due to his rebellion, but, like

Job, because of his obedience.  We think of testing as

because of some disobedience—see I Peter 4:12.

Testing:  1. to discover the intent of our hearts

  2. To reveal the intent of our hearts

  3. To show God’s enabling power in a fallen world

  4. To glorify God by showing the superiority of faith

     under fire.

II. Abraham was tested in the timing of this incident.

22:1 “after these things”  > see 21:33 – Everlasting God

  But even in the security of this new name for God,

Abraham needed to be “unsettled” a bit.

 

III. Abraham was tested as to the dearest that he

possessed. “take now your son, your only son…”

1. It was the child that he had waited and prayed for.

2. Surrender, as an act of faith, is only a concession until

the greatest object of our affection is given to the Lord.

  Testing is God’s mechanism for establishing Himself as

supreme in our lives.

3) Trust in the Lord involves yielding up control of our

lives, properties and future.   Rom.6:13

 

IV. Abraham was tested and trusted God’s character

and Word.

1) see Hebrews 11:7-  Abraham believed the God who

gave him the child once, could do it again.

2) Experience taught Abraham that God’s ways are best.