Jul. 08, 2020

GENESIS

“NO QUESTIONS ASKED”

GENESIS 22:1-24

Habakkuk 2:4 “The just shall live by faith.”

In Genesis 22 we see the greatest test Abraham ever faced. The lesson we can learn from this chapter is, obedient faith that overcomes in the trials of life.

1.  Tests Are Part of a Christians Life- Genesis 22:1-2

In the school of faith we must have occasional tests, or we will never know where we are spiritually.

Learn to distinguish between trials and temptations. Temptations come from our desires within us.

James 1:12-16 “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

16Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”

Trials come from the Lord who has a specific purpose to fulfill. Temptations are used by the devil to bring out the worst in us, but trials are used by the Holy Spirit to bring out the best in us.

Why would God give Abraham a son and then ask him to kill him?

Testing is to help us grow into maturity. But God never sends a test until He knows you are ready for it.

2.   Keep Your Eyes On God’s Promises- Genesis 22:3-5

When God asked Abraham to offer his son, He was testing Abraham’s faith, hope, and love; and it looked like God was wiping out everything Abraham and Sarah had lived for.

Abraham heard God’s word and immediately obeyed it by faith. He knew that God’s will never contradicts God’s promises.

Genesis 21:12 “…in Isaac shall thy seed be called.”

Abraham believed that even if God allowed him to slay his son, He could raise Isaac from the dead.

Hebrews 11:17-19 “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.”

Faith does not demand explanations, faith rests on promises.

He obeyed God when he did not know the where  Hebrews 11:8; when he did not know the when vs.9-10,13-16; when he did not know how vs.11-12, and when he did not know why vs.17-19.

3.   In The Tests Depend on God’s Provision-Genesis 22:6-14

vs.8 “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering.”

vs.14 “The Lord-Will-Provide”- Jehovah-jirah- the Lord will see to it, that is the Lord will provide.

On who could Abraham depend?

He certainly could not depend on his feelings.

Abraham couldn’t depend on other people.

Abraham could depend on the promise and provision of the Lord.

When the situation appears to be hopeless, ask yourself, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord.” Gen. 18:14, and remind yourself, “I can all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13

Where does God provide our needs? In the place of His assignment.

When does God meet our needs? Just when we have the need and not a minute before. God is never late.

How does God provide for us? In ways that are usually quite natural.

To whom does God give His provision? To those who trust Him and obey His instructions.

4.   We Need To Seek To Glorify Christ

*Abraham and Isaac Acted Together: vs.6,8

*The Son had to die:

John 1:29 “Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.”

*The Son bore the burden of sin:

*The Son was raised from the dead:

The greatest thing that can happen as we experience the trials that God sends is that we grow closer to our Father and become more like the Lord Jesus Christ.

5.   You Need To Look Forward To What God Has For You- Genesis 22:15-24

There is always an “afterward” to the tests of life because God never wastes suffering.

Job 23:10 “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”

*Abraham received several blessings from God because of his obedient faith.

*He received a new approval from God-vs.12 

*He received back a new son

*God gave Abraham new assurance- vs.16-18

*Abraham also learned a new name for God- vs.14

*When Abraham arrived back home, he heard another new name-Rebekah vs.23- the girl God was saving for Isaac.

*Finally, Abraham came away from the trial with a deeper love for the Lord. Jesus tells us about a deeper love.

John 14:21-24 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

22Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

23Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.”

Have you experience that deeper love?