Main Truth: Abraham experienced God's work in his life and therefore trusted him with everything he had
Penny has a difficult time with this passage and I recall wishing I had more information about it so I could help build understanding. Today I have the opportunity to create a 3-minute talk on the reason God asked Abraham to "Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you. (Gen 22:2)" As God would have it, I'm going to see Penny this Friday.
Here's the setup, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. We've spent the last few months getting to know God's relationship with Abraham - from the Call in Gen 12 where we see how faith leads to regeneration. In Gen 13-14, Abraham demonstrated living by faith. Gen 13:3-4) between Bethel and Ai, the altar (Gen 12:7) he called on the name of Lord. - Calling on the name of the Lord is central to our faith (Gen 4:26, Romans 10:13, Acts 2:21)
- Wisdom is understanding the will of the Lord and sacrifice (altar) are linked (Eph 5:15-17, Romans 12:1-2) leading us to honest humility (Romans 12:3).
Remember when we got to Gen 15:6, one of the most important verses in all Scripture "Abram believed the Lord, and HE (the LORD) credited it to him (Abram) as righteousness." But what did Abram believe? In Genesis 15, God gave His promises to Abram. Abram’s belief, his faith in what God had promised, was the basis upon which God declared him righteous – justified. (Rev 12:11 blood of the lamb, word of testimony).
Yet life is complicated, Gen 16) Ishamel born, 17) Circumcision, 18) Sodom destroyed, God's wrath + mercy displayed, Gen 20, Abraham lies yet Issac is born and Abraham makes a commitment, it's like waiting to be baptized and after baptism comes the big test brought on by God himself.
Abraham experienced God's work in his life and therefore trusted him with everything he had. He reasoned "God himself will provide" and when he did, called the place "The LORD Will Provide" (Gen 22:8,13-14). Abraham's faith led to complete obedience and God explains nothing withheld is what that looks like. Notice Abraham being completely obedient didn't mean he lost everything, rather he gained everything and more. The blessing of all of us. This is the big truth for us from Romans 12:1-3), today in view of God's mercy OFFER yourselves as a living sacrifice, COMPLETELY. Transformed, renewed, and able to taste and see God's will.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
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