[0:00] Can we turn back to the second portion that we read from the Word of God, to the book of Genesis and the 22nd chapter.
[0:20] Genesis chapter 22, and we'll read again from verse 6. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son.
[0:31] And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them on together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, My father.
[0:42] And he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold, the fire and the wood. But where is the lamb for the burnt offering? And Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.
[0:58] So they went both of them on together. And especially the words there in verse 8, at the beginning of verse 8. Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.
[1:21] Just four short weeks ago, we all celebrated Christmas Day. Our schools and our offices and our places of work, for the most part, were closed.
[1:35] Work was finished for the year. For most of us, anyway. And we were able to gather with our families and relax and spend quality time together, as they say.
[1:46] In our homes, we blessed the member of our families, and they blessed us by the giving and the receiving of gifts, carefully wrapped, set aside, until just the right moment, when they were to be presented to us with love and with affection.
[2:05] We opened and unwrapped these gifts with anticipation and with pleasure. They were tokens of friendship, of love, and of consideration of each other's needs and each other's interests.
[2:19] And for what seems like ages running up to Christmas, our normally secular world was building up to this event. Shops were reminding us about Christmas time.
[2:29] It seems like forever, but it probably was only since October. Decorations, wrapping paper, cards, they were all available to buy in shops for months. Another time when we as an island, as a community, as a nation, as a people, are passing through difficult times politically and economically.
[2:48] Everything seems to be on a downward slope with cuts and redundancies. As a people, we seem to have been looking forward to Christmas to brighten our lives through a long, dark winter of our discontent.
[3:02] And it really was something to look forward to. But once Christmas Day was over, Once we had our fill of chocolates and stuffing and turkey and all the trimmings.
[3:15] Once all the paper and boxes were tidied up and thrown out. Once we grew tired of slouching in front of the telly or playing board games or going out for brisk walks.
[3:25] And we moved into the cold new January of 2012. Up and down the country. Christmas, this celebration of Jesus Christ, was put in a box.
[3:39] Was tucked away into the attic for another year. Cards which celebrated and commemorated the coming of the shepherds and of the wise men. Or the visitation to the baby in the stable in Bethlehem.
[3:52] They were tossed aside into the bin. Or recycled, perhaps, as gift tags for next year. We were finished as a nation. With the infant who lay in a manger.
[4:04] And who is the reason for the season, as they say. Our consideration of Jesus Christ was over. And then in the first few dark days of this month.
[4:17] We, along with most of the rest of the country. Headed back to our places of work. And we did not give the greatest gift of all. A second thought. Or a backward glance.
[4:30] The gift that I'm talking about this evening was carefully planned. The most appropriate gift to meet the needs of a fallen race. A saviour to deliver us.
[4:40] A redeemer to buy us back. That's what redemption means. To buy us back. A lamb to be sacrificed in our place. This gift was carefully presented.
[4:53] Wrapped in swaddling cloths. Lying in a manger. The Lord of glory. Imagine it. The Lord of glory. The creator of heaven and earth. Lying in a feeding trough.
[5:05] This gift was freely given. Nothing was held back. No expense was spared. No amount was too much. He poured himself out to death.
[5:16] He emptied himself. There was no counting of the cost here. This gift is a token of the intensity of the love of God for his people.
[5:27] The Bible tells us. For God so loved the world. That he gave his only begotten son. That little word so. Just two letters. But which implies.
[5:38] Which conveys. Such a huge amount. About the degree. To which God loves us. Turning to a reading in Genesis then. There are a number of places in the Bible.
[5:50] That we can think perhaps of. As almost. Holy ground. Where we get a glimpse. An insight. Into the mind of God. And into his plans. For his beloved people.
[6:02] Where the veil is drawn back. Just a little. So that we can catch sight. Of all that he has in store. For those who are his. And this chapter my friends. Is one of these places.
[6:12] And I want to look into these verses this evening. To try and catch. Just a glimpse. Of the lamb. That was promised. That was provided. And that was gifted.
[6:23] By God. God. And as we look together. At this great story. From the life of Abraham. I hope that we will all together. See. That there's something far larger. In view here.
[6:34] Than just an event. Between a father. And his only son. I hope that we will see. That this is a clear portrait. In the story of the Lord. Jesus Christ.
[6:45] And I hope we will see. A bit about the price. That he paid. For sinners. So let's look at the story. Then this evening. The story of Abraham. And of Isaac. And of the lamb of God.
[6:58] And firstly. We are told. About a trusting man. Of God. We're told about Abraham. This man is a descendant. Of Noah. And his name is Abraham.
[7:09] And Abraham means. Father of a multitude. When God first. Called Abraham. To follow him. His name was Abram. A-B-R-A-M.
[7:20] And Abraham meant. Abraham meant. Exalted father. But at the time. Abraham was already. 75 years old. And he had no children.
[7:32] And as Abraham. Began to follow the Lord. God called him. And changed his name. To Abraham. When he had no children. He was called. Exalted father.
[7:44] Now. When he has one son. Two. If we include. Ishmael. Abraham. Who Abraham. Abraham had with Hagar. God. Renames him. Father of a multitude. Now you can imagine.
[7:56] The reaction of those. Around him. When he announced. This change of name. They must have thought. That Abraham was a ridiculous figure. A bit touched.
[8:07] In the head. Delusional. Delusional. An old man. With a young son. And a name. That sounded like God. Was playing a practical joke on him. That God was actually.
[8:18] Setting him up. As an object of ridicule. Now while some. Would have laughed. At this old man. And his strange name. That name was in fact. A token. Of the promise of God.
[8:29] To Abraham. While he had only one son. The Lord promised him. That he would have many. Many more. Genesis chapter 17. No longer.
[8:41] Shall your name. Be called. Abram. Abram. But your name. Shall be Abraham. For I have made you. Father. Of a multitude. Of nations. And by the time.
[8:52] We arrive at chapter 22. From where we draw our text. This evening. Abraham has two sons. The first. Ishmael. Born out of Abraham's impatience.
[9:04] Has already left home. And Isaac. The son. Of God's promise. Who was born. When Abraham. Was in his 100th year. Is the only one still there.
[9:17] Now while people. May have mocked. This man of God. He was not swayed. Abraham. Was not swayed. He placed his trust. He was not swayed. He was not swayed. He was not swayed. He was not swayed. In the Lord.
[9:28] Even though he had only one son. Abraham looked ahead. To a time. When the promises made by the Lord. Would be fulfilled. My friends. That's what saved.
[9:39] Abraham's soul. Simple faith. In the word of God. Genesis chapter 15. And God brought Abraham outside. And said. Look toward the heaven.
[9:50] And number the stars. If you're able to number them. And then God said. So. Shall your offspring be. And Abraham believed the Lord.
[10:00] And he counted to him. As righteousness. That's how belief. And faith. And salvation. Worked then. And it's how it works today. You hear the promise of God. From his word.
[10:11] You believe it. You accept it by faith. And you trust him. You take God. At his word. That's what saves the soul. And Abraham had great faith.
[10:25] Did you notice in our reading. That as soon. As the Lord speaks. Abraham responds. This tells us a lot. About this great man of faith. He has his ear.
[10:36] Tuned. To the voice of the Lord. Like a good soldier. He's alert. He's continually waiting. For orders. From headquarters. This is a man. Who lives his life.
[10:47] For the will of God. What a lesson that is. A humbling lesson. That is. For those of us. Who claim to love. The Lord Jesus Christ. Most of us are so busy.
[10:58] Tuning in. To the voice of the world. And to the flesh. And to the demands. Of our everyday lives. That we can't hear. His call. And his voice. Above the din. When he does speak to us.
[11:11] What are you living for this evening? Is it your house? Is it sport? Is it your wealth? Is it your family? Is it your work? Is it your career? Is it your reputation? Is it thrills?
[11:22] Trying to fill your life. With as many experiences as possible. All these things. Are fine and good. In their own place. But don't you think.
[11:35] We. All of us. Should be listening. For the voice of the Lord. After all. His is the only voice. In this world today. That's speaking the absolute. Unchangeable.
[11:46] Unchangeable. Immutable truth. He holds the way of a salvation. In his hands friends. And his hands are reaching out to you. Reaching out for you. If you will only heed.
[11:59] As his voice calls you. Son. Daughter. Give me your heart. Secondly friends. We're told in the story that we read. Of a great sacrifice.
[12:10] The Bible tells us. That the Lord. Tested Abraham. He challenged. Abraham. This was a test.
[12:20] Of Abraham's. Faith. Now there is no doubt. That Abraham. Loved Isaac. We can see that. In verse 2. Of the chapter. That we read. There's no doubt. That Abraham loved God.
[12:31] Just look. At the way. Abraham lived his life. From the very moment. That God. Came into his life. In chapter 12. Of Genesis. Right up until the time. That we're reading off here.
[12:44] Abraham proved. His love for God. Over. And over. And over. And over again. He left his home. His country. His family. In Ur of the Chaldees.
[12:55] In the south. Of modern day Iraq. All because God. Called him to. He journeyed. As a stranger. In a foreign land. Because he loved the Lord.
[13:06] And because he wanted. To do his bidding. Now. With Isaac. He is about to prove. How deep. His love. For the Lord.
[13:17] God Almighty. Actually is. He is about to prove. How much trust. He does indeed. Place. In God's promises. Now friends.
[13:28] It's one thing. To trust in God. While waiting. For a promise. To be fulfilled. But it's quite another thing. To trust him. When God asks us. To give up. The thing.
[13:39] That we understand. As his promise. When he asks that. Back from us. Abraham had waited. For years. For Isaac. To be born.
[13:50] And Isaac. Is now somewhere. In his teenage years. And is growing up. Into a fine young man. Of whom his father. Abraham. Is rightly proud. God. And Abraham. Abraham sees Isaac.
[14:00] As the personification. And the fulfillment. Of all the promises. That God has ever made. To Abraham. Isaac. Is the first installment. Isaac.
[14:11] Is the down payment. If you like. And through the descendants. Of Isaac. Abraham sees. The promised multitudes. Coming. Generation. After generation. After generation.
[14:25] And yet. The Lord. Asks Abraham. To give Isaac back. What a taste. Of this man's faith. Abraham has spoken. Of his faith. And the love. For the Lord.
[14:36] For years. And now. He's going to be given. The opportunity. To prove. His love. For the Lord. Now. On the surface. This may seem.
[14:50] Like a cruel thing. That the Lord. Is doing. Put yourself. In Abraham's position. You wait. All your long life. For a son. And then.
[15:02] God. Asks you. To give him back. And not only. Does he ask you. To give him back. But he asks you. To give him back. By sacrificing. As an offering.
[15:13] A burnt offering. Which involves. Suffering. And death. And blood. And fire. God's not even.
[15:24] Not just. Asking. Abraham. To give him. Isaac. To be a priest. To go into the priesthood. In the service of the church. Where he would spend. The rest of his life. And Abraham would know.
[15:34] That he was safe. And that he was doing. God's work. God's work. This is the putting. To death. Of Isaac. This is the putting.
[15:46] To death. Of all. Of Abraham's hopes. And dreams. Through Isaac. God's making. A point here. With Abraham. God's using Abraham.
[15:58] As an example. God's showing. That there are people. Whose love for the Lord. Is greater. Than anything else. In this world. More than their comforts.
[16:09] More than their happiness. More than their contentment. More than their reputations. More than themselves. Or even their closest families. God's also making a point.
[16:21] About himself here. With this. Event. He is painting. A picture. Of his love. For humanity. God so loved.
[16:31] The world. And this picture. Will become clearer. To you. I hope. As we move. Through these verses. Real faith. Friends. Is always tested.
[16:42] If we love God. When we trust in God. He will. Test us. Why? Why does he test us? Does he do it to punish us? Does he do it to torment us?
[16:53] No. He does it. To prove. Himself. To us. He does it. To show. That he can. And will. Take care of us.
[17:04] In. The very depths. Of these tests. And he does it. To show the world. That watches. That he is worthy. Of our faith. And that he is worthy. Of our trust.
[17:14] Now the cost. Of this testing. To Abraham. Was almost. Beyond. Calculation. God.
[17:26] Tells. Abraham. To take. And notice. How the personal. Cost. To Abraham. Is kept. Constantly. Before him. At all times. God. Says.
[17:37] Abraham. Take. Your son. Your only son. The son. You love. More than life. Itself. And offer him. To me.
[17:48] As a burnt offering. Look at the cost. Look at the cost. In that. To Abraham. But there's more. Not only.
[17:59] Is God. Asking. For Isaac. The most. Precious thing. That Abraham. Has. Not only. Is he. Asking. For Isaac. To be. Offered up.
[18:11] But he's. Also. Asking. That the. Sacrificing. Be done. Directly. By Abraham's. Own. Hand. It will not. Do. To have someone.
[18:22] Else. Lead Isaac. Away. And sacrifice. Him. Privately. Somewhere. Out of Abraham's. Sight. Abraham. Has to. Gaze. On his. Own. Only.
[18:33] Beloved. Son. As he. Plunges. The knife. Into his. Chest. And he. Has to. Watch. As Isaac's. Life. Blood. Flows. Away. And his. Eyes. Grow. Dim. Surely.
[18:44] This must. Have. Broken. Abraham's. Heart. After all. Embodied. In Isaac. Were. All. Of. God's. Promises. In truth. To Abraham.
[18:56] Isaac. Was. Life. If. Isaac. Were. Dead. And. Gone. Then. The. Promises. Of. God. Would. Be. Render. Worthless. If. Isaac. Was. To. Die. Then. The. Hopes. Of. Abraham.
[19:06] Would. Die. With. Him. As. Well. But. In spite. Of. This. We. Don't. Find. Abraham. Trying. To. Negotiate. Some. Kind.
[19:17] Of. Deal. With. The. Lord. Over. This. He. Doesn't. Try. To. Argue. His. Point. With. God. He. Doesn't. Say. But. You. Said. I'm.
[19:28] Sure. That. His. Parents. If. You. Experience. With. Your. Children. Particularly. When. They. Were. Younger. It. Was. Anything. Like. Mine. When. You. Heard. That. Sentence. Coming. From.
[19:38] Their. Lips. But. You. Said. You. Knew. That. Trouble. Was. Coming. But. Abraham. Doesn't. Say. To. God. His. Father. But. You. Said. I. Was. To. Be. The. Father. Of. A. Great. Multitude.
[19:49] How. Can. That. Be. True. If. Isaac. Is. Dead. There. Was. No. Argument. This. Father. Broken. Hearted.
[19:59] As. He. Must. Have. Been. Was. Submissive. To. The. Will. Of. God. Was. Obedient. To. The. Will. Of. God. Was. Willing. To. Pay. The. Price. Asked.
[20:11] By. God. And. He. Will. Willingly. Gave. His. Son. As. An. Offering. Notice.
[20:23] The. Similarities. Between. Isaac. And. Jesus. He. Was. A. Son. He. Was. The. Only. Begotten. Son. And. He. Was. The.
[20:33] Son. Of. Whom. God. Said. My. Beloved. Son. When. God. Looked. At. The. Plight. Of. Sinful. Humanity. Friends. He. Loved. Us. So. Much. That. He. Freely.
[20:43] Gave. His. Son. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. To. Be. Sacrificed. To. Die. An. Outplace. On. The. Cross. Never. Friends. Be. Tempted. To. Think. That. Salvation.
[20:54] Is. A. Cheap. Thing. Just. Because. It. It. Freely. Given. Does. Not. Mean. That. It. Was. A. Cheap. Thing. To. Be. Taken. Lightly. Our.
[21:12] Salvation. Cost. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. His. Life. Upon. A. Cursed. Roman. Cross. The. Price. Was. Humiliation. The. Price. Was. Pain. The.
[21:22] Price. Was. Agony. The. Price. Was. Isolation. From. God. And. Death. But. He. Paid. It. Willingly. Unflinchingly. Unstintingly. Why?
[21:34] Because. He. So. Loved. You. So. Abraham. Complied. Abraham. Never. Once. Wavered.
[21:46] He. Simply. Gathered. Together. All. The. Things. That. He. Needed. To. Worship. God. By. A. Sacrifice. A. Burnt. Offering. And. He. Headed. Off. To. The. Place. That. God. Told. Him. To.
[21:56] To. Go. To. His. Heart. Was. Fixed. On. Doing. The. Thing. That. God. Had. Told. Him. To. Do. What. A. Man. Of. Faith. Must. Have. Been. A. Difficult. Journey.
[22:07] For. Abraham. As. Every. Step. That. He. Took. For. These. Three. Days. Bore. Him. Closer. And. Closer. And. Closer. To. The. Place. Where. He. Had. To. Sacrifice. His. Only.
[22:17] Beloved. Son. But. He. Continued. On. Until. He. Arrived. At. The. Place. Set. Aside. What. A. Picture. This. Paints. For. Us. This.
[22:27] Evening. Of. Our. Heavenly. Father. Time. And. Time. And. Time. Again. The. Bible. Tells. Us. That. God. Was. Sorrowful. That. God. Regretted. That. He. Had. Made. Man. In. Genesis.
[22:37] Chapter. Six. We. Read. And. The. Lord. Regretted. That. He. Had. Made. Man. On. The. Earth. And. It. Grieved. Him. To. His. Heart. It. Grieved. Him. To. His. Heart. That.
[22:48] Creatures. Made. In. His. Own. Image. Had. Rebelled. And. Sinned. Against. Him. However. God. Was. Not. Deterred. He. Had. Already. Put.
[22:58] Together. A. Plan. To. Pay. The. Price. For. The. Redemption. Of. Mankind. He. Knew. What. Had. To. Be. Done. And. He. Set. Out. To. Do. It. You. See. The. Lord. Knew. The. Place.
[23:08] To. Which. He. Was. Leading. Abraham. When. He. Fashioned. This. World. When. He. Out. Of. The. Power. Of. His. Word. Brought. The. World. Into. Being. The. Lord. Knew. That. On. That. Very. Spot. In.
[23:19] The. Range. Of. Mountains. Of. Moriah. He. Would. Ask. Abraham. To. Take. The. Life. Of. His. Beloved. Son. Isaac. But. He. Also. Knew. That. Centuries. Later. Mount.
[23:31] Moriah. Would. Be. Where. Solomon. Would. Build. The. Temple. In. Jerusalem. Where. God. Would. Be. Worshipped. Where. The. Veil. That. Huge. Ornate. Symbol.
[23:43] Of. The. Son. Of. God. Separating. The. Holy. Of. Holies. Containing. The. Presence. Of. God. From. The. Rest. Of. The. Temple. Would. Be. Torn. In. Two. By. Unseen. Hands. At.
[23:53] The. Very. Instant. That. Jesus. Gave. Up. His. Spirit. On. Calvary's. Cross. God. Knew. That. Mount. Moriah. Was. In. The. Same. Range. Of. Hills. As. The. Hill. Calvary.
[24:05] As. Golgotha. Where. Jesus. Christ. Would. Himself. Be. Sacrificed. To. Redeem. His. People. The. Planning. Of. Almighty. God. Friends. Does. Not. Involve.
[24:16] Coincidences. It's. Not. Haphazard. It's. Not. Chaotic. It is. Minutely. Detailed. Significant. In. Its. Intricacy. Look.
[24:29] At. The. Confidence. That. Abraham. Had. In. God. When. They. Arrived. At. The. Place. And. Abraham. Told. The. Servants. To. Wait. While. He. And. Isaac. Went. On. To. Worship. He.
[24:40] Told. Them. That. They. Would. Worship. But. He. Also. Told. Them. That. They. Would. Return. Abraham. Still. Had. Faith. That. Even. Though. He. Was. About. To.
[24:50] Kill. Isaac. And. Burn. His. Body. His. Remains. Upon. A. Fire. That. God. Would. Keep. His. Promises. In. Genesis. 17.
[25:01] We're. Told. That. God. Had. Promised. That. Isaac. Would. Be. The. Father. Of. Twelve. Princes. And. Of. A. Vast. Multitude. However. Abraham. Must. Have. Known. That. Dead. Men. Do.
[25:11] Not. Father. Children. Think. Of. The. Turmoil. That. His. Heart. His. Head. His. Mind. Must. Have. Been. Going. Through. How. Could. He. Believe. That.
[25:22] God. Could. Keep. His. Word. Well. The. New. Testament. Tells. Us. That. Friends. In. The. Epistle. To. The. Hebrews. And. In. Chapter. 11. Where. It. Says. By. Faith.
[25:33] That. How. He. Believed. By. Faith. Abraham. When. He. Was. Tested. Offered. Up. Isaac. And. He. Who. Had. Received. The. Promises. Was. In. The. Act. Of. Offering. Up. His.
[25:44] Only. Son. Of. Whom. It. Was. Said. Through. Isaac. Shall. Your. Offering. Be. Name. He. Considered. That. God. Was. Able. Even. To. Raise. Him. From. The. Dead. Put.
[25:55] Simply. Friends. Abraham. New. That. Even. If. He. Put. Isaac. To. Death. God. Could. Bring. Him. Back. From. The. Dead. Abraham. Believed. God. Abraham.
[26:06] Trusted. God. So. It. Is. With. The. Lord. Jesus. God. Knew. That. His. Son. Had. To. Go. To. The. Cross. He. Knew. That. When. Jesus. Died.
[26:16] On. The. Cross. That. He. Would. Not. Remain. Under. As.
[26:27] The. Psalm. I. Said. Would. Not. Taste. Corruption. In. The. Third. Place. We're. Told. In. This. Story. About. An. Obedient. Son. We're.
[26:40] Told. About. A. Son. Who. Does. The. Will. Of. The. Father. Notice. How. The. Son. Through. This. Story. Is. Behaving. The. Son. Is. Working.
[26:51] As. They. Head. To. The. Top. Of. Son. Isaac. Isaac. Is. Quite. Literally. Bearing. The. Wood. Upon. Which.
[27:02] He. Will. Die. Isaac. Is. Not. Bound. And. Gagged. And. Carried. Kicking. And. Screaming. To. The. Top. Of. The. Mountain. Against. His. Will. He. Actively. Participates.
[27:13] In. This. Process. What. A. Picture. This. Paints. For. Us. Here. Of. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. To.
[27:27] Bring. About. The. End. Of. His. Earthly. Existence. But. There. Were. Greater. Burdens. Upon. Jesus. That. Day. He. Bore. Our. Sins. Each.
[27:38] And. Every. Sin. For. Each. And. Every. One. Of. His. Children. So. The. Son. Is. Working. And. The. Son. Is.
[27:49] Also. Wondering. Isaac's. Question. When. You. Read. It. Touches. Your. Heart. He. Sees.
[27:59] The. Knife. In. His. Father's. Hand. He. Feels. The. Weight. Of. The. Wood. Upon. His. Own. Back. He. Feels. The. Heat. Of. The. Fire. From. The. Torch. That. His. Father. Carries. He.
[28:09] Knows. What's. In. A. Sacrifice. Of. Burnt. Offering. To. The. Lord. He. Knows. That. There's. One. Important. Element. Missing. There.
[28:20] Is. No. Lamb. To. Offer. To. The. Lord. And. So. He. Asks. His. Father. Where. Is. The. Lamb. Isaac. Knew. That. A. Blood. Sacrifice.
[28:30] Was. Needed. To. Allow. Entry. Into. God's. Presence. In. Worship. Abraham's. Response. Can't. Have. Done. Much. Really. To. Ease. The. Boy's. Mind. But.
[28:41] He. Trusted. His. Father. And. He. Trusted. His. Father's. God. And. If. Abraham. Said. That. God. Would. Provide. A. Lamb. Then. Surely. God. Would. Do. Just. That. The.
[28:55] Son. Is. Also. Willing. Not. As. The. Phrase. They. Went. Both. Of. Them. Together. There. Is. No. Rebellion.
[29:06] From. Isaac. No. Hint. Of. Him. Rejecting. His. Father's. Requests. He. Doesn't. Turn. And.
[29:16] Run. Away. To. Save. Himself. The. Son. Is. Submissive. He. Is. Obedient. To. The. Will. Of. His. Father. He. Doesn't. Even. Try. To. Get. Some. Of. His. Father. To. Share. Part. Of. The. Burden. He. Carries.
[29:26] It. All. Will. Even. Lovingly. As. A. Dutiful. Obedient. Loving. Son. Even. Though. Isaac. Doesn't. Understand. All. That's. Happening.
[29:36] Still. He. Follows. His. Father. And. Even. When. They. Come. To. The. Place. Of. Sacrifice. This. Strong. Healthy. Young. Man. Submits. And.
[29:47] Obediently. Allows. His. Father. A. Man. Who. By. This. Time. Is. Well. Over. A. Hundred. Years. Old. He. Allows. Abraham. To. Tie. Him. Up. And. To. Lay. Him. On. An. Altar.
[29:57] Of. Sacrifice. To. Take. His. Life. Isaac. Is. Willing. To. Submit. Isaac. Is. Willing. To. Obey. His. Father. Even. To. Death. Again.
[30:09] What. A. Picture. This. Is. To. Us. Tonight. Of. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. He. Wasn't. Forced. Against. His. Will. To. Go. To. The. Cross. He. Wasn't. Ejected. Out. Of. Heaven.
[30:20] On. Condition. That. He. Die. On. That. Cross. No. He. Submitted. To. The. Will. Of. The. Father. Who. Sent. Him. He. Gave. Himself.
[30:30] Up. To. Die. On. That. Cross. He. Went. Willingly. To. That. Place. Of. Suffering. And. Come.
[30:44] Down. From. The. Cross. To. Save. Himself. He. Could. Have. Done. But. He. Didn't. Why? He. Did. It. As. A. Sacrifice.
[30:56] He. Did. It. Because. He. So. Loved. Us. He. So. Loved. You. He. Poured. Himself. Out. Even. To. Death. And.
[31:08] Fourthly. We. Are. Told. Of. A. Great. Substitute. And. Just. As. Abraham. Stands. Over. His. Beloved. Son. About. To. Plunge.
[31:19] The. Knife. Down. Into. Isaac. About. To. Kill. Him. To. Bring. To. An. End. All. His. Hopes. And. Dreams. Through. His. Son. God. Stops. Him. God. Calls. Abraham. And.
[31:30] Provides. The. Substitute. For. Isaac. For. The. Sacrifice. Would. Abraham. Have. Killed. Isaac. Had. The. Lord. Not. Intervened. Yes. Undoubtedly. Absolutely.
[31:42] It. All. Boils. Down. To. Grace. But. God. Provided. A. Substitute. For. Isaac. Through. His. Matchless. Boundless. Grace. God. Moved. Majestically.
[31:52] In. His. Providence. To. Provide. For. The. Need. Of. Abraham. And. Isaac. At. That. Moment. The. Whole. Purpose. In. The. Ram. Being. Caught. In. The. Thicket. There. On. Mount. Moriah. Was.
[32:03] So. That. It. Could. Take. The. Place. Of. Isaac. On. The. Altar. Of. Wood. And. Of. Fire. And. Of. Sacrifice. Abraham. Hadn't. Noticed. The. Ram. Earlier. But. It. Was. There. At. The. Right. Place. At. The.
[32:13] Time. Not. Only. Was. There. A. Ram. There. But. It. Was. Caught. And. It. Could. Not. Escape. It. Could. Not. Avoid. Its. God. Allotted. Fate.
[32:25] And. The. Ram. Too. Paints. For. Us. A. Wonderful. Picture. Of. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. You. See. Every. Single. Sinner. Every. One. Of. Us. Just. Like. Isaac. Is. Doomed. To. Die. A. Horrible. Terrible.
[32:36] Eternal. Death. All. Sinners. Friends. We. Are. Headed. To. Hell. However. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. Just. Like. That. Ram.
[32:47] Caught. In. The. Thicket. Became. Our. Substitute. Upon. The. Sacrifice. Upon. The. Altar. Of. Sacrifice. Upon. The. Cross. At. Calvary. Put.
[32:58] Yourself. In. Isaac. Shoes. That. Day. As. His. Father. Untied. Him. Lifted. Him. Up. Off. The. Wood. Then. Took. The. Ram. And. Bound. The. Ram. And.
[33:08] Placed. It. Upon. The. Wood. And. Then. Plunged. The. Knife. Into. It. Can. You. See. The. Tears. Of. Relief. And. Joy. Running. Down. Isaac's. Face. As. He. Watched. The. Life. Blood. Of. That. Lamb.
[33:20] Flow. Away. Isaac. knew. That. He. Was. The. One. That. Should. Have. Died. There. But. He. Lived. Because. Another.
[33:31] Had. Taken. His. Place. That. Day. Let. Me. Ask. You. A. Question. Friends. From. Where. You. Stand. Can. You. See. The.
[33:41] One. Who. Died. On. The. Cross. For. Your. Sins. Does. It. Move. Your. Heart. To. Know. That. Jesus. Loved. You. So. Much. That. He. Died. In. Your. Place. Upon. The. Cross. Does.
[33:52] It. Thrill. You. Does. It. Thrill. You. To. Know. That. By. Simply. Trusting. In. Him. You. Can. Be. Forever. Free. From. The. Penalty. That. Is. Due. For. Sin. Does. It. Fill.
[34:02] You. With. Gratitude. To. Know. That. He. Died. Why? So. That. You. Could. Live. Notice. The. Last. Phrase. In. Verse. 14. Of. What. We.
[34:12] Read. In. The. Mount. Of. The. Lord. It. Shall. Be. Seen. That. Was. A. Prophetic. Statement. Many. Years. Later. Jesus.
[34:23] Christ. Died. Outside. The. City. Wall. Of. Jerusalem. Very. Near. To. The. Place. Where. Abraham. And. Isaac. Suffered. Sacrificed.
[34:33] The. Ram. And. When. Jesus. Christ. Died. There. He. Was. Not. Just. Dying. For. Isaac. He. Was. Dying. For. You. And.
[34:44] He. Was. Dying. For. Me. Just. As. God. Provided. A. Ram. For. Isaac. On. The. Top. Of. Mount. Moriah. He. Provided. A. Lamb. For. You. And. For. Me.
[34:54] Upon. The. Mount. Of. Calvary. Who. Is. The. Substitute. The. Lamb. That. God. Provides. For. Us. Who. Is. The.
[35:04] Lamb. That. God. Provided. For. The. Sacrifice. Who. Is. The. Baby. That. Our. Christmas. Cards. Pictured. Lying. Helpless. In. The. Manger. In. The. Stable. In. Bethlehem. Of. Judea. Well.
[35:15] Friends. He's. The. Redeemer. He. Came. To. Buy. Us. Back. We're. All. Slave. To. Sin. And. We. All. Need. To. Be. Bought. Back. From. Sin. And.
[35:25] The. Price. Of. Our. Redemption. Was. His. Blood. Poured. Out. At. Calvary. He. Came. To. Set. The. Sinner. Free. We. Are.
[35:35] Accepted. In. Him. And. Only. In. Him. We. Are. He.
[35:47] Is. The. Christ. What. Does. Christ. Mean. The. Anointed. Of. God. He. Is. The. Messiah. He. Came. To. Open. Up. A. Way.
[35:57] Of. Access. For. Us. Into. The. Very. Presence. Of. Almighty. God. We. Cannot. Come. To. God. But. By. But. Through. Blood. And. It. Is. Through. Blood. That. We. Come. He. Is. Our. Advocate.
[36:08] And. He. Pleads. For. Us. In. The. Courts. Of. Heaven. And. His. Pleadings. Are. Based. Upon. His. Shed. Blood. And. Upon. His. Completed. Works. On.
[36:19] Calvary's. Cross. He. Is. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. Is. Our. Lord. He. Is. God. And.
[36:29] He. Is. To. Be. Offered. Absolute. Authority. In. Our. Lives. We. Are. To. Give. Him. The. Headship. Of. Every. Area. Of. Our. Beings. As.
[36:40] Redeemer. He. Is. Worthy. Of. Our. Worship. And. Our. Adoration. As. Christ. He. Is. Worthy. Of. Our. Dependence. As. Lord. He. Is. Worthy. Of. Our. Obedience. As.
[36:50] Jesus. He. Is. Worthy. Of. All. That. We. Can. Give. To. Him. Now. As. I. Close. Friends. The.
[37:00] Question. That. Has. To. Be. Asked. Of. Each. And. Every. One. Of. Us. Here. Today. Is. This. What. Are. You. Going. To. Do. With. The. Jesus. Who. Is. Called. The. Christ. Now.
[37:11] That. 2012. Has. Come. And. You've. Cleared. Away. The. Cards. And. The. Wrapping. Paper. And. December.
[37:24] If. You're. Spared. To. See. It. Is. That. You. Finished. With. Jesus. Maybe. You'll. Give. Him. A. Passing. Thought. At. Easter. But.
[37:36] Are. You. Going. To. Reject. The. Personal. Gift. That. Almighty. God. Picked. Out. For. You. In. Spite. Of. All. That. It. Cost. Him. Are. You. Going. To. Leave. That. Partial.
[37:46] Unopened. Without. Realizing. The. Glorious. Eternal. Riches. That. Await. You. If. You. Open. It. Are. You. Going. To. Take. That. Special.
[37:56] Gift. And. Are. You. Going. To. Mark. It. Return. Descender. Or. Are. You. Going. To. Embrace. The. Redemption. Bought. Specifically.
[38:07] For. You. With. The. Blood. Of. The. Lamb. The. God. Of. Heaven. Has. Given. You. A. Lamb. A. Lamb. Caught. In. The. Thicket. A. Substitute. To. Take.
[38:17] Your. Place. So. That. You. Need. Not. Die. Eternally. Because. Of. Sin. Isaac. And. Abraham. Took. That. Caught. Lamb. In. Isaac's.
[38:27] Place. They. Offered. It. They. Worshipped. It. Before. The. Lord. They. Worship. Before. The. Lord. And. Then. They. Came. Back. Down. The. Mountain. Together. Have. You. Come. To.
[38:38] The. Place. Today. Where. You. Willing. To. Come. Before. The. Lord. And. To. Trust. Jesus. Christ. As. Your. Substitute. Are. You. Willing. To. Come. To. Him. And. Trust. What. He. Did. On.
[38:48] That. Cross. To. Set. You. Free. You. Must. Not. Allow. His. Death. To. Be. In. Vain. Friends. Will. You. Come. To. Him. Bow. Before.
[38:59] Him. In. Your. Heart. And. Accept. His. Most. Precious. Gift. Planned. Purchased. Provided. And. Given. To. You. Freely. By. The. Grace. Of.
[39:09] God. Amen. Let. Us. Pray.