WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.419 Brothers and sisters, it is a joy to be with you. 00:00:05.839 --> 00:00:12.519 And this morning, we'll be looking at an ancient word for a new year. 00:00:13.339 --> 00:00:18.019 And the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. 00:00:19.140 --> 00:00:24.980 Let me ask that God will provide for us as we turn to his word together. 00:00:24.980 --> 00:00:32.079 Father in heaven, Lord, you are the great provider. 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:40.600 God, give ears to the deaf and eyes to the blind to see spiritual realities. 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:46.760 Lord, we pray that you would provide salvation for those who are far from you. 00:00:48.340 --> 00:00:49.880 Lord, provide trust. 00:00:51.100 --> 00:00:54.579 Provide endurance for those suffering, trials. 00:00:55.919 --> 00:01:01.279 Provide us with a sense of the glory of your son and of you, Father. 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:03.579 And provide for me. 00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:07.420 Help me, Lord, to proclaim your great name. 00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:10.620 To proclaim your wondrous works. 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:13.699 In Jesus' name, we pray these things. 00:01:14.060 --> 00:01:14.239 Amen. 00:01:14.239 --> 00:01:14.379 Amen. 00:01:16.959 --> 00:01:18.459 Well, I hope you had a good Christmas. 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:21.659 I love Christmas. 00:01:21.659 --> 00:01:26.179 Let me tell you something I hate. 00:01:28.619 --> 00:01:29.099 Tests. 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:31.039 I hate tests. 00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:34.179 There are far too many of them. 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:35.979 Fitness tests. 00:01:36.379 --> 00:01:37.420 Personality tests. 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:38.979 Licensure tests. 00:01:39.479 --> 00:01:40.519 Standardized tests. 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:45.679 In my vocation, I am an attorney. 00:01:45.679 --> 00:01:49.140 And there's one thing that unites all attorneys. 00:01:49.939 --> 00:01:52.439 The dreaded bar exam. 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:59.140 It's a challenging test as you carry around an 800-pound bag of law on your shoulders. 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:04.340 And now law students love to complain. 00:02:05.920 --> 00:02:08.819 The bar examiners are barbarians, they'll say. 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:11.280 This is all a hazing ritual. 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:19.379 During the test, you might hear collective gasps as they discover some esoteric rule of law is being tested. 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:28.879 Topics that must have been created by diabolical law professors to inflict punishment on the unsuspecting. 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:36.599 Test takers often are anxious, anxious that their future hangs in the balance. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:39.500 It is a challenge. 00:02:40.219 --> 00:02:41.699 It is a challenging test. 00:02:41.799 --> 00:02:44.280 But then again, lots of things in life are challenging. 00:02:45.319 --> 00:02:50.579 I remember thinking and saying to others, if you think this is hard, wait until you have to parent a toddler. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:53.340 That's difficult. 00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:55.079 I hate tests. 00:02:55.080 --> 00:03:02.600 This morning, we're going to be looking at a test given to somebody else. 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:09.220 Maybe one of the hardest tests that someone has ever had to endure. 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:14.340 And this test, likewise, might provoke a gasp. 00:03:16.260 --> 00:03:24.180 But we are not a disinterested crowd, you see, because the question on this test, God will now give to each one of you. 00:03:25.080 --> 00:03:25.420 And me. 00:03:26.100 --> 00:03:28.800 The text this morning is Genesis chapter 22. 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:34.600 You can find that on page 15 of the Pew Bible ahead of you. 00:03:34.700 --> 00:03:37.260 Just flip to the first book of the Bible and start to flip forward. 00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:44.300 If you're not familiar with the Bible, the big numbers are the chapter numbers and the smaller numbers are the verse numbers. 00:03:44.700 --> 00:03:49.360 So find the big number 22 as we read God's Word together. 00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:53.840 God's Word says this. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:04:01.420 After these things, God tested Abraham and said to him, Abraham. 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:03.520 And he said, here I am. 00:04:03.520 --> 00:04:05.980 He said, take your son. 00:04:07.939 --> 00:04:11.420 Your only son, Isaac, whom you love. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:14.900 And go to the land of Moriah. 00:04:16.100 --> 00:04:22.240 And offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:32.780 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac. 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:39.620 And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:45.439 On the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:50.019 Then Abraham said to his young men, stay here with the donkey. 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:54.819 I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you. 00:04:56.600 --> 00:05:02.399 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac, his son. 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:06.660 And he took in his hands the fire and the knife. 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:09.720 So they both of them, they went both of them together. 00:05:10.700 --> 00:05:13.580 And Isaac said to his father, Abraham, my father. 00:05:14.380 --> 00:05:15.760 And he said, here I am, my son. 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:21.420 He said, behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 00:05:23.460 --> 00:05:27.180 Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son. 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:29.620 So they went both of them together. 00:05:30.480 --> 00:05:32.740 When they came to the place of which God had told him, 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:38.420 Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac, his son, 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:42.920 and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:49.939 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:55.600 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham. 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:56.759 And he said, here I am. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:06:00.400 He said, do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:05.839 For now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. 00:06:07.159 --> 00:06:09.139 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked. 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:13.179 And behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. 00:06:14.359 --> 00:06:19.319 And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:25.199 So Abraham called the name of that place, the Lord will provide. 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:29.740 As it is said to this day, on the mount of the Lord it shall be provided. 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:34.060 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, 00:06:34.479 --> 00:06:40.519 By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, 00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:42.919 your only son, I will surely bless you. 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:48.939 And I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:52.459 And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies. 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:59.019 And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice. 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:04.120 So Abraham returned to his young men and they arose and went together to Beersheba. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:07.019 Abraham lived at Beersheba. 00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:08.899 This is God's word. 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:15.040 Your answer to this test reveals what is your highest treasure. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:19.439 And God confronts you and I with the question, 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:26.500 I am prominent, but am I preeminent in your heart? 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:30.200 We'll look at this test in three parts. 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:32.040 Point number one, we've faith tested. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:35.520 Point number two, faith proven. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:39.879 And point number three, faith in the substitute. 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:44.340 Faith tested, faith proven, faith in the substitute. 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:49.780 In verse one, the spotlight is now on Abraham. 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:52.500 Faith is tested. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:54.960 The opening comment sets the stage. 00:07:55.840 --> 00:08:00.260 After these things, God tested Abraham. 00:08:01.520 --> 00:08:03.640 And the test is jaw-dropping. 00:08:05.080 --> 00:08:06.500 God commands the unthinkable. 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:12.340 Abraham, sacrifice your son on the altar as a burnt offering. 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:15.079 A gruesome affair. 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:17.639 Now put yourself in Abraham's shoes. 00:08:18.599 --> 00:08:20.719 God, anything for you but this? 00:08:22.359 --> 00:08:22.879 But this? 00:08:23.459 --> 00:08:27.719 One thing to lose my son, but to slay him by my own hand? 00:08:28.859 --> 00:08:32.240 And God wants this to strike Abraham like a bolt of lightning. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:37.059 He wants this like to land on his chest like 2,000 tons of bricks. 00:08:37.059 --> 00:08:37.299 Why? 00:08:38.819 --> 00:08:39.339 Why? 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.719 Notice how the Lord describes Isaac. 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:44.619 He could have just said, hey, take Isaac and go. 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:47.159 But God doesn't do that. 00:08:47.959 --> 00:08:48.599 Look at what he says. 00:08:49.239 --> 00:08:58.839 Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. 00:08:58.840 --> 00:09:03.480 Each word hammers the nail deeper down. 00:09:04.420 --> 00:09:07.060 Each word twists the knife in his heart. 00:09:08.800 --> 00:09:13.200 The preciousness of the object compounds the horror of the command. 00:09:15.060 --> 00:09:16.700 Parents, this story tears you apart. 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:19.740 Some of you are gasping. 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:20.840 This is outrageous. 00:09:21.660 --> 00:09:24.420 I mean, what kind of God would give such a command? 00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:28.740 I mean, if you and I were to do that, I'd be put in jail. 00:09:29.599 --> 00:09:34.199 And at my trial, I don't think the defense of, look, I was just following God's orders would fly. 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:38.000 Now, of course, this is designed to be shocking. 00:09:39.799 --> 00:09:43.279 And the God of the Bible is not a God of human sacrifice. 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:47.839 The law of Moses strictly forbade the practice. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:56.259 In Jeremiah 19, verse 5, God says it never even entered his mind that his people would engage in human sacrifice. 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:02.680 You know, historically, when Christianity enters a culture, the sacrificing stops. 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:06.180 You don't find that in Eastern religions and cultures. 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:16.240 You know, in fact, William Carey, a missionary to India, is honored today for relentlessly fighting to end the diabolical practice of widow burning and human sacrifice in India. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:19.480 Yes, this is a shocking command. 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:26.240 And just a few chapters earlier, Abraham asked, will not the divine judge of the earth do what is right? 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:30.539 All that God says and does is good. 00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:34.960 His ways are perfect, like Silva refined seven times. 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:39.220 So I don't think God was commanding Abraham to commit a crime. 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:47.300 Instead, God was commanding Abraham to execute a righteous judgment that was due. 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:52.080 You see, just like Isaac, we all deserve to die for our sins. 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:57.560 At any moment, at any time, God can take your life. 00:10:59.300 --> 00:11:05.139 In this period of redemptive history, he is using Abraham to accomplish that divine judgment. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:12.240 I mean, keep reading the Old Testament, and he will use Israel as his means of accomplishing judgment to the surrounding nations. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:17.939 So if you think God is calling you to do that today, I can assure you, you are mistaken. 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:22.319 But now Moses, the author, lets us in on a secret. 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:25.559 This is a test. 00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:30.879 So this editorial comment cues us into what God is doing. 00:11:31.319 --> 00:11:33.620 This is a test for Abraham. 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:38.340 Now this is not because the Lord needs to learn something new. 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:39.320 No, he is omniscient. 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:42.779 He knows what's in your heart. 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:46.480 This is a test for Abraham. 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.899 Let me put it this way. 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:52.100 God did not want Isaac's life. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:55.480 He was after Abraham's heart. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:12:00.139 And this test was like smelling salts to wake Abraham up, 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:03.539 to find out the facts of what's actually inside his heart. 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:07.700 Was God really his highest treasure? 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:12.200 Now, of course, Abraham doesn't know this. 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:15.259 You know, it's not like someone came up to him and said, 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:18.440 Hey, you know that test, that command God's about to give you? 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:19.799 It's just a test. 00:12:19.940 --> 00:12:20.860 Don't worry about it. 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:24.120 Abraham doesn't know the end of the story. 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:26.519 He must have been thinking, 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:29.159 Why are you doing this to me, oh God? 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:31.840 God, do you really mean good for me? 00:12:32.940 --> 00:12:34.560 The perplexity of it all. 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.840 Why are you commending this? 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:42.500 Friend, this is an attribute of God that you don't find in systematic theologies, 00:12:43.299 --> 00:12:46.740 but ask any older saint, and they will tell you about it. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:52.879 Their experience of walking with God through trials has taught them this firsthand. 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:58.960 And the attribute is this, the perplexity of God. 00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:05.080 You see, God will disregard your plans and your proposals about how your life ought to go, 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:08.500 and providentially he works out his own plan, 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:14.920 a plan that sometimes seems to create a dark horizon as you look into the future. 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:20.700 And like Paul, they can say, I've been perplexed, but not driven to despair. 00:13:21.920 --> 00:13:23.920 Friends, this is what the scriptures promise. 00:13:24.780 --> 00:13:25.259 Is it not? 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:31.580 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:33.480 as 1 Peter says. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:40.039 God will use trials to nurture your faith, to refine it, and to purify it. 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:41.680 The psalmist writes, 00:13:42.300 --> 00:13:45.340 O Lord, in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:46.460 Why? 00:13:47.560 --> 00:13:49.539 So that I might learn your statutes. 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:52.639 God afflicts his people. 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:57.539 If you are here and you are considering Christ and Christianity, 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:01.200 Christianity is not about superficial smiles, 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:04.360 a happy, clappy life like you see on TV. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:08.759 No, it's deep, it's weighty, it's eternal, it's glorious. 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:11.560 Jesus will demand everything from you. 00:14:12.680 --> 00:14:14.860 Jesus promises for those who would follow him, 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:18.800 if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:22.080 take up his cross, and follow me. 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:24.600 There is a cost. 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:29.480 The call of discipleship says you must give him all, 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:32.879 even the things that are most precious to you. 00:14:34.160 --> 00:14:35.440 Now, paraphrasing Aaron A. 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:37.580 as a second century pastor, he puts it like this, 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:40.280 if you are to be in the family of Abraham, 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:42.240 you must take up your cross, 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:43.980 as Isaac did the wood. 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:48.560 Following him will not be easy, 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.659 but it is worth it. 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:53.379 If you answer the call to discipleship, 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:55.980 that's the path of freedom from sin. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:58.560 Discipleship means joy. 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.779 God gives you himself. 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.560 First comes the cross, 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:05.560 but there is a crown. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:08.340 God says, give me all of you, 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:10.259 all of your hopes, all of your dreams, 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:12.500 give it, put it in my hands. 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.299 You know, in chapter 12, 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:18.019 God calls Abraham to go forth from his native land. 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:20.200 Leave everything behind you. 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:22.340 Leave your kin, leave your clan, 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:24.320 leave your country, and follow me. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:27.600 And that same phrase to go is repeated here. 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:30.259 And commentators have pointed out in chapter 12, 00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:34.279 God commanded Abraham to walk away from his past. 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:37.759 Now, in chapter 22, God is saying, 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:40.120 walk away from your future. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:43.779 Put your whole life, your past, your future, 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:46.060 put it all into my hands. 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.639 God tells Abraham, 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:52.179 take your most precious object and give it to me. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:55.879 God here is commanding worship. 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:57.620 Look down at verse 5. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:16:01.700 The key word in verse 5 is the word worship. 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:06.620 I and the boy will go over there and worship. 00:16:07.660 --> 00:16:09.379 That's what burnt offerings were meant for. 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:12.040 Worship through sacrifice. 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:14.200 God is commanding worship. 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:19.340 But on the surface, this makes no sense, though. 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.220 It makes no sense. 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:25.259 God's commands appear to be contradicting his own promises. 00:16:27.040 --> 00:16:28.680 What is this test all about? 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:31.279 Is it really necessary? 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:34.679 Look with me at how the chapter begins. 00:16:35.459 --> 00:16:37.500 After these things. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:40.000 So to put this test into context, 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:42.639 let's paint a portrait of Abraham's life. 00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:46.239 Because this was not the first test that Abraham had to endure. 00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:51.459 Up until this point, there were ups and downs, twists and turns, 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:54.620 as Genesis follows the saga of Abraham and Sarah's life. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:57.679 And rewind back to chapter 12. 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:03.240 God calls Abraham out and makes a promise to bless the world through Abraham, 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:05.500 through a promised offspring. 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:09.380 And his descendants would outnumber the stars. 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:16.660 Afterwards, what you see is a man who didn't have much faith in that promise. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:24.100 Now, good old Abe obeyed when God called him out of the land of Ur. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:28.259 But by nature, he was not an honest Abe. 00:17:29.300 --> 00:17:32.580 By nature, he was not a man of much courage. 00:17:34.040 --> 00:17:36.840 True faith was present, but it was not perfect. 00:17:38.120 --> 00:17:40.040 Faithful, but flawed. 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:42.859 Consider in Genesis chapter 13, 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:45.700 right after leaving to go to the land of Canaan, 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:48.000 at the first sign of trouble, 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.319 when a famine hits, 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:50.980 he says, I'm getting out of here. 00:17:51.399 --> 00:17:55.119 He hightails it to Egypt and doesn't trust God to provide. 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:56.759 Not much faith. 00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:59.619 And there in Egypt, rather than trusting God, 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:01.659 he is more concerned about with himself 00:18:01.659 --> 00:18:03.519 than the safety of his wife. 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:07.339 Afraid that Pharaoh would kill him for his wife, 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:11.339 he chooses to deceive and passes off Sarah as his sister 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:13.039 and so risks her safety. 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.799 Not much faith. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:16.899 In Genesis 16, 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:19.959 after 10 years of waiting for this promised child, 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:23.740 impatient desires led to foolish plans. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.899 At Sarah's insistence, 00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:29.459 Abram says, okay, I believe there will be a promised offspring. 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:32.939 And then he takes the process into his own hands. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:36.879 He says, okay, maybe I'll speed this process up 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:38.960 by collaborating with my servant Hagar. 00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:41.420 And you all know how that turned out. 00:18:41.780 --> 00:18:43.040 That was a complete disaster. 00:18:44.800 --> 00:18:46.240 If that weren't bad enough, 00:18:46.540 --> 00:18:47.460 in Genesis 20, 00:18:47.560 --> 00:18:50.200 he pawns off his wife as his sister a second time 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:52.080 to Abimelech, a local ruler. 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:54.220 Not much faith. 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:57.380 Doesn't trust that God's going to provide for him. 00:18:58.660 --> 00:18:59.740 Now, don't get me wrong. 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:01.180 Abraham does have his moments. 00:19:01.540 --> 00:19:03.380 He does display courage 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:05.300 as he rescues his nephew Lot. 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:08.220 He displays nobility and dignity 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:10.519 as he refuses wealth from the king of Sodom. 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:13.639 He displays reverence for God. 00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:17.299 He wanted God to get the credit that only God deserved. 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.539 But friend, do you see, 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:21.240 he was a seesaw. 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.539 Sincere faith rising up 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:25.919 and doubting as he comes back down. 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:28.099 Up and down he went. 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:31.559 Friend, he's like you and me, isn't he? 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:34.200 You know, nowhere in the New Testament 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.899 does it highlight Abraham's failures. 00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:38.359 Not in Romans, not in Galatians, 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:39.359 not in Hebrews 11. 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.220 No, he is honored. 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:45.940 What an illustration of the God of grace. 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:48.659 Despite his flaws, 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:51.419 God remained gracious and merciful 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:53.039 throughout his life. 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:55.119 That's the kind of God we serve, friend. 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:57.500 Abraham believed God, 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:59.740 so he was justified by faith. 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:02.279 And if you are sincerely trusting in Christ, 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:04.059 God does not look at you 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:05.220 and just see your failures. 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.339 And my failures. 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.859 He is a God of grace. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:12.039 And despite our wayward hearts, 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:15.559 God never wavered from his promises. 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:18.680 And as we fast forward in chapter 21, 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.420 after 25 years of waiting, 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.700 Isaac had finally arrived. 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.660 His name means laughter. 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:27.640 This is a child who brought joy and laughing 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.920 to Sarah and Abraham. 00:20:29.540 --> 00:20:32.560 All of God's promises hinged on Isaac. 00:20:33.540 --> 00:20:34.779 Ishmael wasn't the heir. 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:36.960 Isaac is the promised heir. 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:39.080 And Ishmael had been sent away. 00:20:39.320 --> 00:20:41.580 That's why God calls Isaac his only son. 00:20:42.560 --> 00:20:44.040 God gave them the child. 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:46.420 And now in the very next chapter, 00:20:47.100 --> 00:20:48.340 God wants a child back. 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:52.200 Do you prize the giver or the gift? 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:54.720 That's what's precipitating this test. 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:57.059 The Lord is asking him and us, 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:59.120 what is your highest treasure? 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:02.680 What is the most precious object to you? 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:05.120 Point number one was faith tested. 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:07.620 Point number two is faith proven. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.180 If the test was shocking, 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:13.519 Abraham's response is equally shocking. 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:17.200 What we see is unflinching obedience. 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.360 Verse three is shocking. 00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:20.480 Look down. 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:23.400 And it reads, Abraham rose early in the morning, 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:24.799 saddled his donkey, 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:26.779 and took two of his young men with him 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.620 and his son Isaac. 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:28.460 Wow. 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:32.720 No hesitation, no reluctance, no delay. 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.900 Remember God told Abraham 00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:37.839 that he would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:40.240 What was Abraham's response? 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:42.819 He says, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.120 Hold on. 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:47.179 What if there are 50 righteous people? 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.919 What if there are 45? 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:51.759 Eventually they settle on 10. 00:21:52.699 --> 00:21:54.299 For the sake of 10 people, 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:56.339 God would not destroy the city. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:22:01.179 Here, not a single word is spoken. 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:04.199 He doesn't even ask why. 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:08.279 For three days, 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:11.600 there is deafening silence. 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.519 In verse three, 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:15.400 he takes two men with his son Isaac 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.940 and he immediately sets out. 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:20.259 This was a three-day journey. 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.960 This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:26.380 There were plenty of chances to hit a U-turn. 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:31.480 All you see is a resolve to obey God. 00:22:33.260 --> 00:22:34.880 Unflinching obedience. 00:22:36.540 --> 00:22:37.200 Look with me. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.900 You even see how Abraham trusts God 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:40.040 and how he responds. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.080 He says, here I am. 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:45.180 In other words, he is saying, 00:22:45.280 --> 00:22:48.840 God, all that I am on the inside is yours. 00:22:50.040 --> 00:22:50.740 Grant what you will. 00:22:51.820 --> 00:22:55.940 Simple trust is shown by his readiness to obey. 00:22:56.800 --> 00:22:57.320 Here I am. 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:01.620 If you've ever seen the movie Princess Bride, 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:06.440 this is like when Buttercup gives Wesley a farm boy chores to do. 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:09.240 No matter how menial or mundane, 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:12.840 Wesley responded to every command with as you wish. 00:23:14.020 --> 00:23:15.160 And then you realize 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:19.380 that's an expression of Wesley's loving loyalty. 00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:23.380 His love is on display in how he responds. 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:27.480 And here, Abraham is expressing his love for God. 00:23:28.320 --> 00:23:28.920 Here I am. 00:23:32.540 --> 00:23:35.620 Now, Abraham was made righteous by faith alone. 00:23:36.800 --> 00:23:38.060 It was grace from beginning to end. 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.880 Nothing we do saves us 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:42.180 except by grace through faith in Christ. 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:46.120 But friends, obedience matters. 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:48.379 Obedience matters. 00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:49.459 Obedience matters. 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:51.859 When James reached into the Old Testament 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:55.000 to find an example of true living faith, 00:23:55.679 --> 00:23:56.739 this is where he turns. 00:23:57.739 --> 00:24:01.539 We demonstrate saving faith by obedience to God. 00:24:02.459 --> 00:24:05.919 James 2, verse 21, James writes, 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:09.720 Was not Abraham our father justified by works 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:12.220 when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:15.700 You see that faith was active along with his works. 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:19.160 And faith was completed by his works. 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.820 Now, of course, 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:24.480 we know that James is not saying 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:26.840 you and I are saved on the basis of our works. 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:30.640 Read Romans 4 if you're at all confused about that. 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:34.520 Rather, genuine faith is transforming. 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:38.580 Our obedience is corroborating evidence 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:41.120 that our faith is a living faith. 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:44.360 Not perfect obedience, but sincere obedience. 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:48.580 If there's no obedience, friends, 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:51.400 it's a dead faith and our profession is phony. 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:55.540 Abraham is a portrait of living faith. 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:59.840 But notice something else about Abraham's response. 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.380 You know, it's remarkable 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:03.880 that there is no indication of how he felt. 00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:08.300 You know, his feelings weren't the North Star. 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.900 God's commands were. 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:12.100 But we can fill in the lines. 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.360 I mean, the previous chapter, 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:15.520 he was troubled when Ishmael was sent away. 00:25:16.340 --> 00:25:17.540 We can fill in the blanks. 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:20.259 Put yourself in his shoes, 00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:22.259 like a ship on the perilous sea 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.820 tossed around in a fierce storm. 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.920 He may have been doubting, 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:29.360 frustrated and angry as he chopped the wood. 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:30.979 He might be thinking, 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:32.399 God, you cannot be serious. 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.979 This is crazy. 00:25:36.979 --> 00:25:39.219 In this trial, was he tempted to accuse God? 00:25:40.439 --> 00:25:42.059 God, all you do is take. 00:25:42.659 --> 00:25:43.479 Take, take, take. 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.079 You're a taker. 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:46.559 When's the last time you've ever given me anything, God? 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.719 Was he tempted to think, 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.899 God, you've deceived me? 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:53.400 Or was he tempted to think, 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:55.360 how in the world am I going to explain this to Sarah? 00:25:56.780 --> 00:25:57.400 We don't know. 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:57.920 It doesn't say. 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:01.200 I think the point this is making 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:04.380 is that no matter how you feel, friends, 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:06.740 you are called to obey God's commands. 00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:10.080 Your feelings, my feelings, 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:13.240 are false lights that could lead us astray, 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:15.720 whereas God's commands are the North Star. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:19.700 A.J. Gordon, 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:23.019 one of the founders of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:28.079 once told a story about taking a walk one day near a farm. 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.880 He happened to look across a field, 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:33.019 and he saw a house. 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.819 And beside the house, 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:38.259 he saw what looked like a man pumping furiously at a well. 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:40.980 The man seemed tireless, 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:43.099 pumping furiously and fast, 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.900 up and down, up and down, 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.279 on and on. 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.740 As he watched, 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:50.039 the man never slowed down. 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:52.539 The man never took a break. 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:56.500 What a remarkable sight of strength and endurance, 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.400 he thought to himself. 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:59.480 But as he got closer, 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:01.700 he saw something interesting. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:05.960 What he saw was that the man was pumping the well, 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:08.579 but the well was pumping the man. 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:09.880 In fact, 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.840 it was a wooden figure painted to look like a man. 00:27:12.340 --> 00:27:14.960 And the hand was merely attached to the well. 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:17.799 The well was pumping the man. 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:20.299 The well was doing the work. 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:23.940 And this story illustrated a principle 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:27.600 that persistence and perseverance and service to God 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:29.940 is a work of God. 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:34.700 The mature disciple has learned the art of holding onto the handle. 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:37.460 Jesus says the same, does he not? 00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:39.740 Whoever abides in me and I in him, 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:42.460 he it is that bears much fruit. 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:44.000 For apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:48.620 I think this story shows that Abraham is firmly holding onto the handle 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:50.400 and he's holding on for dear life. 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.640 Look at verse 5. 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:53.259 Don't miss that last phrase. 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:54.640 Abraham says, 00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:58.779 we will worship and come again to you. 00:28:00.080 --> 00:28:01.819 You know, it's not the two of us are going 00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:03.240 and only one of us will return. 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:05.079 It's we will go, 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.319 we will worship, 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.960 we will come back. 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.960 I and the boy are coming back to you. 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.400 I mean, what's happening? 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:13.299 How could Abraham possibly say that? 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.920 Well, in this dark moment, 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:19.279 God's word is shining bright in his mind. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:22.200 There's an old axiom. 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:25.019 True faith trusts God's heart 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:27.619 even when it cannot trace God's hand. 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:32.099 Abraham trusted his father. 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:33.619 He trusted God. 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:35.160 God made a promise. 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:38.519 Now, Abraham is reasoning from that promise. 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:42.399 And Abraham reasons that God always keeps his word. 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:45.500 And he promised, 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:48.960 he made a promise that Isaac was the promised offspring. 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:52.720 So the only way of keeping that promise 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:55.100 is that God has to raise him from the dead. 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:57.660 Now, I don't think he'd ever seen that before. 00:28:59.060 --> 00:29:01.160 But that's what we read earlier in Hebrews 11. 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:04.340 By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, 00:29:04.800 --> 00:29:05.600 offered up Isaac. 00:29:06.100 --> 00:29:07.440 He considered that God was able 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:09.900 even to raise him from the dead. 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.640 His hand is on the handle. 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:14.759 And it wasn't just his knowledge of the promise, 00:29:15.580 --> 00:29:18.660 but it was also his experience of God's faithfulness 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:21.279 that anchored him in the storm. 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:24.800 God had already brought life out of death 00:29:24.800 --> 00:29:25.740 at Isaac's birth. 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:29.799 It was ridiculously impossible for Sarah 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:32.079 at 99 years old to give birth. 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:35.120 But he knew that the same God 00:29:35.120 --> 00:29:37.500 who brought out that miraculous birth 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:40.819 could somehow bring about a resurrection from the dead. 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:43.859 He saw how God was faithful 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:46.799 to bring about his promises, 00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:49.720 even when he was foolish and made a mess of things. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:52.599 That is a source of Abraham's obedience. 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:55.440 God keeps his word. 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.220 God keeps his word. 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:59.480 Our Father, brothers and sisters, 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.620 is a God of truth. 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:04.019 And he does not lead you astray. 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.759 He speaks to us. 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.599 He guides us. 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.339 He comforts us. 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.259 He comforts us. 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:14.420 No word has God spoken has yet been broken. 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:14.859 Amen? 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:17.779 So build your life upon this word. 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:21.799 This is the lamp, the north star, 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:25.279 the compass that points the true north. 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:29.120 The chart and map that will never lead you astray. 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:31.700 The true light in the darkness. 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:34.359 Hold fast the word. 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:35.680 Count upon it. 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.180 Hold on to it. 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:39.759 The faithfulness of God to his word 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:43.740 is the foundation of your hope and my hope in this new year. 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:46.920 God never breaks his promises. 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:50.079 You know, Hudson Taylor, a missionary, 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:52.120 once wrote, 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.359 holding his faithfulness, 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:56.240 we may go into every province of China. 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:58.000 Holding his faithfulness, 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:59.960 we may face with calm and sober, 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:01.940 but confident assurance of victory, 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.920 every difficulty and danger. 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:06.380 Let us not give him a partial trust, 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:09.200 but daily, hourly serve him, 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:11.100 counting on his faithfulness. 00:31:12.100 --> 00:31:13.240 So, brother and sister, 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:15.780 you two count on his faithfulness. 00:31:16.260 --> 00:31:17.400 Hold on to it. 00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:18.900 In your trial, 00:31:19.060 --> 00:31:22.240 keep your hand firmly on the handle of God's faithfulness. 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:25.840 Now, I know some of you are going through deep pains, 00:31:26.260 --> 00:31:27.420 hard struggles, 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:29.160 uncertain futures. 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:32.800 But, friend, let your knuckle be white 00:31:32.800 --> 00:31:34.420 as you hold on to the handle. 00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:36.720 Because if you are clinging to God, 00:31:37.320 --> 00:31:38.880 that means he is clinging to you. 00:31:39.800 --> 00:31:40.660 Remember, friend, 00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:42.360 recall, recite, recollect 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:45.960 God's faithfulness to you this past year. 00:31:46.540 --> 00:31:48.600 This is great medicine for the suffering soul. 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.580 That is how you will persevere 00:31:50.580 --> 00:31:52.519 through severe testing. 00:31:53.120 --> 00:31:54.779 And this is here is a severe test. 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.740 Look at verse 7. 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:59.559 Isaac asks a haunting question. 00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:04.339 Dad, I see the fire in the wood, 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:06.099 but where is the lamb? 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.460 Then in verse 8, 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.059 Abraham responds, 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:12.400 that God will provide for himself 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:14.180 the lamb for a burnt offering, my son. 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:16.120 Now, this is subtle, 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:18.620 but those who know Hebrew see it. 00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:21.500 You can translate this verse like this. 00:32:22.380 --> 00:32:24.319 God will provide for himself 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:26.639 a lamb burnt offering, my son. 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:29.220 God is providing you. 00:32:31.639 --> 00:32:32.679 At that moment, 00:32:32.879 --> 00:32:34.579 Isaac is beginning to understand 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:35.839 what is happening here. 00:32:36.679 --> 00:32:38.700 He himself would be the sacrifice. 00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:41.939 Now, Isaac is at least a teenager here, 00:32:42.879 --> 00:32:44.639 old enough to carry the wood on his back, 00:32:44.899 --> 00:32:47.299 and Abraham is at least 100 years old. 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.379 Now, teenagers, 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:52.460 if you had to throw it down in self-defense, 00:32:53.100 --> 00:32:55.500 and it was between you and a 100-year-old man, 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:57.980 you might not be the strongest, 00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:59.120 you might not be the fastest, 00:32:59.260 --> 00:33:00.440 you might not be the most athletic, 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.940 but I'm taking you in that fight. 00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:03.980 Right? 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:05.100 Isaac is a teenager. 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:05.900 He doesn't run. 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:08.320 He doesn't even try to escape. 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:10.680 I think that's why in verse 8 at the end, 00:33:11.040 --> 00:33:13.960 it emphasizes they march together toward Moriah. 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:16.819 Isaac trusts his father. 00:33:18.120 --> 00:33:19.720 Almost 1,300 years later, 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:21.900 did the prophet Isaiah 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:24.660 have an Isaac-like Messiah in mind? 00:33:25.180 --> 00:33:27.039 Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:30.740 and like a sheep that before its shearer is a silence, 00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:32.539 so he opened not his mouth. 00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:35.019 Isaac and Abraham, 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:37.039 a father and a son, 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:39.440 walk together to Moriah in unity. 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:41.500 Now, mark it down. 00:33:41.620 --> 00:33:43.680 This is godly parenting. 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:46.559 Not literally sacrificing. 00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:48.039 God wouldn't ask that to you. 00:33:48.100 --> 00:33:48.880 His word is clear. 00:33:49.640 --> 00:33:52.420 Rather, entrusting your children to God. 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:55.940 Parents, this is a good opportunity, as any, 00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:56.860 to remind ourselves 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:58.920 that God has given you and I our children, 00:33:59.420 --> 00:34:01.380 and they ultimately belong to him. 00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:05.700 Don't destroy your children by idolizing them. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:08.659 By idolizing their worldly success, 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:10.480 give them over to God. 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.859 And parents, 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.819 like Abraham, 00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:16.619 you might need to make a difficult decision 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.480 this next year. 00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:19.779 Maybe it's a new job, 00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:22.039 a new place to live. 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:24.480 Maybe God will call you to another church 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.659 to labor for his kingdom there. 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:28.119 Learn from Abraham's example. 00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:30.139 As you wrestle with God, 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:32.759 bring your children along with you. 00:34:33.819 --> 00:34:36.379 Look at how tenderly he speaks to Isaac. 00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:39.680 Aim to walk in unity with your children, 00:34:39.800 --> 00:34:40.840 however best you can. 00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:42.059 Talk to them. 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:43.220 Bring them along. 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:45.039 Invite them to pray with you 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:47.480 as you discern what is best for your family. 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.680 Pray with them as you discern 00:34:49.680 --> 00:34:52.880 what difficult decision you might need to make. 00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:56.240 to the extent you can aim to march together 00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:57.079 with your children. 00:34:58.880 --> 00:35:00.000 In verse 9, 00:35:00.760 --> 00:35:03.500 the narrative now moves into slow motion. 00:35:04.300 --> 00:35:07.660 Moses wants you to take in every detail. 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:09.599 It says, 00:35:09.699 --> 00:35:10.759 Abraham built the altar 00:35:10.759 --> 00:35:14.039 and laid the wood. 00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:16.239 And then he bound Isaac. 00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:18.059 And he laid him down. 00:35:18.659 --> 00:35:20.079 And he reached out his hand 00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:20.940 and took the knife. 00:35:21.859 --> 00:35:23.139 Wow, this is about to happen. 00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:25.399 If you're watching this on TV, 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:27.759 this is when the camera zooms in 00:35:27.759 --> 00:35:29.339 into the white-knuckled hand 00:35:29.339 --> 00:35:30.239 holding the knife. 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:32.480 There's screechy music, 00:35:32.799 --> 00:35:33.799 a dramatic pause, 00:35:33.800 --> 00:35:36.539 and then they cut to the commercial. 00:35:39.740 --> 00:35:42.440 Point number three is faith in the substitutes. 00:35:43.019 --> 00:35:44.400 At the last moment, 00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.980 the angel says, 00:35:46.080 --> 00:35:47.140 Abraham, Abraham, 00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:48.760 hallelujah, stop. 00:35:49.260 --> 00:35:49.900 Okay, whew. 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.740 That was close. 00:35:52.600 --> 00:35:53.620 It sometimes says that, 00:35:53.680 --> 00:35:55.440 it's been said that God sometimes 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:57.160 doesn't come through until the last minute. 00:35:57.640 --> 00:35:59.620 This is the last second. 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:02.500 Do not lay your hand on the boy. 00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:04.480 For now I know that you fear God. 00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:06.539 Seeing you have not withheld your son, 00:36:06.619 --> 00:36:08.420 your only son from me. 00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:10.500 And the angel directs his attention 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.760 to the substitute. 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:16.119 God providentially provides a ram. 00:36:17.699 --> 00:36:19.139 The substitute dies. 00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.719 Isaac lives. 00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:23.280 And Abraham named that place 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:25.360 the Lord will provide. 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:27.480 As it is said to this day, 00:36:27.800 --> 00:36:28.820 on the mount of the Lord, 00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:30.019 it shall be provided. 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:34.079 God will see that the sacrifice 00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:35.019 is provided. 00:36:36.699 --> 00:36:37.440 God is saying, 00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:38.480 don't you see? 00:36:38.840 --> 00:36:40.239 I provide the sacrifice. 00:36:41.300 --> 00:36:43.500 God himself must provide 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:45.360 the chosen sacrifice. 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:48.539 And this theme now gets repeated 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:50.199 over and over again. 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:51.500 What protects Isaac? 00:36:52.380 --> 00:36:53.579 The substitute ram. 00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:55.679 What protected Israel 00:36:55.679 --> 00:36:56.699 from God's judgment 00:36:56.699 --> 00:36:57.539 at the Passover? 00:36:59.039 --> 00:37:00.739 Nothing but the blood of the lamb. 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:04.079 A substitute in the people's place. 00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.519 A lamb died 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:07.299 so the people could live. 00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:11.059 And the substitute sacrifice 00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:11.539 was institutionalized 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:13.679 in the day of atonement, 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:16.000 where the yearly Passover lamb 00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:16.699 was slain. 00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:18.679 If you look at verse 2 again, 00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:20.440 you discover that these events 00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:21.780 took place on the mountain 00:37:21.780 --> 00:37:23.659 of Moriah. 00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:25.079 Where is that? 00:37:26.200 --> 00:37:27.420 Well, 2 Chronicles 3, 00:37:27.559 --> 00:37:28.820 verse 1 tells us, 00:37:29.280 --> 00:37:30.539 then Solomon began 00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.400 to build the temple 00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:33.159 of the Lord in Jerusalem 00:37:33.159 --> 00:37:35.800 on Mount Moriah. 00:37:36.599 --> 00:37:38.639 The place where Abraham stood 00:37:38.639 --> 00:37:39.700 is where the temple 00:37:39.700 --> 00:37:40.720 would later be built. 00:37:41.500 --> 00:37:42.800 The place where God 00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:43.820 was preparing his people 00:37:43.820 --> 00:37:45.139 year after year 00:37:45.139 --> 00:37:46.400 for the Lamb of God. 00:37:46.400 --> 00:37:50.160 Now, when Moses' audience 00:37:50.160 --> 00:37:51.019 was reading this, 00:37:51.820 --> 00:37:52.820 I think they would have 00:37:52.820 --> 00:37:54.519 seen themselves in Isaac. 00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:56.800 The people needed 00:37:56.800 --> 00:37:58.920 a substitute sacrifice. 00:37:59.880 --> 00:38:01.200 The people needed 00:38:01.200 --> 00:38:02.139 a mediator. 00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:03.840 Without a mediator, 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:04.960 they were in danger 00:38:04.960 --> 00:38:06.220 of God destroying them. 00:38:07.700 --> 00:38:08.740 I mean, that's a great riddle 00:38:08.740 --> 00:38:09.400 of the Old Testament. 00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:10.480 Is it not? 00:38:10.740 --> 00:38:12.240 How can a sinful people 00:38:12.240 --> 00:38:13.680 dwell with the Holy God? 00:38:13.679 --> 00:38:16.859 And that is a great riddle 00:38:16.859 --> 00:38:17.940 of our lives, friends. 00:38:18.299 --> 00:38:19.799 You see, God created you 00:38:19.799 --> 00:38:21.000 in his image. 00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:23.379 He created you and me, 00:38:23.419 --> 00:38:23.960 and because of that, 00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:25.559 he has authority over us. 00:38:26.239 --> 00:38:27.259 God is holy. 00:38:27.899 --> 00:38:29.079 And because he is holy, 00:38:29.379 --> 00:38:30.460 left to ourselves, 00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:32.399 you and I are on a collision course 00:38:32.399 --> 00:38:33.859 with divine wrath. 00:38:34.519 --> 00:38:35.639 And like Isaac here, 00:38:35.919 --> 00:38:37.940 you and I are naturally bound. 00:38:38.619 --> 00:38:41.659 We are bound by the power of sin. 00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:44.019 Slaves to sin, 00:38:44.519 --> 00:38:45.420 enemies to God, 00:38:45.519 --> 00:38:46.159 and like Isaac, 00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:48.559 the knife of God's judgment 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:51.339 hung over our heads. 00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:54.480 Powerless to save ourselves. 00:38:54.619 --> 00:38:55.219 We can do nothing. 00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:57.420 Nothing you could do 00:38:57.420 --> 00:38:59.000 could stay his hands. 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:00.899 You and I, like Israel, 00:39:01.000 --> 00:39:01.619 need a substitute. 00:39:02.799 --> 00:39:04.480 But this passage is like a diamond. 00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:06.039 If you turn it around, 00:39:06.119 --> 00:39:07.079 it's like a kaleidoscope, 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:08.839 and another picture forms. 00:39:08.840 --> 00:39:11.079 Because not only is Isaac 00:39:11.079 --> 00:39:11.940 a picture of us, 00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:14.140 he pictures the Savior. 00:39:14.539 --> 00:39:15.059 Does he not? 00:39:15.539 --> 00:39:17.160 Everything in this passage 00:39:17.160 --> 00:39:18.260 points to Jesus. 00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:20.800 I think it's important 00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:22.720 that a pre-Christian Jewish commentary 00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:23.940 said this, 00:39:24.600 --> 00:39:24.860 Isaac, 00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:27.180 with wood on his back, 00:39:28.280 --> 00:39:29.519 was like a condemned man 00:39:29.519 --> 00:39:30.539 carrying a cross. 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:34.460 That very Mount Moriah 00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:36.199 is where the cross of Calvary 00:39:36.199 --> 00:39:37.940 would be erected. 00:39:38.279 --> 00:39:40.539 Where a father led his son 00:39:40.539 --> 00:39:41.380 up the mountain 00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:42.960 to be condemned. 00:39:44.579 --> 00:39:46.219 Jesus is the Savior 00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:47.559 and the substitute. 00:39:48.480 --> 00:39:49.920 And what God prevented Abraham 00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:50.500 from doing, 00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:51.800 he himself did. 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:54.279 Jesus is the true 00:39:54.279 --> 00:39:55.179 and greater Isaac. 00:39:55.739 --> 00:39:56.900 Isaac was a pattern 00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:58.279 that the Savior would fulfill. 00:39:58.280 --> 00:39:59.900 A shadow in Jesus 00:39:59.900 --> 00:40:00.840 is the fulfillment. 00:40:01.640 --> 00:40:03.460 See, the Father took his son, 00:40:04.560 --> 00:40:06.080 his only son, 00:40:06.600 --> 00:40:07.620 whom he loved, 00:40:08.060 --> 00:40:09.519 and offered him up 00:40:09.519 --> 00:40:10.360 as a sacrifice. 00:40:11.300 --> 00:40:11.840 You see, 00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:13.000 when the knife of God's wrath 00:40:13.000 --> 00:40:14.180 hung over our heads, 00:40:15.000 --> 00:40:15.740 the Savior says, 00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:16.720 I have come to be 00:40:16.720 --> 00:40:17.300 their substitute. 00:40:17.960 --> 00:40:18.680 And like Isaac, 00:40:18.840 --> 00:40:20.519 he completely trusts 00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:22.040 and obeys his Father. 00:40:22.360 --> 00:40:23.840 But he does so perfectly. 00:40:24.840 --> 00:40:25.780 John the Baptist says, 00:40:26.040 --> 00:40:26.980 he is the Lamb of God 00:40:26.980 --> 00:40:28.039 that takes away the sin 00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:28.579 of the world. 00:40:29.199 --> 00:40:31.000 And out of a burning building 00:40:31.000 --> 00:40:32.320 where we are headed 00:40:32.320 --> 00:40:33.500 for destruction, 00:40:34.099 --> 00:40:35.099 Jesus looks in 00:40:35.099 --> 00:40:35.699 and says, 00:40:35.960 --> 00:40:36.579 these men and women 00:40:36.579 --> 00:40:37.199 are mine. 00:40:37.900 --> 00:40:39.119 Out of a burning building 00:40:39.119 --> 00:40:40.099 filled with people 00:40:40.099 --> 00:40:41.019 who oppose me 00:40:41.019 --> 00:40:42.119 and hate me, 00:40:42.340 --> 00:40:43.199 he goes in 00:40:43.199 --> 00:40:44.380 and he rescues us. 00:40:44.760 --> 00:40:45.719 A burning building 00:40:45.719 --> 00:40:46.800 filled with hatred 00:40:46.800 --> 00:40:47.599 and sin, 00:40:48.059 --> 00:40:48.840 filled with people 00:40:48.840 --> 00:40:50.059 who love darkness 00:40:50.059 --> 00:40:51.579 rather than the light. 00:40:51.760 --> 00:40:53.360 He goes in 00:40:53.360 --> 00:40:54.719 to rescue you. 00:40:54.719 --> 00:40:56.579 because at the cross, 00:40:56.779 --> 00:40:58.219 he takes your place 00:40:58.219 --> 00:40:58.899 and my place. 00:40:59.500 --> 00:40:59.959 The Son 00:40:59.959 --> 00:41:01.359 willingly laid down 00:41:01.359 --> 00:41:02.119 his life 00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:03.539 in obedience 00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:04.739 to his Father 00:41:04.739 --> 00:41:05.879 as a substitute 00:41:05.879 --> 00:41:07.299 for sinners. 00:41:07.679 --> 00:41:08.519 All the blame 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:09.639 he takes on himself. 00:41:10.359 --> 00:41:11.339 There was no ram 00:41:11.339 --> 00:41:11.980 in the thicket. 00:41:12.959 --> 00:41:13.819 There was no one 00:41:13.819 --> 00:41:14.159 to yell, 00:41:14.359 --> 00:41:14.659 stop! 00:41:15.919 --> 00:41:17.239 The Father did not relent 00:41:17.239 --> 00:41:18.039 as he pours out 00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:18.639 his wrath 00:41:18.639 --> 00:41:19.980 on his own Son. 00:41:21.099 --> 00:41:21.879 He did this 00:41:21.879 --> 00:41:22.319 for all who 00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.280 to return from their sin 00:41:23.280 --> 00:41:24.440 and put their trust 00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:25.620 in him alone. 00:41:26.100 --> 00:41:26.880 On the cross, 00:41:26.980 --> 00:41:27.740 the Lamb of God 00:41:27.740 --> 00:41:28.920 died so that you 00:41:28.920 --> 00:41:30.000 could live. 00:41:31.140 --> 00:41:31.460 Now you say, 00:41:31.519 --> 00:41:32.400 I can't, 00:41:32.519 --> 00:41:33.180 I can't, 00:41:33.620 --> 00:41:34.900 I'm too far gone, 00:41:35.280 --> 00:41:35.900 I'm weak, 00:41:36.640 --> 00:41:37.280 I'm unclean, 00:41:37.380 --> 00:41:37.900 I'm vile, 00:41:38.420 --> 00:41:39.140 Jesus would never 00:41:39.140 --> 00:41:39.780 accept me. 00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:40.860 But friend, 00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:42.240 Jesus came to save sinners. 00:41:43.019 --> 00:41:44.019 You can't reach up 00:41:44.019 --> 00:41:44.440 to God, 00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:44.840 but you see, 00:41:44.920 --> 00:41:45.740 God has reached 00:41:45.740 --> 00:41:47.000 down to you. 00:41:48.100 --> 00:41:48.980 When you nail 00:41:48.980 --> 00:41:49.840 Jesus to the tree, 00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:50.440 when we nail 00:41:50.440 --> 00:41:51.220 Jesus to the tree, 00:41:51.219 --> 00:41:52.319 he looks us in the eye 00:41:52.319 --> 00:41:53.079 and he forgives us 00:41:53.079 --> 00:41:53.959 of all of our sins. 00:41:54.739 --> 00:41:55.699 He is the God 00:41:55.699 --> 00:41:56.480 that provides. 00:41:57.179 --> 00:41:57.939 Jesus now says, 00:41:58.239 --> 00:41:59.439 give me your heart. 00:42:00.500 --> 00:42:01.339 Take up your cross 00:42:01.339 --> 00:42:02.059 and follow him. 00:42:03.139 --> 00:42:03.799 And the passage 00:42:03.799 --> 00:42:05.099 ends with God 00:42:05.099 --> 00:42:06.739 repeating the promise. 00:42:07.619 --> 00:42:08.299 At verse 16, 00:42:08.619 --> 00:42:09.679 God gives an oath. 00:42:10.459 --> 00:42:11.359 No person is greater 00:42:11.359 --> 00:42:11.819 than God, 00:42:11.859 --> 00:42:12.439 so he swears 00:42:12.439 --> 00:42:13.339 by himself. 00:42:13.939 --> 00:42:14.599 He repeats 00:42:14.599 --> 00:42:15.259 the promise 00:42:15.259 --> 00:42:16.719 of Genesis 12 00:42:16.719 --> 00:42:17.759 that Abraham's descendants, 00:42:18.339 --> 00:42:18.719 those who have 00:42:18.719 --> 00:42:19.579 the same faith 00:42:19.579 --> 00:42:20.339 as Abraham, 00:42:20.340 --> 00:42:21.600 will outnumber 00:42:21.600 --> 00:42:22.280 the stars 00:42:22.280 --> 00:42:22.880 in heaven 00:42:22.880 --> 00:42:23.579 and the sands. 00:42:24.340 --> 00:42:25.260 But then he adds 00:42:25.260 --> 00:42:25.880 to the promise. 00:42:26.840 --> 00:42:28.140 He adds to the promise 00:42:28.140 --> 00:42:28.940 in the second half 00:42:28.940 --> 00:42:29.800 of verse 17. 00:42:30.740 --> 00:42:32.000 This single offspring, 00:42:32.300 --> 00:42:33.000 the Lord Jesus, 00:42:33.360 --> 00:42:34.200 will possess 00:42:34.200 --> 00:42:34.800 the gate 00:42:34.800 --> 00:42:35.340 of his enemies. 00:42:37.000 --> 00:42:37.579 You see, 00:42:37.640 --> 00:42:38.760 the promised offspring 00:42:38.760 --> 00:42:40.460 will wage war 00:42:40.460 --> 00:42:41.280 against his enemies 00:42:41.280 --> 00:42:42.720 and he will win. 00:42:43.620 --> 00:42:44.420 If the gates 00:42:44.420 --> 00:42:44.900 are taken, 00:42:45.079 --> 00:42:45.880 the whole city 00:42:45.880 --> 00:42:46.400 is taken. 00:42:47.120 --> 00:42:48.280 The mighty champion 00:42:48.280 --> 00:42:49.340 Jesus triumphed 00:42:49.340 --> 00:42:50.660 by taking the gates 00:42:50.660 --> 00:42:51.680 of the enemy city 00:42:51.680 --> 00:42:52.340 when he rose 00:42:52.340 --> 00:42:53.480 from the dead. 00:42:54.160 --> 00:42:54.940 He conquered 00:42:54.940 --> 00:42:55.800 the grave. 00:42:56.559 --> 00:42:57.519 The city is his. 00:42:57.920 --> 00:42:58.480 He conquered 00:42:58.480 --> 00:42:58.940 and crushed 00:42:58.940 --> 00:42:59.579 the serpents. 00:43:01.600 --> 00:43:02.300 Oh, friends, 00:43:02.559 --> 00:43:03.539 this text 00:43:03.539 --> 00:43:04.900 is not about us 00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:05.460 how to have 00:43:05.460 --> 00:43:06.220 the same faith 00:43:06.220 --> 00:43:06.660 as Abraham. 00:43:07.340 --> 00:43:08.420 This text shows you 00:43:08.420 --> 00:43:08.940 what the Father 00:43:08.940 --> 00:43:09.460 went through 00:43:09.460 --> 00:43:09.920 to give you 00:43:09.920 --> 00:43:10.740 his only son. 00:43:11.640 --> 00:43:12.420 And don't you see, 00:43:13.100 --> 00:43:13.840 the same God 00:43:13.840 --> 00:43:14.900 who tests you 00:43:14.900 --> 00:43:15.460 is the God 00:43:15.460 --> 00:43:16.480 who provides for you 00:43:16.480 --> 00:43:17.780 every step of the way. 00:43:17.780 --> 00:43:19.240 He provides 00:43:19.240 --> 00:43:20.060 the fruits 00:43:20.060 --> 00:43:20.800 of the Holy Spirit 00:43:20.800 --> 00:43:21.880 joy and peace. 00:43:22.380 --> 00:43:23.300 He provides rest. 00:43:24.900 --> 00:43:25.700 How can you be sure 00:43:25.700 --> 00:43:26.620 that God loves you 00:43:26.620 --> 00:43:27.620 in times of trial 00:43:27.620 --> 00:43:28.160 and testing? 00:43:29.240 --> 00:43:29.820 What God said 00:43:29.820 --> 00:43:30.200 to Abraham 00:43:30.200 --> 00:43:30.880 in verse 12 00:43:30.880 --> 00:43:31.740 at the foot of the cross, 00:43:31.800 --> 00:43:32.760 we can say to the Father, 00:43:33.640 --> 00:43:34.540 now we know 00:43:34.540 --> 00:43:35.480 you love us 00:43:35.480 --> 00:43:36.660 seeing as you have 00:43:36.660 --> 00:43:37.240 not withheld 00:43:37.240 --> 00:43:37.820 your son, 00:43:38.500 --> 00:43:40.060 your only son 00:43:40.060 --> 00:43:41.040 from us. 00:43:41.980 --> 00:43:42.460 Paul makes 00:43:42.460 --> 00:43:43.560 the same statement 00:43:43.560 --> 00:43:44.180 in Romans 8 00:43:44.180 --> 00:43:45.100 verse 32. 00:43:45.099 --> 00:43:54.679 So Christian, 00:43:55.199 --> 00:43:56.360 when God tests you, 00:43:57.079 --> 00:43:57.880 he will always 00:43:57.880 --> 00:43:58.719 provide for you. 00:43:59.759 --> 00:44:01.199 So when he calls you 00:44:01.199 --> 00:44:01.920 and I to give up 00:44:01.920 --> 00:44:02.719 our Isaacs, 00:44:03.119 --> 00:44:03.719 those things 00:44:03.719 --> 00:44:04.519 that are the most 00:44:04.519 --> 00:44:06.319 precious to us, 00:44:07.159 --> 00:44:08.360 God will provide 00:44:08.360 --> 00:44:08.799 for you. 00:44:09.839 --> 00:44:10.599 Put it all 00:44:10.599 --> 00:44:11.360 into your loving 00:44:11.360 --> 00:44:12.360 Father's hands. 00:44:13.079 --> 00:44:13.860 The love of God 00:44:13.860 --> 00:44:14.960 is your treasure 00:44:14.960 --> 00:44:15.840 that can never 00:44:15.840 --> 00:44:16.579 be taken away. 00:44:17.599 --> 00:44:18.460 If you're looking 00:44:18.460 --> 00:44:19.860 at an uncertain future, 00:44:20.579 --> 00:44:21.660 if you're holding 00:44:21.660 --> 00:44:22.620 your Father's hand, 00:44:23.420 --> 00:44:24.099 all is well. 00:44:24.960 --> 00:44:26.059 You can put everything 00:44:26.059 --> 00:44:26.860 into his hands. 00:44:27.620 --> 00:44:28.579 We cling to him 00:44:28.579 --> 00:44:29.820 because he is clinging 00:44:29.820 --> 00:44:30.320 to us. 00:44:31.079 --> 00:44:31.599 Now I don't know 00:44:31.599 --> 00:44:32.519 what the new year holds, 00:44:33.360 --> 00:44:34.180 but I know two things 00:44:34.180 --> 00:44:34.720 are for certain. 00:44:35.300 --> 00:44:36.539 God will be faithful 00:44:36.539 --> 00:44:37.920 and he will provide. 00:44:38.960 --> 00:44:39.480 Finances, 00:44:40.039 --> 00:44:40.480 family, 00:44:40.760 --> 00:44:41.039 sickness, 00:44:41.320 --> 00:44:41.760 suffering, 00:44:41.760 --> 00:44:43.940 and unexpected 00:44:43.940 --> 00:44:44.480 pregnancy. 00:44:46.540 --> 00:44:47.580 He provides 00:44:47.580 --> 00:44:48.540 for every Christian. 00:44:49.120 --> 00:44:49.920 He always has 00:44:49.920 --> 00:44:51.120 and he always will. 00:44:51.960 --> 00:44:52.560 Though friends 00:44:52.560 --> 00:44:53.440 fail you, 00:44:53.940 --> 00:44:54.820 enemies and foes 00:44:54.820 --> 00:44:55.960 surround you, 00:44:56.200 --> 00:44:57.120 the fiery trials 00:44:57.120 --> 00:44:58.320 threaten to consume you. 00:44:58.420 --> 00:44:59.360 Don't forget this, 00:44:59.580 --> 00:45:00.140 brother and sister. 00:45:00.700 --> 00:45:01.300 The Lord 00:45:01.300 --> 00:45:02.860 will provide for you. 00:45:03.320 --> 00:45:04.500 On that you can rely. 00:45:04.640 --> 00:45:05.840 He is always 00:45:05.840 --> 00:45:06.660 with you. 00:45:06.659 --> 00:45:10.159 To conclude, 00:45:10.319 --> 00:45:10.659 the Hebrew 00:45:10.659 --> 00:45:11.639 for the divine name 00:45:11.639 --> 00:45:12.839 is well known. 00:45:14.119 --> 00:45:15.779 Jehovah Jireh. 00:45:16.440 --> 00:45:17.139 And this became 00:45:17.139 --> 00:45:17.599 the motto 00:45:17.599 --> 00:45:19.019 of the China Inland Mission. 00:45:19.779 --> 00:45:20.420 Hudson Taylor 00:45:20.420 --> 00:45:21.299 hung a picture 00:45:21.299 --> 00:45:22.759 with two Hebrew words 00:45:22.759 --> 00:45:23.159 on it. 00:45:23.519 --> 00:45:24.500 The first word 00:45:24.500 --> 00:45:26.059 was Ebenezer, 00:45:26.819 --> 00:45:27.420 which means 00:45:27.420 --> 00:45:28.679 hitherto has 00:45:28.679 --> 00:45:29.559 the Lord helped us. 00:45:30.219 --> 00:45:30.779 A depiction 00:45:30.779 --> 00:45:32.339 of God's past provision. 00:45:32.980 --> 00:45:34.000 The second was 00:45:34.000 --> 00:45:35.760 Jehovah Jireh. 00:45:36.099 --> 00:45:36.800 The Lord 00:45:36.800 --> 00:45:37.880 will provide. 00:45:39.000 --> 00:45:40.239 One looked back 00:45:40.239 --> 00:45:41.659 while the other 00:45:41.659 --> 00:45:42.460 looked forward. 00:45:43.179 --> 00:45:44.260 One was a reminder 00:45:44.260 --> 00:45:45.340 of God's faithfulness, 00:45:45.920 --> 00:45:46.239 the other 00:45:46.239 --> 00:45:47.760 of God's promises. 00:45:49.239 --> 00:45:49.719 So friend, 00:45:49.980 --> 00:45:50.699 look upon 00:45:50.699 --> 00:45:51.400 your past 00:45:51.400 --> 00:45:52.039 Ebeneezers 00:45:52.039 --> 00:45:53.699 and then put your 00:45:53.699 --> 00:45:54.199 trust 00:45:54.199 --> 00:45:55.579 in Jehovah Jireh. 00:45:56.119 --> 00:45:56.780 Hang your hope 00:45:56.780 --> 00:45:57.940 on this one 00:45:57.940 --> 00:45:58.679 who was hung for you. 00:45:59.260 --> 00:45:59.739 Let's pray. 00:45:59.739 --> 00:46:02.779 Oh Father in Heaven, 00:46:03.119 --> 00:46:04.559 you are a great provider. 00:46:04.839 --> 00:46:04.959 Lord, 00:46:05.019 --> 00:46:06.199 we pray that you would 00:46:06.199 --> 00:46:07.299 encourage us, 00:46:07.579 --> 00:46:08.319 strengthen us 00:46:08.319 --> 00:46:10.359 in the trials 00:46:10.359 --> 00:46:12.019 that you bring to us, 00:46:12.059 --> 00:46:12.619 the tests 00:46:12.619 --> 00:46:13.739 that you call us 00:46:13.739 --> 00:46:14.319 to go through. 00:46:14.779 --> 00:46:15.039 Lord, 00:46:15.119 --> 00:46:16.239 you are a faithful God. 00:46:16.319 --> 00:46:17.459 Would that be a reality 00:46:17.459 --> 00:46:18.319 for our hearts 00:46:18.319 --> 00:46:18.959 this morning 00:46:18.959 --> 00:46:20.099 and this new year? 00:46:20.839 --> 00:46:21.959 Provide for your children, 00:46:22.099 --> 00:46:22.500 we pray. 00:46:22.619 --> 00:46:23.199 We are weak, 00:46:23.719 --> 00:46:24.699 but you are strong. 00:46:25.119 --> 00:46:25.699 We pray this 00:46:25.699 --> 00:46:26.379 in Jesus' name. 00:46:26.939 --> 00:46:27.219 Amen.