WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.560 Genesis chapter 22 and we're going to read the first 19 verses and then Sam will be up. 00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:21.900 That's the preacher's son. 00:00:25.980 --> 00:00:29.320 Genesis chapter 22 verse 1. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.679 Sometime later God tested Abraham. 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:38.659 He said to him, Abraham, here I am, he replied. 00:00:39.579 --> 00:00:46.539 Then God said, take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the region of Moriah. 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:52.060 Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain that I will show you. 00:00:52.820 --> 00:00:56.000 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. 00:00:57.019 --> 00:00:59.500 He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.519 When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 00:01:06.459 --> 00:01:10.400 On the third day, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:15.560 He said to his servants, stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:18.719 We will worship and then we will come back to you. 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:27.359 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac and he himself carried the fire and the knife. 00:01:28.579 --> 00:01:33.420 As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:39.379 Father, yes, my son, Abraham replied, the fire and wood are here, Isaac said. 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:42.439 But where is the lamb for the burnt offering? 00:01:43.840 --> 00:01:48.740 Abraham answered, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son. 00:01:48.739 --> 00:01:51.659 And the two of them went on together. 00:01:52.819 --> 00:01:58.859 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. 00:01:59.479 --> 00:02:03.439 He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 00:02:04.119 --> 00:02:08.180 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:16.159 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, Abraham, Abraham, here I am, he replied. 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:19.219 Do not lay a hand on the boy, he said. 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:21.000 Do not do anything to him. 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:28.460 Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:34.680 Abraham looked up and there in a ticket he saw a ram caught by its horns. 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:41.000 He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:44.900 So Abraham called that place the Lord will provide. 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:49.460 And to this day it is said on the mountain of the Lord it will be provided. 00:02:50.460 --> 00:02:54.819 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, 00:02:55.240 --> 00:03:02.300 I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:10.800 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. 00:03:11.580 --> 00:03:16.840 Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies and through your offspring, 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:22.680 all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me. 00:03:23.720 --> 00:03:30.800 Then Abraham returned to his servants and they set off together for Beersheba and Abraham stayed in Beersheba. 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:32.180 Thanks, Sam. 00:03:38.180 --> 00:03:38.820 Thanks, Connor. 00:03:39.200 --> 00:03:40.020 Good morning, everybody. 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:47.560 Why don't we just pray before we start and ask for God's help. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:58.580 Lord, we come to this passage this morning, which in many ways is difficult to understand and get our heads around. 00:03:58.580 --> 00:04:05.960 Lord, I just pray for your help for all of us now to hear what you want us to hear from this passage. 00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:09.500 And anything that is not from you, Lord, that we forget that. 00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:16.600 But all the truth that you want us to hear, Lord, that you would drill it deep down into our hearts 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:23.960 and that you would encourage us this morning to persevere in faith, looking to Jesus. 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:27.480 And it's in his name we pray. Amen. 00:04:27.480 --> 00:04:27.580 Amen. 00:04:29.860 --> 00:04:35.840 Well, in verse 1, it says that God tested Abraham. 00:04:37.340 --> 00:04:41.780 And as much as we don't like to admit that God does this, it is true. 00:04:43.460 --> 00:04:48.700 And this is no spellings test or driving test or even IQ test. 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:52.979 Now, this is an everything-on-the-line kind of test. 00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:59.740 God had promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky 00:04:59.740 --> 00:05:02.439 and that through him all nations would be blessed. 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:10.519 Only when Abraham was laid on in years did God finally give the son on whom all of the promises would rest. 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:20.719 And now that Isaac is here, God turns around and asks Abraham to sacrifice the son that he waited 100 years to love. 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:24.799 It's jarring. It's shocking. 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:31.019 There's nothing safe or secure or happy about this test. 00:05:31.659 --> 00:05:38.859 Rather, it's painful and confusing, with God offering no reasons why at the outset. 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:44.899 If Isaac dies, so does the promise of salvation. 00:05:46.279 --> 00:05:49.339 It throws Abraham's life into crisis. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:53.879 And it offends those of us, on the one hand, 00:05:54.339 --> 00:05:59.620 who suppose that God wants us to have lives of wealth, security and happiness free from any trouble. 00:06:01.099 --> 00:06:08.000 And on the other hand, it offends those of us who suppose that God is not in any way in control of our suffering. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:14.120 And the two main questions that arise out of this test are this. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:20.120 Why does God allow us to be tested like this? 00:06:20.779 --> 00:06:27.740 And number two, how on earth can we persevere in our faith amid pain and confusion when God seems to be against us? 00:06:27.740 --> 00:06:32.720 Well, by walking with Abraham through this trial, 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:34.960 we're going to see that number one, 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:39.259 God tests us to grow our faith in him, 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:42.720 in his promises and in his son's work on the cross. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:44.740 And that number two, 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:48.199 we can persevere through times of suffering and testing 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:50.159 by putting our faith in Jesus, 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:57.360 who trusted and obeyed perfectly amid the ultimate test of his faith. 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:02.740 And I pray that God's word today would challenge your perspective 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:05.300 and mine on testing as I've been doing all week, 00:07:05.580 --> 00:07:08.080 and that you would place your faith on the rock, 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:11.840 solid truth of what Jesus has already done for you 00:07:11.840 --> 00:07:14.360 and what he's promised to do for you in the future. 00:07:14.900 --> 00:07:15.699 So we're going to look, 00:07:15.900 --> 00:07:18.360 just walk through this narrative by looking at three simple things. 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:19.920 God's purpose in our testing, 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:21.980 God's promises in our testing, 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:24.020 and God's presence in our testing. 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:26.200 First, God's purpose in our testing. 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:30.080 And the first thing that we need to establish in verse one, 00:07:30.140 --> 00:07:33.920 that it's clearly God who ordains Abraham's testing. 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:37.580 Let's not try and make any excuses for God here. 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:42.340 He is sovereign and in control of Abraham's trouble. 00:07:43.780 --> 00:07:45.640 And that's a tough pill to swallow. 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:49.060 I've wrestled with this. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:55.860 How could God willingly throw Abraham's life into chaos 00:07:55.860 --> 00:08:00.699 and allow him to experience the most excruciating pain 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:03.500 while still being loving? 00:08:05.899 --> 00:08:08.379 And this is not a once-off in the Bible, by the way, 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:09.620 if you just think it's just this instance. 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:11.319 No, it's all over the Bible. 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:12.819 We look at the example of Job. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:17.840 In his case, Satan brings terrible affliction upon his life. 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:21.179 But Satan has to ask God's permission to do so first. 00:08:22.219 --> 00:08:26.139 And he can only do as much as God allows him to do 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:31.099 in order for God to achieve his purposes in Job's life 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:32.439 through the calamity. 00:08:33.959 --> 00:08:38.120 In support of this, Romans 8.28 says this, 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:42.080 And we know that in all things, 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:46.220 God works for the good of those who love him, 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:50.019 who have been called according to his purpose. 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:52.000 So, if that is true, 00:08:52.060 --> 00:08:56.240 if God is ultimately in control over all things, 00:08:56.740 --> 00:09:00.259 then that has to mean our suffering and pain also. 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:04.220 And that is incredibly hard to accept. 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:07.179 Stay with me, though. 00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:11.019 This narrative is going to show us 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:13.700 that Abraham's suffering is not meaningless, 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:16.240 and neither is yours or mine. 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:20.480 But what is that purpose, according to today's text? 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:27.240 Well, later we'll see that God is definitely not testing Abraham 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:31.139 to punish him for the mistakes that he'd previously made in his life. 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:33.720 And believe me, he'd made some big ones. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:36.940 Nor is God trying to catch him out 00:09:36.940 --> 00:09:41.259 or setting him up for some sort of failure. 00:09:42.420 --> 00:09:42.759 No. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:43.180 No. 00:09:43.180 --> 00:09:45.580 In this text, we learn that God tests us 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:47.659 because he wants to grow our faith. 00:09:47.659 --> 00:09:50.139 How could that be so? 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:53.719 Well, on any of the rare times in my life 00:09:53.719 --> 00:09:55.519 that I have strayed into a gym, 00:09:56.579 --> 00:09:58.480 the trainers there have explained to me 00:09:58.480 --> 00:10:00.399 that by testing my muscle, 00:10:01.179 --> 00:10:02.879 by putting it under strain, 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:05.959 and feeling the burn, that pain, 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:09.159 that is how I can build stronger muscle, 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:10.600 if only I did that more. 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:15.480 And it's a picture of how God tests our faith. 00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:18.920 He puts it under strain 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:21.019 through trials and suffering, 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:22.740 and it's painful. 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:26.460 But if we keep trusting him, 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:29.659 it will build stronger faith in him. 00:10:31.060 --> 00:10:33.759 We can't even imagine the depths of despair 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:35.920 Abraham felt walking that road, 00:10:35.920 --> 00:10:39.300 knowing he would have to somehow kill his son. 00:10:40.460 --> 00:10:42.460 Every fiber in his being 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:44.519 would have fought against it. 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:47.940 But because of this testing experience, 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:50.139 Abraham throws all his faith 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:51.379 and all his hope 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:53.519 on the promises of God. 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.720 Look at verse 8, 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:56.860 where he tells his son 00:10:56.860 --> 00:10:59.300 that God will provide the lamb, 00:11:00.560 --> 00:11:02.519 even though Abraham doesn't have a clue how. 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:07.920 He becomes more and more dependent on God 00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:10.519 and less and less dependent on himself. 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:14.319 God uses testing and suffering 00:11:14.319 --> 00:11:17.879 to make us realize our utter need for him. 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:19.480 I don't know about you, 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:21.500 but when everything's going great in my life, 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:24.220 my sinful heart slips into self-dependency. 00:11:25.079 --> 00:11:27.919 And we quickly lose our focus on God, 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:29.720 and we trust more and more on ourselves, 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:30.779 and not on him. 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:33.879 You see, in doing the very thing 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:35.799 that brings Abraham to his knees, 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:38.639 God is saving him. 00:11:40.959 --> 00:11:42.519 He's for Abraham 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:45.679 when it seems that he's against him. 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:48.679 He wants Abraham to pass the test. 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.379 He's not trying to catch him out. 00:11:50.839 --> 00:11:52.919 He's trying to grow his faith. 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:57.459 Listen to James 1, verses 2-4. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:59.099 You can read it on the board as well. 00:11:59.199 --> 00:12:01.019 Consider it pure joy, 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.599 my brothers and sisters, 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:06.019 whenever you face trials of many kinds, 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:10.000 because you know that the testing of your faith 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:12.279 produces perseverance. 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:15.959 Let perseverance finish its work 00:12:15.959 --> 00:12:19.299 so that you may be mature and complete, 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:21.279 not lacking anything. 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:24.860 You know, like the song says, 00:12:26.219 --> 00:12:28.860 who holds our faith when fears arise? 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:31.339 Who stands above the stormy trial? 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:34.719 Who sends the waves that bring us nigh 00:12:34.719 --> 00:12:36.459 unto the shore, 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.319 the rock of Christ? 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.199 I think that's true. 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:39.819 I love that. 00:12:41.719 --> 00:12:43.740 Friends, in your times of testing, 00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:47.240 don't let your first prayer be 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:50.240 that God would remove the trouble from you. 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:55.519 Pray first that God would save you 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:57.240 from trusting in yourself 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:59.860 and use whatever means necessary 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:01.419 to grow your faith, 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:02.840 even if that means 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:06.360 continuing in this hardship and testing. 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:09.039 He tests us because he loves us. 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:13.139 So we know God's purpose in our testing 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:14.199 is to grow our faith. 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:17.559 But what is that faith resting in? 00:13:18.319 --> 00:13:19.120 Here's a second point. 00:13:19.219 --> 00:13:20.959 It's about God's promises in our testing. 00:13:21.579 --> 00:13:22.899 So in verses 3 to 9, 00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:25.579 we follow Abraham on the road 00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:28.779 to the mountain where he's going to sacrifice his son. 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:32.839 And what keeps Abraham walking forward in obedience here 00:13:32.839 --> 00:13:36.159 through this excruciatingly painful testing? 00:13:36.459 --> 00:13:38.299 Why doesn't he just give up 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:40.459 amidst the anguish 00:13:40.459 --> 00:13:44.379 and all the unanswered questions of the situation? 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:47.500 I think we can see Abraham does two simple things 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:49.980 which we can also use to persevere 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:52.879 through our times of deepest suffering and testing. 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:55.919 Number one, he remembers the promises. 00:13:55.919 --> 00:14:00.079 And two, he walks forward in the promises. 00:14:01.579 --> 00:14:02.899 Look at verse 5, 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:05.019 where Abraham tells his servants, 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:08.199 Stay here with the donkey 00:14:08.199 --> 00:14:10.360 while I and the boy go over there. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:11.799 We will worship 00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:14.399 and then we will come back to you. 00:14:16.099 --> 00:14:18.699 How can Abraham have that confidence 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:21.599 of bringing Isaac back down that mountain alive? 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:26.500 Well, simply, Abraham remembered God's promise 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:29.300 that Isaac would be the father of many nations. 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:32.139 So the first step in our times of testing and suffering 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:34.040 is to just remember the promises 00:14:34.040 --> 00:14:35.700 that God has already spoken to us. 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.759 These promises are enough 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:40.120 for you to navigate any trial 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.700 that you will ever face in your life. 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:44.480 So are you giving God the chance 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.800 to speak his promises to you in his word? 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:50.099 I can hear plenty of empty promises 00:14:50.099 --> 00:14:52.459 of things the world will give me. 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:56.419 Yet so often I can't find time 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:59.219 to listen to what my soul really needs. 00:15:00.099 --> 00:15:02.059 God's true promises. 00:15:02.479 --> 00:15:02.979 Simply put, 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:05.539 we are missing out on real life, 00:15:05.859 --> 00:15:06.699 on real hope, 00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:08.399 when we leave out his word. 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.399 So make it a priority. 00:15:11.579 --> 00:15:13.279 Listen to it on your walk in the evening. 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:15.579 Hear it explained on a good Christian podcast. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:17.520 Write out your favorite promises. 00:15:18.020 --> 00:15:19.840 Stick them on the walls of your home. 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:23.759 Fill your life with God's promises to you. 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:24.759 And secondly, 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:28.520 walk forward in those promises. 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:32.340 It wasn't enough for Abraham 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:34.120 to simply know in his head 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:34.960 what God had promised. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.360 In verses 3 to 9, 00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:40.040 he showed his faith in the promise 00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:42.460 by living like he believed it was true. 00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:44.620 Here's another way of saying it. 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:48.560 Obedience flows out of faith 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:49.660 in God's promises. 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:53.200 Now the writer of the book of Hebrews 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:54.300 kind of fills us in 00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:55.720 on what Abraham was actually thinking 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:57.200 as he walked up the mountain. 00:15:57.300 --> 00:15:58.560 So it's pretty cool to actually read this 00:15:58.560 --> 00:15:59.900 2,000 years later 00:15:59.900 --> 00:16:01.000 as this writer is speaking. 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:01.860 And this is what he says. 00:16:02.900 --> 00:16:04.180 You can read it on the board as well. 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.560 Abraham reasoned 00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:09.680 that God could even raise Isaac 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:10.480 from the dead. 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:12.100 That's what he was thinking. 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:16.019 Here's a paraphrase of Abraham's thoughts. 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:19.120 God has asked me 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:20.899 to sacrifice my son. 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:24.100 But God has also promised 00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:25.720 that my son will be 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:27.080 the father of many nations. 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:30.980 Because God cannot break his promise, 00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:32.580 the only logical conclusion 00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:35.279 is that after I have killed him, 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:37.740 God's going to raise Isaac from the dead 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:39.740 and we'll walk down the mountain together. 00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:43.960 Now that's Abraham walking forward 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:44.519 in the promise. 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:47.460 It's nothing spectacular. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:50.299 It's not some massive faith 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:52.680 that only biblical heroes can have. 00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:53.959 No. 00:16:54.599 --> 00:16:58.359 Only a small, simple faith 00:16:58.359 --> 00:16:59.079 is required 00:16:59.079 --> 00:17:02.620 to cling to a massive promise. 00:17:03.959 --> 00:17:04.740 To say, 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.659 Okay God, 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:09.659 I'm taking you at your word. 00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:12.899 And I'm going to live my life 00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:13.819 in the light of it. 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:17.879 It's faith and obedience. 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:19.879 They're like two sides of the same coin. 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.980 You can't have one without the other. 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.819 Obeying God means 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:25.819 knowing God's promises 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:28.960 and living in the light of them. 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.440 It's asking yourself, 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:33.680 if God's promises are true, 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:36.000 then how does that impact 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:37.180 how I live this day? 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:42.339 A couple examples. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.099 When I'm tempted 00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:47.059 to hold my money too tightly 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:49.519 and worry about not having enough, 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.360 I can choose to believe 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:52.359 God's promise to me 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.079 in Matthew 6, 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:53.559 which says, 00:17:53.959 --> 00:17:55.359 Don't worry about 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:56.059 what you will eat 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.099 or drink or wear, 00:17:57.199 --> 00:17:59.000 but seek first 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.159 God's kingdom 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:01.619 and His righteousness 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:02.759 and all these things 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.779 will be given to you as well. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:07.259 Believing this promise 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.519 means that I can walk forward 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.319 in generosity, 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:11.339 trusting His provision 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.219 for all my needs. 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:15.319 how about when I'm sick 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:16.980 and God isn't giving me 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:17.440 the healing 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:19.380 that I've asked Him for? 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.339 Well, I can believe 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:23.319 in God's promise 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.720 in Romans 8, 28, 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.440 which says, 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:28.620 God will make all things 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:29.339 work together 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.680 for the good of those 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.380 who love Him 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.019 and are called 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.700 according to His purpose. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.559 And believing in that promise, 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:37.559 I can walk forward, 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.220 trusting that 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:40.039 He will make this illness 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:42.259 turn out for my good 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.019 and His glory. 00:18:45.139 --> 00:18:47.299 When I've been badly hurt 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:49.000 by a brother or sister, 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:51.059 and I'm tempted to show revenge 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:52.619 to those who have wronged me, 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:55.960 I can believe God's promise 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.019 in 1 Peter 4 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.480 that says, 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:59.379 They will have to give 00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:01.099 an account to Him 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.659 who is ready to judge 00:19:02.659 --> 00:19:03.720 the living and the dead. 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.480 And believing this promise 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:08.680 enables me to walk forward 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:09.299 in love, 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.880 even if I never receive 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:12.320 an apology from that person. 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.180 When I'm being tempted 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.120 by sexual sin, 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.640 and all the world 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.279 is telling me 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.180 to just do whatever 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.279 makes me happy, 00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:24.200 I can choose to believe 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:25.820 God's greater promise 00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:27.279 that says, 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.420 Everyone who drinks this water 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.500 will be thirsty again, 00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:32.039 but whoever drinks 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:33.140 the water I give them 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:35.980 will never thirst. 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:39.200 By believing in that promise, 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:41.360 I can walk forward 00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:41.960 in purity, 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:44.099 quenching my thirst 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:45.460 to God's 00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:47.160 fountain of life. 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.880 Because God 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:53.640 always keeps His promises, 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:55.660 we can keep walking 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.579 forward in them, 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:58.360 even when our situation 00:19:58.360 --> 00:20:00.420 seems like madness to us. 00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:02.720 It's blind faith. 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.740 It's a road marked with pain. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:06.559 But it saves us 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:08.019 if it grows 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.799 our faith 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.799 in Christ. 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:12.819 So we've established, 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.559 number one, 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:14.259 God's purpose 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.000 in our testing 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:16.039 to grow our faith. 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.960 And we've heard 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.940 about God's promises 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:22.099 in our testing 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:23.079 to help us through. 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.460 And now, 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:23.880 lastly, 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.839 we come to God's 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:26.099 presence 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:27.579 in our testing. 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.900 And you might be saying 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.759 to yourself at this point, 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:31.599 Okay, 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.539 I guess that God 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.099 tests me 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:34.039 to grow my faith 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.319 in Him 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.059 and that He's given me 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.619 His promises 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:36.399 to hold on to. 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.759 But what about 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.679 when I'm in the middle 00:20:39.679 --> 00:20:40.599 of that test 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:42.419 and I'm suffering 00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:43.219 badly? 00:20:45.159 --> 00:20:46.000 I'm angry, 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.959 I'm hurting, 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:50.680 and I'm struggling 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.840 to even talk to God 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.600 about the situation 00:20:52.600 --> 00:20:53.400 I'm in right now. 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.539 The situation 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.319 that He's allowing 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:57.440 in my life. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:21:00.259 My faith is weak 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.920 and I can't even say 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:03.400 I'm consistently trusting 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.220 in Him 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:05.799 or in His promises. 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.759 Never mind walking 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.340 in obedience. 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.640 What about those times? 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:13.640 You see, 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.539 Abraham might have been 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.519 a shiny example 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:17.180 in this particular story 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.400 of faith and obedience, 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.119 but he wasn't 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:20.220 many times in the past. 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.920 And neither will we 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.700 trust perfectly. 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.480 Read with me 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.639 from verse 10. 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.720 Then Abraham 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:32.240 reached out his hand 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.220 and took the knife 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.259 to slay his son. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:37.000 But the angel of the Lord 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.920 called out to him 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:38.420 from heaven, 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:38.960 Abraham, 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:39.859 Abraham, 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:42.359 Here I am, 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:43.079 he replied. 00:21:44.479 --> 00:21:46.359 Do not lay a hand 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:46.899 on the boy, 00:21:47.419 --> 00:21:47.759 he said. 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:48.819 Do not do anything 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.299 to him. 00:21:50.439 --> 00:21:51.379 Now I know 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:52.639 that you fear God 00:21:52.639 --> 00:21:54.339 because you have 00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:55.259 not withheld 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:55.719 from me 00:21:55.719 --> 00:21:56.559 your son, 00:21:56.919 --> 00:21:58.099 your only son. 00:21:59.219 --> 00:22:00.259 Abraham looked up 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.799 and there in a thicket 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.879 he saw a ram 00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:04.119 caught by its horns. 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.459 He went over 00:22:05.459 --> 00:22:06.179 and took the ram 00:22:06.179 --> 00:22:07.139 and sacrificed it 00:22:07.139 --> 00:22:07.939 as a burnt offering 00:22:07.939 --> 00:22:09.479 instead of his son. 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:11.059 So Abraham 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:12.259 called that place 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.539 the Lord 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.539 will provide. 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.379 And to this day 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:16.939 it is said 00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:18.019 on the mountain 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.819 of the Lord 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:21.079 it will be provided. 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:27.159 All of a sudden 00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:29.439 God's request 00:22:29.439 --> 00:22:30.119 of Abraham 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:30.799 which was 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:32.659 once so confusing 00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:34.019 and so painful 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:35.039 now begins 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.679 to make sense. 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:37.119 God never wanted 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.319 Abraham to sacrifice 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:38.759 his son. 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:40.559 He wanted 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.059 to show 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.439 Abraham 00:22:41.439 --> 00:22:42.099 that he 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.939 the Lord 00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:43.679 of the universe 00:22:43.679 --> 00:22:44.679 would one day 00:22:44.679 --> 00:22:45.299 sacrifice 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.639 his one 00:22:46.639 --> 00:22:47.399 and only son. 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.319 Two thousand 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.039 years after 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.399 Isaac 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:51.919 Jesus 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:53.059 would walk 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.619 up a hill 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:55.759 carrying wood 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.559 on his back. 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.439 Like Isaac 00:22:58.439 --> 00:22:59.579 he would be 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.779 silent as a lamb 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.839 led to the slaughter 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:03.339 trusting perfectly 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.159 in his father. 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:05.480 he would not 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:05.940 resist 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:08.279 but would 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.259 willingly allow 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.920 the soldiers 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.720 to nail him 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.420 to the cross 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.560 obeying his father 00:23:12.560 --> 00:23:13.160 perfectly. 00:23:14.560 --> 00:23:15.380 But where 00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.060 Isaac was 00:23:16.060 --> 00:23:17.140 spared on the 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:17.500 altar 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:19.320 Jesus would 00:23:19.320 --> 00:23:20.480 not be spared 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.259 on the cross. 00:23:22.560 --> 00:23:24.060 The full weight 00:23:24.060 --> 00:23:25.180 of the wrath 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.700 of God 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.880 for our sin 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:28.360 would crush 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:28.820 him. 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:30.779 He would die 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.859 for all of 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:33.019 our faithlessness 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:35.379 our self 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:35.980 dependency 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:37.240 and idolatry 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.740 of lesser 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.200 things. 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:40.680 Jesus 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.700 passed 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.559 the ultimate 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.379 test of 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:43.700 faith 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.680 for us. 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:47.320 And then 00:23:47.320 --> 00:23:48.180 crucially 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:49.080 he rose 00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:49.700 again from 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.120 the grave 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.740 to be our 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.620 risen king 00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:53.160 conquering death 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:55.180 and guaranteeing 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:55.900 our future 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.580 resurrection 00:23:56.580 --> 00:23:57.720 to eternal 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.180 life. 00:23:58.600 --> 00:23:59.279 He is seated 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.100 at the right 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:00.580 hand of the 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:01.299 father right 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.840 now 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:03.920 interceding 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.700 for us 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.900 just like he 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.440 prayed for 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.080 Simon Peter 00:24:07.080 --> 00:24:07.519 that his 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.000 faith would 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.480 not fail 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.080 through testing 00:24:09.080 --> 00:24:09.940 so Jesus 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.380 is also 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:10.820 praying 00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:11.560 for those 00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:11.960 who belong 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.380 to him. 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:15.820 we are 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.220 all going 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.660 to turn 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.240 away from 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.660 God's 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.100 promises 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:18.840 and trust 00:24:18.840 --> 00:24:19.440 in ourselves 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.060 just like 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:20.500 Abraham 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.560 on previous 00:24:21.560 --> 00:24:22.040 occasions 00:24:22.040 --> 00:24:22.660 just like 00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:23.560 Peter did 00:24:23.560 --> 00:24:23.800 when he 00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:24.400 denied Jesus 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.900 we are 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:26.480 often going 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:26.860 to live 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:28.000 like we 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.600 don't believe 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:28.940 God's 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.280 promises 00:24:29.280 --> 00:24:29.760 are true 00:24:29.760 --> 00:24:32.320 and that's 00:24:32.320 --> 00:24:32.980 why we 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.680 needed a 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.620 perfect 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:36.060 sinless 00:24:36.060 --> 00:24:36.700 savior 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:38.320 who passed 00:24:38.320 --> 00:24:38.940 the test 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.980 for us 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:41.800 and now 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.759 is 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.879 interceding 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:44.859 for us 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.119 he's 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:45.539 speaking 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:47.240 praying 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:49.000 that we 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.460 would 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.159 persevere 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:50.819 and like 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.200 the song 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.659 says 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:53.399 when I 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:54.019 fear my 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.619 faith will 00:24:54.619 --> 00:24:54.960 fail 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.759 Christ 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.440 will hold 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.000 me fast 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.359 when the 00:24:59.359 --> 00:24:59.799 tempter 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.680 would prevail 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.740 he 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.839 will hold 00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:03.379 me fast 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:04.019 that's truth 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.519 from God's 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:04.819 word 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:07.579 Jesus 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:09.019 wants us 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.740 to pass 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.259 the test 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.980 and he 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.680 is praying 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.079 to the 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.420 father 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:12.980 that our 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.440 faith will 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.299 not fail 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.640 even though 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.200 we lose 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:16.779 our focus 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.240 on him 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:20.779 so it's 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.059 simple 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.879 place 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:24.480 your entire 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.140 faith 00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:26.440 in Jesus 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.259 work on the 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:27.740 cross for 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.000 you 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:29.799 know the 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.200 forgiveness 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:31.359 of all 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:31.940 your sin 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:32.900 and your 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.579 relationship 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.039 with him 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.460 restored 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:36.200 and he 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.680 will give 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.000 you the 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.359 gift of 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:37.779 his holy 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.160 spirit 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.680 God 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.019 living 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.440 inside 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:39.640 you 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:40.340 present 00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:40.860 with 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.160 you 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.680 through 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.140 all of 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:42.279 your 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.720 suffering 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.259 and 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.700 testing 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:46.660 and not 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.160 only that 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:49.000 through 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.480 faith in 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:49.840 Christ 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:51.740 you are 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.300 adopted 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:52.740 into 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.279 God's 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:53.759 family 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.920 you're 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.259 counted 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:55.500 as 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.759 sons 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:55.960 and 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.259 daughters 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:56.440 of 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.759 Abraham 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:58.000 meaning 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.360 that all 00:25:58.360 --> 00:25:58.840 the promises 00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.160 that we 00:25:59.160 --> 00:25:59.640 read about 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:00.000 in verses 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.580 17 and 00:26:00.580 --> 00:26:00.920 18 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.640 they're 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:01.900 yours 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.220 as well 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.420 they're 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:02.700 mine 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:05.039 just as 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.400 Abraham 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:05.720 was 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.279 promised 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:06.860 blessing 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.080 by 00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:07.440 God 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:09.140 so we 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:09.480 have been 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:09.880 blessed 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.759 with every 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.340 spiritual 00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:11.759 blessing 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.279 in Christ 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:13.940 just as 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.220 Abraham 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:14.779 was promised 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.420 a family 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.559 as numerous 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.059 as the 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.400 stars 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:18.240 so we 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.519 have been 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:18.920 brought into 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.319 a family 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:19.860 of believers 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.880 from all 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:21.559 nationalities 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.160 and backgrounds 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:22.779 spanning 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.279 history 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:25.279 just as 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:25.640 Abraham 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:26.380 was promised 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:27.039 a heavenly 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.500 city 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:29.420 so we 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.319 are heirs 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.059 of eternity 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.620 in heaven 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.220 as well 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:34.360 these are 00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:34.920 promises 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.799 that you 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.279 and I 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.180 can build 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:38.019 our lives 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.339 on 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:41.779 remember 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.100 them 00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:44.279 believe 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.880 them 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:47.779 show you 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.319 believe them 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:49.000 by walking 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.880 forward in 00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:50.120 them 00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:53.860 and whenever 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:54.500 you fail 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.059 to trust 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:55.539 and obey 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:57.940 keep coming 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.360 back 00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:59.100 to the 00:26:59.100 --> 00:26:59.740 one who 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.279 trusted 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.120 and obeyed 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:02.039 perfectly 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.659 for you 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:04.899 he is 00:27:04.899 --> 00:27:05.359 present 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:05.779 in your 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.220 testing 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.440 he is 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:07.839 keeping 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.139 you 00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:08.359 from 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:08.799 falling 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:10.180 though 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.420 you 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:10.920 struggle 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:12.319 his 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.759 grace 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:12.980 is 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.339 enough 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.420 for all 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:14.599 your 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.180 mistakes 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:16.460 parameters 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:18.220 just 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.480 want to 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.799 finish 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.060 with 00:27:19.060 --> 00:27:19.820 jude 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:21.680 verses 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.380 24 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.200 and 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.700 25 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:23.980 just 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.220 listen 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.720 to it 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:27.160 now 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.660 to him 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:28.240 who is 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.860 able to 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:29.320 keep 00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:29.500 you 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:29.700 from 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.220 stumbling 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.740 and to 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.080 present 00:27:32.080 --> 00:27:32.420 you 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:32.740 before 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.060 his 00:27:33.060 --> 00:27:33.680 glorious 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.160 presence 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:34.460 without 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.080 fault 00:27:35.080 --> 00:27:36.420 and with 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.039 great 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.500 joy 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:40.880 to the only God our Saviour 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:44.339 be glory, majesty, power and authority 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:46.720 through Jesus Christ our Lord 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:51.859 before all ages, now and forevermore. 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.380 Let's pray. 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:06.299 Lord, we just ask that 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:10.839 you would not save us from all trouble 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:14.799 but first of all, God, 00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:16.759 that you would use the trouble 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:19.200 and the testing and the suffering 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:21.839 to save us from ourselves. 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:27.419 And Lord, whenever you do test our faith, 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:30.079 give us grace to believe in your promises. 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.899 Give us grace to live 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:35.240 like we believe them. 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:40.720 Thank you for your finished work 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:42.539 on the cross for us. 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:47.559 Lord, we simply rest in that work today. 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:52.680 And we place our entire faith 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:54.659 in what you have achieved for us. 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.059 Lord, 00:28:57.759 --> 00:29:00.399 grow our faith 00:29:00.399 --> 00:29:02.680 through times of testing. 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:06.380 thank you that you are keeping us 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:07.160 till the end. 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:10.039 In Jesus' name. 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.279 Amen. 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:11.400 Amen. 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:28.340 Thanks very much, Sam. 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:33.500 tough passage, 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:37.459 but absolutely superb. 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:39.339 A couple of things that I took from it. 00:29:39.379 --> 00:29:41.099 We're going to sing a couple of songs 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:42.459 to finish. 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.980 But Sam said, 00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:45.339 in doing the very thing 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:47.279 that brings Abraham to his knees, 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:49.139 God is saving him. 00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:51.280 I hope we can remember that 00:29:51.280 --> 00:29:53.000 throughout the week, 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:54.540 that while we're going through 00:29:54.540 --> 00:29:55.720 these tough times, 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:57.960 God is using that 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:59.540 to save us, 00:29:59.600 --> 00:30:00.720 to strengthen our faith. 00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.900 And if we can remember 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:03.960 the promises 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:05.460 while we're going through these times. 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:08.259 The two songs we're going to sing 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.960 now are speaking about 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.880 that last point 00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:11.800 that Sam was making 00:30:11.800 --> 00:30:13.060 about God's presence 00:30:13.060 --> 00:30:15.200 in our testing, 00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:17.340 in our struggles. 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:19.059 The first one is 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:20.500 He will hold me fast. 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:22.359 You might have heard Sam quote it 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:24.899 in the sermon. 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.279 And the second one is 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.879 before the throne of God above 00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:29.079 where it says 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:31.519 that God ever lives 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:33.539 and pleads for me. 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.899 So like Sam was speaking about, 00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:36.519 when you are going through 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.459 those hard times, 00:30:37.659 --> 00:30:38.699 yes, it is awful, 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:41.859 but God is there with you. 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:44.119 If you hold on to His promises, 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:46.980 He is there with you in it. 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:50.579 Please feel free to stand.