WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:09.019 We're continuing our series in the life of Abraham this summer, and tonight we come to Genesis 22, which is page 16 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:16.899 I'm going to turn there with me. It would be good to have a Bible open before you as we study this text tonight. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:25.379 So we've been walking through Abraham's life, thinking about what it means to trust God, 00:00:25.379 --> 00:00:30.059 and tonight we actually come to the climax of Abraham's story. 00:00:31.259 --> 00:00:35.140 Everything, in one sense, comes to a head for Abraham right here in Genesis 22. 00:00:37.159 --> 00:00:46.140 A number of years ago, when I was studying in graduate school, I remember having some weird chest pains one January. 00:00:46.879 --> 00:00:50.340 I hadn't noticed those before. I thought that was kind of weird. This was new, so I went to see the doctor. 00:00:51.039 --> 00:00:54.719 There's a history of heart disease in my family, so I'm like, oh, this is kind of serious. I should go check this out. 00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:59.839 So I went to the doctor, and they scheduled a time for me to go to the hospital and have a stress test. 00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:01.600 Does he ever have a stress test? 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:08.359 So what they do is they hook up all these sensors to your chest, and then they put you on a treadmill, 00:01:08.900 --> 00:01:11.700 and then they turn the treadmill on, and you have to start running. 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:15.280 First they start you out walking. It's kind of nice. You're sort of walking, you're walking, 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:19.159 then they speed it up, and you're kind of jogging, and you're jogging a little faster, 00:01:19.900 --> 00:01:23.299 and then they keep hitting that button, and you're running, and then you're running faster, 00:01:23.299 --> 00:01:26.759 and then by the time you kind of get to the peak of the stress test, you're sprinting. 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:28.120 I'm just flat out running. 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:31.159 And at this point in my life, I'm a graduate student. 00:01:31.459 --> 00:01:33.819 I'm not running a lot unless something's chasing me. 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:36.939 And I'm just sprinting on this thing. 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:40.799 And it's also one of these where the elevation goes up. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:46.459 And once I'm at peak speed, I'm looking at the tech like, we're good, right? 00:01:46.539 --> 00:01:48.479 We've got enough data to go on. 00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:52.600 And they just sort of let me sit on that thing for what seemed like an eternity. 00:01:52.760 --> 00:01:53.700 It was probably less than a minute. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:01:57.140 And then finally, they slowed down the treadmill. 00:01:57.320 --> 00:01:58.000 They let me off. 00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:03.439 They let me lay down so that my heart rate could return from the stratosphere where they had sent it. 00:02:05.460 --> 00:02:09.699 Anyway, after all that, thankfully, it turned out my heart was just fine. 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:15.500 The chest pains were probably indigestion or some just anxiety over the classes I was taking or something. 00:02:15.500 --> 00:02:25.539 But the point is that we wouldn't have known the real state of my heart had I not come through the intensity of that test. 00:02:27.819 --> 00:02:31.139 And tonight, we're going to see that the same thing is true spiritually. 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:44.460 The climax of Abraham's life, as we've been following along this story, the climax of his life doesn't come when he first receives God's promise to bless him and to make him a blessing in the whole world. 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:53.000 The climax of Abraham's life doesn't come when he and Sarah finally have a son, an offspring in her old age. 00:02:55.800 --> 00:02:58.900 The climax of Abraham's life comes when God tests him. 00:03:00.420 --> 00:03:04.340 When God tells him to actually give up the son that he had waited so long for. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:08.620 When God tells him to give up the son, even when all these promises will be carried forward. 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:13.920 So let's read in Genesis 22, verses 1 through 19. 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:18.500 We read this verse, Genesis 22. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:23.300 After these things, God tested Abraham and said to him, Abraham. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:25.960 And he said, here I am. 00:03:27.200 --> 00:03:31.700 He said, take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. 00:03:31.699 --> 00:03:36.199 And offer him there as a burnt offering on the mountains, which I shall tell you. 00:03:37.119 --> 00:03:42.379 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:47.239 And he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and rose and went to the place in which God had told him. 00:03:48.079 --> 00:03:51.179 On the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:54.280 And Abraham said to his young men, stay here with the donkey. 00:03:54.899 --> 00:03:57.539 I and the boy will go over there and worship the coming end to you. 00:03:57.539 --> 00:04:01.739 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac, his son. 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:06.340 And he took in his hand the fire and the knife, and so they went, both of them together. 00:04:07.459 --> 00:04:10.519 And Isaac said to his father, Abraham, my father. 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:12.280 And he said to him, here I am, my son. 00:04:13.159 --> 00:04:17.079 He said, behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:23.259 Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering to his son. 00:04:24.060 --> 00:04:25.500 So they went, both of them together. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:32.360 When they came to the place in which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order, 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:36.480 and bound Isaac, his son, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:40.720 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 00:04:41.620 --> 00:04:44.720 The angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham. 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:46.779 And he said, here I am. 00:04:47.860 --> 00:04:52.259 He said, do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:55.759 seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son from me. 00:04:56.579 --> 00:05:00.240 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:02.599 He called in a thicket by his horns. 00:05:03.339 --> 00:05:07.019 And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:10.939 So Abraham called the name of that place, the Lord will provide. 00:05:11.699 --> 00:05:15.279 As it is said to this day on the mouth of the Lord, what shall we provide? 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:20.099 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, 00:05:20.659 --> 00:05:25.579 By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, 00:05:25.659 --> 00:05:27.939 your only son, I will surely bless you. 00:05:28.619 --> 00:05:33.579 And I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. 00:05:34.339 --> 00:05:36.779 And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 00:05:37.359 --> 00:05:41.239 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, 00:05:41.719 --> 00:05:44.159 because you obeyed my voice. 00:05:44.160 --> 00:05:47.560 So Abraham returned to his young man, 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:49.920 and they rose and went together to Beersheba, 00:05:50.780 --> 00:05:52.939 and Abraham left at Beersheba. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:56.300 So at the time that we have tonight, 00:05:56.420 --> 00:05:58.520 I want to briefly look at three things in our text. 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:02.280 First, I want to look at the nature of the test that God puts before Abraham, 00:06:02.900 --> 00:06:04.720 and then we're going to look at the outcome of that test, 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:10.260 and then last, we're going to look at how we can face our own tests, our lives. 00:06:10.820 --> 00:06:13.400 So first, let's look at the nature of this test. 00:06:14.160 --> 00:06:17.460 You see right there in verse 1, God tested Abraham. 00:06:17.760 --> 00:06:22.580 God comes to Abraham and tells him to sacrifice his one and only son Isaac, 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:26.720 the son that he loves, on the mountain, on the mountain of the land of the ride. 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:30.600 And of course, I think if you're a reader of this text, 00:06:30.940 --> 00:06:34.780 our first reaction to such a command from God is confusion, 00:06:35.140 --> 00:06:37.560 and maybe even a little bit of horror or disgust, 00:06:37.640 --> 00:06:40.680 that God would ask Abraham to do something like that. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:47.820 Cyril Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher, wrote a book in the 19th century called Fear and Trebling, 00:06:48.020 --> 00:06:49.580 which was about this episode in Genesis. 00:06:49.579 --> 00:06:53.199 And Kierkegaard decided that the takeaway from Genesis 22, 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:57.659 one of the lessons is that faith is ultimately a leap into the unknown. 00:06:57.839 --> 00:06:59.240 It's a leap into the irrational, 00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:02.959 because God is asking Abraham to do something that's completely irrational here. 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:07.899 It's acting, faith is acting against all of our better judgments just because God said so. 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:13.299 But actually, as much as Kierkegaard is a great Christian thinker, 00:07:13.859 --> 00:07:16.179 I don't think that's actually what's going on here. 00:07:17.599 --> 00:07:22.919 The first thing to notice about the nature of this text is that it's actually not also irrational or illogical. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:28.500 Tim Keller, in his book Counterfeit Gods, which is a great book, by the way, 00:07:28.539 --> 00:07:30.319 if you haven't read it, Stouncers and the Hostal, 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:33.699 he mentions the research of a Harvard Old Testament scholar named John Levinson. 00:07:33.699 --> 00:07:38.719 And Levinson's study makes the point that in ancient Hebrew thought, 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:43.920 the firstborn son was the representative of the whole family. 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:46.439 Think about it. We talked a little bit about this last week. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:51.599 So Isaac has now been confirmed as the heir, as the firstborn of Abraham's family, 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:55.800 which meant that all of Abraham's property, his estate, everything that he had, 00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:58.899 his whole family, was going to Isaac. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:04.000 And in a familial culture, in a culture that wasn't as individualistic as ours, 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:05.259 in a much more communal sense, 00:08:05.599 --> 00:08:10.799 this firstborn son was the representative for everything that Abraham was. 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:13.739 Isaac, in a sense, was the family. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:18.000 And Levinson goes on to point out in his study 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:20.919 that what we see in the rest of the Old Testament 00:08:20.920 --> 00:08:24.000 is that when God's justice is enacted, 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:28.360 when God's just punishment for our sin is expressed, 00:08:29.220 --> 00:08:31.240 in the Old Testament a lot of times, where does it fall? 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:35.080 Well, he says, naturally, it falls on the firstborn son. 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:39.480 If our sin forfeits all of our rights before God, 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:42.300 if we're totally accountable to God for our sin, 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:43.940 and we stand under his just judgment, 00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:47.360 and if the firstborn son represents everything that we have, 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:48.960 then of course, when God's judgment's come, 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:52.680 it will be totally understandable in that culture, 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:57.019 for God requires a payment in the firstborn son. 00:08:57.840 --> 00:08:59.919 And if we were going to owe God everything, 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:02.419 and if the penalty was going to demand everything, 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:04.100 then how would you represent that? 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:05.779 It would be your firstborn son. 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:07.000 They were your everything. 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:12.600 I actually see this in the Old Testament. 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:13.519 You see it in Egypt. 00:09:13.800 --> 00:09:14.920 Remember the Exodus from Egypt, 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:16.740 when the destroyer comes and the tenth plague? 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:17.419 What does it come for? 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:18.580 It was for the firstborn son. 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:21.560 You see it throughout the Pentateuch, 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:24.039 because the firstborn sons of every family in Israel 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:24.980 have to be redeemed. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:27.620 They're the ones that you've got to make a payment for 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:28.480 so you can keep them. 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:31.480 So when God comes to Abraham, 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:32.740 long before those events, 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:33.460 and says, Abraham, 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:35.980 I want you to sacrifice your son to me. 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:40.039 It's actually not some irrational command 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:41.620 demanding Abraham to leave in the dark. 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:43.840 No, this is God in his holiness 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:46.080 demanding from Abraham 00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:48.720 the just penalty for his son. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:52.700 Notice God doesn't tell Abraham to murder his son. 00:09:52.920 --> 00:09:53.259 He says, 00:09:53.400 --> 00:09:54.540 Offer him as a burnt sacrifice. 00:09:54.660 --> 00:09:56.040 He uses technical language there. 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:58.280 I want you to offer him up to me 00:09:58.280 --> 00:09:59.240 as a sacrifice. 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:01.520 This has to do with sin 00:10:01.520 --> 00:10:02.639 and with judgment. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:06.060 And notice also that God doesn't tell Abraham 00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:07.040 to sacrifice Sarah 00:10:07.040 --> 00:10:08.759 or another precious family member. 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:10.340 That would have been illogical to Abraham. 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:11.660 He wouldn't have understood that. 00:10:11.660 --> 00:10:12.740 That would have been an inappropriate answer. 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:16.180 No, it was only the firstborn son. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:17.779 It was only Isaac that represented 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:19.240 everything that Abraham had to give. 00:10:19.419 --> 00:10:21.240 Isaac was Abraham's everything. 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:26.279 And that brings us to another thing 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:28.100 we need to notice about the nature of this test, 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:31.200 which is that Isaac is Abraham's everything 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:32.419 as we have the story. 00:10:32.419 --> 00:10:37.319 As the narrator points out again and again 00:10:37.319 --> 00:10:37.860 in our text, 00:10:37.979 --> 00:10:39.479 Isaac is Abraham's son. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:41.039 His only son. 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:42.539 The son he loves. 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:44.899 This is Abraham's beloved son. 00:10:45.059 --> 00:10:47.339 This is the son he had waited years 00:10:47.339 --> 00:10:48.559 and years ago. 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:51.379 This was his treasure. 00:10:51.979 --> 00:10:53.059 This was his boy. 00:10:53.059 --> 00:10:54.579 Now, 00:10:56.039 --> 00:11:00.259 God was going to test Abraham's heart. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:01.639 He was going to test his faith. 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:03.019 Which is to say, 00:11:03.119 --> 00:11:05.000 God was coming to Abraham 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.239 to find out, 00:11:06.339 --> 00:11:07.519 did Abraham love him 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.639 above all else? 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:09.839 Did Abraham love God 00:11:09.839 --> 00:11:10.879 above all else? 00:11:10.939 --> 00:11:11.699 Or it's something 00:11:11.699 --> 00:11:13.319 taking the place of God 00:11:13.319 --> 00:11:14.219 in Abraham's heart. 00:11:18.699 --> 00:11:19.159 You know, 00:11:19.179 --> 00:11:19.979 there will come times 00:11:19.979 --> 00:11:21.459 probably for all of our lives, 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:22.639 if we're believers, 00:11:22.780 --> 00:11:23.740 if we're followers of Christ, 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.180 if we're faced with similar tests. 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:28.860 A test of where our deep heart 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:30.639 and trust really lies. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.560 Is it in God, 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:32.759 our creator, 00:11:32.920 --> 00:11:33.540 and our redeemer? 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:35.019 Or, 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:37.019 is it in some creative thing? 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.240 And the fact is 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.800 that this testing will come 00:11:41.800 --> 00:11:43.340 not because God is cruel, 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:45.220 not because God is ruthless 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:45.920 and cold, 00:11:46.040 --> 00:11:47.420 not because God wants to, 00:11:47.420 --> 00:11:48.160 you know, 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:49.800 unnecessarily punish us. 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:50.040 No. 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:52.059 This test comes to us 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:54.759 because God loves us. 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:58.240 Because God loves us 00:11:58.240 --> 00:11:59.079 too much 00:11:59.079 --> 00:12:01.579 to allow us to keep 00:12:01.579 --> 00:12:04.019 competing false gods 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:04.939 in our hearts. 00:12:06.819 --> 00:12:08.099 God loves us too much 00:12:08.099 --> 00:12:09.620 to let us base our lives 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:10.539 on lesser things, 00:12:10.599 --> 00:12:11.399 even good things, 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:12.279 even something like 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:12.980 an only son 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:13.719 who we love more 00:12:13.719 --> 00:12:14.879 than any other earthly thing. 00:12:16.939 --> 00:12:17.419 God is saying, 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:17.719 Abraham, 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:18.800 if you keep your heart 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:20.160 stuck on your son, 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.540 you will run out of you. 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:24.139 But if you release 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.080 your grip from him, 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:26.560 it will demonstrate 00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:27.100 being love 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:28.060 at the end of all else. 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:31.360 Then you'll be free. 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:31.700 Abraham, 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:32.379 God says, 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:33.040 I want you to give up 00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:33.720 your only son. 00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:35.980 And Abraham, 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:37.180 even though the test was hard, 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:37.840 even though it was 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:38.519 the hardest thing, 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.500 any tests that Abraham 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:42.220 had or would experience, 00:12:42.540 --> 00:12:43.040 what happens? 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:43.820 Abraham obeys. 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:45.639 He goes. 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:48.419 And amazing too, 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.019 notice too, 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:50.679 that Isaac obeys. 00:12:51.819 --> 00:12:52.379 At first, 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.059 Isaac wonders 00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:53.840 where the lamb is 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:54.600 for the sacrifice 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.259 when they get to 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:55.899 the top of the hill. 00:12:56.699 --> 00:12:57.659 And Abraham sets up 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:58.039 the altar 00:12:58.039 --> 00:12:59.279 and binds Isaac 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:00.159 like a sacrifice. 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:03.399 Isaac doesn't turn and run. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.819 Now keep in mind, 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:06.879 at this point in the story, 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:08.720 Isaac's probably 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:09.620 a young teen. 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:11.600 And Abraham was probably, 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:12.039 well, 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:12.740 that's definitely 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:13.919 an incredibly old man. 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:18.000 Isaac very easily 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.979 could have rejected 00:13:19.979 --> 00:13:20.500 his father, 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.500 split and run. 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:22.179 No thanks, 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:22.539 dad. 00:13:22.839 --> 00:13:23.679 I'll not take part 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:24.219 in this game. 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:27.939 And yet Isaac saves. 00:13:29.719 --> 00:13:30.659 Isaac too 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:32.319 entrusts himself 00:13:32.319 --> 00:13:32.959 with the Lord 00:13:32.959 --> 00:13:34.559 rather than 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.599 faith. 00:13:39.599 --> 00:13:40.500 So this is the nature 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:40.939 of the test. 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.579 Here God is 00:13:41.579 --> 00:13:42.779 demanding from Abraham 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.480 his everything, 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:44.360 his only son. 00:13:44.459 --> 00:13:44.980 He's testing 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:45.699 whether Abraham 00:13:45.699 --> 00:13:46.360 will love God 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.059 about all else 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:47.620 and trust him 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.279 about all else. 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:50.120 But let's look 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:50.720 back at the outcome 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:51.259 of the test. 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:54.120 And from Abraham's side, 00:13:54.199 --> 00:13:54.659 the outcome 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:55.600 is not just obedience, 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.279 but it's assurance. 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:58.740 Abraham's faith 00:13:58.740 --> 00:13:59.240 is tested 00:13:59.240 --> 00:13:59.860 and he comes 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:00.519 through the test. 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:01.759 In the New Testament 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.339 book of James 00:14:02.339 --> 00:14:02.939 in chapter 2, 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:03.839 James will look back 00:14:03.839 --> 00:14:04.419 at this episode 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:05.199 in Abraham's life 00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:05.539 and say, 00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:07.419 that's when we knew 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:08.740 that Abraham's faith 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.399 was real. 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:11.659 James will say 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.579 that Abraham's work, 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:13.439 his obedience, 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.480 willingly offering 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:14.980 up his son 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:15.759 was the evidence 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.039 that proved 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:17.720 his faith 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:18.679 to be the real thing. 00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:20.240 This was the thing 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:21.419 that showed Abraham 00:14:21.419 --> 00:14:22.779 to have a living faith, 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:23.840 to have a true faith. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:27.120 And that would be 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:27.439 the outcome 00:14:27.439 --> 00:14:27.919 of our faith 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:28.740 as tested as well. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:30.480 In Romans chapter 5 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:31.379 verses 1 through 5, 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.000 Paul writes, 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:33.860 therefore since we've 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.980 been justified by faith, 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:35.819 we've been put right 00:14:35.819 --> 00:14:36.419 with God, 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:37.559 by faith, 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:38.879 we have peace with God 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.000 for our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.219 Through him, 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:42.079 we also have obtained 00:14:42.079 --> 00:14:43.359 access by faith 00:14:43.359 --> 00:14:43.879 in the disgrace 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.659 in which we stand. 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:45.719 And we rejoice 00:14:45.719 --> 00:14:46.099 in the hope 00:14:46.099 --> 00:14:46.919 of the glory of God. 00:14:47.239 --> 00:14:48.019 Not only that, 00:14:48.119 --> 00:14:48.719 but we rejoice 00:14:48.719 --> 00:14:49.479 in our suffering, 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.219 as Paul says. 00:14:51.219 --> 00:14:52.199 Knowing that our suffering 00:14:52.199 --> 00:14:53.199 produces endurance 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:54.339 and endurance 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:55.279 produces character 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:56.899 and character 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.939 produces hope. 00:14:58.719 --> 00:14:59.599 And hope does not 00:14:59.599 --> 00:15:00.399 put us to shame 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:02.439 because God's love 00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:03.679 has been poured 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.379 into our hearts 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.399 through the Holy Spirit 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.559 that has been given 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.099 to us. 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:11.919 Paul says our faith 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:13.279 is tested by suffering. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:14.859 What happens? 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:16.759 Does it destroy our faith? 00:15:16.859 --> 00:15:17.659 Does it disprove 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.599 God's love for us now? 00:15:18.699 --> 00:15:19.719 Paul says that suffering 00:15:19.719 --> 00:15:21.000 produces endurance. 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:24.479 We're forced to focus. 00:15:24.619 --> 00:15:25.859 We're forced to press in. 00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:27.159 Hold on. 00:15:27.479 --> 00:15:28.699 Put first things first 00:15:28.699 --> 00:15:29.539 and to ignore. 00:15:29.739 --> 00:15:30.319 And then Paul says 00:15:30.319 --> 00:15:31.339 that endurance 00:15:31.339 --> 00:15:32.699 produces character. 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.619 We're refined. 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:36.399 You know, 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:38.060 when you mine 00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:38.899 out of the earth 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.360 some kind of precious metal 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.159 out of the ground, 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:43.080 what's it like? 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:43.879 It's full of impurities. 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:44.879 It's full of dross. 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:45.440 It's full of 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:47.299 other kinds of rocks 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:47.919 and minerals. 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:49.240 But when it goes 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.139 through the furnace, 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:52.320 it comes out pure. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.519 It comes out stronger. 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:54.779 It comes out more beautiful 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:55.620 than when it went through. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.779 In other words, 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:57.740 it's character 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.980 that's refined 00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.879 and displayed. 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.759 And then Paul says 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.039 that that character 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:06.080 produces hope. 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.060 It produces hope 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:10.700 that God really does love us. 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:13.220 And He really has chosen us. 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.440 And He's really going 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:15.399 to see us through 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.500 no matter what comes. 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.399 And He really is 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.279 all our hearts need 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:20.399 and our love need 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:21.460 for all eternity. 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:21.659 Amen. 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:21.740 Amen. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:21.860 Amen. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.279 So what's the outcome 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:26.779 of the test? 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:27.740 Abraham obeys. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.659 And God intervenes. 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:31.759 As Abraham reaches 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.399 with a knife, 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.779 the angel of the Lord 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:34.659 pulls out from heaven 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.480 in verse 12. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.720 Do not lay your hand 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.060 on the boy 00:16:37.060 --> 00:16:38.259 or do anything to him. 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.620 For now I know 00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:40.560 that you fear God, 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.440 seeing that you have not 00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:42.259 withheld your son, 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.240 your only son. 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:45.980 And then, 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:47.259 in verses 15 through 18, 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:49.240 God reaffirms 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.240 His covenant with Abraham. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.320 It's a very important 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:54.600 part of this story. 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.279 Because you see, 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:57.100 when God promised 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:58.100 Abraham all the way 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.019 back in chapter 12, 00:16:59.080 --> 00:16:59.779 all the way back 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:01.259 when Abraham's story 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:02.060 really begins, 00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:03.379 when God promises 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.180 back there to bless 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:04.500 Abraham, 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.480 to make him a great 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:05.960 family, 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.559 to make him a great 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:06.920 nation, 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:07.759 to give him the land, 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:08.640 and ultimately 00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:09.640 to bless all nations 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:10.240 through him, 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:11.619 that promise really 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.640 seemed to be conditional 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:13.619 on Abraham receiving 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.119 the promise, 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.940 obeying God, 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:15.900 and actually leaving 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.839 his family and homeland 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.660 and going to the land 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.420 that God showed him. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.500 But here in chapter 22, 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:23.200 after that greatest test 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.200 of Abraham's life 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:25.019 after he surrenders 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.099 completely to God, 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:29.039 giving him his everything, 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:31.259 God makes that same 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.759 promise completely 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.759 and utterly rock solid. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:37.180 It's utterly unconditional 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:38.119 love of fear 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:39.619 in chapter 22. 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.740 The New Testament book 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.819 of Hebrews looks back 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:45.639 to these verses 00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:46.240 in Genesis. 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.019 This is what it says 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:49.279 in Hebrews chapter 6, 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.299 verses 13 through 18. 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:51.720 It says, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.420 God made a promise 00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:53.019 to Abraham, 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:54.600 since he had no one 00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:55.460 greater by who to swear, 00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:56.480 God swore by himself, 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:57.420 saying, 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.360 Surely I will bless you 00:17:58.360 --> 00:17:59.160 and multiply you. 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.579 And thus Abraham, 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:02.059 having patiently waited, 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.240 obtained the promise. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:04.920 For people swear 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:05.740 by something greater 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.420 than themselves, 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.740 and all their disputes 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.380 and oaths 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.799 is final for confirmation. 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.940 So when God 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.839 desired to show 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:14.140 more convincingly 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:15.299 to the heirs 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.960 of the promise, 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:18.639 the unchangeable character 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:19.819 of his purpose, 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.339 God guaranteed it 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:23.519 with an oath. 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:26.200 So by two unchangeable things, 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.819 in which it is impossible 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.659 for God to lie, 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.299 we who have fled 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:30.899 for refuge 00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:32.259 by the strong encouragement 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.619 to hold fast 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:34.779 to the most of the forest. 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.680 Now what's the writer 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:39.299 of Hebrews saying? 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:39.879 Do you see here 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:41.019 in Genesis 22, 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.279 verse 16, 00:18:43.159 --> 00:18:44.319 I have sworn 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:45.059 and I have done it 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.259 with a soul? 00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.539 God is here 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.599 making an oath. 00:18:50.639 --> 00:18:51.259 Hebrews says, 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:51.500 you know, 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.500 usually when we make an oath 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.099 we sort of swear 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:53.819 by something greater 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.419 than ourselves, 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:54.939 you know. 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:56.299 I swear on my mother's grave 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:56.700 or whatever, 00:18:56.939 --> 00:18:57.240 you know. 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:58.519 But here, 00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:59.279 because there's nothing 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.079 greater than God, 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:00.960 God says, 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.899 I'm giving this oath 00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:04.379 and I'm swearing 00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:05.319 by myself 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:06.319 because I'm the greatest 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:06.799 in the midst 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:08.139 that I have to do 00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:08.759 what I promised. 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.240 And Hebrews says 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.639 that makes 00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:12.819 two unchanging things. 00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:13.559 First, 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:14.539 God's word itself 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.339 and second, 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.000 God's oath. 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:17.740 And nothing 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:19.339 to be more proxile 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:19.879 than that. 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.480 So Abraham 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.759 comes through this test 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:26.779 with an unshakable 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.980 assurance 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:29.359 that God 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.359 will indeed do 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:31.319 as he does. 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:34.940 That Isaac 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.700 will finally 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:37.139 carry the family line 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:37.519 forward, 00:19:37.659 --> 00:19:37.960 that God 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.460 will make them 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.419 into a great nation, 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.559 that their enemies 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.059 will be able 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:42.059 to stand against them 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.700 and one day, 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:44.079 hope against hope 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.480 and Abraham's offspring, 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.740 all the nations 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.359 of the earth 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.720 will be blessed. 00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:50.759 And interestingly, 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.679 Hebrews says, 00:19:52.579 --> 00:19:53.019 you know, 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.079 that oath 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:55.159 wasn't just for Abraham, 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:57.079 that was for us too. 00:19:58.179 --> 00:19:59.339 But God gave Abraham 00:19:59.339 --> 00:19:59.859 that oath. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.039 He was speaking it 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.339 to him 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:02.000 but attending it 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:03.000 from all the generations 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.700 that will come 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.899 as if to say, 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:06.220 my promise 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.440 is sure. 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:13.080 That's the outcome 00:20:13.080 --> 00:20:13.560 of the test. 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.040 When we go 00:20:14.040 --> 00:20:14.780 through the fires, 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.560 we come out 00:20:15.560 --> 00:20:16.940 with even greater 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.640 assurance 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.100 that God 00:20:18.100 --> 00:20:18.660 is faithful, 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:19.900 that he is 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.320 trustworthy, 00:20:21.040 --> 00:20:21.860 that he's the only 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:22.700 treasure our hearts 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.019 need. 00:20:26.540 --> 00:20:27.340 And that brings us 00:20:27.340 --> 00:20:28.019 to the last point. 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:28.640 How do we 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.360 go through 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:30.060 our own tests? 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.320 Now, 00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:33.660 the New Testament 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:34.280 is very clear 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:34.759 that God 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:36.359 tempts no one 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:37.079 to sin. 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.480 James chapter 1 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:39.980 in the New Testament 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.819 makes that very clear. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.839 God's not in the business 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.899 of putting temptations 00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:43.500 before you 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.019 to sin. 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.619 Temptations come 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.299 from our own 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.180 fallen nature, 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:47.720 the flesh, 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.160 from the world 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:48.779 around us, 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.319 from the devil, 00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:50.000 the accuser, 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:50.940 who seeks to steal 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:52.079 and kill and destroy. 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.660 So God doesn't come 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.639 and tempt us 00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:55.039 to sin. 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.279 But as we see here, 00:20:58.359 --> 00:20:59.200 God at times 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:00.160 will test us. 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.899 Seasons will come 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:05.820 when following him 00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:06.759 will not be easy. 00:21:09.300 --> 00:21:10.019 When we will need 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:11.000 to trust God 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.420 despite the challenges, 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.240 despite the cost, 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:16.220 despite the fluctuations 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.580 in our moods, 00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:19.160 even if it means 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:20.040 losing something 00:21:20.040 --> 00:21:21.460 very dear to us, 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.300 a job, 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.560 a friendship, 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:25.780 in some places 00:21:25.780 --> 00:21:26.440 of the world today, 00:21:26.540 --> 00:21:27.120 perhaps even 00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:28.100 our physical safety. 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:31.959 what will help us 00:21:31.959 --> 00:21:32.699 come through 00:21:32.699 --> 00:21:34.000 the test? 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:36.819 You know, 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.599 when Abraham arrives 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.359 at Mount Moriah 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.480 on the third day 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.259 of travel, 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:41.839 think about that, 00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:43.599 three long days, 00:21:43.959 --> 00:21:44.559 just him, 00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:46.279 his son Isaac, 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.119 and a couple servants. 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.619 And I imagine 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.119 that was a pretty 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:48.899 quiet journey 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:50.079 for Abraham 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:51.219 and his son. 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.379 Not a lot of joking 00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:53.419 if they marched 00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:54.159 into the mountains. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:57.120 But when they do arrive, 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:57.860 this is what Abraham 00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.680 said to his servants 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.440 in verse 5. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.800 Abraham says, 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.720 stay here with the donkey. 00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:02.900 I, the boy, 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.580 will go over there 00:22:03.580 --> 00:22:04.360 and worship 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.560 and will come to you again. 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:07.100 In other words, 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:07.759 Abraham is going 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.240 up to the mountain 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.360 to sacrifice his son 00:22:09.360 --> 00:22:10.220 and yet he says, 00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:11.800 I and him, 00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:12.720 we're going to go 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.600 and we're going to come. 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.660 It's very interesting. 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:19.060 And as they ascend 00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:19.500 the mountain, 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:21.600 Isaac turns to his father 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:21.800 and says, 00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:22.060 Father, 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.740 here's the wood 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.980 and here's the fire 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.580 for the offering 00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:25.380 and where's the lamb. 00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:28.920 And Abraham says, 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.620 God will provide 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.540 the lamb for the offering. 00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:32.980 Now, 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.519 was Abraham just 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.220 changing the subject 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:34.740 because that was 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.440 an awkward question? 00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:38.800 Was Abraham 00:22:38.800 --> 00:22:39.440 just avoiding 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:40.120 the real reason 00:22:40.120 --> 00:22:40.700 that he was headed 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.200 up the mountain 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.660 with wood 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.259 and with fire 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.940 and with a knife 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:43.660 and he had no lamb? 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:48.700 I think rather 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.160 than Abraham 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:50.759 on that long journey 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.820 into the mountains 00:22:51.820 --> 00:22:52.740 was contemplating 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.800 the promises of God. 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.100 Again, 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:56.840 this is Hebrews. 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.000 Hebrews chapter 11 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:59.940 verses 17 through 19 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.259 says, 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:01.060 By faith, 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:01.940 Abraham, 00:23:03.060 --> 00:23:04.220 when he was tested, 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.460 offered up Isaac 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:07.940 and he who had received 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.519 the promises 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.480 was in the act 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.480 of offering up 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.440 his only son 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:13.180 of whom it was said 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.240 through Isaac 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.880 shall he have all 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:15.600 springy names. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.840 Abraham considered 00:23:17.840 --> 00:23:19.060 that God was able 00:23:19.060 --> 00:23:20.820 even to raise him 00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:21.540 from the dead 00:23:21.540 --> 00:23:23.220 from which, 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.400 figuratively speaking, 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.620 he did receive 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.100 the back. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.660 God had promised 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.100 Abraham 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:32.220 that Isaac 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.019 was going to be 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.480 the one 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.340 through whom 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:34.800 the promise 00:23:34.800 --> 00:23:35.420 went forward. 00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:36.080 Through Isaac 00:23:36.080 --> 00:23:36.920 shall your offspring 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.580 be named. 00:23:38.040 --> 00:23:38.620 And as Abraham 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.640 climbed to the mountain, 00:23:40.840 --> 00:23:41.759 that was the promise 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.460 he must have been 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.060 rehearsing 00:23:43.060 --> 00:23:44.000 and turning over 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.460 again and again 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.319 in his mind. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.720 And he considered, 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.819 Hebrews says, 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:50.319 he was using his mind 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.019 to think about 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:52.059 the word of God. 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.299 If Isaac was 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.619 God's promised heir, 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:57.380 Abraham was reasoning 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:58.180 that no matter 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:58.980 what happened 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.480 on the mountain, 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.460 God was going to 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:01.960 remain true 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.619 to his word. 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.079 Reason is happening. 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:06.440 Praise the dead. 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:10.759 You see, 00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:10.960 friends, 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.420 faith isn't 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.320 believing the irrational 00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:12.860 or believing 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.460 in the dark. 00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:14.600 Faith is trusting 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:16.039 the word of God. 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.660 Trusting God's 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.799 faithfulness 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.759 to his promises 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:21.660 more than we 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.000 trust our 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.120 faith feelings, 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.620 more than we 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.019 trust our 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.360 unfinant experiences. 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.160 Abraham had 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.940 walked with God 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.640 for years. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.100 God had proven 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.840 himself faithful 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:35.420 again and again, 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.620 and now Abraham 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:37.340 knew that God 00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:38.580 would remain faithful 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.700 even in the midst 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.779 of this most 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:42.940 extreme of tests. 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.640 Is that true for you, 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:48.960 friends? 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.680 Is that true for me? 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.980 When the testing 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.680 comes, 00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:55.060 is the word of God, 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:56.840 God's word of promise, 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:58.380 more real to you, 00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.960 more precious to you 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.960 than the merely human 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:02.340 words inside of your head? 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:05.839 Is God himself 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.839 more precious to you, 00:25:06.919 --> 00:25:07.579 more lovely, 00:25:07.699 --> 00:25:08.839 and more worthy to you 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.839 than even the good 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.679 things this life 00:25:10.679 --> 00:25:11.159 can offer? 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.299 Thankfully, 00:25:17.439 --> 00:25:17.779 today, 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.939 we can see something 00:25:19.939 --> 00:25:20.679 that even Abraham 00:25:20.679 --> 00:25:21.240 didn't see. 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.579 You know, 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:24.899 when Abraham 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:25.919 lifted up his eyes, 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:27.980 he saw a ram 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.819 called the thicket. 00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:32.279 And God provided 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.700 a ram 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.799 to be sacrificed 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:35.319 instead of Isaac, 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:35.900 his son. 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.599 God provided 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.180 a substitute 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:38.759 for Isaac. 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.660 So we're actually 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.620 later in the Old Testament 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:42.779 in 2 Chronicles 3, 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:43.500 we're told that 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.819 Solomon's temple 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.980 was built 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:47.140 on this very spot. 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.120 That Mount Moriah 00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:50.279 of Abraham's day 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.220 eventually, 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:51.700 for history, 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.620 would become Jerusalem. 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.860 The temple mountain 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:55.160 in David and Solomon's day. 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:57.880 So that same mountain, 00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:00.000 the one that Abraham 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.900 called the Lord 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.600 will provide, 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:03.180 or Jehovah Jireh, 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.920 that would be the spot 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.400 where the temple 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.000 would be put, 00:26:06.080 --> 00:26:06.759 where God again 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.420 would provide, 00:26:08.300 --> 00:26:09.200 that he would provide 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.900 sacrifices for his people 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.820 for years, 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:14.120 symbols that their sins 00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:15.000 could be paid 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.940 by another. 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.540 Substitutes 00:26:19.540 --> 00:26:20.519 taking their place. 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:24.160 But friends, 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:24.720 we know there wasn't 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.519 until years later 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.000 when there would be 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.660 another son. 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.099 There would be 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:29.059 an only son, 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:29.960 a beloved son, 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.440 and this son 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.119 would actually go up 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:32.200 that same mountain. 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.920 And instead of being 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:36.920 rescued in the last minute 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.920 with a substitute, 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.519 God the Father 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.400 would give him up, 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.259 would give up 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.359 his one and only son 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:44.619 to be in his substitute. 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.619 To die once 00:26:47.619 --> 00:26:48.279 and for all 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.299 from our sins, 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.579 so that whoever 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:51.419 believes in him 00:26:51.419 --> 00:26:52.220 will not perish 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.359 but have eternal life. 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:54.859 John's so famous 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.339 and says. 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.359 And friends, 00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:57.899 here's the thing, 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:59.059 if you see that, 00:27:00.159 --> 00:27:01.379 if you see God 00:27:01.379 --> 00:27:02.740 giving up his only son 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.299 for you, 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.740 then you see something 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.619 that Abraham 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:06.519 could only glimpse 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.279 from far away. 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:12.519 You see that the Lord 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:14.079 has really provided 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:16.259 in giving Jesus 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.500 his one and only son. 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:19.759 giving the lamb, 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:21.079 providing the lamb 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.720 that takes away 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.640 the sins of the world, 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.160 as John's 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.859 chapter 6 said. 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.720 And if you see that, 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.700 if you get that, 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.680 then listen to what 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.279 Paul says, 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.759 picking up on the same 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.460 kind of language 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.180 in this passage 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.720 from Genesis. 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.119 This is Romans 8, 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.200 31 through 32. 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.380 What shall we say 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:39.339 to these things? 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:42.299 If God is for us, 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:44.160 who can be against us? 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:46.060 He who did not 00:27:46.060 --> 00:27:47.740 spare his own son 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:49.540 forgave him up 00:27:49.540 --> 00:27:50.160 for us all, 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.400 how will he not 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.460 also with him 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.980 graciously give us 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:56.360 all things? 00:28:00.560 --> 00:28:00.960 Friends, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.800 no matter what test 00:28:01.800 --> 00:28:02.740 you're facing tonight, 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.519 don't you see? 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.480 No matter what God 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:06.960 has asked you 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.580 to lay down, 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.540 even if it's the most 00:28:09.540 --> 00:28:10.480 precious thing 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:10.900 in the world, 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.620 even if it's your 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.259 everything, 00:28:13.699 --> 00:28:14.519 it's nothing 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:16.279 compared to what 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.039 God has already 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.879 given up for you 00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:19.779 and what he promises 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.639 to give you 00:28:20.639 --> 00:28:21.559 in and through 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:22.079 his son. 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:24.659 Do you see 00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.519 Paul's relentless 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.719 logic in this verse? 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:28.000 If God did not 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:29.119 spare his own 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:31.199 son the most 00:28:31.199 --> 00:28:32.019 treasured 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.539 and precious 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:34.139 thing in 00:28:34.139 --> 00:28:34.659 eternity, 00:28:35.659 --> 00:28:36.539 if God's already 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.059 given you that, 00:28:37.139 --> 00:28:37.819 how will he not 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.719 also graciously 00:28:38.719 --> 00:28:39.399 with him 00:28:39.399 --> 00:28:40.579 give us all things? 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:44.359 And what's that? 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:46.059 What above all 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.839 does God promise 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.339 to graciously 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:47.799 give us 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.299 with Christ 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:48.739 his son? 00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:52.819 Ultimately, 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.259 is it not 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:53.699 the gift of 00:28:53.699 --> 00:28:54.099 himself? 00:28:56.439 --> 00:28:57.359 Jesus said 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.139 in the Gospel 00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:58.419 of John, 00:28:58.479 --> 00:28:58.979 this is a true 00:28:58.979 --> 00:28:59.379 life. 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.219 To know God 00:29:01.219 --> 00:29:02.559 and to know 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:03.500 his own 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.759 son. 00:29:06.439 --> 00:29:06.839 Ultimately, 00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:07.919 it's not the 00:29:07.919 --> 00:29:08.539 all things 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:08.919 that God 00:29:08.919 --> 00:29:09.619 promises to 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:09.959 give us 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.680 his son. 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.160 To know 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:12.720 God and to 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.220 be with God 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:13.720 forever 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.720 in the heavens 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.100 and the new 00:29:15.100 --> 00:29:15.360 earth. 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.579 To have 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.360 and to be 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:19.319 with God 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.019 for eternity 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:21.160 who is the 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.860 all-consuming 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.340 fire, 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:23.940 the God 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:24.340 who is the 00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:24.960 beauty that 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.420 made the 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:25.740 world, 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:27.420 the God 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:27.779 who is the 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.700 desire of 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.100 nations, 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.720 the real 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.160 longing 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:31.039 underneath all 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.299 of our 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.940 longings, 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.559 the trying 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:33.980 of God 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.500 himself. 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:34.619 love. 00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:38.160 This is the 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:38.619 blessing of 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.839 Abraham that 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.319 God promised 00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:40.700 so many 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.220 years ago. 00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:42.839 What is this 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:44.599 blessing that 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.119 keeps running 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:45.720 through this 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.180 book of 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:46.500 Genesis? 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.359 Is it not 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:49.940 to be right 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.480 with God? 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.920 To be in 00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.660 fellowship with 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.240 God, to be 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:54.819 sons and 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:55.460 daughters of 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.200 God, and 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:57.400 to know the 00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:58.200 love of this 00:29:58.200 --> 00:30:00.599 God, a love 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.140 that has given 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:01.720 up his oldest 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.259 son for you, 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.039 to know that 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:04.319 love forever. 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:06.799 without 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:09.259 restriction. 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.339 And so 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.759 friends, I 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.279 think as we 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.419 wrap up in 00:30:16.419 --> 00:30:17.299 Genesis 22, no 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:17.639 matter what 00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:18.220 your test is 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:20.559 tonight, remember 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.200 that the Lord 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.339 has provided 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:24.240 that if he 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:24.679 has given 00:30:24.679 --> 00:30:25.500 his son, his 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.359 only son, the 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:27.079 son he loves 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:29.099 for us, how 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.799 will he not 00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.419 feel gracious 00:30:30.419 --> 00:30:30.980 and give us 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.659 all things? 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:33.960 Let's pray. 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:37.119 Lord Jesus, we 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:38.059 confess that a 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.759 text like this 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.099 is very 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:39.799 challenging to 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:41.639 us, Lord, not 00:30:41.639 --> 00:30:42.039 just for the 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.779 obvious reasons, 00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:43.299 but for the 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.859 reasons that we 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:44.619 know how hard it 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.419 is to give up 00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:46.439 the things that 00:30:46.439 --> 00:30:47.099 we love in the 00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:47.939 face of trial and 00:30:47.939 --> 00:30:48.299 testing. 00:30:49.659 --> 00:30:50.339 Lord, we thank 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:50.619 you that you 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.299 give us so many 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.919 good gifts, but 00:30:52.919 --> 00:30:53.639 we also thank you 00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:54.259 that you love us 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.220 too much to let 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:56.599 our hearts rest in 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.339 those good gifts 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:59.099 without resting in 00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.319 you. 00:31:01.439 --> 00:31:02.419 So, Lord Jesus, we 00:31:02.419 --> 00:31:02.939 pray that you 00:31:02.939 --> 00:31:03.559 would become more 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.099 and more real to 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.919 us tonight by your 00:31:04.919 --> 00:31:07.079 Holy Spirit, that 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.619 we would see the 00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:09.000 preciousness of 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:10.099 being loved by you 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:10.939 and what you've 00:31:10.939 --> 00:31:12.659 done for us, and 00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:13.720 the confidence in 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:15.579 you, to have an 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:17.740 open hand towards 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.720 everything in this 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.980 life, because you 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:21.179 have wrapped your 00:31:21.179 --> 00:31:21.819 everlasting 00:31:21.819 --> 00:31:23.019 arms around us 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.539 for our journey. 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:25.980 In the promise of 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.599 Jesus' name, 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:27.420 Amen.