WEBVTT

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 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church.

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 And it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. A special welcome to those of you who are visiting.

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 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats,

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 but because we're following Jesus together as one community.

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 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good.

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 They don't need God's grace, and no one's so bad that they can't have it,

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 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word.

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 We're continuing our series for Advent in the book of Genesis,

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 and you'll remember that Advent comes from a Latin word that means to come or to arrive.

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 And so during this season, we celebrate the fact that Jesus came.

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 He arrived here on this earth, and we do several things.

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 First, we celebrate that, what has happened in the past.

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 The fact that Jesus came, that he died, that he rose from the dead.

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 We also look forward with longing to what he's going to do in the future.

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 His first coming reminds us of his second coming.

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 And then third, we live faithfully now in the present.

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 We do what the entire Christian life is, not just in the month of December,

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 celebrating what God has done in the past,

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 looking forward to what he will do in the future

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 so that we can follow him and live faithfully now in the present.

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 We are moving on from Genesis chapters 11 and 12,

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 where we were last week, to Genesis chapter 22.

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 You'll remember our first week, we were in Genesis chapter 3,

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 and we talked about the fact that Jesus is the one who ends shame.

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 He destroys evil forever.

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 Our second week, in Genesis 12,

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 we looked at the fact that Jesus is the one who brings the ultimate blessing to the nations,

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 the blessing that God promised that Abraham would develop through his offspring.

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 And now, this week, we're looking at Jesus as the final sacrifice,

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 and God is the one who provides him for us.

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 If you're familiar with this passage of Scripture, Genesis 22,

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 you know it's actually one of the most controversial stories in the entire Bible.

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 And it's cited by those who have doubts or objections about Christianity

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 as one of the reasons that they're not Christians.

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 And so, instead of shying away from it,

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 we are going to go dive headlong into this

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 and see what it is that God has to teach us in his word.

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 We're going to see God's provision for us,

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 his provision for Abraham in providing a sacrifice,

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 his provision for us providing a sacrifice as well.

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 And so, I invite you to turn with me now to Genesis chapter 22.

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 You can turn there near the end of your worship guide.

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 You can turn in your Bible, or you can turn on your phone.

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 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word.

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 And God tells us that his word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path,

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 which means that God has not left us to stumble alone in the dark,

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 but instead, he's given us his word to show us the way to go.

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 And so, that's why we read now Genesis chapter 22, starting at verse 1.

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 After these things, God tested Abraham and said to him,

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 Abraham, and he said, Here I am.

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 He said, Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love,

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 and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering

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 on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.

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 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey,

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 and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac.

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 And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose

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 and went to the place of which God had told him.

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 Verse 4.

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 On the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.

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 Then Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey.

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 I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.

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 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac, his son.

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 And he took in his hand the fire and the knife.

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 So they went, both of them, together.

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 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, My father.

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 And he said, Here I am, my son.

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 He said, Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

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 Verse 8.

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 Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.

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 So they went, both of them, together.

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 When they came to the place of which God had told him,

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 Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order

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 and bound Isaac, his son, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood.

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 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.

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 The angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said,

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 Abraham, Abraham.

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 And he said, Here I am.

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 He said, Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him.

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 For now I know that you fear God,

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 seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.

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 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked,

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 and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns.

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 And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering

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 instead of his son.

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 So Abraham called the name of that place the Lord will provide.

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 As it is said to this day,

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 On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.

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 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said,

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 By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord,

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 because you have done this and have not withheld your son,

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 your only son,

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 I will surely bless you.

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 And I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven

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 and as the sand that is on the seashore.

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 And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,

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 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed,

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 because you have obeyed my voice.

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 So Abraham returned to his young men,

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 and they arose and went together to Beersheba.

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 And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

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 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word.

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 Our Father in heaven,

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 we thank you again that you speak to us,

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 and you teach us by your word,

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 and we ask simply that you would do that this morning,

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 that you would show us our need for you and your grace,

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 and you would also show us that you come,

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 and you do more than we could ask or imagine,

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 that you meet us at that very same point of need,

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 that you came and died for us,

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 even when we were still sinners.

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 We ask that you would use your word this morning

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 to challenge us and also to encourage us.

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 Most of all, you would use it to transform us,

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 that we would be people who look more and more like your son.

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 We thank you that we don't have to worry this morning

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 about whether we've earned or deserved these things,

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 but instead, we simply ask them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

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 Amen.

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 Okay, last week in Genesis chapter 12,

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 we saw this great promise that God gave to Abraham.

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 We might even think of it as a little bit over the top.

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 He tells him at the very beginning of chapter 12, verse 2,

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 I'm going to make of you a great nation.

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 And then in verse 3,

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 in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

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 So he's going to have all these offspring,

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 except there's only one problem, right?

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 He's talking to a 75-year-old man

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 who happens to have an infertile wife

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 who's also his half-sister.

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 So we have this great promise on the one hand.

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 We have incredibly bleak odds on the other.

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 And so there's this huge gap

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 between the promise that God gives Abraham

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 and the reality that he's living in at the moment.

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 Now, we've skipped a bunch of chapters between 12 and 22.

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 A lot happens in those chapters,

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 but we're just going to focus on the parts

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 that relate to this promise that God's given.

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 In Genesis 15, he makes a covenant with Abraham.

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 He repeats this promise again.

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 In fact, he tells him,

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 not only is he going to have a son, verse 5,

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 he's also going to have offspring

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 that are as numerous as the stars.

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 So it's not just that Sarah's going to have a child,

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 but his offspring are going to be more

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 than he can possibly count.

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 Genesis 17, he repeats this promise again.

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 I'm going to give you a son.

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 We find out that time has passed.

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 Abraham is no longer 75.

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 He actually says,

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 how are you going to have a child

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 born to a man who's 100 years old?

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 Shall Sarah, who is 90 years old, bear a child?

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 We found out later in that chapter,

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 Abraham is rounding up.

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 He's actually 99 years old.

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 That doesn't necessarily change a lot.

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 It's getting harder and harder, right?

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 The odds are getting lower and lower.

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 Remember, Genesis 18, God shows up again and says,

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 this time next year, you will have a son.

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 Then the previous chapter before this one,

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 chapter 21, it finally happens.

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 After all these promises and all these repetition,

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 after 15 years have passed in Abraham's life,

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 finally God's promise comes to fruition.

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 And we've been on this story,

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 if you've read the book of Genesis,

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 with Abraham feeling this longing and this conflict,

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 wondering if what he wants is finally going to happen.

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 If you've ever known someone who has longed for a child

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 and not been able to have one,

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 you understand what this journey is like.

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 It's one of prayer and heartache.

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 It's one of hoping and longing, right?

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 You're joining with them in that.

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 We've done that together as a church in the past.

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 And so you know the joy,

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 you know that feeling of what happens

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 when it finally comes to pass,

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 when the child is finally born.

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 That's the joy that Abraham and Sarah are feeling.

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 That's what we're supposed to be thinking about

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 as we enter into this chapter

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 at the beginning of Genesis chapter 22.

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 And so that's why what comes next,

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 one and two, is so shocking.

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 I want you to look there with me first at verse two.

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 Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love,

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 go to the land of Moriah

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 and offer him there as a burnt offering

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 on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.

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 Can you imagine a greater reversal?

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 Can you imagine something more shocking than that?

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 I've been promising to you for 15 years

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 that I'm going to give you a son.

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 And not only that,

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 you are going to have offspring

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 that are more than the stars.

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 And now that this has all happened,

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 the son has been born,

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 it's time for you to go kill him.

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 If there's a shock to it,

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 it's because they're supposed to be.

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 There is a whiplash here for us

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 as we read this story.

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 We've been building for 10 chapters to this moment.

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 We should expect Abraham's line to continue,

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 but instead we see this threat

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 that it's going to end.

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 What in the world is going on?

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 We'll look first at verse one.

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 It tells us that God tested Abraham.

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 We have to understand that in the Bible,

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 this idea of testing

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 was where God would take someone

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 and he would present a choice.

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 God presents a choice

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 between obedience and disobedience.

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 And the point,

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 the goal of this test is twofold.

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 First, it's supposed to reveal

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 the character of the one tested.

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 It's their chance to demonstrate

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 the faith they have.

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 The other one is it's supposed

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 to result in blessing.

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 This obedience is a chance for them

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 to appropriate the blessings

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 that God offers.

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 And so that helps us maybe a tiny bit

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 to understand that this is a testing narrative.

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 By the way, we already saw one

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 in the Gospel of Mark

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 when Jesus is in the desert.

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 That's a testing narrative.

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 We're seeing if he's going to remain faithful

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 to God in the face of the temptations

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 of Satan.

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 It also clarifies for us

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 what God is asking here.

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 God is saying,

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 do you really love me

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 more than anything else?

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 I'm testing you.

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 I want to know

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 if you're going to remain faithful

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 in the face of an obstacle.

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 That solves part of the problem for us.

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 It doesn't solve the whole problem.

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 We still have this story

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 in which God has just asked a man

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 to sacrifice his son, right?

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 Which raises all kinds of questions

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 and objections in our mind.

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 This is something for those people

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 who have doubts or questions

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 or objections to Christianity

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 that rises to the top

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 of the list of reasons

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 they wouldn't believe or have faith.

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 How could we worship a God

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 who chooses to ask someone

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 to kill their own son?

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 What kind of crazy deity is this?

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 There's a scandal to it, right?

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 And so instead of shying away from it,

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 instead of ignoring the question,

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 this morning we're going to dive

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 head on into it.

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 And the reason we're going to do that

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 is because we have confidence

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 in God and his word.

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 We don't need to shy away

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 from the hard questions

00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:54.340
 that we encounter

00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.340
 as we study the Bible.

00:12:55.419 --> 00:12:56.840
 In fact, we can have faith

00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:57.899
 knowing that God

00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:59.860
 provides answers for us.

00:12:59.939 --> 00:13:01.439
 We can ask hard questions

00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.519
 and not be afraid of it.

00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:04.220
 We can bring our doubts

00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:04.899
 into the light

00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:06.079
 and not be afraid of them

00:13:06.079 --> 00:13:07.000
 because we believe

00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.480
 that God is big enough

00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.620
 and great enough

00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.639
 to handle them.

00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:12.559
 So you might be familiar

00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:13.379
 with an atheist

00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:14.779
 named Richard Dawkins

00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:15.500
 who wrote a book

00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.919
 called The God Delusion

00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:18.919
 and he points to this story

00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:19.539
 and says,

00:13:20.199 --> 00:13:21.600
 this disgraceful story

00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:22.840
 is an example

00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:24.879
 simultaneously of child abuse,

00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:26.779
 bullying in two

00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:28.699
 asymmetrical power relationships

00:13:28.699 --> 00:13:31.299
 and the first recorded use

00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:32.639
 of the Nuremberg defense.

00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.919
 This is a reason

00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:37.240
 not to believe in God.

00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:40.340
 What are we going to do?

00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:43.100
 How would we answer someone

00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.899
 whose objection

00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:45.919
 to the Bible is that?

00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.740
 Well, I want you to think

00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.480
 for a second

00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:51.080
 about eating food, okay?

00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:53.399
 There are different

00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:54.519
 cultural practices

00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:57.240
 around how you handle

00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:57.980
 your plate

00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:58.899
 when you're eating

00:13:58.899 --> 00:13:59.399
 with someone.

00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:02.279
 So if you are in India

00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.080
 or Japan,

00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:04.600
 you're expected

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.659
 to clean your plate.

00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:07.879
 If you don't clean

00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:08.319
 your plate,

00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:08.980
 that's a sign

00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:09.620
 that you didn't enjoy

00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:09.959
 the food.

00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:10.779
 It wasn't very good.

00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:13.059
 And so it's an insult

00:14:13.059 --> 00:14:13.519
 to someone

00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:14.019
 to leave food

00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:14.459
 on your plate.

00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:16.620
 If you're in China,

00:14:17.339 --> 00:14:18.360
 you want to do

00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.480
 the exact opposite.

00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:20.819
 You want to leave

00:14:20.819 --> 00:14:21.699
 food on your plate

00:14:21.699 --> 00:14:22.539
 because you're saying

00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:23.539
 I've had enough to eat.

00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:25.319
 If you finish

00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:26.059
 all your food,

00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:26.719
 what you're telling

00:14:26.719 --> 00:14:27.219
 your host

00:14:27.219 --> 00:14:28.059
 is that they didn't

00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:28.719
 feed you well.

00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:29.860
 Okay?

00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:30.720
 Different cultures,

00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.100
 opposite messages.

00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.259
 In Egypt,

00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:34.399
 apparently,

00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:35.100
 it's rude

00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.200
 to ask for the salt.

00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:37.519
 And it's rude

00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.300
 to ask for the salt

00:14:38.300 --> 00:14:39.180
 because the person

00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:40.220
 who's prepared your meal

00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.019
 has decided

00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.720
 exactly how they want

00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.320
 it to taste

00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.060
 and they put

00:14:44.060 --> 00:14:44.899
 the perfect amount

00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:45.580
 of salt on it.

00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.200
 So if you ask

00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:46.639
 for salt,

00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.600
 you're telling them

00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.659
 you're not a good cook

00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.580
 and you don't know

00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:50.080
 what you're doing.

00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:52.580
 Now in America,

00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:52.860
 right,

00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:53.659
 if you ask for the salt,

00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:54.360
 someone just thinks,

00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:54.560
 well,

00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:55.279
 they need some salt.

00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.060
 Right?

00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:56.940
 No one thinks

00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:57.560
 anything of it.

00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.340
 The point I'm driving

00:14:59.340 --> 00:14:59.840
 at is this.

00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:00.820
 Different cultures

00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:02.660
 have these implicit messages

00:15:02.660 --> 00:15:03.920
 that are hidden

00:15:03.920 --> 00:15:04.840
 in different actions.

00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.480
 Now we're doing something,

00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:07.200
 we're talking about

00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:07.980
 something here

00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.320
 that's much more serious

00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:10.220
 than food,

00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:11.740
 but my point is this.

00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:13.200
 Often it's what you do,

00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:14.540
 not what you say.

00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:15.800
 Okay?

00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.899
 So track with me here.

00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.779
 When we're talking

00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:19.300
 about child sacrifice

00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:21.480
 in the ancient Near East,

00:15:21.800 --> 00:15:24.180
 this was a cultural form

00:15:24.180 --> 00:15:25.740
 that was well understood

00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.680
 in that time.

00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:28.420
 If you ask someone

00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:29.860
 to sacrifice their child,

00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:31.080
 what you were saying

00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:32.940
 implicitly was,

00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:35.639
 is your loyalty to me

00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:37.340
 above everything else?

00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:40.080
 Is your loyalty to me

00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:40.980
 above everything else?

00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:42.200
 Do you trust me

00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:44.080
 more than anything else?

00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.120
 Okay?

00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:47.060
 So track with me here.

00:15:47.160 --> 00:15:48.080
 Cultural form,

00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:50.300
 there's an explicit action

00:15:50.300 --> 00:15:51.580
 with an implicit question.

00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:55.080
 Is God being crazy

00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.820
 and deranged here

00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:57.620
 in this passage?

00:15:57.620 --> 00:16:01.379
 No, because he's using

00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:04.060
 a well-known cultural form

00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:05.460
 that Abraham would have understood.

00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.659
 And this is in fact

00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:09.379
 the way the entire Bible works.

00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:11.620
 God always comes to us,

00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:12.539
 he always comes

00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.600
 to the characters in the Bible

00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:15.120
 in ways that they can understand.

00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.419
 That's the reason

00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.340
 why the Bible is written

00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:18.259
 in different languages,

00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:19.899
 because different audiences

00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:21.100
 speak different languages.

00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:21.659
 Okay?

00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:22.799
 That's the reason

00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.959
 why Jesus came,

00:16:24.079 --> 00:16:24.699
 part of the reason

00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:26.339
 why Jesus came as a man.

00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.659
 He's translated

00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:29.299
 into our form.

00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:32.039
 God always meets people

00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:32.899
 where they're at.

00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:35.199
 In this story,

00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.379
 God is asking

00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.419
 for a sacrifice

00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:39.039
 because he is meeting

00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:39.579
 Abraham

00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:40.719
 as an ancient

00:16:40.719 --> 00:16:41.759
 Near Eastern man

00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.819
 where he's at.

00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:44.379
 He is speaking

00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.279
 in a way

00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:45.879
 that Abraham

00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:47.259
 can understand.

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.419
 Okay,

00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.500
 I'm not sure

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:51.019
 what this form

00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:51.939
 would be in America.

00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:52.819
 I'm not quite sure

00:16:52.819 --> 00:16:53.439
 how you ask

00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:53.960
 for someone's

00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:54.600
 total allegiance.

00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.720
 My guess would be

00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.460
 it would be this.

00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:57.600
 Are you willing

00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.419
 to go bankrupt?

00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.179
 Are you willing

00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.019
 to lose

00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.019
 all your money?

00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:03.319
 Right?

00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.579
 That's the American way

00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:05.160
 of asking

00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.420
 for total loyalty

00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.379
 and obedience.

00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.420
 If you're talking

00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.079
 to an entrepreneur

00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:09.879
 and they say,

00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.200
 I'm giving everything

00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.359
 that I have in on this,

00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.019
 then you know

00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.980
 they're committed

00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.019
 above everything else.

00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:15.279
 Right?

00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.420
 So this is the ancient

00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.200
 Near Eastern way

00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:18.740
 of saying,

00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:19.639
 I'm willing

00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:20.379
 to go bankrupt.

00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.960
 I'm willing

00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.980
 to sacrifice

00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.879
 my son.

00:17:24.639 --> 00:17:25.019
 Of course,

00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:25.940
 Jesus asks

00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:26.839
 a question

00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:28.000
 like this.

00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.119
 He makes a statement

00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:30.259
 like this in Luke 18.

00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:30.599
 Remember,

00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.460
 he talks to the rich

00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.000
 young ruler

00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.720
 and he tells him,

00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.940
 one thing you still lack,

00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:36.539
 sell all that you have

00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.059
 and distribute

00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:37.759
 to the poor

00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.960
 and you will have

00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.799
 treasure in heaven

00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:41.400
 and come follow me.

00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.319
 As you track Jesus

00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:43.940
 in the Gospels,

00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.639
 we know he doesn't

00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.619
 ask that of everyone,

00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:47.579
 but this is his way

00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.480
 in that instance

00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.099
 with that man

00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.859
 of asking him,

00:17:50.439 --> 00:17:51.159
 do you love me

00:17:51.159 --> 00:17:52.179
 more than anything else?

00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.819
 Is your loyalty

00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:54.579
 to me

00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:56.759
 greater than anything else?

00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.719
 And so as we wrestle

00:17:58.719 --> 00:17:59.980
 with this difficult passage,

00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.039
 I can tell you

00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.779
 with great certainty

00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.439
 this morning

00:18:03.439 --> 00:18:04.619
 that if you hear

00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.759
 a voice telling you

00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.259
 to sacrifice a child,

00:18:07.439 --> 00:18:08.799
 that is not from God.

00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.159
 Okay?

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.279
 And I have great confidence

00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:11.779
 about that

00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.699
 for many reasons.

00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.579
 One of them is

00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.919
 that's not a cultural form

00:18:14.919 --> 00:18:15.639
 that we recognize.

00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:16.500
 Okay?

00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.940
 Another reason is

00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:18.960
 you're not Abraham,

00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:19.940
 you're not the founder

00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:20.700
 of God's people.

00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:23.040
 And a third reason

00:18:23.040 --> 00:18:23.600
 would be

00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:25.480
 Jesus is the final sacrifice,

00:18:25.600 --> 00:18:25.780
 right?

00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:27.120
 This points towards

00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:27.600
 something

00:18:27.600 --> 00:18:29.400
 that now has been fulfilled.

00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.660
 And so we don't need

00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.860
 to shy away

00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:35.560
 from these difficult questions

00:18:35.560 --> 00:18:36.200
 about Scripture

00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.080
 and so we can dive

00:18:37.080 --> 00:18:37.840
 into them and say,

00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.820
 yeah, we have an answer

00:18:38.820 --> 00:18:39.180
 for this.

00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:39.960
 We understand

00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:41.280
 that God speaks

00:18:41.280 --> 00:18:42.240
 in specific ways

00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.300
 to specific people

00:18:43.300 --> 00:18:45.140
 honoring their cultural context,

00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:46.700
 honoring the time

00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.259
 and place

00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.580
 in which they live.

00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.120
 Finally,

00:18:50.300 --> 00:18:50.920
 I would say

00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.759
 you can remember this.

00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.440
 Isaac isn't actually

00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.280
 sacrificed, right?

00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:55.640
 At the end

00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.220
 of this narrative,

00:18:56.800 --> 00:18:58.920
 Isaac is still alive.

00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.060
 If God

00:19:03.060 --> 00:19:03.960
 is not going

00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:04.759
 to ask you

00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.620
 to sacrifice

00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.560
 your son,

00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:08.660
 what does this passage

00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.600
 have to do with us?

00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:12.259
 And

00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.560
 how does it apply

00:19:13.560 --> 00:19:13.880
 to us

00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.400
 in any way?

00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.220
 If this is something,

00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:17.160
 a cultural form

00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.140
 that we don't recognize,

00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.500
 if Abraham

00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.960
 has a role

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:22.040
 that we don't have,

00:19:23.280 --> 00:19:24.259
 does it have

00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.840
 any relevance

00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:25.720
 for us right now?

00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.620
 As we read

00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:30.240
 this passage

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.040
 as people living

00:19:31.040 --> 00:19:32.040
 in Colorado Springs

00:19:32.040 --> 00:19:32.920
 in 2021,

00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:33.900
 near the end

00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:34.500
 of 2021,

00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.460
 the point for us

00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:37.540
 is this.

00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:38.940
 Sometimes

00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.860
 obedience

00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:40.940
 to God's

00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.520
 commands

00:19:41.520 --> 00:19:42.800
 doesn't make sense.

00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:45.819
 sometimes

00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.879
 obedience

00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:48.180
 to God's

00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.819
 commands

00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.859
 does not

00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.500
 make sense.

00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:50.960
 Sometimes

00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:52.119
 it looks like

00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:52.639
 God

00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:54.000
 is threatening

00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.019
 the blessing

00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.519
 and goodness

00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.259
 in our life,

00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.419
 not giving it.

00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.599
 Sometimes

00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.419
 it looks like

00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:01.419
 God is threatening

00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:02.159
 our blessing,

00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.339
 not giving it.

00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.019
 Sometimes

00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.039
 we're afraid

00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:06.680
 that God

00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:07.819
 wants to destroy

00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.339
 us

00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.740
 rather than

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.819
 save us.

00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:12.879
 us.

00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.319
 Sometimes

00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:13.980
 we're afraid

00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.460
 God wants

00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:14.960
 to destroy

00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.399
 us

00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:16.319
 rather than

00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.939
 save us.

00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:19.059
 As Americans,

00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:19.500
 it might

00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.399
 look like

00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:20.659
 this.

00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.019
 God

00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.859
 tells us

00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.179
 to be

00:20:22.179 --> 00:20:22.579
 unified

00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.919
 and be

00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:24.399
 in community

00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:24.819
 with people

00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.059
 who are

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.419
 radically

00:20:25.419 --> 00:20:25.779
 different

00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.240
 than us.

00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:28.200
 Our culture

00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:28.740
 tells us

00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.200
 that people

00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:29.759
 who disagree

00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.240
 with us

00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.659
 are evil

00:20:30.659 --> 00:20:31.159
 because they

00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:31.460
 disagree

00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.000
 with us.

00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:34.799
 We

00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.179
 actually

00:20:35.179 --> 00:20:35.579
 are called

00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.059
 by God

00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.720
 to associate

00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.359
 with people

00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:37.679
 who are

00:20:37.679 --> 00:20:38.059
 weird,

00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.439
 outcast,

00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.120
 marginalized,

00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:41.320
 socially

00:20:41.320 --> 00:20:41.740
 awkward,

00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.200
 people like

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.480
 us.

00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.500
 Our culture

00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.220
 tells us

00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:48.059
 that's not

00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.519
 going to

00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:48.940
 save us,

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.259
 that's going

00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.720
 to destroy

00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:49.980
 us,

00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:50.460
 that's social

00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:50.920
 suicide.

00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.500
 It looks

00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.180
 like God

00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.559
 wants to

00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.279
 destroy us,

00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.440
 not save

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:56.700
 us.

00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.360
 God tells

00:20:58.360 --> 00:20:58.640
 us we

00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:58.920
 need to

00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.460
 trust him

00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:01.059
 for justice,

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.059
 that vengeance

00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:02.700
 isn't ours.

00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:04.620
 And the

00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.120
 world tells

00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:05.460
 us that

00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:05.920
 we're alone

00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.180
 and we

00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:06.400
 have to

00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:06.700
 defend

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.220
 ourselves.

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:09.680
 we need

00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.380
 to vindicate

00:21:10.380 --> 00:21:10.960
 ourselves

00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.460
 and gossip

00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.059
 about others.

00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:12.500
 If someone

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.039
 offends us,

00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:13.360
 we can

00:21:13.360 --> 00:21:13.960
 ruin them

00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.440
 on social

00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:14.779
 media.

00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.980
 And so

00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.319
 it feels

00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.860
 like God

00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:18.400
 wants to

00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.100
 destroy us,

00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:19.880
 not save

00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.140
 us.

00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.420
 God

00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.079
 still tells

00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.660
 us today

00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.360
 to trust

00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:25.620
 him more

00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:25.940
 than our

00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:26.180
 money.

00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.220
 And the

00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.880
 culture tells

00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:29.559
 us that we

00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.039
 will have

00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:31.460
 lost if

00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:31.839
 we miss

00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.200
 out on

00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:32.480
 certain

00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.180
 experiences

00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:33.500
 and

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.100
 lifestyles.

00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.779
 God

00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:37.139
 wants to

00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:37.500
 destroy

00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:37.939
 us

00:21:37.939 --> 00:21:38.959
 rather

00:21:38.959 --> 00:21:39.179
 than

00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:39.459
 save

00:21:39.459 --> 00:21:39.740
 us.

00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:41.519
 God

00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:41.799
 calls

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.099
 us to

00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:42.299
 be

00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:42.719
 faithful

00:21:42.719 --> 00:21:42.919
 to

00:21:42.919 --> 00:21:43.159
 him

00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:43.399
 in

00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:43.519
 the

00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:43.699
 midst

00:21:43.699 --> 00:21:43.839
 of

00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.379
 persecution

00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:46.179
 and we

00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:46.399
 know

00:21:46.399 --> 00:21:46.740
 that that

00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:46.959
 means

00:21:46.959 --> 00:21:47.139
 the

00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:47.339
 world

00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:47.480
 will

00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:47.799
 reject

00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.159
 us.

00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.159
 And so

00:21:50.159 --> 00:21:50.480
 it feels

00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:50.939
 like God

00:21:50.939 --> 00:21:51.279
 is

00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:51.719
 threatening

00:21:51.719 --> 00:21:52.179
 our

00:21:52.179 --> 00:21:52.599
 blessing,

00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.439
 not

00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:53.679
 giving

00:21:53.679 --> 00:21:53.859
 it

00:21:53.859 --> 00:21:54.000
 to

00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.259
 us.

00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:57.539
 God

00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.399
 still

00:21:58.399 --> 00:21:58.759
 tells

00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.059
 us

00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.859
 that

00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:00.000
 our

00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.279
 bodies

00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:00.480
 are

00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:00.799
 sacred

00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:02.439
 and we

00:22:02.439 --> 00:22:02.639
 need to

00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:03.179
 be stingy

00:22:03.179 --> 00:22:03.399
 with

00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:03.619
 them.

00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:05.240
 And the

00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:05.439
 world

00:22:05.439 --> 00:22:05.959
 tells us

00:22:05.959 --> 00:22:06.480
 there is

00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.099
 nothing

00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:07.980
 that's

00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:08.179
 more

00:22:08.179 --> 00:22:08.619
 important

00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:08.839
 than

00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.179
 sexual

00:22:09.179 --> 00:22:09.559
 freedom.

00:22:10.919 --> 00:22:11.639
 And so

00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:12.000
 it feels

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.439
 like God

00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:12.939
 wants to

00:22:12.939 --> 00:22:13.419
 destroy

00:22:13.419 --> 00:22:13.839
 us

00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:15.299
 rather

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.519
 than

00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:15.799
 save

00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.099
 us.

00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.480
 Of course

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.719
 we have

00:22:18.719 --> 00:22:19.159
 the words

00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:19.759
 of our

00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:19.939
 Lord

00:22:19.939 --> 00:22:20.240
 Jesus

00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:20.519
 from

00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:20.719
 Mark

00:22:20.719 --> 00:22:21.000
 chapter

00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.299
 8.

00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:22.159
 If

00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:22.379
 anyone

00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:22.599
 would

00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:22.759
 come

00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.039
 after

00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.199
 me

00:22:23.199 --> 00:22:23.399
 let

00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:23.559
 him

00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:23.959
 deny

00:22:23.959 --> 00:22:24.459
 himself

00:22:24.459 --> 00:22:24.699
 and

00:22:24.699 --> 00:22:24.939
 take

00:22:24.939 --> 00:22:25.079
 up

00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:25.259
 his

00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.679
 cross

00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:26.539
 and

00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:26.799
 follow

00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.139
 me.

00:22:27.939 --> 00:22:28.299
 For

00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:28.599
 whoever

00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:28.859
 would

00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.159
 save

00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:29.339
 his

00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:29.639
 life

00:22:29.639 --> 00:22:29.839
 would

00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.159
 lose

00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:30.339
 it

00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.240
 but

00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:31.480
 whoever

00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:31.879
 loses

00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:32.139
 his

00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:32.419
 life

00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:32.980
 for my

00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.279
 sake

00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:33.539
 in the

00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.119
 gospels

00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.899
 will

00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:35.180
 save

00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.359
 it.

00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.379
 And so

00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:38.819
 the question

00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.559
 this passage

00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.200
 presents us

00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.619
 with is

00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:40.879
 this.

00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.180
 What do

00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:41.779
 we do

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.839
 when we

00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.180
 hit up

00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.460
 against

00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:43.700
 these

00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.079
 places

00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.480
 where

00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:44.940
 God's

00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.319
 commands

00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:45.680
 in our

00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.159
 lives

00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:47.019
 feel

00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.240
 like

00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.700
 death

00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.720
 rather

00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:48.960
 than

00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.339
 life?

00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:51.159
 we

00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:51.259
 we

00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.559
 need

00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:51.659
 to

00:22:51.659 --> 00:22:51.839
 look

00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:52.039
 to

00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.419
 Abraham

00:22:52.419 --> 00:22:52.720
 and

00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:52.899
 his

00:22:52.899 --> 00:22:53.339
 example

00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.559
 to

00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:53.779
 see

00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.119
 how

00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:54.399
 he

00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:54.939
 responds.

00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:56.199
 Just

00:22:56.199 --> 00:22:56.419
 like

00:22:56.419 --> 00:22:56.639
 in

00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:56.919
 chapter

00:22:56.919 --> 00:22:57.419
 12

00:22:57.419 --> 00:22:58.159
 without

00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:58.859
 hesitation

00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.899
 Abraham

00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:00.639
 obeys

00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:01.159
 right away

00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:01.579
 we see

00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:01.959
 in verses

00:23:01.959 --> 00:23:02.480
 3

00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.039
 and 4

00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.419
 that he

00:23:03.419 --> 00:23:03.980
 prepares

00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:05.019
 and sets

00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.319
 out.

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.439
 In

00:23:06.439 --> 00:23:06.699
 verses

00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:07.139
 5

00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:07.299
 through

00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:07.679
 10

00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:08.259
 Abraham

00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.480
 and

00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:08.759
 Isaac

00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.019
 go

00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.199
 by

00:23:09.199 --> 00:23:09.639
 themselves

00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:09.859
 they

00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.119
 leave

00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.279
 the

00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:10.559
 others

00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.379
 behind.

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.259
 And so

00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.679
 Abraham

00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.119
 here

00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:14.539
 serves

00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:14.980
 for us

00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.279
 as an

00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.799
 example

00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.720
 of

00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.180
 faithful

00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.740
 obedience.

00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:18.559
 He

00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:18.919
 hears

00:23:18.919 --> 00:23:19.339
 God's

00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:19.720
 command

00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:19.960
 he

00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.419
 feels

00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:20.639
 the

00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:20.879
 threat

00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.039
 of

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.200
 it

00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:22.019
 and

00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.279
 he

00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:22.680
 moves

00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.119
 forward

00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:23.500
 knowing

00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:23.759
 that

00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.079
 he

00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.659
 does

00:23:24.659 --> 00:23:25.039
 trust

00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.319
 God

00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:25.519
 more

00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:25.659
 than

00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:25.980
 anything

00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.299
 else.

00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:26.759
 The

00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.059
 answer

00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.240
 to

00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.359
 the

00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:27.720
 question

00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:27.859
 of

00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.059
 whether

00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.480
 Abraham

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:28.759
 is

00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.039
 loyal

00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.220
 to

00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.440
 God

00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:29.740
 more

00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:29.899
 than

00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:30.279
 anyone

00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:30.579
 else

00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:30.799
 is

00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.299
 yes.

00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:31.899
 The

00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:32.139
 answer

00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:32.279
 to

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:32.440
 whether

00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:32.859
 Abraham

00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.379
 trusts

00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:33.659
 God

00:23:33.659 --> 00:23:33.759
 and

00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:33.919
 his

00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:34.339
 promises

00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:34.839
 is

00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.359
 yes.

00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:36.700
 Abraham

00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.139
 is

00:23:37.139 --> 00:23:37.539
 able

00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:37.819
 to

00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.180
 obey

00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:38.579
 because

00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.019
 he

00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.259
 has

00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.659
 seen

00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:40.259
 God's

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.899
 faithfulness

00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:41.099
 to

00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.299
 him

00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:41.419
 in

00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:41.539
 the

00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:41.920
 past

00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.380
 and

00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:42.519
 he

00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.000
 trusts

00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.420
 God's

00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:43.880
 promise.

00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:44.960
 On

00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.140
 the

00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.460
 one

00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:45.759
 hand

00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.000
 we've

00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.140
 just

00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.400
 come

00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:46.620
 off

00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:46.800
 of

00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:47.120
 chapter

00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:47.640
 21

00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:47.920
 it

00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.160
 seems

00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:48.539
 shocking

00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:48.720
 that

00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:48.820
 he

00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:48.940
 would

00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.220
 ask

00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.420
 this

00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:49.740
 child

00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:49.880
 to

00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.000
 be

00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.580
 sacrificed.

00:23:51.060 --> 00:23:51.300
 On

00:23:51.300 --> 00:23:51.460
 the

00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:51.759
 other

00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.080
 hand

00:23:52.080 --> 00:23:52.380
 we've

00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:52.580
 just

00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:52.800
 come

00:23:52.800 --> 00:23:52.960
 off

00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.259
 chapter

00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:53.800
 21

00:23:53.800 --> 00:23:54.340
 Abraham

00:23:54.340 --> 00:23:54.740
 has

00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.080
 seen

00:23:55.080 --> 00:23:55.560
 that

00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:55.920
 God

00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.140
 can

00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:56.620
 provide

00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:56.860
 a

00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.300
 child

00:23:57.300 --> 00:23:57.539
 to

00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:57.720
 a

00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.340
 99

00:23:58.340 --> 00:23:58.779
 year

00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.000
 old

00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.340
 man

00:23:59.340 --> 00:23:59.740
 and

00:23:59.740 --> 00:23:59.900
 a

00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.180
 90

00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:00.380
 year

00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:00.580
 old

00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:00.860
 woman.

00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:01.700
 He

00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.340
 knows

00:24:02.340 --> 00:24:02.620
 how

00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.100
 great

00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:03.320
 and

00:24:03.320 --> 00:24:03.539
 how

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.200
 powerful

00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.660
 God

00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.120
 is.

00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:05.740
 He

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.220
 knows

00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.460
 that

00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:06.640
 there

00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:06.920
 is

00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.400
 nothing

00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:07.700
 that

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:07.920
 can

00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:08.339
 stop

00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:08.700
 God

00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:08.920
 or

00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.339
 thwart

00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:09.940
 his

00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.359
 plan.

00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:10.920
 He

00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.519
 knows

00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:11.759
 that

00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.079
 God

00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.259
 will

00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:12.819
 provide

00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.099
 for

00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:13.380
 him

00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:13.720
 no

00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.059
 matter

00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:14.500
 what.

00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.259
 And

00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:16.599
 so

00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:16.900
 he's

00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:17.279
 able

00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.839
 to

00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.120
 move

00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.599
 forward

00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.200
 in

00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.559
 obedience.

00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:19.920
 We

00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.140
 see

00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:20.319
 his

00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:20.660
 faith

00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.880
 here

00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:21.019
 in

00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.240
 verses

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.740
 7

00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.019
 and

00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.339
 8.

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.240
 His

00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.559
 son

00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:24.900
 Isaac

00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.359
 asks

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:25.559
 him

00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.720
 where

00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:26.880
 is

00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.039
 the

00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.279
 lamb

00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.519
 for

00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:27.640
 a

00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:27.799
 burnt

00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.200
 offering?

00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.160
 Abraham

00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:29.740
 said

00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.259
 God

00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.480
 will

00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.079
 provide

00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.359
 for

00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:31.980
 himself

00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.680
 the

00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.039
 lamb

00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.319
 for

00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:33.460
 a

00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:33.640
 burnt

00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.000
 offering

00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.220
 my

00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:34.539
 son.

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.500
 Abraham

00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.140
 knows

00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:37.740
 somehow

00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.519
 somewhere

00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.259
 God

00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.539
 is

00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:39.859
 going

00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.099
 to

00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.460
 do

00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:40.960
 what's

00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.279
 needed

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.539
 to

00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.079
 protect

00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:42.700
 him

00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:42.880
 and

00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.079
 his

00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.559
 family

00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:43.779
 and

00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:43.980
 the

00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.500
 promise

00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:44.720
 that

00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:44.920
 God

00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.120
 has

00:24:45.120 --> 00:24:45.460
 made.

00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.819
 He

00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.359
 knows

00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:47.599
 that

00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:47.880
 God

00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:48.059
 will

00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.339
 never

00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:48.839
 leave

00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.120
 him

00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:49.660
 nor

00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.120
 forsake

00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:50.359
 him.

00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.359
 And

00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:51.500
 so

00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:51.640
 the

00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:51.819
 New

00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.200
 Testament

00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.759
 presents

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.099
 Abraham

00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:53.599
 to us

00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:53.740
 as

00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:53.960
 this

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.299
 great

00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.700
 model

00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:54.920
 of

00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:55.220
 faith.

00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:55.920
 Hebrews

00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.400
 11

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:56.900
 mentions

00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.420
 something

00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:57.700
 that

00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.000
 we're

00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.200
 not

00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:58.460
 told

00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:58.579
 in

00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:58.740
 this

00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.180
 passage.

00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:00.140
 Hebrews

00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:00.559
 11

00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:00.920
 says

00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.180
 one

00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:01.539
 option

00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:01.700
 that

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:01.980
 Abraham

00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.220
 was

00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:02.660
 considering

00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:02.940
 was

00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.120
 that

00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.399
 God

00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:03.559
 was

00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:03.719
 going

00:25:03.719 --> 00:25:03.879
 to

00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:04.159
 raise

00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:04.500
 Isaac

00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:04.719
 from

00:25:04.719 --> 00:25:04.859
 the

00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:05.099
 dead.

00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:06.819
 So

00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:07.099
 that's

00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.339
 one

00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:07.659
 way

00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:09.019
 that

00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.239
 maybe

00:25:09.239 --> 00:25:09.419
 he

00:25:09.419 --> 00:25:09.619
 thought

00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:09.839
 God

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:09.959
 was

00:25:09.959 --> 00:25:10.119
 going

00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:10.259
 to

00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.459
 show

00:25:10.459 --> 00:25:10.739
 up.

00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:11.359
 It

00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:11.519
 says

00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.019
 by faith

00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.379
 Abraham

00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:12.679
 when he

00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:12.839
 was

00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.239
 tested

00:25:13.239 --> 00:25:13.579
 offered

00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:13.779
 up

00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.159
 Isaac

00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:14.899
 and

00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:15.079
 he

00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.239
 who

00:25:15.239 --> 00:25:15.339
 had

00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:15.699
 received

00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:15.879
 the

00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.219
 promises

00:25:16.219 --> 00:25:16.519
 was

00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:16.639
 in

00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:16.799
 the

00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.119
 act

00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.279
 of

00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.719
 offering

00:25:17.719 --> 00:25:18.019
 up

00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.199
 his

00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:18.539
 only

00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:18.979
 son

00:25:18.979 --> 00:25:19.639
 of

00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:19.819
 whom

00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:19.939
 it

00:25:19.939 --> 00:25:20.099
 was

00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.359
 said

00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:20.579
 through

00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:20.939
 Isaac

00:25:20.939 --> 00:25:21.199
 shall

00:25:21.199 --> 00:25:21.379
 your

00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:21.839
 offspring

00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.159
 be

00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:22.519
 named.

00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.179
 He

00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:23.659
 considered

00:25:23.659 --> 00:25:23.919
 that

00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:24.179
 God

00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:24.399
 was

00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:24.899
 able

00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:25.299
 even

00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.539
 to

00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:25.979
 raise

00:25:25.979 --> 00:25:26.139
 him

00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:34.079
 James

00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:34.379
 chapter

00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:34.719
 2

00:25:34.719 --> 00:25:35.079
 also

00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:35.519
 commends

00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:35.859
 Abraham

00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.179
 to

00:25:36.179 --> 00:25:36.500
 us.

00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.419
 It

00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:37.579
 tells

00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:37.779
 us

00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.099
 Abraham

00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:38.819
 believed

00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.239
 God

00:25:39.239 --> 00:25:39.439
 and it

00:25:39.439 --> 00:25:39.599
 was

00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:39.899
 counted

00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.079
 to

00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.359
 him

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:41.000
 as

00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.519
 righteousness.

00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:42.599
 Was

00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:42.819
 not

00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.199
 Abraham

00:25:43.199 --> 00:25:43.459
 our

00:25:43.459 --> 00:25:43.779
 father

00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.299
 justified

00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.599
 by

00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:44.919
 works

00:25:44.919 --> 00:25:45.059
 when

00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.199
 he

00:25:45.199 --> 00:25:45.459
 offered

00:25:45.459 --> 00:25:45.639
 up

00:25:45.639 --> 00:25:45.839
 his

00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.179
 son

00:25:46.179 --> 00:25:46.939
 Isaac

00:25:46.939 --> 00:25:47.559
 on

00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:47.699
 the

00:25:47.699 --> 00:25:47.939
 altar?

00:25:49.679 --> 00:25:50.319
 In

00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:50.539
 other

00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:50.959
 words,

00:25:51.199 --> 00:25:51.599
 Abraham

00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.719
 is able

00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:53.119
 to

00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.619
 obey

00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.099
 God

00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:54.299
 no

00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.599
 matter

00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:54.939
 what

00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:55.279
 because

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.799
 of

00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.179
 God's

00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:56.799
 promise

00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.299
 and

00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.479
 his

00:25:57.479 --> 00:25:58.079
 faithfulness.

00:25:58.479 --> 00:25:58.819
 Abraham

00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.699
 obeys

00:25:59.699 --> 00:26:00.079
 in

00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:00.519
 faith.

00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:01.099
 He

00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.679
 knows

00:26:01.679 --> 00:26:01.899
 that

00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.139
 he

00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:02.459
 can

00:26:02.459 --> 00:26:02.899
 trust

00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.320
 God

00:26:03.320 --> 00:26:04.000
 no

00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.500
 matter

00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.960
 what.

00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.300
 Brothers

00:26:07.300 --> 00:26:07.580
 and

00:26:07.580 --> 00:26:07.840
 sisters,

00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.160
 when

00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.580
 we

00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:09.160
 find

00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.740
 ourselves

00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.140
 cutting

00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.500
 up

00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:10.900
 against

00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.140
 the

00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.480
 sharp

00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:11.940
 edge

00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.180
 of

00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:12.720
 God's

00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.300
 commands

00:26:13.300 --> 00:26:13.960
 in

00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.280
 this

00:26:14.280 --> 00:26:14.640
 world,

00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:15.060
 we

00:26:15.060 --> 00:26:15.640
 know

00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.340
 because

00:26:16.340 --> 00:26:16.600
 of

00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:17.200
 God's

00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.040
 faithfulness

00:26:18.040 --> 00:26:18.240
 to

00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.580
 us

00:26:18.580 --> 00:26:18.740
 that

00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:18.920
 he

00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.100
 will

00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:19.640
 protect

00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.000
 us

00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.400
 and

00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:20.540
 he

00:26:20.540 --> 00:26:20.720
 will

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.000
 care

00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.280
 for

00:26:21.280 --> 00:26:21.560
 us

00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:22.100
 no

00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:22.460
 matter

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:22.920
 what.

00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:24.800
 Abraham

00:26:24.800 --> 00:26:25.280
 could

00:26:25.280 --> 00:26:25.759
 only

00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.120
 look

00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:26.480
 back

00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:26.680
 to

00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:26.860
 the

00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.320
 miraculous

00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:27.800
 birth

00:26:27.800 --> 00:26:28.080
 of a

00:26:28.080 --> 00:26:28.400
 child

00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:28.640
 to

00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:28.800
 a

00:26:28.800 --> 00:26:29.080
 90

00:26:29.080 --> 00:26:29.259
 year

00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:29.440
 old

00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:29.759
 woman.

00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:30.320
 Brothers

00:26:30.320 --> 00:26:30.580
 and

00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:30.840
 sisters,

00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:31.240
 we

00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.519
 can

00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:31.780
 look

00:26:31.780 --> 00:26:32.060
 back

00:26:32.060 --> 00:26:32.240
 to

00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.620
 something

00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:33.039
 much

00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.460
 greater

00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:33.680
 and

00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:33.960
 more

00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.460
 powerful.

00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.180
 We

00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:35.579
 look

00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:35.960
 back

00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.279
 not

00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:36.559
 to

00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.019
 Isaac

00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.460
 being

00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:37.799
 born,

00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.359
 we

00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:38.620
 look

00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:38.880
 back

00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.059
 to

00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:39.279
 a

00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:39.680
 different

00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.039
 son

00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.200
 who

00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.400
 was

00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:40.660
 born.

00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:40.839
 We

00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.039
 look

00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.279
 back

00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.440
 to

00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:41.720
 Jesus

00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.180
 Christ

00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.640
 who

00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:43.140
 came

00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.460
 into

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:43.740
 this

00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.120
 world

00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:44.779
 as

00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.120
 God

00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:45.460
 and

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:45.620
 as

00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:45.779
 a

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.000
 man

00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.319
 was

00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:46.759
 born,

00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.539
 also

00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:47.779
 a

00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.180
 miraculous

00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:48.640
 birth,

00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:48.859
 but

00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.240
 even

00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.660
 greater

00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:49.960
 so

00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.220
 because

00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.579
 he

00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:50.819
 was

00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.079
 not

00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.460
 only

00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:51.880
 man

00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.299
 but

00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.740
 also

00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.140
 God.

00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:53.579
 He

00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:53.980
 came

00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.359
 not

00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.680
 through

00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.660
 natural

00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.339
 reproduction

00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:56.720
 through

00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.140
 Abraham

00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:57.779
 and Sarah

00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.059
 but

00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:58.339
 through

00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.019
 divine

00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.539
 reproduction

00:26:59.539 --> 00:26:59.839
 with

00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.139
 Mary.

00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:00.779
 We

00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.399
 know

00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:01.959
 more

00:27:01.959 --> 00:27:02.199
 than

00:27:02.199 --> 00:27:02.759
 Abraham

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.159
 could

00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:03.480
 ever

00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:03.919
 dream

00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:04.439
 how

00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:05.019
 faithful

00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.339
 and

00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:05.859
 trustworthy

00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.779
 God

00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.259
 is.

00:27:08.379 --> 00:27:09.139
 And so

00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:09.899
 just like

00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.379
 Abraham

00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:11.179
 we can

00:27:11.179 --> 00:27:11.619
 follow

00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:12.000
 him

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.720
 in

00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.419
 faith.

00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.119
 True

00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:16.599
 faith

00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.779
 leads

00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:18.279
 to

00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:18.899
 obedience.

00:27:20.159 --> 00:27:20.480
 And the

00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:20.959
 New Testament

00:27:20.959 --> 00:27:21.519
 presents

00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.579
 Abraham as a

00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.240
 model for

00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.740
 us of this

00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.119
 type of

00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:24.399
 faith.

00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:28.540
 And so

00:27:28.540 --> 00:27:29.000
 we see

00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.320
 in our

00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:29.940
 final scene

00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.220
 here

00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.840
 God's

00:27:30.840 --> 00:27:31.700
 faithfulness

00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.600
 to

00:27:32.600 --> 00:27:33.100
 Abraham.

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.580
 Verses

00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:34.860
 10

00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:35.019
 through

00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.519
 13

00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:35.820
 this

00:27:35.820 --> 00:27:36.340
 angel

00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:37.600
 intervenes

00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:38.180
 and provides

00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.500
 another

00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.040
 sacrifice

00:27:39.040 --> 00:27:39.460
 for him

00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:39.980
 to use.

00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:40.680
 Verse

00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.220
 12

00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.700
 Abraham

00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.480
 hears

00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.540
 the words

00:27:43.540 --> 00:27:44.000
 of God's

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.400
 approval.

00:27:45.620 --> 00:27:46.360
 Do not

00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:46.620
 lay your

00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:46.960
 hand on

00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.300
 the boy

00:27:47.300 --> 00:27:47.600
 or do

00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:47.900
 anything

00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.320
 to him

00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:48.960
 for now

00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.680
 I know

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.100
 that you

00:27:50.100 --> 00:27:50.640
 fear

00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.120
 God

00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.820
 seeing

00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:52.259
 that you

00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.759
 have not

00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.220
 withheld

00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.980
 your son

00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.039
 your only

00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.559
 son

00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.500
 from me.

00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:58.460
 In other

00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:59.180
 words I

00:27:59.180 --> 00:27:59.740
 asked a

00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.200
 question

00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:01.279
 do you

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.839
 love me

00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.339
 and trust

00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:02.900
 me more

00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.460
 than anything

00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:03.900
 else?

00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.700
 And you

00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.160
 by your

00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.559
 actions

00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:06.980
 gave the

00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.220
 right

00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.660
 answer

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.500
 yes.

00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.420
 And so

00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:12.759
 we see

00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.380
 these promises

00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:13.940
 here at

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.360
 the end.

00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:15.440
 Verse

00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:15.960
 16

00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:17.019
 because you

00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.339
 have done

00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:17.660
 this and

00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:17.960
 have not

00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.240
 withheld

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.779
 your son

00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.299
 your only

00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:20.319
 son I

00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.900
 will surely

00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.500
 bless you

00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.180
 and I

00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:22.579
 will surely

00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.380
 multiply your

00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:23.779
 offspring

00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.339
 as the

00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.980
 stars of

00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.339
 the heaven

00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.319
 and as

00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:26.920
 the sand

00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.200
 that is

00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:27.460
 on the

00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:27.899
 seashore

00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.859
 and your

00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.259
 offspring

00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.879
 shall possess

00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:31.139
 the gates

00:28:31.139 --> 00:28:32.000
 of his

00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.339
 enemies.

00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.099
 God

00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.980
 requires an

00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.559
 offering from

00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:36.980
 Abraham.

00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:38.740
 God

00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.559
 provides the

00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:39.920
 offering

00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.920
 for Abraham.

00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.240
 All

00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.700
 Abraham

00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.559
 brings with

00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:43.799
 him

00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.720
 is his

00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.059
 faith.

00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.559
 All

00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:46.879
 Abraham

00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.539
 brings with

00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:47.859
 him is

00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:48.519
 his trust

00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.299
 and his

00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:49.720
 obedience

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.660
 because God

00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.440
 gives him

00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.340
 everything

00:28:52.340 --> 00:28:53.720
 that he

00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.120
 needs.

00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:56.740
 God

00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.480
 provides for

00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:57.920
 us,

00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.759
 his people,

00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.640
 in miraculous

00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.700
 ways even

00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.620
 as he brings

00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:02.420
 us through

00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:03.799
 trials and

00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.680
 difficulties that

00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.220
 he's ordained

00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:05.720
 for us.

00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.380
 God

00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.100
 provides for

00:29:08.100 --> 00:29:08.759
 his people in

00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.920
 miraculous ways

00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:11.400
 as he brings

00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.100
 them through

00:29:12.100 --> 00:29:13.400
 trials that

00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.160
 he has ordained

00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.640
 for them.

00:29:15.840 --> 00:29:16.480
 Trials that he

00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.480
 brings to test

00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.259
 to reveal

00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:19.379
 our faith

00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.579
 like he

00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:21.160
 reveals the

00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.539
 faith of

00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:21.940
 Abraham,

00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:23.019
 to bring

00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.720
 us blessing

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.619
 like he

00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.379
 brings blessing

00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.440
 to Abraham.

00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.680
 And so

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.059
 the point

00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.420
 is this,

00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:30.859
 it may

00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:31.799
 not make

00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.339
 sense in

00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:32.740
 the moment

00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.200
 or right

00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:33.500
 away,

00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.099
 but eventually

00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:35.039
 obedience to

00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.980
 God's commands

00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.740
 will make

00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.119
 sense.

00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:38.119
 God will

00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:39.339
 vindicate us

00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.799
 and provide

00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.319
 for us.

00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:41.539
 We may

00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.240
 not see it

00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:43.279
 fully now

00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.099
 and we

00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:44.599
 know that

00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.119
 we will

00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:46.119
 one day.

00:29:46.119 --> 00:29:47.779
 And so

00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:48.479
 we obey

00:29:48.479 --> 00:29:49.319
 and trust

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.859
 God no

00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.459
 matter what

00:29:50.459 --> 00:29:50.979
 because we

00:29:50.979 --> 00:29:51.279
 know that

00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.559
 he is

00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.919
 faithful to

00:29:52.919 --> 00:29:53.399
 his covenant.

00:29:55.939 --> 00:29:56.239
 And of

00:29:56.239 --> 00:29:56.579
 course we

00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.339
 know ultimately

00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:58.259
 his faithfulness

00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:58.739
 because of

00:29:58.739 --> 00:29:59.259
 his provision

00:29:59.259 --> 00:29:59.899
 of his son.

00:30:00.459 --> 00:30:00.719
 And so

00:30:00.719 --> 00:30:01.199
 that's part

00:30:01.199 --> 00:30:01.459
 of our

00:30:01.459 --> 00:30:02.039
 celebration

00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:02.579
 of Advent.

00:30:02.699 --> 00:30:03.019
 That's why

00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.579
 we look at

00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.439
 these passages

00:30:04.439 --> 00:30:05.179
 from Genesis

00:30:05.179 --> 00:30:05.879
 during this

00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:06.639
 month so

00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:06.979
 that we

00:30:06.979 --> 00:30:07.659
 can cast

00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.479
 a spotlight

00:30:08.479 --> 00:30:09.659
 on Jesus

00:30:09.659 --> 00:30:10.539
 and see

00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.279
 how great

00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:11.859
 and glorious

00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.619
 he is.

00:30:12.739 --> 00:30:13.199
 That we

00:30:13.199 --> 00:30:14.000
 can understand

00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.579
 how much

00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.099
 hope and

00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.839
 confidence and

00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.599
 peace that

00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:17.339
 we take

00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:17.659
 from the

00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:18.019
 fact that

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.679
 he came

00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:19.299
 to this

00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:20.159
 earth as

00:30:20.159 --> 00:30:20.579
 a man.

00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.419
 We can

00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:22.039
 look and

00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:22.619
 see and

00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:23.099
 understand

00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:23.819
 more than

00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.699
 Abraham did

00:30:24.699 --> 00:30:25.799
 how much

00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.799
 God will

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:28.519
 himself provide

00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.799
 the sacrifice.

00:30:30.959 --> 00:30:31.980
 And God

00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:33.139
 continues to

00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:33.839
 provide for

00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:35.019
 us even

00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:35.759
 now today.

00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.019
 He provides

00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.619
 for us in

00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.139
 the way that

00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:38.779
 he provided

00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.179
 for the

00:30:39.179 --> 00:30:39.819
 Israelites in

00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.220
 the wilderness

00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.000
 whose shoes

00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.819
 didn't wear

00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.079
 out.

00:30:42.939 --> 00:30:43.819
 He provides

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.500
 for us by

00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.259
 the power of

00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:45.660
 his Holy

00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.059
 Spirit,

00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.160
 changing our

00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:47.859
 tastes and

00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:48.420
 our desires.

00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:49.640
 God provides

00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:50.960
 for us through

00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.980
 his word and

00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.740
 the wisdom and

00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.339
 counsel and

00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.299
 support of the

00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:54.859
 church and

00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.559
 Christians around

00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:55.900
 us.

00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:57.200
 It at times

00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:58.180
 feels like God

00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:59.079
 is asking the

00:30:59.079 --> 00:30:59.819
 impossible of

00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:01.019
 us and he

00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:02.660
 provides everything

00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:03.539
 we need to

00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.799
 obey him and

00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.519
 to follow him.

00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:08.059
 God provided

00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:09.200
 everything Abraham

00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:09.859
 needed to

00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.200
 obey.

00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:11.859
 He provides

00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.859
 everything that

00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:13.680
 we need to

00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.820
 obey as

00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:15.160
 well.

00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.500
 And of

00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:18.640
 course,

00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.140
 ultimately,

00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:21.400
 he provides

00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:21.980
 the greater

00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.720
 and greatest

00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.320
 sacrifice.

00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.200
 He provides

00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.680
 his own

00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.960
 son, Jesus

00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.620
 Christ, as

00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:27.340
 the ultimate

00:31:27.340 --> 00:31:28.420
 proof of his

00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:29.200
 faithfulness to

00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.480
 us.

00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:32.019
 That there is

00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:33.320
 nothing greater

00:31:33.320 --> 00:31:34.380
 or more powerful

00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:35.259
 that we can look

00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.160
 to to see

00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:37.740
 God's love

00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.480
 and his

00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.259
 authority in

00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.799
 this world.

00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:41.220
 It's like Paul

00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:41.900
 tells us in

00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:42.800
 Romans 8,

00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.800
 verses 31 and

00:31:43.800 --> 00:31:44.580
 32, if he

00:31:44.580 --> 00:31:45.540
 gave us his

00:31:45.540 --> 00:31:47.300
 son, how

00:31:47.300 --> 00:31:47.740
 will he not

00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.400
 also give us

00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:49.100
 everything else?

00:31:50.540 --> 00:31:51.420
 Why would he

00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:52.759
 not also give

00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.840
 us everything we

00:31:53.840 --> 00:31:54.680
 need to follow

00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.820
 him and love

00:31:55.820 --> 00:31:56.860
 him and obey

00:31:56.860 --> 00:31:57.120
 him?

00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.500
 And so even in

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.220
 the most trying

00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:02.420
 situations, we

00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:03.880
 remain faithful

00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:05.620
 because we know

00:32:05.620 --> 00:32:07.220
 that God remains

00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:08.140
 faithful to his

00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:08.440
 covenant.

00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.880
 He will not

00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:11.300
 leave us and

00:32:11.300 --> 00:32:11.860
 he will not

00:32:11.860 --> 00:32:12.780
 forsake us.

00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.300
 And so we can

00:32:14.300 --> 00:32:15.240
 take the words

00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:17.220
 of verse 14 as

00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:17.660
 our own.

00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:19.280
 So Abraham

00:32:19.280 --> 00:32:20.080
 called the name

00:32:20.080 --> 00:32:20.860
 of that place,

00:32:21.560 --> 00:32:22.340
 the Lord will

00:32:22.340 --> 00:32:22.880
 provide.

00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:24.820
 As it is said

00:32:24.820 --> 00:32:25.820
 to this day on

00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:26.400
 the mount of

00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:27.600
 the Lord, it

00:32:27.600 --> 00:32:28.760
 shall be

00:32:28.760 --> 00:32:29.180
 provided.

00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:30.840
 Let's pray.

00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.400
 Our Father in

00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:34.480
 heaven, we thank

00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.560
 you for the hope

00:32:35.560 --> 00:32:36.360
 and the confidence

00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:38.000
 that we can take

00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.700
 in your love and

00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:39.520
 your provision for

00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:39.799
 us.

00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:41.220
 We thank you

00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:42.519
 that you never

00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:44.480
 ask us to do

00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.000
 something without

00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:46.139
 also providing the

00:32:46.139 --> 00:32:46.839
 resources and

00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:47.440
 power that we

00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.119
 need to do it.

00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.240
 And we thank you

00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.180
 that we see that

00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.799
 in this story of

00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.740
 Abraham and we see

00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.440
 it as you work in

00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.059
 our own lives.

00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:55.039
 We ask that you,

00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.079
 by your spirit,

00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.779
 would grow our

00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.599
 faith more and

00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:58.900
 more, that we

00:32:58.900 --> 00:32:59.740
 would trust you,

00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.220
 and we would love

00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.859
 you and believe you

00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:02.519
 no matter what.

00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.639
 We ask these

00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:04.180
 things in the

00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:04.819
 mighty name of

00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.480
 Jesus Christ.

00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:06.180
 Amen.