WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.080 I'm Matthew Capone, and I'm one of the pastors here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:20.859 Special welcome if you are new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:20.859 --> 00:00:34.879 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good, they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word. 00:00:36.019 --> 00:00:46.320 This morning, we're continuing our series in the story of Abraham, which goes from Genesis chapters 11 through 25, and we're studying Abraham for a couple of reasons. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:55.939 First, to prepare us to return to our series in the book of Romans, we're going to, next month, be back in Romans chapter 4, which is about Abraham. 00:00:56.659 --> 00:00:59.799 So we're looking at Abraham to prepare us to look at Abraham. 00:01:00.759 --> 00:01:08.340 We're also looking at Abraham because it gives us a great chance to ask the question, what does it look like to follow God in faith? 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:13.260 Which is an especially important question for the story in front of us this morning. 00:01:13.260 --> 00:01:22.719 Last week in chapter 21, we saw Isaac's birth, which we had, in a sense, been waiting for all the way since the beginning of the story. 00:01:22.840 --> 00:01:29.560 And you'll remember that the point was that God did what he said he would do when he said he would do it. 00:01:29.860 --> 00:01:33.920 That he's a promise-keeping God. That's the nature of his character. 00:01:34.240 --> 00:01:38.900 We then get a whiplash in this upcoming story, chapter 22. 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:42.900 It's a rich passage. We're only going to be able to skim the surface. 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:52.740 It's a whiplash, though, because Isaac is born in 21, and then right away, 22, God asks him to sacrifice Isaac. 00:01:54.100 --> 00:02:01.080 And so that's our question. Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his own son? 00:02:01.960 --> 00:02:05.060 Now, with that, I invite you to turn with me to Genesis chapter 22. 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:09.539 You can turn in your worship guide. You can turn on your phone. 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:15.060 You can turn in your Bible. No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:02:15.659 --> 00:02:18.060 Proverbs chapter 30, verse 5 tells us, 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:24.780 Every word of God proves true. He's a shield to those who take refuge in him. 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:30.300 So that's why we read now Genesis chapter 22, starting at verse 1. 00:02:30.300 --> 00:02:35.540 After these things, God tested Abraham and said to him, 00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:38.820 Abraham. And he said, Here I am. 00:02:39.780 --> 00:02:45.820 He said, Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, 00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:51.200 and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you. 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:59.959 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac. 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:06.659 And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 00:03:08.139 --> 00:03:12.120 On the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 00:03:13.419 --> 00:03:17.419 Then Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey. 00:03:17.419 --> 00:03:21.879 I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you. 00:03:22.439 --> 00:03:27.019 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac, his son. 00:03:27.599 --> 00:03:30.339 And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. 00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:33.719 So they went, both of them, together. 00:03:35.019 --> 00:03:37.819 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, My father. 00:03:38.500 --> 00:03:40.519 And he said, Here I am, my son. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:46.519 He said, Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:53.160 Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son. 00:03:53.780 --> 00:03:56.200 So they went, both of them, together. 00:03:57.400 --> 00:03:58.260 Verse 9. 00:03:58.920 --> 00:04:01.660 When they came to the place of which God had told him, 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:06.780 Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac, his son, 00:04:07.320 --> 00:04:09.560 and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 00:04:10.300 --> 00:04:14.180 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 00:04:14.180 --> 00:04:20.019 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:22.400 And he said, Here I am. 00:04:23.400 --> 00:04:29.340 He said, Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:33.879 seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. 00:04:34.920 --> 00:04:41.759 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:47.039 And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 00:04:48.060 --> 00:04:52.439 So Abraham called the name of that place, the Lord will provide. 00:04:53.420 --> 00:04:58.339 As it is said to this day, on the mount of the Lord it shall be provided. 00:04:58.339 --> 00:05:00.619 Verse 15. 00:05:00.619 --> 00:05:06.239 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, 00:05:06.939 --> 00:05:14.079 By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 00:05:14.439 --> 00:05:15.919 I will surely bless you. 00:05:16.419 --> 00:05:22.319 And I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:25.879 And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:32.980 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice. 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:38.939 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:42.000 And Abraham lived at Beersheba. 00:05:43.039 --> 00:05:45.360 Now after these things it was told to Abraham, 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:49.939 Behold, Milcah also has born children to your brother Nahor. 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:51.840 Uz his firstborn, 00:05:52.460 --> 00:05:53.360 Buz his brother, 00:05:54.080 --> 00:05:55.500 Chemuel the father of Aram, 00:05:56.139 --> 00:05:57.259 Chesed, Hazo, 00:05:57.860 --> 00:05:58.439 Pidlash, 00:05:59.060 --> 00:05:59.540 Jidlath, 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:00.160 and Bethuel. 00:06:01.020 --> 00:06:02.540 Bethuel fathered Rebekah. 00:06:03.740 --> 00:06:06.620 These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. 00:06:07.340 --> 00:06:09.900 Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reuma, 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:11.540 bore Teba, Gahem, 00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:12.319 Tahash, 00:06:12.840 --> 00:06:13.259 and Macha. 00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:18.180 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:06:19.899 --> 00:06:27.620 Our Father in heaven, we do praise you and thank you again that you guide us, you instruct us by your word. 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:36.519 And even more than that, you show us the way to reconciliation with you, the way of salvation through your son and our Savior, our Lord Jesus. 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:40.500 We thank you that he is the ultimate and final sacrifice, 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:42.920 that you did not withhold your son, 00:06:43.480 --> 00:06:44.199 your only son. 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:49.019 We ask that you would be at work by your Holy Spirit this morning in a powerful way, 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:54.160 that you would use your word to shape our hearts and our minds and our lives, 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:58.800 that we would grow in our love and affection and reverence and awe for you. 00:06:59.100 --> 00:07:01.199 We ask all of these things in Jesus' name. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:02.159 Amen. 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:07.339 Oh well, I'm not going to bury the lead. 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:13.339 We have a surprising story in front of us, and it's surprising right away in verse 2, 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:16.099 where it says, this is God's command, 00:07:18.099 --> 00:07:20.360 offer him there as a burnt offering. 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:24.439 So we've had last chapter, Isaac. 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:30.680 Abraham's waited for him for 25 years, from when he was 75 to when he turns 100. 00:07:31.280 --> 00:07:35.680 This is the son who is going to fulfill all of God's promises. 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:39.180 We have this high at the end of chapter 21, 00:07:39.340 --> 00:07:40.800 and then chapter 22, God says, 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:43.340 oh, by the way, go and sacrifice him. 00:07:43.900 --> 00:07:45.780 And so if you've been with us through the story, 00:07:45.779 --> 00:07:49.939 all the way from chapter 11, there is this weirdness, this surprise, 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:53.679 this whiplash that comes as we enter chapter 22. 00:07:54.279 --> 00:07:58.459 Isaac is the fulfillment of 25 years of waiting. 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:00.799 So God's saying, you know what? 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:02.779 Never mind what happened. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:05.899 Give up the miracle that you've longed for. 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:09.139 Give up what I have promised. 00:08:09.739 --> 00:08:12.299 It's not just Abraham's dream that's being given up here. 00:08:12.299 --> 00:08:15.719 It's actually this greater blessing to the nations, right? 00:08:16.059 --> 00:08:17.959 Chapter 12, that's what God said. 00:08:18.059 --> 00:08:20.439 Those who bless you will be blessed. 00:08:20.559 --> 00:08:23.699 I will use you as a blessing to all the nations. 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:28.839 So Abraham's line and God's promise are all tied up in Isaac. 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:32.360 So how do we make sense of all of this? 00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:37.079 Well, I want you to think for a minute with me about food, 00:08:38.319 --> 00:08:39.579 specifically eating food. 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:45.800 If you are in India or Japan, you're supposed to clean your plate. 00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:50.100 That's your way of saying, man, this meal was really good. 00:08:50.160 --> 00:08:50.920 You took care of me. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:56.759 If you're in China, you're supposed to leave food on your plate. 00:08:57.960 --> 00:09:01.720 And that's your way of saying, wow, you provided so much food for me 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:02.660 that I can't finish. 00:09:03.040 --> 00:09:05.020 You've taken such great care of me. 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:05.419 Okay. 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:09.059 Opposite actions depending on the culture. 00:09:09.819 --> 00:09:09.980 Okay. 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:16.100 In Egypt, it's rude to ask for salt because you're implying that something's wrong with the food. 00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:20.500 So there's all these implicit things that happen in a culture, right? 00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:25.840 That nothing's said out loud, but you have to understand what the true meaning is. 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:27.259 You have to know the context. 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:35.879 I say all that because child sacrifice means something very specific in the ancient Near Eastern world. 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:39.899 It has a cultural meaning that's implicit, not explicit. 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:45.580 If you ask someone, if a God asks someone to sacrifice their child, 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:50.100 they are asking for their total loyalty and obedience. 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:58.519 Asking for a child sacrifice is asking for total loyalty and obedience. 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:02.860 What is your greatest allegiance? 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:08.680 Do you love me more than anything else? 00:10:09.800 --> 00:10:12.560 So is God being crazy and deranged here? 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:18.340 No, he is speaking to Abraham in a specific cultural form. 00:10:18.340 --> 00:10:22.639 He is talking to Abraham in a way that he can understand. 00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:27.540 I'm not sure how you would ask this question of an American, 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:30.420 but I think it might go something like this. 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:33.000 Are you willing to go bankrupt? 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:35.580 Right? 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:38.280 We have the great idol of prosperity and money. 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:43.720 This would be a way of saying, man, is your loyalty, is your obedience completely to me? 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:48.779 That's what Jesus is saying to the rich young ruler in Luke chapter 18 when he says, 00:10:49.040 --> 00:10:52.120 go and sell all that you have and then come back. 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:54.460 What he's saying, what he's asking is, 00:10:55.399 --> 00:11:00.540 hey, are you actually what's most, or am I actually what's most important to you? 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:03.240 And so the point is this. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:06.440 God is asking Abraham, 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:13.180 Do you love me more than anything else? 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:17.180 Am I still the center of your life? 00:11:19.380 --> 00:11:23.260 Or now that the promise has been fulfilled, is it Isaac? 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:29.980 This is the last time, by the way, that God is going to speak to Abraham. 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.660 So there's some significance here. 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:37.100 The first time God spoke to Abraham was back in chapter 12, 00:11:37.819 --> 00:11:42.279 where he said, give up everything and leave your home. 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:46.319 So chapter 12, God says, give it all up. 00:11:48.339 --> 00:11:53.039 Chapter 22, God comes back for the last time and says, 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:56.959 not just give it all up, really give it all up. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:01.240 So there's a bookend here that's happening with God's speeches. 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:03.799 He's saying, you know, where is your greatest hope? 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:12.560 Will it turn away from me now that Isaac is here? 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:19.060 What is it that you hope in more than anything else? 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:27.120 I've been telling you for weeks that the story of Abraham asks us to answer the question, 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:31.560 what does it look like to follow God in faith? 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:35.759 One of the answers is this. 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:42.899 Following God in faith looks like loving God more than anything else. 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:51.600 Following God in faith looks like being willing to give up anything. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:57.720 We have, over the last several months, 00:12:58.019 --> 00:13:02.139 had our own sort of living, breathing illustration of this as a congregation. 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:06.700 It's already been mentioned in the announcements and in our congregational prayer. 00:13:06.800 --> 00:13:07.879 We have our sister Shabnam. 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:13.540 Shabnam came to the U.S., gave up life in Iran, 00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:15.180 and gave up a really good career. 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:18.519 You may not know the reason that she first came to the U.S. 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:25.179 was that her employer over in Iran sent her to do research with a professor at UCCS, 00:13:25.319 --> 00:13:27.259 which is a really big deal. 00:13:27.839 --> 00:13:30.039 In other words, Shabnam was on the fast track. 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:32.579 She was headed towards a major promotion. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:35.299 She had been successful in her work. 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:38.539 She was recognized for being hardworking and intelligent. 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:40.740 She was rising up through the ranks. 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:44.539 Things in Iran were going really well for her. 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.940 Then she gets to the U.S. 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.680 She gets baptized. 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:52.299 Her father finds out, turns her into the government. 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:56.200 And she knows if she goes back, 00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:58.200 she's going to have to stand before a court. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:02.279 She's being accused of being an apostate from Islam. 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:05.840 And what did Shabnam have to do? 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:09.659 All she had to do was renounce Christ. 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:11.560 Simple. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:12.740 Right? 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:14.700 She could have just gone back to Iran, 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:15.759 showed up before the court, 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:16.379 and said, you know what? 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.360 This is all a big mistake. 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:19.240 I love Allah so much. 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:22.100 That's all she had to do. 00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:26.039 She stays in the U.S. 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:29.659 and gives it all up. 00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:30.220 Right? 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:33.919 Shabnam does not have a prestigious career here. 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:39.620 No, she started all over again from scratch. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:45.060 Now, that probably won't be as extreme for us in following Jesus, 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:49.940 although we never know what the future holds. 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:57.060 We still have places where God asks us, 00:14:57.800 --> 00:15:01.600 do you love me more than anything else? 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:10.220 Am I still the place of your total loyalty and obedience? 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:13.279 Are you willing 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:18.399 to choose your integrity and your witness for Christ 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:22.179 over success and career advancement? 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:29.959 Are you willing to prioritize your children's godliness 00:15:29.959 --> 00:15:34.919 and their love of the Lord over academic success? 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:39.559 Are you willing to choose generosity 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:41.799 over more and more peak experiences 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:43.279 that are larger and better? 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.740 I haven't mentioned this before, 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.899 but you know some of you 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:52.360 may be called to missions in another country. 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:58.319 God may call you to give up the comforts of living in the U.S. 00:15:58.320 --> 00:16:02.340 By the way, we are the richest country in the world. 00:16:03.400 --> 00:16:06.220 We experience a standard of living 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:08.840 unprecedented in the history of the world. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:12.300 And God might call you to leave that behind. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:15.460 Kids, I want you to think about that, by the way. 00:16:15.800 --> 00:16:18.240 As you think about all the options that are before you, 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:20.260 as you think about what you want to be when you grow up, 00:16:21.060 --> 00:16:24.580 it's possible that God is calling you to go into missions. 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:29.620 Okay, I just want to plant that seed in your mind. 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.580 Remember, in all of this, 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:34.300 it's as we've talked about many times, 00:16:34.680 --> 00:16:39.320 it is in God's glory that we discover our good. 00:16:40.920 --> 00:16:41.840 And so as Christians, 00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:44.540 we have to settle this question in our hearts. 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:49.520 Are we willing to give it all up? 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:57.539 Do we really believe that Jesus is worthy and worth it? 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:05.839 Is he actually the source of our total loyalty and obedience? 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:12.839 Jim read earlier for us from Hebrews chapter 11, 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.960 talking about Abraham. 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:16.619 Hebrews chapter 11 also talks about Moses. 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:18.599 It's another example of this. 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:19.699 It tells us this. 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.959 Moses, when he was grown up, 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:25.500 refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:29.919 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God 00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:33.839 than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 00:17:34.919 --> 00:17:38.679 In other words, it's not just Abraham that gives it all up. 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:41.199 Moses gives it all up too. 00:17:42.159 --> 00:17:44.459 Moses has the opportunity of great success 00:17:44.459 --> 00:17:46.319 and prosperity in Egypt, right? 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:47.159 He's Pharaoh's son. 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:47.859 He's been adopted. 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:52.199 He gives it all up to lead God's people. 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:56.719 And so there's a sense in which we've come full circle 00:17:56.719 --> 00:17:58.279 all the way from chapter 12. 00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:01.299 Chapter 12 and chapter 22, in a sense, 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:03.159 we're not to the end of Abraham's story, 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:05.799 but they serve these kinds of bookends to say, 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.699 look, at the beginning and at the end, 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:11.000 the question for Abraham is this. 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:12.659 Is God worth it all? 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:16.640 And so I'm going to remind you of the same things we talked about 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:18.100 back at the beginning of the story. 00:18:18.320 --> 00:18:20.460 This is on page seven of your worship guide. 00:18:21.340 --> 00:18:23.360 In the created world, 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:28.180 you can only truly enjoy what you do not worship. 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:31.779 In the created world, 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:36.140 you can only truly enjoy what you do not worship. 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:41.200 In other words, the most dangerous thing for Abraham 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:46.240 is that he would wrap his heart completely around Isaac. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:49.120 That's the most dangerous thing. 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:52.279 Then there's this from C.S. Lewis. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.940 Put first things first, 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:58.240 and we get second things thrown in. 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.420 Put second things first, 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:04.359 and we lose both first things 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:06.179 and second things. 00:19:11.959 --> 00:19:17.199 What are the first things in your life? 00:19:23.459 --> 00:19:25.899 Abraham shows us the way here. 00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:28.519 It's an example of faithful obedience, 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:30.759 just like he was in chapter 12. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:33.359 Verses three through 10, he obeys. 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.959 Three and four, he prepares. 00:19:35.159 --> 00:19:35.819 He sets out. 00:19:35.919 --> 00:19:38.219 Verses five through seven, he goes with Isaac. 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:40.079 And then verses seven through eight, 00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:42.519 he has this conversation that helps us understand 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:44.879 where his hope, his faith is. 00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:47.339 This is verse seven. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.139 Isaac asks him, 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:51.639 where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:54.159 Verse eight, Abraham said, 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:56.579 God will provide for himself 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:58.619 the lamb for a burnt offering. 00:19:59.919 --> 00:20:02.519 And in the section that Jim did read for us 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.579 from Hebrews chapter 11, 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:05.440 it tells us, hey, Abraham thought, 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:07.879 well, maybe God's gonna raise Isaac up from the dead. 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:10.440 No matter what he does, 00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:13.599 I know that he's going to be faithful. 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:15.680 That's what he's saying in verse eight. 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:17.859 God will provide for himself 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:19.660 the lamb for a burnt offering. 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:21.379 And he's right. 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:23.500 Verse 14, that same word shows up. 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:25.980 Abraham called the name of that place, 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:28.220 the Lord will provide. 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:31.019 And he's able to say that 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.940 because the angel comes and intervenes. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:34.339 Verses 10 through 13, 00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:37.079 provides another sacrifice. 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:40.440 And so he receives God's commendation in verse 12. 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:43.380 Do not lay your hand on the boy 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:44.740 or do anything to him. 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:47.799 For now I know that you fear God, 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:50.559 seeing you have not withheld your son, 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:53.860 your only son from me. 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:57.859 God requires an offering. 00:20:59.179 --> 00:21:01.219 God provides an offering. 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:05.559 All Abraham has is faith. 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.740 That's all he has to do. 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:10.240 That's all Abraham shows up with. 00:21:11.719 --> 00:21:12.779 The point is this. 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:17.399 As we follow God in obedience, 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:21.740 he will vindicate us and provide for us. 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:26.380 As we follow God in obedience, 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:30.759 he will provide for us and vindicate us. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:33.559 It's his promise to Abraham. 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.880 It's his promise to us as well. 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.599 God provides for his people 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:41.480 in miraculous and unexpected ways. 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:44.500 In fact, there's a principle in scripture 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:48.880 that God never commands what he does not empower. 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:52.600 God never commands what he does not empower. 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:55.320 God commands here of Abraham. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.700 He provides the sacrifice. 00:21:57.580 --> 00:21:59.580 God does this for us in a variety of ways. 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:01.880 He provides the power of the Holy Spirit, 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:05.500 which comes and changes our desires and our tastes. 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.840 In the Old Testament, 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:10.280 we see that God provides for the people of Israel 00:22:10.280 --> 00:22:11.560 as they wander in the desert. 00:22:12.340 --> 00:22:14.440 Deuteronomy chapter 29 tells us 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:18.019 their shoes and their clothes did not wear out. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:21.799 It's a supernatural miracle. 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.640 They're marching in the desert 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:25.600 and their shoes last. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:30.380 God provides what he empowers through his word. 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:34.900 He reminds us of the glory and promises of Jesus Christ. 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:37.420 He provides for his people 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:39.400 who give us the wisdom and the counsel 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:41.660 and the support that we need. 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:45.840 If you think that God is asking the impossible, 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.519 remember Abraham. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:55.800 God provides everything we need. 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:59.579 Even more than that, 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.960 verses 15 through 19, 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:04.859 we see that it's in God's glory again 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:06.039 that we discover our good. 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.859 What does God do after Abraham's obedience? 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:14.200 He reaffirms his blessing and favor. 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.279 Verse 17, 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:44.420 Our Lord Jesus tells us the same thing 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.440 in Mark chapter 10. 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:48.220 Truly I say to you, 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.820 there is no one who has left house 00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:53.160 or brothers or sisters or mother 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:56.160 or father or children or lands 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:59.900 for my sake and for the gospel 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:04.080 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:07.980 houses and brothers and sisters and mothers 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:10.279 and children and lands 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:12.400 with persecutions 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:14.980 and in the age to come 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.339 eternal life. 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:21.980 Of course, we have an even greater reason 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:23.779 to trust God than Abraham did 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:27.000 because God has showed us 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:29.539 what Abraham could only look forward to. 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:32.779 It is not simply that he provided 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.319 the sacrifice for Abraham. 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:37.759 He provided an even greater sacrifice 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.099 in his son. 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:42.959 Here, the ram is provided. 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.819 Then we get to the gospels. 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:46.119 John chapter 1. 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:48.899 What is said as Jesus appears, 00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:52.539 Behold the Lamb of God 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:56.699 who takes away the sin of the world. 00:24:56.700 --> 00:25:00.580 verse 12 here, 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:03.039 how does God commend Abraham? 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:08.180 I seeing you have not withheld your son, 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:10.240 your only son. 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:13.359 But it's God himself, 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:13.960 ultimately, 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:16.220 who does not withhold his son, 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:18.440 his only son. 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:21.620 That's why Romans chapter 8 tells us, 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:23.740 He who did not spare his own son 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:25.859 but gave him up for us all, 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:28.380 how will he not also with him 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:31.500 graciously give us all things? 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:37.640 Jesus Christ is the ultimate proof 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:41.039 of God's willingness to provide. 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:45.039 He is the ultimate proof 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:48.599 of God's faithfulness to you and to me. 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:54.420 We have even greater assurance than Abraham. 00:25:55.599 --> 00:26:00.079 And so we have even greater reason to obey. 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:04.079 We can say with Abraham, 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:06.220 verse 14, 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:09.359 the Lord will provide. 00:26:10.439 --> 00:26:12.220 As it is said to this day, 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:14.179 on the mount of the Lord, 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:17.179 it shall be provided. 00:26:18.419 --> 00:26:19.220 Let's pray. 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.240 Our Father in heaven, 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:24.980 we do praise you and thank you again 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:26.839 that we can have great confidence 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:28.240 and trust in you 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.919 as we look back 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.259 to the death and resurrection 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.180 of Jesus Christ. 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.980 That we know that you do provide 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:36.460 everything that we need, 00:26:37.080 --> 00:26:38.900 that you empower everything we command, 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.100 everything you command. 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:42.460 We ask that you would remind us of this, 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:44.120 that you would cause us to believe it 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:45.360 and trust it more and more, 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.420 that we would follow you 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.960 in faith and obedience. 00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:49.600 And we ask these things 00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:50.420 in Jesus' name. 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:51.140 Amen. 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.300 Amen. 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.300 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:55.339 I invite you to stand for our closing hymn.