Sermons

I love a good story! And I HATE spoilers! You know, when someone or something gives away the end of a story. I have a friend who reads the last two chapters of their books and then decides if they are going to read the rest of the book or not! Shameful! You lose the intrigue, suspense, and excitement of the story when you know how it ends.

Sadly, many of the biblical accounts have become “spoiled” for us because we have heard those stories told over and over again. We know the ending so there tends to be less connection with the story than we once had. That is, until someone shares the timeless story from a fresh perspective. Then the story takes on a new life!

This week, we’re going to finish up our series on being Set Apart by looking at the life of Abraham. We’ll focus on the story of when God called him to take his son Isaac to Mt Moriah and sacrifice him on an alter there. There’s a wonderful connection between this story and the story of Jesus’ death on Mt Calvary that I know will breathe new life into your soul as you think about it.

Afterward, we’ll share in the Lord’s Supper and remember the great cost that God willing paid, through Jesus, to offer us a life that is Set Apart.

See you Sunday!

Danny.<><

After years of waiting, Abraham (age 100) and Sarah (age 90) finally had the son God had promised. In this story God gives Abraham an amazing and extremely difficult assignment.

Genesis 22:1-19

(1) Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
(2)  Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”
(3)  Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.  (4)  On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.  (5)  He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
(6)  Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together,  (7)  Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
(8)  Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
(9)  When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.  (10)  Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.  (11)  But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
(12)  “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”(13)  Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.  (14)  So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
(15)  The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time  (16)  and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,  (17)  I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,  (18)  and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
(19)  Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba.

Ice Breaker Question:

In school, how uptight did you get over taking tests?

Discussion Questions:

Why did Abraham take Isaac to the altar?

• He was afraid of God.
• He was committed to unquestioning obedience.
• He knew it was only a test.
• He knew God would provide.
• He believed God would raise Isaac from the dead.
• Other: ___________________________________

What did God want from Abraham?

• a sacrifice
• absolute obedience
• to be loved above all else
• faithfulness
• other: ___________________________________

What do you think Isaac learned from this?

• to be committed to God like his father
• that God will provide
• that Abraham’s relationship with God came first
• other: __________________________________

How does this story remind you of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

How do you think you would have reacted to God’s instruction to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice?

• with shock
• with fear
• with anger
• with obedience
• with disgust
• with resignation

Where do you sense God testing or challenging you in your life right now?

What have you found helpful when facing tests?

• time in prayer
• strict obedience to God
• seeking counsel from others
• fasting
• studying God’s Word
• other: __________________________________

What do you especially need to commit to the Lord right now?

• my child(ren)
• my spouse and marriage
• my friendships
• my work
• my finances
• my time
• my attitudes and outlook
• my will
• other: ___________________________________

What would you like this group to pray about for you?