Marked by Obedience

Just under 2% of the population of the United States have served or are serving in the military. 2 percent…. that’s it… just 2% of over 330 million people. Those 2 percenters take an oath to follow the lawful orders of those appointed over them. Our military members learn how to follow orders at basic training. There they are taught to obey orders willingly and immediately without fail. They are taught to trust those in positions of leadership above them. They are to blindly trust the lawful orders given to them. The leaders of those individuals expect immediate acknowledgement and carrying out of the orders through to full completion. If a sailor, soldier, Airman or Marine fails to follow lawful orders without question…people can get hurt or at worse…. die. If an infantry officer gives an order to a platoon to take a hill and those in the platoon question or second guess the order – delaying execution of the orders – military members are wounded and die. When military members are wounded or die, it damages or reduces the effectiveness of the fighting unit… and more military members are wounded or die as a result. The military’s ability to wage war is lost when soldiers, sailors, Airmen, and Marines fail to obey and carry out their orders. Our military members must trust in and have faith in their leaders. Faith that their leaders know what’s best and will do was is right by them – and provide for them what is needed. The trust and faith in the leader is displayed through or marked by obedience of the follower. And Basic training is the place where obedience of our military members is tested.

Sermon: Marked by Obedience

Like our military leaders, parents expect their children to obey when being asked to do something. Parents want their children to listen to them when they say “don’t jump that 6 foot wall with your skateboard…. you’ll get hurt” or “stop playing with that knife… you’ll cut yourself” or “STOP …… wait for the cars to pass and it’s all clear before you go and get the ball…. you’ll not be the “winner” if you and that car collide!” or “make sure you read your Bible, pray, and talk to Jesus before going to bed – He loves you!” Parents want their kids to listen and obey when asked to clean their rooms, help wash dishes, mow the yard, put their clothes in the hamper, brush their teeth, and a whole host of other things. Parents don’t ask for obedience in these cases because they have free labor …. No! …. Although it is nice sometimes…. but No! …. Parents are testing their kids for life outside the home, so they can be Jesus-loving, Jesus-following, others-loving, self-sufficient, caring, and productive members of society. Amen! That’s want parents want! And the home is the testing ground. The trust and faith in the parent is displayed through or marked by obedience of the child.

Jim Smith

So…. over this series we call “Living by Faith” – A series based on Hebrews Chapter 11, a chapter commonly referred to as the Hall of Faith…. with members of the Hall being Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Abel, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, and others from the Old Testament – and we’ve learned also from the Apostle Paul in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 7 “for we walk by faith, not by sight” - and from Romans chapter 1 verse 17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” - And also, from Galatians chapter 2 verse 20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

8/26/18

During that first sermon, we read from Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” And we defined faith as “a confidence in God and in His promises.” This means when we’re confident we have faith. And when we’re not confident in God and His promises, it means we lack faith, or our faith is weak.

The second sermon in the series was about Noah and this notion that living by faith means we believe even before we see God’s promises. From Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 7 “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

Just under 2% of the population of the United States have served or are serving in the military. 2 percent…. that’s it… just 2% of over 330 million people. Those 2 percenters take an oath to follow the lawful orders of those appointed over them. Our military members learn how to follow orders at basic training. There they are taught to obey orders willingly and immediately without fail. They are taught to trust those in positions of leadership above them. They are to blindly trust the lawful orders given to them. The leaders of those individuals expect immediate acknowledgement and carrying out of the orders through to full completion. If a sailor, soldier, Airman or Marine fails to follow lawful orders without question…people can get hurt or at worse…. die. If an infantry officer gives an order to a platoon to take a hill and those in the platoon question or second guess the order – delaying execution of the orders – military members are wounded and die. When military members are wounded or die, it damages or reduces the effectiveness of the fighting unit… and more military members are wounded or die as a result. The military’s ability to wage war is lost when soldiers, sailors, Airmen, and Marines fail to obey and carry out their orders. Our military members must trust in and have faith in their leaders. Faith that their leaders know what’s best and will do was is right by them – and provide for them what is needed. The trust and faith in the leader is displayed through or marked by obedience of the follower. And Basic training is the place where obedience of our military members is tested.

Like our military leaders, parents expect their children to obey when being asked to do something. Parents want their children to listen to them when they say “don’t jump that 6 foot wall with your skateboard….. you’ll get hurt” or “stop playing with that knife… you’ll cut yourself” or “STOP …… wait for the cars to pass and it’s all clear before you go and get the ball…. you’ll not be the “winner” if you and that car collide!” or “make sure you read your Bible, pray, and talk to Jesus before going to bed – He loves you!” Parents want their kids to listen and obey when asked to clean their rooms, help wash dishes, mow the yard, put their clothes in the hamper, brush their teeth, and a whole host of other things. Parents don’t ask for obedience in these cases because they have free labor …. No! …. Although it is nice sometimes….. but No! …. Parents are testing their kids for life outside the home so they can be Jesus-loving, Jesus-following, others-loving, self-sufficient, caring, and productive members of society. Amen! That’s want parents want! And the home is the testing ground. The trust and faith in the parent is displayed through or marked by obedience of the child.

The third sermon in the series was about Sarah and the concept of Impossible Hope - I hope even when it looks impossible. From Hebrews chapter 11 verse 11 we read “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” When things looked impossible, Sarah remained faithful because God is faithful – His promises are right and true. He always delivers on His promises. Amen!

Today were going to discover that “Living by faith means we obey even if or even when we don’t understand.” We’ll do this through Hebrews chapter 11 verses 17 to 19 and Genesis chapter 22 verses 1 to 19. Let’s go ahead and jump right in – please turn in your Bibles, phone apps, or other devices to Hebrews chapter 11 verses 17 to 19 - or just follow along on the screen

So….. over this series we call “Living by Faith” – A series based on Hebrews Chapter 11, a chapter commonly referred to as the Hall of Faith…. with members of the Hall being Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Abel, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, and others from the Old Testament – and we’ve learned also from the Apostle Paul in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 7 “for we walk by faith, not by sight” - and from Romans chapter 1 verse 17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” - And also from Galatians chapter 2 verse 20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

During that first sermon, we read from Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” And we defined faith as “a confidence in God and in His promises.” This means when we’re confident we have faith. And when we’re not confident in God and His promises, it means we lack faith or our faith is weak.

Upon reading these verses, there are a few things I want you to keep in mind and make note of…….

The second sermon in the series was about Noah and this notion that living by faith means we believe even before we see God’s promises. From Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 7 “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

The third sermon in the series was about Abraham and Sarah and the concept of Impossible Hope - I hope even when it looks impossible. From Hebrews chapter 11 verse 11 we read “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-- and Sarah herself was barren -- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.” When things looked impossible, Abraham and Sarah remained faithful because God is faithful – His promises are right and true. He always delivers on His promises. Amen!

Number 1: Abraham did something through faith…. Remember our faith definition…. “a confidence in God and in His promises.” Abraham had confidence in God and in His promises because he did something through faith.

Number 2: Abraham was being tested…by whom do you ask? … Abraham was being tested by God. So what do we mean by tested? The Greek word for “tested” in Hebrews chapter 11 verse 17 means to make proof of something – attempt to see what it is ….. God wanted proof of Abraham’s faith…God wanted to make sure Abraham’s faith was genuine.

Today were going to discover that “Living by faith means we obey even if or even when we don’t understand.” We’ll do this through Hebrews chapter 11 verses 17 to 19 and Genesis chapter 22 verses 1 to 19. Let’s go ahead and jump right in – please turn in your Bibles, phone apps, or other devices to Hebrews chapter 11 verses 17 to 19 - or just follow along on the screen

Number 3: Abraham was being obedient by offering up Isaac…… what do we mean by that? …. we mean that Abraham was offering up Isaac as a sacrifice to God. Abraham was going to kill his own son for God on an alter to God made of wood and rock. He was going to offer him up as a burnt offering…. He was going to end Isaac’s life and set fire to the remains. The very son God had promised to two people well past…. I mean way, way, way past their child bearing years…. even today with all our medical know-how and technology, the vast majority of people don’t even live that long - and God allowed Sarah and Abraham in their 90’s and 100’s respectively to have and give birth to a baby boy. The same boy that God promised and said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” Every single person of faith – faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – faith and belief in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus - are the offspring named through Isaac. That is you and me….

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Upon reading these verses, there are a few things I want you to keep in mind and make note of…….

Number 4: Abraham believed in – had faith in God’s promises. Abraham obeyed even though he didn’t understand why God commanded the sacrifice of Isaac. Abraham believed that God could raise Isaac from the dead. He believed it because God said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” At that point in his life, Isaac had not become a dad – he had no offspring. So how could God’s promises be fulfilled if Abraham had sacrificed Isaac…. Abraham had faith that God would come through and fulfill His promises. And God did come through….

Number 1: Abraham did something through faith…. Remember our faith definition…. “a confidence in God and in His promises.” Abraham had confidence in God and in His promises because he did something through faith.

Has God ever come through for you? Have you ever felt like God had promised you something and actually did it? What are some things we can say God promised you and came through…?

Number 2: Abraham was being tested…by whom do you ask? … Abraham was being tested by God. So what do we mean by tested? The Greek word for “tested” in Hebrews chapter 11 verse 17 means to make proof of something – attempt to see what it is ….. God wanted proof of Abraham’s faith…God wanted to make sure Abraham’s faith was genuine.

Let’s try this one: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Because God loves you…Jesus died for you…and if you believe in Jesus… you belong to Jesus forever…. you will never see hell. So… does God love you? Did Jesus die for you because He loves you? Because He loves you and died for You…and if you believe in Him, do you belong to Him? Did God come through for you here?

Let’s try another one: “9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Did Jesus die for you and did God raise Him from the dead? Did you say He is your Lord – do you believe Jesus is resurrected? Do you believe He saved you from eternal death? Did He come through for you yet again?

Number 3: Abraham was offering up Isaac…… what do we mean by that? …. we mean that Abraham was offering up Isaac as a sacrifice to God. Abraham was going to kill his own son for God on an alter to God made of wood and rock. He was going to offer him up as a burnt offering…. He was going to end Isaac’s life and set fire to the remains. The very son God had promised to two people well past….. I mean way, way, way past their child bearing years….. even today with all our medical know-how and technology, the vast majority of people don’t even live that long - and God allowed Sarah and Abraham in their 90’s and 100’s respectively to have and give birth to a baby boy. The same boy that God promised and said “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” Every single person of faith – faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – faith and belief in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus - are the offspring named through Isaac. That is you and me…..

Let’s try one more: “13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. 15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” Did you ask in the name of Jesus to be saved? Is God the Father glorified by those that come to know Him through Jesus? When you asked to be saved – when you confessed Jesus is Lord and believed in your heart that Jesus is Risen – did God the Holy Spirit come to live in you? Did He come through again?

Number 4: Abraham believed in – had faith in God’s promises. Abraham obeyed even though he didn’t understand why God commanded the sacrifice of Isaac. Abraham believed that God could raise Isaac from the dead. He believed it because God said “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” At that point in his life, Isaac had not become a dad – he had no offspring. So how could God’s promises be fulfilled if Abraham had sacrificed Isaac….. Abraham had faith that God would come through and fulfill His promises. And God did come through….

I have illustrated these three verses and passages of Scripture to demonstrate that even though you may not feel like God has come through for you… He has. He loves you – He is Holy and Just and Right and Perfect…. He cannot lie…. and since He cannot lie …. His promises are always true, and perfect and good – He always comes through even when you don’t come through for Him or for others. God always does what He says He’s going to do. He loves you and died for you, so you can be with Him forever…. It’s a promise… it’s true…. it’s fact… He keeps His promises.

Has God ever come through for you? Have you ever felt like God had promised you something and actually did it? What are some things we can say God promised you and came through on….

So…. How do we know God came through for Abraham? …. Let’s find out…. please turn to the front of your Bible to the very first book of the Bible… and go to Genesis Chapter 22 and let’s read verses 1-19.

Let’s try this one: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Because God loves you…Jesus died for you…and if you believe in Jesus… you belong to Jesus forever…. you will never see hell. So… does God love you? Did Jesus die for you because He loves you? Because He loves you and died for You…and if you believe in Him, do you belong to Him? Did God come through for you here?

Let’s try another one: “9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Did Jesus die for you and did God raise Him from the dead? Did you say He is your Lord – do you believe Jesus is resurrected? Do you believe He saved you from eternal death? Did He come through for you yet again?

Let’s try one more: “13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. 15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” Did you ask in the name of Jesus to be saved? Is God the Father glorified by those that come to know Him through Jesus? When you asked to be saved – when you confessed Jesus is Lord and believed in your heart that Jesus is Risen – did God the Holy Spirit come to live in you? Did He come through again?

22 After these things God tested Abraham (see there is that word “tested” again – this time it is in the Hebrew meaning the same thing as the Greek word – it means to proof, to attempt at.) and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. (We see in these last 2 verses Abraham’s immediate obedience to God’s commands. Starting again in verse 4) “4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” (please note a display and acknowledgement of Abraham’s faith – Abraham believed he and Isaac would return together to the 2 boys - Abraham obeyed and had faith in God’s promises even when he didn’t understand. Let’s continue in verse 6.) 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. (again.... look at and acknowledge Abraham’s faith here – Abraham believed God would keep his promises concerning Isaac and provide a substitute for the sacrifice - Abraham obeyed and had faith in God’s promises - again - even when he didn’t understand. Now back to verse 9.)

I have illustrated these three verses and passages of Scripture to demonstrate that even though you may not feel like God has come through for you… He has. He loves you – He is Holy and Just and Right and Perfect…. He cannot lie ….. and since He cannot lie …. His promises are always true, and perfect and good – He always comes through even when you don’t come through for Him or for others. God always does what He says He’s going to do. He loves you and died for you, so you can be with Him forever…. It’s a promise…it’s true….it’s fact… He keeps His promises.

9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. (Note here Isaac’s obedience to his dad – he did as his dad wanted – he complied. I also want you to see that Abraham was still obedient to God and was going to do exactly as God commanded – he had not wavered one bit – Abraham was following through with God’s orders even though he believed in God’s promises concerning Isaac. Let’s pick it up in verse 11.) 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (a little tidbit for you….. it is here at Mount Moriah where God gets the name Jehovah-Jireh – which means “The Lord Will Provide” – and is also the place in Jerusalem where the Temple was located. Continuing on in verse 15.)

So…. How do we know God came through for Abraham? …. Let’s find out…. please turn to the front of your Bible to the very first book of the Bible… and go to Genesis Chapter 22 and let’s read verses 1-19.

15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

Is that just awesome…. What an example of faith! Abraham obeyed even when he did not completely understand what God was doing. He obeyed and never wavered. He obeyed believing and having faith in God and His promises. He knew God was going to provide a substitute for Isaac. He believed that he and Isaac would return to the 2 servants that accompanied him to Mount Moriah and would return to Sarah and their people.

22 After these things God tested Abraham (see there is that word “tested” again – this time it is in the Hebrew meaning the same thing as the Greek word – it means to proof, to attempt at.) and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. (We see in these last 2 verses Abraham’s immediate obedience to God’s commands. Starting again in verse 4) “4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” (please note a display and acknowledgement of Abraham’s faith – Abraham believed he and Isaac would return together to the 2 boys -Abraham obeyed and had faith in God’s promises even when he didn’t understand. Let’s continue in verse 6.) 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. (again..... look at and acknowledge Abraham’s faith here – Abraham believed God would keep his promises concerning Isaac and provide a substitute for the sacrifice - Abraham obeyed and had faith in God’s promises - again - even when he didn’t understand. Now back to verse 9.)

And what God does through Abraham and Isaac is to give us a precursor of things to come – Abraham as the father; the obedient Isaac as the promised, loved one and only son; the lamb as the substitute sacrifice to die in the place of another; in the mountainous area around what would become Jerusalem; and God’s allowance of the events, the blessings, the rewarding of obedience and faith. What you see are the events at the Cross – The One and Only Son of the Father - Jesus Christ sacrificing Himself like a lamb on the Cross for the forgiveness of the sins for all of mankind – and whoever believes in Jesus is blessed…saved from the penalty of their sins in eternal hell – blessed in that they belong to Jesus in heaven for ever and ever!

9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. (Note here Isaac’s obedience to his dad – he did as his dad wanted – he complied. I also want you to see that Abraham was still obedient to God and was going to do exactly as God commanded – he had not wavered one bit – Abraham was following through with God’s orders even though he believed in God’s promises concerning Isaac. Let’s pick it up in verse 11.) 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (a little tidbit for you….. it is here at Mount Moriah where God gets the name Jehovah-Jireh – which means “The Lord Will Provide” – and is also the place in Jerusalem where the Temple was located. Continuing on in verse 15.)

Sometimes we don’t understand where God is taking us. We don’t understand why we have to move from one state to another when you wanted to stay where you were…. We don’t understand why He pulls us out of a church and a group of people we love and places us with a new set of people to love and a new church. Or why we have to change jobs from one restaurant to another restaurant… but we obey and later we learn that we had to move to a new place to get away from a toxic situation and become one with your husband or wife as it should be, and where your family will be healed…. Or be placed with a church that will disciple you – where you’ll be sent out to do ministry elsewhere…. or learn the job change was needed because someone that works there needs Jesus and He picked you to share Jesus, leading that person to a faith that saves.

15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

Sometimes we don’t understand why God allows things to happen…. we don’t understand why our child gets cancer, or why our husband has a heart attack, or why a wife loses a baby, or why a parent dies way too early in life…. When things happen, our faith might waiver – it waivers because we want things our way – because we might even arrogantly think our ways make more sense than God’s…. But later, even years and years later, we learn our child got cancer so God could heal them at the amazement of others proving He is God and is glorified through it and people come to know Jesus as a result. Or the heart surgeon sees the faith of the heart attack victim and is inspired to learn more about Jesus and is saved. Or the preacher at the funeral shares the Gospel message…the Good News of Jesus Christ … and people are saved before they themselves die – not tasting the fire of hell and torment for all of eternity but being with Jesus forever.

Is that just awesome…. What an example of faith! Abraham obeyed even when he did not completely understand what God was doing. He obeyed and never wavered. He obeyed believing and having faith in God and His promises. He knew God was going to provide a substitute for Isaac. He believed that he and Isaac would return to the 2 servants that accompanied him to Mount Moriah and would return to Sarah and their people.

Look…. we cannot presume to know everything for why God does what He does… or why He wants us to move, or stay, or leave, or visit. He has His reasons. We are supposed to obey – we are supposed to do what He says… we are to obey in sharing Jesus with everyone, to invite others into our fellowship, to make disciples, to teach others to obey God, to love God, to love everyone, to love each other - we are to obey even when we do not completely understand it. Abraham obeyed, and God provided – Abraham had confidence in God and in His promises. That is faith. Abraham’s faith was evident, his faith was seen, his faith was made known. Abraham’s faith was mark by obedience - And our faith is to be marked by obedience … obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Let’s pray …..

And what God does through Abraham and Isaac is to give us a precursor of things to come – Abraham as the father; the obedient Isaac as the promised, loved one and only son; the lamb as the substitute sacrifice to die in the place of another; in the mountainous area around what would become Jerusalem; and God’s allowance of the events, the blessings, the rewarding of obedience and faith. What you see are the events at the Cross – The One and Only Son of the Father - Jesus Christ sacrificing Himself like a lamb on the Cross for the forgiveness of the sins for all of mankind – and whoever believes in Jesus is blessed…saved from the penalty of their sins in eternal hell – blessed in that they belong to Jesus in heaven for ever and ever!

Sometimes we don’t understand where God is taking us. We don’t understand why we have to move from one state to another when you wanted to stay where you were….. We don’t understand why He pulls us out of a church and a group of people we love and places us with a new set of people to love and a new church. Or why we have to change jobs from one restaurant to another restaurant… but we obey and later we learn that we had to move to a new place to get away from a toxic situation and become one with your husband or wife as it should be, and where your family will be healed…. Or be placed with a church that will disciple you – where you’ll be sent out to do ministry elsewhere…. or learn the job change was needed because someone that works there needs Jesus and He picked you to share Jesus, leading that person to a faith that saves.

Sometimes we don’t understand why God allows things to happen…. we don’t understand why our child gets cancer, or why our husband has a heart attack, or why a wife loses a baby, or why a parent dies way too early in life…. When things happen our faith might waiver – it waivers because we want things our way – because we might even arrogantly think our ways make more sense than God’s….. But later, even years and years later, we learn our child got cancer so God could heal them at the amazement of others proving He is God and is glorified through it and people come to know Jesus as a result. Or the heart surgeon sees the faith of the heart attack victim and is inspired to learn more about Jesus and is saved. Or the preacher at the funeral shares the Gospel message…the Good News of Jesus Christ … and people are saved before they themselves die – not tasting the fire of hell and torment for all of eternity, but being with Jesus forever.

Look…..we cannot presume to know everything for why God does what He does… or why He wants us to move, or stay, or leave, or visit. He has His reasons. We are supposed to obey - we are to do what He says… we are to obey in sharing Jesus with everyone, to invite others into our fellowship, to make disciples, to teach others to obey God, to love God, to love everyone, to love each other - we are to obey even when we do not completely understand it. Abraham obeyed and God provided – Abraham had confidence in God and in His promises. That is faith. Abraham’s faith was evident, his faith was seen, his faith was made known. Abraham’s faith was mark by obedience - And our faith is to be marked by obedience … obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen!

Let’s pray........