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We continue our series on Living by Faith.
As we move down the path of those who serve as our examples of people of faith, we come to a story that must show the Trial of Faith more than any other story!
As we determine to live by faith, we want to be careful that we are not just conforming on the outside by our faith, but truly be transformed by the renewing of our mind!
Fear often holds us back!
Pastor Paul Chappell said,
“We can be so concerned with our doing that we never start being what God has designed us to be!”
God will often test our faith, with the purpose of revealing what is true faith and what is false faith in our lives.
God knows already, it is for our benefit, not His!
He knows our heart!
The best way to reveal what is inside is to heat up the environment around you.
Illustration - tea bag - reveals what is inside
It is the same way with us!
When we are put through a trial, what is on the inside soon reveals itself.
Abraham had received the promise of God by faith.
He trusted God and God came through ...miraculously!
It was easier to trust God from that point forward, but God wanted to test that faith.
What happens when your faith is placed on trial?
Will you still obey?
When hard times come, do you run to church, or away?
Be faithful!
Your faith will be tested!
God desires to mature you faith - and he does this through a trial of faith.
Let’s see this morning the characteristics of a faith tried at the hand of our Father.
I.
The Challenges of a Faith on Trial
vs. 17
When our faith is tested there are some particular challenges that we must face.
We learn this from Abraham’s example.
A. Challenged with What is Special
“His only begotten son”
Abraham had waited until he was 100 years old to get his son of promise.
They named him Isaac.
Can you imagine how much they loved this son.
The only son they had together after years and years of struggling to have children.
He was the most special possession they had.
God delights in making you happy.
He wants you to have what you desire, as long as it doesn’t conflict with what is best for you.
But even though he delights in giving you you desires, God never wants anything to take priority over Him.
So God will challenge you with what you love most.
He will challenge that which is most special to your heart.
B. Challenged to Sacrifice
“Offered up his only begotten son.”
Every test of faith requires a sacrifice.
A faith that costs us nothing accomplishes nothing!
God not only challenged what was most special to Abraham, but he challenged him to sacrifice it.
In this case it was his son, his only son.
We must be prepared.
When God comes to you with the intent of challenging your faith, it will always require a sacrifice.
Most times, a willingness to sacrifice, at least.
C. Challenged to Submit
“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac.”
God challenges you with what is most special, and requires a sacrifice, what will you do?
Will you submit and obey, or will you obey with all of your heart.
Abraham submitted to the challenge of the Lord in his life and obeyed faithfully.
The Bible says he even rose up early in the morning.
That’s a sacrifice all on its own to some people.
Abraham submitted because He knew God!
He knew who He is!
verse 18 says
Abraham knew that God cannot lie.
He said that Isaac would be the seed that would sprout a new nation.
And Abraham submitted knowing that God would have a way!
II.
The Confidence of a Faith on Trial
vs. 19
What gives us confidence when we are enduring a trial?
Abraham was a man of great faith.
We have studied his life on three separate sermons.
Hebrews 11 devotes 12 of 40 verses (1/3) to the confidence of his faith.
He is a shining example of the characteristics of the trial of faith.
A. The Strength of Principles
“Accounting”
Abraham was counting something that He knew about God.
He knew this because of the principles he had learned from his walk with God.
We need to store up the principles of God in our hearts, so that when we are faced with the trial of faith we know Who God is!
Abraham knew he could trust God!
This allowed him to Obey God!
But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
In order to have a confident faith, you need to keep it centered on God’s Word!
B. The Stability of Power
“That God was able.”
Abraham’s faith was built on the principles of God’s Word.
But his faith was made stable by the Power of God!
He knew God would keep His word!
This faith in God’s power
Kept him from doubting
woke him up early
caused him to never turn back
took him up the hill
laid out his son on the altar
Raise his hand with a knife to take his son’s life
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