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“Hall of Faith” (Mess.#7) “The Testing of Faith” (Abraham)
Text: Heb.11: 17-19; Gen.22: 1-12 Intro.: Faith is always tested! God had already tested Abraham’s faith in many smaller ways before He gave him this ultimate test - offer up his only son! God tests us to bring out the best in us! Satan tempts us to bring out the worst! The testing of our faith proves we are truly born again. Trials work for us not against us (Ro.28). Trials help us to mature (Ro.5: 3-4). God wants to develop patience and endurance. The only way God can develop these things is through trials. So Abraham was put to the test that he might be perfected in his faith. God will put you to the test as well. Let’s examine Abraham’s “test of faith” and see what we can learn to help us when our test comes!
A) The Testing of Abraham’s Faith: (v.17) 1) “...when he was tried . . . ” 2) God will always test your faith! To bring out the best! 3) Abraham had already faced smaller tests - When he was called out of Ur, when he was forced out of Canaan to Egypt by a famine, when he rescued Lot from the five kings, when Sarah was taken by Abimelech, and the birth of Isaac. 4) But now he was faced with the ultimate test of his faith! 5) The son of promise was to be put to death!! 6) This test came after he had received the promises regarding his future posterity. This seemed to contradict every promise God had made! 7) Truly the trial of our faith is much more precious than gold (1 Pet.1: 6-7), and this was a fiery trial for Abraham (1 Pet.4: 12). 8) The testing of our faith proves that our faith is genuine! 9) Abraham had true, saving faith! Do you?
B) The Tractableness of Abraham’s Faith (v.17) (Tractable - obedient, easily led, manageable) 1) “...offered up Isaac.” 2) He simply obeyed! (Gen.22: 2-3). 3) Once again Abraham displayed his compliant faith. He did not question God, nor hesitate to carry out his orders! 4) Are you willing to obey God, even when it doesn’t make sense?
C) The Tenacity of Abraham’s Faith (v.19) 1) “Accounting that God was able to raise him up . . . ” 2) Abraham tenaciously held to God’s promise that in Isaac would his seed be called. He believed that God would keep His promise and in order to do so He would have to raise Isaac from the dead! 3) Abraham tenaciously held to God’s power - He was able to raise the dead! 4) Do you have this kind of tenacious faith that believes in God’s promises and power and accounts that He is able and willing to uphold His word?
D) The Triumph of Abraham’s Faith (v.19) cf. Gen.22: 12 1) “...from whence also he received him in a figure.” 2) Since Abraham believed God and in his heart had offered him up, God raised his son from the dead in a figure. 3) This pictured the resurrection of Christ! 4) Your faith will triumph too if you’ll believe and obey like Abraham!
Conclusion: Abraham’s faith was severely tested, yet he obeyed God’s orders, held onto God’s promises and power and triumphed in the end. You can too! If you’ll obey God, trust in His promises and power, you can triumph over your trials!
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