2 Cor 7:2-16

Sermon Title:  “Faithful Mourning:  How to Walk by Faith When You Lose a Loved One”

Text:  Gen. 23:1-20

I. The Reality of the Mourner.  V. 1

A. The Matriarch He Mourned.

B. The Manner in which He Mourned.

II.  The Responsibility of the Mourner.  V.  3-4

A. To Continue to Sojourn by Faith.   V. 3-18

Heb. 11:10

Acts 2:46

Phil. 2:15

I Peter 2:11

III. The Reward of the Mourner.   

How do we walk by faith when we lose a loved one? 

God is faithful in our darkest times.

God’s promises take time

God is working all things together for good.

Discussion Questions:

1.  How does this text help us understand our need for the whole counsel of God’s word? 

2.  Have you experienced the loss of a loved one?  How can you identify with Abraham’s experience?  Where did you find it hard to walk by faith?  Where did you find your faith helpful?

3.  What promises did God give Abraham that would help him to continue by faith?  What promises have been given to you to help you walk by faith even in the loss of a loved one?

4.  Look at the 3 points mentioned under “The Reward of the Mourner”  Which of these encourages your faith the most?  Discuss.

5.  All of the promises of God are yes and amen in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20).  Take time to acknowledge that apart from Christ we would not receive the promises.  How did Christ secure these promises for Abraham and how does He secure God’s promises to us?  Worship Christ!

2 COr 6:3-7:1

Various Scriptures

Heb 5:14-6:2

2 Cor 5:9-11

Sermon Title:  “The LORD Will Provide”

Text:  Gen. 22:1-19

The Continued Testing of Faith. 

The Confusion in Testing Faith.  V. 2  Then He said, “Take now 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.”

The Confidence of Tested Faith. V. 3

  

The Triumph of Faith Provided. V. 14 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

The Triumph of Faith Pictured.  14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Questions for Discussion:

1.  Can you identify with the continued testing of faith, the confusion of the testing of faith, and the confidence of tested faith?  Perhaps, Discuss a time in your life when your faith has been tested?  How did the LORD provide or how has the LORD promised to provide? 

2.  Are you currently experiencing a test of faith?  How have we observed Abraham’s growth in faith and what lessons could you learn from him from this text? 

3.  Jesus said “Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad”.  What did He mean by that?  How did Abraham see Christ’s day and how can that encourage us today?

4.  What does the word “Jehovah-Jireh” mean?  What does that teach you about God and the Gospel today?

5.  Take time to be thankful for God’s provision in Christ.  Confess your lack of faith or areas of sin to one another and then pray for one another and trust your God will provide. 

2 Cor 5:1-13

Promises Made, Promises Kept

2 Cor 4:7-18