Have you ever felt the tension between what God has promised and what you currently experience in life? Do you struggle to obey God after receiving a blessing, or wonder how to trust Him when life is painful or hard? In this message, Pastor Kyle unpacks Genesis 21:1-8 and 22:1-14, exploring the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and the radical test of his faith. Discover the lessons on true faith that continues to trust, obey, and celebrate, even when faced with the most challenging sacrifices.
In this sermon, you'll learn:
- How God's delays are not denials, and that He fulfills His promises at the time He has spoken.
- Why true faith requires continued obedience and celebration, even after receiving what you want.
- That God tests us so that we may know what is inside us, helping us grow and develop.
- The difference between God's testing (which aims for us to pass) and the devil's temptation (which aims for us to fail).
- The importance of immediate obedience, responding to God's call with "Here I am".
- The necessity of sacrificing what we love and trusting God with our future, as He ultimately provides the sacrifice.
- How the story of Isaac's near-sacrifice foreshadows Jesus Christ's ultimate substitutionary sacrifice.
Key Topics Covered:
- The 25-year wait between God's promise to Abraham and the birth of Isaac.
- Living in the tension between what is seen in God's Word and what is experienced in the world.
- The connection between Abraham's sacrifice of his past, present, and future, and the sacrifices God asks of us.
- God's motivation methods: the love of God, the rewards of God, and the fear of God.
- The significance of the phrase "The Lord will provide" (Jehovah Jireh).
- The parallels between Isaac (the son of promise) and Jesus (the ultimate Son of promise).
If you're seeking to understand the faithfulness of God in your seasons of waiting, or if you need encouragement to embrace sacrifice and obedience, this message will inspire and challenge you.