1. [By Ron Halbrook]

2. Introduction: 1. Faith tested by Satan to destroy, by God to strengthen 2. God’s command, challenge, or promise may mark major turning point in our life 2

3. 3. Abraham’s faith tested: Gen. 12:1-4 God sent, “Abram departed” Gen. 15:1-6 God rejected Eliezar, promised Abram a son: “And he believed in the Lord” Gen. 16; 17:15-22; 18:1-15; Rom. 4:20 God rejected Ishmael, promised Isaac: Abraham “was strong in faith” 3

4. Introduction: 4. Gen. 22:1-19 Greatest test of Abraham’s faith: command to offer Isaac 4

5. 4. Gen. 22:1-19 Greatest test of Abraham’s faith 1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 5

6. 4. Gen. 22:1-19 Greatest test of Abraham’s faith 3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 6

7. 4. Gen. 22:1-19 Greatest test of Abraham’s faith 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 7

8. 4. Gen. 22:1-19 Greatest test of Abraham’s faith 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 8

9. 4. Gen. 22:1-19 Greatest test of Abraham’s faith 9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 9

10. 4. Gen. 22:1-19 Greatest test of Abraham’s faith 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 10

11. 4. Gen. 22:1-19 Greatest test of Abraham’s faith 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. 11 The Lord Will Provide

12. 15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba. 15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba. 12

13. Introduction: 5. Gen. 15:6; 22:12, 18; Ja. 2:21-23 God saw Abraham’s true faith 13

14. 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 14 5. Gen. 15:6; 22:12, 18; Ja. 2:21-23 Abraham’s faith 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

15. 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 15 5. Gen. 15:6; 22:12, 18; Ja. 2:21-23 Abraham’s faith

16. Introduction: 6. “Now I know that thou fearest God” today: Obey the gospel of Christ Yield our talents to him Set proper priorities 16

17. I. Obey the Gospel of Christ A. Our Sins: Unbelief, Selfish, Insult & Reject God Isa. 59:1-2 Sin separates us from God 17

18. 1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 18 Isa. 59:1-2 Sin separates us from God

19. I. Obey the Gospel of Christ B. God’s Son: Perfect Sacrifice for Our Sins Jn. 3:16 God’s gift to save sinners 19 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

20. I. Obey the Gospel of Christ B. God’s Son: Perfect Sacrifice for Our Sins Jn. 3:16 God’s gift to save sinners  His only Son  His Son willing to die  Region of Mount Moriah (2 Chron. 3:1) 20

21. I. Obey the Gospel of Christ C. God’s Command: Submit to His Son Jn. 3:3-5 Turning point: new birth! 21

22. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 22 Jn. 3:3-5 Turning point: new birth!

23. I. Obey the Gospel of Christ C. God’s Command: Submit to His Son Acts 2:36-42 Momentous change: follow Christ not human traditions & selfish desires! 23

24. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 24 Acts 2:36-42 Momentous change: follow Christ not human traditions & selfish desires!

25. 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 25 Acts 2:36-42 Momentous change: follow Christ not human traditions & selfish desires!

26. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 26 Acts 2:36-42 Momentous change: follow Christ not human traditions & selfish desires!

27. I. Obey the Gospel of Christ D. Crossroads Decision: Obey or Reject Christ? Gen. 22:12 Now God knows 27 For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy soul, thine only soul from me.

28. II. Yield Our Talents to God A. How Use Our God-given Talents? Common men do uncommon things for God Talented men waste talents in sin 28

29. II. Yield Our Talents to God B. Jesus Started with Four Fishermen Matt. 4:18-22 Yielded to the Master Teacher 29

30. 30 Matt. 4:18-22 Yielded to the Master Teacher 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

31. II. Yield Our Talents to God C. Saul Yielded His Great Talents Acts 22:3 Student of Rabbi Gamaliel, moved in top Jewish circles Acts 9:20-22 Convinced of the truth, obeyed & proclaimed it 31

32. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 32 Acts 9:20-22 Convinced of the truth, obeyed & proclaimed it

33. II. Yield Our Talents to God D. Young Timothy Learned from Paul 2 Tim. 3:15 1 st learned from mother & grandmother Acts 16:1-3 Brethren saw his talents, wanted Paul to train him 33

34. II. Yield Our Talents to God D. Young Timothy Learned from Paul 1 Tim. 4:12-16 Do not neglect talents, gifts, & opportunities 34

35. 35 1 Tim. 4:12-16 Do not neglect talents, gifts, & opportunities 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

36. II. Yield Our Talents to God E. Crossroads Decision: How Use Talents? Parents, grandparents teach the young Young & old: be examples Men & women teach Bible classes Prepare, serve as elders & deacons (wife) Gospel preachers needed 36

37. II. Yield Our Talents to God E. Crossroads Decision: How Use Talents? Men to lead songs, prayers, Lord’s table Invite friends to study Bible Visit widows & orphans (Ja. 1:27) Attend to sick, shut-in, bereaved Greet, encourage visitors, weak, sad 37

38. II. Yield Our Talents to God E. Crossroads Decision: How Use Talents? Gen. 22:12 Now God knows 38 For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy talents, thine God-given talents from me.

39. III. Set Proper Priorities A. Abraham’s Priorities Gen. 12:1-4 God sent, “Abram departed” Gen. 18:19 Abraham’s character: “he will command his children… they shall keep the way of the Lord” Sense of priorities prepared him for Gen. 22 39

40. III. Set Proper Priorities B. Lot’s Priorities Gen. 13:10-18 Not join in Sodom’s gross sins, but attracted there by love of prosperity 40 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

41. III. Set Proper Priorities B. Lot’s Priorities Gen. 19 Love of prosperity exposed family to corrupt influences:  Daughters married unbelievers  Wife’s heart in Sodom  Daughters commit incest 41

42. III. Set Proper Priorities C. Set God Above Prosperity Matt. 6:33 Spiritual needs before earthly 42 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

43. III. Set Proper Priorities C. Set God Above Prosperity Matt. 6:33 Spiritual needs before earthly  Selecting job & place to live  Decisions affect time to spend with family  Impact on attendance at worship  Community, workplace, school like Sodom? 43

44. III. Set Proper Priorities D. Set God Above Pleasures of Earth Rom. 12:1-2 Spiritual not carnal focus 44

45. 45 Rom. 12:1-2 Spiritual not carnal focus 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

46. III. Set Proper Priorities D. Set God Above Pleasures of Earth Rom. 12:1-2 Spiritual not carnal focus  Not conform to drink, gamble, curse, dance, lie, steal, dress immodestly, etc. 46

47. III. Set Proper Priorities E. Set God Above Family Members Matt. 10:36-37 Love for Christ stronger than love for family members 47 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

48. III. Set Proper Priorities E. Set God Above Family Members Matt. 10:36-37 Love for Christ stronger than love for family members  Marry a Christian to reinforce proper priorities & avoid many problems  If married to non-Christian, do not compromise to appease 48

49. III. Set Proper Priorities E. Set God Above Family Members Matt. 10:36-37 Love for Christ stronger than love for family members  Be spiritual leader not follower  Do not tolerate worldliness in children: drink, dance, curse, smoke, drugs, body piercing, tattoo, fornication, etc. 49

50. III. Set Proper Priorities E. Set God Above Family Members Matt. 10:36-37 Love for Christ stronger than love for family members  Not let sports control child: no time for Bible study, miss worship, immodest dress, cheerleader, temper, tongue, etc. 50

51. III. Set Proper Priorities F. Crossroads Decision: What Priorities? Gen. 22:12 Now God knows 51 For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy priorities, thine proper priorities from me.

52. Invitation: 1. Faith tested by Satan to destroy, by God to strengthen 2. God’s command, challenge, or promise may mark major turning point in our life 52

53. 3. Gen. 22:1-19 Greatest test of Abraham’s faith: command to offer Isaac 53 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

54. Invitation: 4. “Now I know that thou fearest God” today: Obey the gospel of Christ Yield our talents to him Set proper priorities 54