COPING WITH AN UNKNOWN FUTURE

GENESIS 22:1-14

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I have no clue what the year 2024 will bring for you. It may be considered good, or it may be considered bad from a human point of view. From a divine point of view we should say whatever happens, if I am in the will of God, God means it for good. For my good. For my good and for His glory. Now I may not know what 2024 has in store for me, much less you, I do know a little bit about the future. My future. Your future. And I know that knowing the future makes the present- even the present hardships- livable. Livable. Even enjoyable. Joy. Joy unspeakable and full of glory. I can use that. I need that, I want that, I must have that. How did Abraham cope?

 

I. THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM [Gn. 22]

 

1. Expressed to the Young Men [v. 5]

2. Expressed to Isaac [v. 6-8]

3. Expressed before God [v. 9-12]

 

II. THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH

 

1. Where Faith Comes From [Rm. 10:17, Heb. 11:17-19, Gn. 21:12]

-Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

-By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

-And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

 

2. When Faith is Tried [Heb. 11:17]

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.

 

 3. How Faith Flourishes [Heb. 11:17] “received” anadechomai; to entertain (as a guest):--receive.

 

 III. THE FINISHING OF FAITH

 

1. Seeing God Provide [Gen. 22:7-8, 13-14]

-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? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

-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. 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.

 

 2. Seeing God Work [Heb. 11:19]

Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

 

 3. Seeing God [Heb. 11:24-27, 12:1-3]

-By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

-WHEREFORE seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.