Big God - Faith Well-Tried
Hebrews 11:17-19, Genesis 22:1-5 (Pentecost Sunday)
What’s this?
It’s a section of this Stack that reflects the content of a weekly small group Bible study that I lead. These posts primarily consist of a sermon outline used as notes during the meeting. A longer description can be found on the About page. If you subscribe to this Substack but don’t wish to receive notifications for this section, select Manage Subscription from the upper-right menu and turn the notification off there.
Audience
These outlines are prepared for and presented to an on-campus small group audience, adding explanations and additional questions during the meeting itself. Members of the group vary in their understanding, but are familiar with the Bible, can find references fairly quickly, and tend to believe what they read there. The beliefs we hold vary individually.
I have no particular expectations with regard to an online audience. Curiosity is enough, and perhaps patience if you understand things differently. The same goes for visitors to the church itself.
Questions and comments are encouraged.
Small Group Setting
Meetings are informal and conversational, although there is structure. We begin by taking time to arrive and connect, open in prayer, and then review a portion the message from the previous Sunday. There isn’t time to go through everything, but we go where we are drawn, following the outline or not.
There is considerably more to each message than what appears in the outline, and I suggest viewing it if you have the time and interest. Sermon videos typically run about 30-35 minutes. Take a few notes. Comment below.
Toward the end of our time we look at the “fill-in” sermon points, published with blanks in the bulletin but presented in full within the message and here. We also may glance at the questions for reflection (also from the bulletin) if there is time, and we close with extended prayer.
Note About This Series
This “Big God” sermon series is based on the book Big God — What Happens When We Trust Him, by Britt Merrick.
Pre-Sermon Anthem
Sermon Video
Optional but recommended.
Sermon YouTube Livestream Link
Full Service YouTube Livestream Link
Sermon Outline
(“Slide: …” indicates that the text following is projected on the sanctuary screens and displayed at the bottom of the livestream.)
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 11:17-19 - 17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
Genesis 22:1-5 - Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Introduction
(‘Competition’ story)
Testing and trials happen in all different areas of life, different ways, rarely fun (final exams). Challenging, difficult, but exist to bring out the best in us.
In our faith, we will experience testing and trials to strengthen our faith and draw us closer to God.
Are talking about, in our series, what it means to have big faith in a big God.
Slide: Abel was faith worshiping
Enoch was faith walking
Noah was faith working
Abraham was faith willing
Sarah was faith waiting
Abraham is faith well-tried.
Already seen faith tested and tried in Abraham’s life so far.
Waited 25 years for the promised child.
Now, greatest test of his life, whether he was willing to offer son Isaac as a sacrifice to God.
Slide: Hebrews 11:17-18 - 17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”
Nuance in the text. One and only son? Abraham had another son, Ishmael. But Isaac was the one and only son through which the promise was meant to flow.
Would be sacrificing the blessing from God.
Slide: Genesis 22:1-2 - Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Many are already familiar with this text. Need to ask “why ask this?” “Why would Abraham be willing to do it?”
Abraham: Child sacrifice not uncommon in Canaan. Not foreign idea to Abraham. Abraham knew it was not from the will of God, but did not have the Law (of Moses). Might have wondered if he misinterpreted God.
We know God detests this practice. (Deut. 12:31)
God wasn’t asking Abraham to do this, but wanted Abraham to answer the question, “is anything too difficult for the Lord”? For Abraham’s faith to grow.
Testing may seem like it is about finance, job, relationships, but really is about “do you trust God”. That was what God was asking Abraham. Would not allow him to follow through. Was never about the sacrifice. Was about trusting God.
That said, Abraham took a 3-day journey with his son, going to the place of sacrifice, knowing he was to do this.
Clues in the text: Abraham believed they were coming back, but was still a painful process. Was God being cruel?
What God stops Abraham from doing, he will willingly do for us. God will sacrifice His son for Abraham, Isaac, you and I. Will watch the process. (More details). Because he loves you. The only way for us to receive faith, step into relationship with Jesus and the Father for eternity.
The text reminds us, God will not have Abraham sacrifice Isaac; instead God will sacrifice for us. Shouldn’t feel right, sit well with us, that someone has to sacrifice for someone else. But this creates the beauty and joy, the love that we get to experience through the grace and the mercy of God. Draw our hearts to him — first part.
Second part, in Abraham it creates, refines faith, helps it to grow. Greatest gift we can receive is faith in Christ. Whatever it takes to see our faith refined and grown, established, become what God desires it to be.
That faith is worth more than all the riches of this world. If we have to go through times of testing, trial, to increase our faith, draw us closer to a relationship with Jesus, it is worth it.
Abraham received something incredibly valuable. Faith in God. Could not have received it apart from this testing. God had no intention of allowing him to make the sacrifice, but wanted Abraham’s faith to increase.
Is God still doing that. Why use testing in our lives?
Slide: James 1:2-4 - 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Testing and trials are part of the Christian life. Going to be difficult.
James wrote to Christians scattered because of persecution. (Details)
“Pure joy” is not our natural response. Instead, ‘unfair’, anger.
Testing of faith produces perseverance, people mature and complete, not lacking anything.
We must go through testing, trials. Faith increases in times of testing, trial.
When we run to God in those moments, it produces what is for our good, blessing.
If we run away, we never get to experience the joy that comes from overcoming these things.
Slide: James 1:12 - 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Reward for persevering: sanctified. Receive a greater faith in Jesus Christ.
Slide: James 1:13-14 - 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Make a distinction between testing and temptation.
God does not tempt us. Tempting is for our failure; testing is for our good. God puts testing and trials in our paths, meant to encourage, strengthen, become more like Christ. Tempting is to make us fall.
If you see something tempting you — it is not a gift from God but something we need the Spirit’s work in our life to overcome. Temptation is not there for our benefit.
We have testing in our lives. Sometimes something good taken away. Rely on God. Waiting for the promise, blessing, trusting him in the process. Step out in faith. Have conversations that are difficult and challenging. God meets us in those spaces. That is testing and trials meant for our good, benefit.
Testing, trials can feel overwhelming. Looking at Abraham’s story, testing was progressive. Bad news: coming out of a trial, God might have another stronger test for you later. Good news: tests are not put in our path until we are ready.
Abraham’s first test: leave his homeland for an unknown place.
Second: waiting period, 25 years. Failed somewhat, but overcame.
Third: Sacrificing Isaac, overcame. Came at the right time, where his faith was ready for it.
We should seek to see our faith increase, and in different areas. If we are to face tests and trials, we want to overcome them. While in them, they increase our faith in many different ways. Three things that help us to do this…
Slide: Increase your faith in God’s plan.
God’s plans are different than ours, his ways different than ours, often will not make sense to us. We need to trust God.
Slide: Genesis 22:2-4 - 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
Difficult plan! Abraham got up and went, knowing what was involved. Kept eyes on God, trusting him even though it did not make sense.
Slide: Hebrews 11:18 - 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”
Abraham understands: many descendants, nations blessed, through Isaac. But before Isaac is old enough to have children, you will sacrifice him on an altar. “These two things don’t work together.” Impossible act, the way we do things.
If we think God works like us, or is contained as we are contained, then we can’t follow his plan. Often his plan is impossible.
Told Noah to build an ark when there was no rain.
Told Moses to escape the Egyptians by standing in front of the sea.
Told Gideon to cut size of his army down to 300.
Told David to give up sword, shield, armor and face a giant with nothing but a sling and a stone.
Sent Jesus not to conquer political powers and overthrow nations, but to come humbly as child, die on cross for our sins.
These things don’t add up based on human ways of thinking.
Slide: Increase your faith in God’s power.
Abraham believed in God’s power, saw his faith increased in it.
Slide: Genesis 22:5 - 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
Believed he was to sacrifice Isaac, but then to walk down the mountain with him alive and well and return at the appointed time. Because he believed in God’s power.
Slide: Hebrews 11:19 - 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
Abraham believed the impossible, but the impossible to God is just ordinary, common, simple. Trusted in God’s power.
Do you trust in God’s power? Does your life reflect that? Evaluate where you turn when things are difficult, go when things are challenging.
Lose job, call contacts? Check bank account? Review own abilities?
Or go to God and say “I need you, trust you to lead the way, lead me where you want me to go”. Will wait if that’s what you want, or be in a season of longing, need. Do the other things (above) if you want, or tell me where you want me to go.
Are all looking for security and acceptance. We run to things, people of this world, own abilities and talents, rather than turning to God. Will never be satisfied unless we let go of that, trust in his power for our life.
We know what we are capable of. In time of need, we turn to our own ability, contacts, bank account, other resources. To live faithfully, we must trust God’s power in our life, first, then other things.
Slide: Increase your faith in God’s goodness.
Some need to increase faith in God’s goodness.
Abraham believed in it. Can believe God has a great plan, is powerful, but if not believing in his goodness, won’t trust power and plan.
Pentecost Sunday. Jesus said he was going away, but sending Holy Spirit. Will be better for you. Disciples wouldn’t have been found waiting if they didn’t trust in God’s goodness.
Trusting in God’s goodness changes everything.
Slide: Genesis 22:9-13 - 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven,“Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God,because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
Nuance: “now I know”: God always knew. Coming down to Abraham’s level. Ultimately, “and you now know.”
Abraham thought he was going to make a sacrifice for God. Instead, God made a sacrifice for him, in the same location where 2000 years later God would send the true Lamb to offer himself as a sacrifice for all those who would believe. Where Jesus would die for the sins of the world.
God would do for Abraham and his descendants what he would never have them do for Him. He would be the one to make the sacrifice, make the payment.
Conclusion
God demonstrates his goodness in this moment by saying it was never about Abraham sacrificing his son, but about trusting God, who will provide every time. Because we have a good God.
When we trust God, we realize he will use his power for our good. Realize that his plan and purpose for our lives are for our good, because we have a good God.
If you don’t know God’s goodness, you may have a hard time stepping out in faith and doing what God has called you to do. But if we know God and have experienced his goodness, then no matter what we are facing we can look and say God has been faithful over and over, why would he stop now? He won’t.
God will not stop being faithful. Is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His goodness continues to be poured out each moment of each day.
When going through tests and trials, they might hurt, sting, be challenging but don’t run away from them. Instead, run to God, let him meet you in that place, see your faith increased, see what he has in store for you.
Some have been running away. Now is the time to stop trusting our own power and plan, and instead trust the goodness and power and plan of God. To say “God, I’m willing to do whatever you have called me to do. I’m willing to see my faith increased. I’m willing to do some things that are going to be challenging. I’m willing to do some things that are going to require faith.”
Step out in faithfulness and see how God responds.
(Prayer of Salvation1)
[Closing Prayer]
Sermon Points
Abraham is faith well-tried.
Increase your faith in God’s plan.
Increase your faith in God’s power.
Increase your faith in God’s goodness. - Hebrews 11:17
Questions for Reflection
What do you believe about the goodness of God, His plans and His power?
When is the last time you felt like God was testing you? What was the result?
How can you step out in faith to build your trust of God?
Slide: Prayer of Salvation:
“Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me, even when I’ve ignored you and gone my own way. I realize that I need You in my life and I’m sorry for my sins. I ask You to forgive me. Thank You for dying on the cross for me. As much as I know how, witty your help and the work of Your Holy Spirit in my life, I want to follow You from now on. Please come into my life and make me a new person inside. I accept your gift of salvation. Help me to grow as a Christian. Amen
I like these scripture studies. They are easy to understand and straight to the point. Thanks for sharing.