Will SyncGenesis 22:1-17

Anush JohnTest results: fail, fail, fail, pass, fail,

fail, fail, pass….

1.0 Preliminary points about tests2.0 Why does God test us?3.0 Will Sync

1.0 Preliminary points about tests

• Genesis 22:1-2

1.1 Certainty of tests

• Exodus 16:4 • Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will

rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.

• Deuteronomy 6:16 Do not put the LORD your God to the test …

• It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.

A.W. Tozer

• The life with Christ is hard, the life without Christ is not harder, it is impossible.

1.2 Builds Character

God tests us to build us up

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

1.3 Increasing Intensity

First Test - Genesis 12Go by yourself from your country … to the land I will show you

Separate from your country, your people and your father’s household.

He faithfully obeys.Promise of blessingAbraham worships

Last Test - Genesis 22Go by yourself to the land of Moriah … I will tell you about

Take your son, your only son, Isaac

He faithfully obeys.Promise of blessingAbraham worships

• Genesis 22:7-8

• Genesis 22:9-12

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.

The intention precedes and drives the action.

• Genesis 22:16-18

• Possession of the gate.

• Your seed

• Galatians 3:16 • Now the promises were spoken to Abraham

and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.

1.0 Preliminary Points about tests2.0 Why does God test us?

2.1 To see the Expression of our Faith in Him

• Genesis 21:12 • But God said to Abraham, “Do not be

distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.

• 1 Peter 1:7 • so that the proof of your faith … even though

tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Examples of promises that are constantly challenged by our circumstances.

• Do all things work together for good? • What if the Christian faith is not true? • Is God really in control of the world? • Is God really with me?

• 2.0 Why does God test us?2.1 To see the Expression of our Faith in Him2.2 To see the Enhancement of our Fear of Him.

• Hebrews 12:28-29 • Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a

kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

• What keeps us from sin?

• Exodus 20:20 • Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid;

for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.”

• 2.0 Why does God test us?2.1 To see the Expression of our Faith in Him.2.2 To see the Enhancement of our Fear of Him. 2.3 To see the Extent of our Fondness for Him.

• Deuteronomy 13:3 • you shall not listen to the words of that prophet

or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

• John 21 • Do we love God more than these?

• Do we love the gifts more than the giver? • What is the most you will give Him?

3.0 Synchronous Wills

– 3.1 Abraham and God • Does your will align with God’s will? • God detests the second place.

• Is it not, for all its sting, a wonderful way to live? To dream, and want and pray, almost savagely; then to commit and wait and see Him quietly pile all dreams aside and replace them with what we could not dream, the realized Will?

Jim Elliot

• There is no greater joy and no greater peace; nothing more rewarding and fulfilling than being in the center of God’s will.

3.0 Synchronous Wills

• 3.1 Abraham and God • 3.2 Abraham and Isaac

• The Father’s choice• Romans 8:32 • He who did not spare His own Son, but

delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

• John 3:16 • For God so loved the world, that He gave His

only begotten Son

• The Son’s choice• John 10:11, 17 • I am the good shepherd; the good

shepherd lays down His life for the sheep…For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.

Will SyncGenesis 22:1-17

March 30, 2014