Confirmation of Faith
Human Need: No one enjoys tests or exams, but we need them in order to grow. Without them, we have no incentive to study; we just drift along. God cares enough about us to test our faith. We need to have our faith tested.
You might say, “Well, I don’t like to be tested; I don’t need to be tested. I just want to be left alone.” Do you really want to be left alone?
God invited Abraham to join His kingdom’s work. That produced a crisis of faith for Abraham. God tested Abraham’s faith. If we trust God, our faith is confirmed through our obedience. God’s invitation for us to join Him also demands major adjustments in our lives.
Textual Idea: God confirmed Abraham’s faith by testing his obedience to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah.
Thesis: God confirms our faith by testing us.
Interrogative: How does God confirm our faith?
This passage demonstrates four proofs of faith.
Our Faith Is Confirmed by Active Obedience
A. Exegesis, vv. 1-4
- KJV “tempt” versus “test”
- a. God does not tempt (James 1:13); Satan tempts ( 1 Corinthians 7:5).
- b. God tests us to confirm our faith (Exodus 20:20) or to prove our commitment (Deuteronomy 8:2).
- Abraham does not argue or deliberate; he moves obediently, v. 3.
- Abraham’s agony was long and drawn out, v. 4.
B. Illustration
A young son of missionaries in Zaire was playing in the yard. Suddenly the boy’s father shouted from the porch, “Philip, obey me instantly! Drop to your stomach!” Immediately the boy did as his father commanded. “Stand up and run to me!” Philip responded unquestioningly and ran to his father’s arms.
As the boy turned to look at the tree by which he had been playing, he saw a large deadly snake hanging from one of the branches! At the first command of his father, Philip could have hesitated and asked, “Why do you want me to do that?” Or he could have casually replied, “In a minute.” But his instant obedience without questioning saved his life!
C. Application–Obedience confirms our faith in God.
D. Transition–Not only is our faith confirmed by active obedience, but also
Our Faith Is Confirmed by Faith Affirmations
A. Exegesis, vv. 5-8
- Abraham knew that God is good: “we will worship and then we will come back,” v. 5b.
- The wood is carried by the sacrifice, v. 6; though Abraham has a great burden, Isaac carries the burden.
- Abraham and Isaac climb up Mount Moriah:
- a. Mount Moriah is the site where pagans offer human sacrifices.
- b. “Moriah” as a noun means “land of vision”; as a verb, “to provide, to see.”
- c. Abraham’s faith: “God Himself will provide the lamb,” v. 8.
B. Illustration
Richard Fuller, the 19th century Baptist preacher, told of an old seaman who said, “In fierce storms, we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.” Said Fuller, “This, Christian, is what you must do. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord; and, come what may–winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers–no matter what, you must hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus.”
Do you feel overwhelmed by your troubles? Fix your mind on the Lord.
C. Application
- God is a good God. He acts, commands, and devises all things for our good/improvement.
- God provides for our good.
D. Transition–God confirms our faith through our active obedience and faith affirmations, and
Our Faith Is Confirmed by Sacrificing Our Will
A. Exegesis, vv. 9-14
- Abraham sacrificed his own personal will through sacrificial preparations:
- a. he built an altar;
- b. he laid wood on the altar;
- c. he tied the sacrifice and place the living sacrifice on the altar.
- Abraham passed the test: “Now I know that you fear God.”
- On the mountain of provision, God provides the lamb; this is a preview of the Lamb of God, Who is substituted for us to atone for our willful sins.
B. Illustration
In his book, The Pleasure of His Company, Roger Palms tells about two men who work for the same non-profit organization. “One lives as the friend of God,” he wrote, “the other does not.” According to Palms, this is evident by the way they use their expense accounts. One always orders steak; the other does not. One says to himself, “Others are looking out for themselves; why should I be so virtuous?” The other says to himself, “When you see poor people who willingly give a dollar to help someone else, that stays with you. You can’t spend that money extravagantly on yourself.”
We all face this battle between selfishness and Christ-honoring sacrificial obedience.
C. Application
- God provides for our faith and salvation in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
- We cannot trust our own sacrifices or ingenuities.
- God always provides what He demands.
D. Transition–Faith is confirmed by our active obedience, our faith affirmations, sacrificing our wills, and
Our Faith Is Confirmed by Spiritual Blessings
A. Exegesis, vv. 15-19
- God confirms Abraham’s faith through spiritual blessings:
- a. personal blessings;
- b. familial descendants;
- c. inheritance of the promised land; and
- d. others will be blessed by Abraham.
B. Application–God confirms our faith through spiritual blessings:
- personal blessings
- spiritual blessings (people we’ve led to the Lord)
- eternal inheritance in heaven, the promised land, and
- other people will be blessed by our service to God.
Thesis: God confirms our faith by testing us.
Abraham’s faith in God was confirmed by the test given him by God. How would you grade your faith?
Do you obey God’s commands actively?
Even when you’re not sure what God is doing, do you pray and believe as your obey?
Do you sacrifice your wants, wishes, to obey God?
Is God blessing you spiritually?
If so, rejoice, for your faith will persevere.
If not, repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.