Follow Up with Clay - 06.27.24

Mission: We live in a world that wants to beat men up….

We want to build men up… to bless women and children.

Rule to live by: Remember that before she was your wife / fiancée / girlfriend….

She was / is His daughter…. Joint heir in the Kingdom of God.

1st Corinthians 16:13-14, Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

Test: To prove by trial….

Do you love your wife / kid / church / country? How might you prove it?

(Maybe by dying…. More likely by living…. )

God gives us tests / opportunities to prove our faith / love / obedience….

Finish this statement…. No pain no gain.

The discomfort of tests leads to spiritual growth / maturity.

Not every struggle is a test from God….

You will probably not know the difference at the time….

That’s ok…. Trust God either way.

1. The test of where…

Genesis 12:1-3, Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Promises: Great nation / great name / blessing to everyone….

But this promise is not for here…. (Chaldeans / Babylon / Iraq)

God tested Abraham by telling him to go without knowing where….

Did Abraham pass or fail?

2. The test of when…

Genesis 15:4-6, And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And He brought him outside and said, “Look toward Heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness.

Abraham wondered if the promise would be through a relative….

Sarah became impatient / feeling sorry for herself…. Offered her servant / maid to bear a child….

God tested Abraham by not telling him when the child would come….  

Did Abraham pass or fail?

3.  The test of why…  (Pull out your phone / look at that pic)

Genesis 22:1-2, After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Takeyour son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Abraham got up early in the morning / saddled up donkey / cut wood….

Get the symbolism (All pointing to Jesus)….

Laid the wood on his son’s back / carried it up the mountain….

(As the cross was placed on Jesus’ back / carried up the hill of Golgotha…. )

Isaac asked…. Here’s the wood / fire…. What about the lamb?

Abraham answered…. The Lord will provide…. (Jesus…. Lamb of God)

Abraham prepared the place for the sacrifice…. Including his son….

Took out his knife to offer his son….

Angel called out….

Genesis 22:12, Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.

Abraham looked up…. Saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns…. God had provided….

John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

This harsh test (Looking at pic of loved one)…. Idea of how the Father felt….

Did Abraham pass or fail?

Abrahams faith was bruised but not broken….

How’s your faith today?

(Beaten / bruised / hanging on by a thread…. )

I can’t imagine how beat up Abraham felt…. Defeated / discouraged….

But his obedience when it was the hardest….  Went on to build his faith to its strongest….

You are gonna struggle / question / stumble…. But what you do next matters.

Maybe you’re going through a test…. Maybe you’ll never know….

Lesson: The test is for you not for God…  

God knows and He wants you to know.

Hebrews 11:17-19, By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

You are stronger than you think.

You are capable of more than you can imagine.

Your strength lies not in yourself…. But your faith in God.

He is able!  (Heal marriage / break addiction / restore faith…. )

Ephesians 3:20-21, Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Questions:

Why might God choose to have you prove your faith to yourself?

What’s it gonna take for you to trust God throughout the test?

How can we pray for you?

Who do you know that needs this group?