Love Believes
February 24, 2019 Series
Love on Fire
Genesis 22:1-3
“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 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.” 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” -
Genesis 22: 11-14
“ But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “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.” 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. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
Many times when God asks you to give something up it’s because we’ve allowed that to take preeminence in our heart.
How to walk in fearless trust:
Have your ears attentive to the Father
Abraham had his ears attentive to the Father’s voice. If he had been distracted he could of missed a chance to fully surrender or he could have also missed God’s grace in not having Isaac killed.
Allow yourself to be a burnt offering
- When the aroma of our offering goes up it is a pleasing aroma to the Father. Every breath in was a “Thank you” from his child.
Romans 12:11 Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord.”
Be obedient
Genesis 22:3 “Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey.”
Remember God is worthy of your trust
Genesis 22: 6-8
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.” -
- Abraham trusted that if he sacrificed Isaac he’d still provide a way for the promise to be fulfilled
Allow room for God to speak His promises to you
- When we allow ourselves to lay down on the alter and become burnt offerings we make room for God to speak his promises.
Things to get rid of so you can fearlessly trust God:
1. Other idols
-1 John 5:2 “Dear children, keep yourself from idols”
- How can you look at your unfulfilled promise when the Promise Fulfilled, Jesus, is walking with you?
2. Our flesh
Romans 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” -
Luke 9:23 “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” -
- Once your flesh is out of the way obedience is the only answer.
3. Fear
- Abraham went from fear to faith
Genesis 12:12-13 “As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”
Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect Love casts out fear.”
- There can be no fear when you are completely consumed with Love Himself.
