"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." -Hebrews 11:17-19
1. The testing of our faith produces spiritual growth
The promise of God required that Isaac should live while the command of God demanded that he should die. Abraham chose to believe that God's promise could not fail, and he obeyed. God uses trials and tests to strengthen our faith and grow us spiritually.
2. The sacrifice of our faith is our spiritual worship
Abraham did not withhold from God his "only son" (Genesis 22:12). True faith is not selfish in its duty to God. God needed no human sacrifice from Abraham, nor would He allow it. He wanted Abraham's willingness to offer up his most prized possession. Authentic worship will always include sacrifice.
3. The triumph of our faith results in spiritual blessings
Abraham's faith ascended to the level of a resurrection, and God restored Isaac to him as one snatched unexpectedly from the dead. The resurrection of Isaac resulted in Abraham receiving and being a spiritual blessing. What we place on the altar will be resurrected by God for his purpose.
Abraham Part 2
Hebrews 11:17-19
February 14, 2016 • Toby Henson
Stay in the Running
March 27, 2016 • Toby Henson
1. Let Us Seek Encouragement (12:1a) A. Seek encouragement through biblical study of faith heroes B. Seek encouragement by connecting with fellow believers 2. Let Us Throw Off (12:1b) We are to free ourselves from anything, however innocent, which hinders us in the Christian race. It could be any thought, attitude, or practice which slows us in the least. 3. Let Us Fix Our Eyes (12:2-3) We are to fix our attention on Jesus. This means that we must continually look away from distractions. As the "author" of our faith, Jesus is the originator of our faith. As the "perfecter" of our faith, He is the finisher of our faith. Fixing our eyes upon Jesus describes an attitude of faith, and not just a single act of saving faith. It describes an enduring faith.
Various Heroes of the Faith
March 20, 2016 • Toby Henson
1. Living by faith does not guarantee an easy life "They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goat skins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated--the world was not worthy of them" (Hebrews 11:37-38). 2. Living by faith does guarantee God's commendation "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised" (Hebrews 11:39). 3. Living by faith does guarantee something better "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect" (Hebrews 11:40).
Israel Part 2
March 13, 2016 • Toby Henson
"By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient." -Hebrews 11:30-31 1. Faith and Worship (Joshua 5:13-15) Joshua needed to worship before warring, to bow before battling, to submit before serving. Warren Wiersbe writes, "There can be no victory for the Lord in public unless we experience worship of the Lord in private." 2. Faith and Warfare (Joshua 6:1-5) Why did God choose this military strategy for the first battle in the promised land? It was because the real battle was not with the Canaanites, but with the Israelites. Not with the wall of a city, but with human hearts. 3. Faith and Waiting (Joshua 6:6-21) Every day, God tested the faith of the Israelites. They had to march by faith, play trumpets by faith, walk each day by faith, and then eventually shout a victory cry by faith. Faith and patience go together. 4. Faith and Winning (Joshua 6:22-25) Sometimes, we obey the Lord before the battle, but we disobey him after the victory. What takes place in winning is important. When God grants His people a great spiritual victory, it is for His purpose and His glory.