Thursday, March 07, 2013
“The Bible –A Thirty Day Experience”
Today we commence a new series. We will view together some great videos.
Our Life Groups will have special Bible studies that follow the thin red line that runs through the Scriptures all leading up to Easter this year and our remembrance of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is a series you can invite your friends and neighbours to hear and watch and participate with in our Life Groups.
Come and join us in Life Groups!
Currently Life groups meet at Dennis’, Brett’s, the ladies FOCUS group and the young adults group at the Stillers.
For those not currently in Life Groups, we invite you to share in one at the rectory weekly for young people and Pastor Steve will commence a Life Group at the Church Friday mornings 10-11:15 am.
There is a sign up sheet for Life Groups today in the hall.
This morning we will be challenged by God’s challenge to Abraham!
“Abraham -Following God’s Call” Genesis 22
Hebrews 11:8-10 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Hebrews 11:11-12 11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
Hebrews 11:17-19 17 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, 18 even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
Abram… Abraham
75 years old, Lived in Ur
Faith Grows As God Reveals Himself
Elohim Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
El Elyon Genesis 14:18 - the most high God. 19 - And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 - And blessed be the most high God,
Adonai Genesis 15: 1 - After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 2 - And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
El Roi Genesis 16:13 - And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me:
El Shaddai Genesis 17:1 - And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
El Olam Genesis 21: 33 - And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
Yahweh-yireh Jehovah-jireh
Genesis 22:14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”
God Challenges You To Consider Your Privileges
Great Purpose Gen 12:1
Great Promise Gen 12:2-3
Great Possessions Gen 15:4-6,18
Great Passion
“Take your son,” He said, “your only [son]Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a • burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”
God Calls You To Consider Your Powerlessness
7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham trusted in his own resources Gen 12:10,16
Abraham Lapsed into lies and deception Gen 12:11-12
Abraham Slept with his Egyptian maidservant Gen 16:1-4
“Be cautious of costly detours”
God Comforts You By Considering His Provision
11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” 12 Then He said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.
Parallels between Isaac & Jesus…
Both Miraculously conceived
Both Father’s only beloved son
Both carried wood
Both willingly laid down their lives
Both offered on the mountains of Moriah
“Mountains of Moriah” believed to be the “Temple Mount” in Jerusalem today…
Genesis 22:8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son…"
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
God’s Hall of Faith Hero, Abraham…
Genesis 22:15-18 15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
Has God Challenged you about your idols?
Has God Called you to consider your needs?
Has God Comforted You By His Provision?
