Surrendering to the Call

Main Text: Genesis 22:1-18

Thesis: Obeying in the hard decisions brings a blessing.

1. Introduction
   1. I cannot imagine a harder task being laid upon the shoulders of man than what Abraham was asked to do!
   2. God still asks us today to do difficult things. He demands our ultimate obedience.
      1. “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (KJV, Lk. 9:23).
   3. How do we obey?  I believe this can be found in today’s text.
2. Body
   1. The Offering
      1. v.2a – God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son.
         1. His long awaited heir
         2. His miracle
         3. His promise
      2. v. 2b – “upon one of the mountains which I will tell the of.”
         1. The directions may not be “spelled” out the way we like, but we walk by faith (2 Cor.5:7).
         2. Abraham stepped out and walked! Not having a road map, just a “unction” from the Holy One.
   2. The Worship
      1. v. 5- This is the first mention of the word “worship” in the Bible.
         1. What a perfect illustration of what worship is!
         2. Worship is costly!
            • King David once said, “I will not offer that which has cost me nothing.”
            • Jesus’ Life was an act of worship!
         3. Could you imagine the lump in Abraham’s throat while the word “worship” flowed from his lips?
         4. Yet, Abraham trusted God with Isaac’s return
   3. The Conversation
      1. vv. 6-8 – I can imagine the lump in his throat swelled at this conversation!
      2. God was asking a hard thing, but Abraham was responding with faith.
         1. How?
         2. He remembered how God had not failed him!
         3. Read vv. 11-12
   4. The Unseen by Man
      1. v. 13-14 – Abraham only saw his path up the mountain. God could see that on the other side a ram was climbing to meet them!
      2. God may ask hard things of us, but we must remember He has a plan!
         1. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you and expected end” (KJV, Jer. 29:11).
         2. Jehovah Jireh!!!!!!
   5. The Effects  of Surrender
      1. vv. 16-18 – Obedience is key! It may effect a multitude that you haven’t seen yet!
3. Conclusion
   1. We will face hard decisions, but we must walk by faith and trust God!
   2. He has never failed us! And He never will!