WINTER QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2011-2012
THEME: GOD ESTABLISHES A FAITHFUL COVENANT PEOPLE
Unit One: Through His Covenant Promises. Lessons 1-4
“GOD’S COVENANT COMMITMENT SOMETIMES SEEMS CONTRADICTORY”
Sunday School Lesson No. III, December 18, 2011
Presented by Rev. Frank Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher
Lesson Text: Genesis 22:1-14
Required Reading: Genesis 21:1-12; 22:1-14
Memory Text: Genesis 22:12, “And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.”
Reliable Resources: Precepts for Living by UMI; Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Libronix Electronic Library; Standard Lesson Commentary; Wilmington’s Bible Handbook
INTRODUCTION
Up to this point, the journey with Abram has taken us from his home land of paganism to an unknown land to which Jehovah promises him and his descendants for an inheritance. Even though he owns nothing in this land and had no seed, according to Genesis 15:6, “Abraham believed God…” Beloved, that’s what faith in God is all about! God’s covenant commitment is as good as the One who makes it, because it is totally reliant on God Himself. Matthew 24:35 tells us that… “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Now after several years have passed and Abram was about 99 years of age and his wife was near 90, God pledged and delivered His promise, giving them a baby boy whom they named Isaac (laughter). (Read Genesis 21:1-7). Isaac, the promised son of Abraham through whom God would bless the world, means the world to Abraham and his wife. But then while Isaac was a strong young man, perhaps around 20 years of age, God does something that seems totally contradictory. He commands Abraham to sacrifice the son of promise. Beloved, what a blow, yet what a blessing. Let us examine this seeming contradiction and apply its lessons to our lives of faith!
Anticipated Power Points:
· God’s Test. Genesis 22:1-2
· God’s Servant’s Trust. Genesis 22:6-10
· God’s Deliverance is Timely. Genesis 22:11-14
LESSON OUTLINE
The prophet Isaiah writes from the mouth of Jehovah in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
I. God’s Test. Genesis 22:1-2
God, who blesses His people, sometimes puts His people to the test, and such is the case in our lesson today. James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” And in verses 12-18 we find, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” Beloved, when God makes a major investment in the lives of His people, He does not deposit great investments in shaky investees. Abraham’s faith and faithfulness was very serious to God!
NOTE: God makes this command clear and precise, and Abraham never questions the command of God, even though to us it appears contradictory. Beloved, God had a plan and like Abraham, we should learn to “trust and obey,” leaving all the results to God!
II. God’s Servant’s Trust. Genesis 22:6-10
A. He arises to go to worship. vss. 3-4
In verses 3-4, we see Abraham immediately preparing to obey God’s command. He rises early, which indicates he went to bed with it on his mind. He sets out to the place of God appointed for worship. Beloved, are we as vigilant in our preparation for weekly worship? Do we set out to totally trust and present our best before the Lord? Abraham is a model worshipper!
B. He assumes that he and Isaac will return. vss. 5-6
Without any doubt in Abraham’s heart, he gives instructions to his servants to wait beneath while he and Isaac go up to worship at God’s command. What God is requiring seems out of the ordinary but Abraham, focusing on the command of God, must travel without distraction. Surely the servants would have questioned the sacrificing of Isaac and probably would have tried to stop Abraham. But Abraham defied the “common sense theology,” and stepped out focusing totally on the Word of the Lord to him. Beloved, let us remember Isaiah 40:8… “Abraham believed God.”
C. He answers Isaac’s question. vss. 7-8
Isaac, having walked and assisted in the worship of God many times, saw all the tools of worship, but no sacrifice. Isaac inquired and Abraham’s simple response was, “…God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering…” Isaac too was a man of faith, for he trusted his father, and above all, he trusted Jehovah as his God as well. Beloved, may we train our children to know and believe our Lord, because they have daily seen and heard our faith in God!
D. He arrives at the place and prepares. vss. 9-10
I am so amazed at Abraham and Isaac’s faith, but note the words of the Hebrew writer in Hebrews 11:17-19, “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” Beloved, when we have faith like Abraham’s, we too can see God’s will even when things seem contradictory!
III. God’s Deliverance is Timely. Genesis 22:11-14
It has been said, “He’s an on time God.”
A. A shout. vs. 11 “Abraham, Abraham.”
B. A satisfaction. vs. 12
Abraham had passed the test of faith, commitment and obedience. God allowed Abraham to demonstrate his faith to God by his actions, and so should we. (Read James 2:20-24).
C. A substitute. vs.13
God teaches the art of atonement by substitution, which will find its greatest fulfillment in Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. (Read Isaiah 53:4-6.) John 1:29 , “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
D. A sacred lesson. vs. 14
God always provides, so let us put our complete trust in Him.
CLOSING
God is not a contradictor but He is our Commander. Listen to His word! Trust His word! Perform His commands and know the joy of being His child! “The Lord will provide.” “Be not discouraged, whatever betide, God will take care of you.”
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LOOKING AHEAD: December 25, 2011 Luke 1:46-55
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