ABRAHAM 3:16
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, August 1, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
ABRAHAM 3:16
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Gen. 22:1-13
Text: Genesis 22:2
Genesis 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
Introduction: Did I hear you say that you have never heard of Abraham 3:16? It goes like this:
Abraham 3:16 For Abraham so loved the LORD that he gave his only begotten son, but God provided a substitute, that Isaac might not perish, but have life.
Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Isaac was called Abraham’s only begotten son because he was a type, or prophetic picture, of the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaac, like our Lord, was born SUPERNATURALLY. That is, his birth was impossible, due to the old age of his parents.
James 2:21-23 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Abraham has one of the loftiest titles in the Bible, “the Friend of God.”
Do not be mistaken about this: no one is saved by what he gives to God. You are saved by what God gives to YOU.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This passage is about a man who became known as God’s friend. He was called that after he showed that he was willing not only to obey God, but to give up that which was most precious to himself. I want us to consider this man, Abraham, and this very significant event in his life.
I. ABRAHAM WAS CONFRONTED
Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
The word, “tempt,” in scripture does not always refer to an enticement toward wrong doing. It can also be a reference to a trial, a test, or suffering. Notice the word, “tried,” in the following verse:
Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
A. He was confronted about his sovereign, the Lord
B. He was confronted about his son
C. He was confronted about his sacrifice
* When you read about Abraham’s life, you find that he built a number of altars.
* God tested Abraham to see what kind of sacrifice he was really willing to make.
* It is possible to know something by examination and conclusion. It is also possible to know something by experience. The Lord knew Abraham’s devotion because of His omniscience, but He desired to know that devotion by experience.
II. ABRAHAM WAS CONFIDENT
Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
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, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
A. He was confident in God’s promise
* Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
B. He was confident in God’s power
* Hebrews 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
C. He was confident in God’s provision
* Genesis 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
III. ABRAHAM WAS COMMITTED
Genesis 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
A. He was committed to obedience
B. He was committed to ownership
* He recognized that everything he had — including Isaac — really belonged to God.
C. He was committed to an offering
* He gave what might have been the best and most precious thing he had — his son.
IV. ABRAHAM WAS COMFORTED
Genesis 22:11-13 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 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. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
A. Relief was sent
* Job may not have seen relief around the corner, but it did finally arrive.
* I’m sure Abraham hurt inside from the time he knew he was going to be losing his son, but relief came.
B. A replacement was supplied
* Once Abraham displayed his willingness to give everything to the Lord, God released him from his obligation to do it.
* God may not require you to give everything you have. He may not require you to give up the most precious thing you have. He WILL, however, require you to be WILLING to give it.
C. Redemption was shown
* Of course, the ram in the thicket, which was no doubt already present during Abraham’s trial, is a wonderful picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, our own Substitute, who was sent to die on the cross for our sins, bearing our sins, that we might have eternal life.
As someone said:
God does not want your Isaac; He just wants more of YOU.