Genesis 22:2
God's promise to Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac demonstrate the importance of faith, trust, and obedience in our relationship with God.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of Isaac as Abraham's most cherished possession, highlighting the long wait for God's promise of a son and the joy that followed Isaac's miraculous birth. He reflects on how God recognized Isaac as Abraham's only son, disregarding the works of the flesh represented by Ishmael, and draws a parallel to God's love for humanity in giving His only begotten Son. The sermon illustrates the themes of faith, patience, and divine fulfillment in God's promises.
Text
I. Isaac was the most prized possession of His Father. "Thy Son, thine
only Son Isaac, whom thou lovest."
A. God had promised to Abraham that He would give to him a son,
and that through his seed all of the nations of the earth would
be blessed.
1. Abraham waited many years for that promise to be
fulfilled.
a. It is probably with Abraham in mind that the
writer of Hebrews declared concerning the Old
Testament saints, "Who through faith and
patience inherited the promises of God."
b. Sarah finally decided they perhaps needed to
help God out, and suggested that Abraham take
her handmaiden Hagar that she might become a
surrogate mother.
c. Abraham seemed to be satisfied with the son
that was born from that relationship and
accepted him as the fulfillment of the promise
of God.
d. So when Abraham was about 100 years old, God
reconfirmed the promise to give him a son,
Abraham responded, let Ishmael live before you.
God declared that Ishmael would indeed live,
but that through Sarah his seed would be
called.
2. It is interesting that God now called Abraham to take
his son, his only son Isaac.
a. God did not recognize or acknowledge the works
of his flesh, just as he does not recognize or
acknowledge the works of our flesh.
b. Notice the words "Thy son, thy only son Isaac,
whom thou lovest." It reminds us of a scripture
in the New Testament that declares, "For God so
loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son."
B. After the many years of waiting for the promise of God to be
fulfilled you can imagine the joy and blessing that they
experienced when Sarah by divine miracle gave birth to the Son.
1. For her to give birth to a Son after that many years of
infertility, and having gone through the change of
life, was almost as great a miracle as the virgin
birth.
Sermon Outline
- Isaac was the most prized possession of His Father
- The call to sacrifice Isaac
- God's promise to Abraham
- Abraham's response to God's promise
- God's sovereignty over human works
- The love of God demonstrated in the sacrifice of Isaac
Key Quotes
“Thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest.” — Chuck Smith
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must learn to trust and obey God, even when it seems impossible.
- Our faith is tested when we are asked to sacrifice something precious, but it is an opportunity to demonstrate our trust in God.
- God's sovereignty over human works is a reminder that our efforts are not enough to achieve our goals; we must rely on Him.