Sermon Notes from Morning Worship
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Series: “Facing the Unknown”
Today: “God’s Provision”
Scripture: Genesis 22:9-14 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
Intro: The story is as challenging as it is famous.
A. Abraham was called to this mountain of sacrifice for a purpose.
B. Throughout the scriptures, God’s children all received the call to the mountain of sacrifice.
I. THE NAME ISAAC MEANS LAUGHTER .
A. God caused laughter to come to Abraham and Sarah.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
B. God knows how to make you laugh .
II. THE NAME OF THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE: RAAH .
A. After God provided the ram, Abraham’s heart was thrilled; named this place on that mountain: The Lord will provide .
* Raah – “to look at; see, regard, consider, give attention to .
B. The existing One is giving attention to you and your life!
Conclusion: When God saw Abraham’s obedience, he called out to Abraham: “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son.”
* We all need to fill in the blank: “Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld ___________________ from me.”