The Ultimate Test of Faith

The Ultimate Test of Faith

Sermon by Pastor Brent Snook / May 4, 2025 / Commitment Sunday

Text: Genesis 22:1-18

The Christian life is the life of faith

Read Genesis 22:1-8

I. THE TEST OF ABRAHAM

“Test” – to test completely through a demonstration of stress

Read Gen 22:2

1. “Take”
2. “Go”
3. “Sacrifice”

Total commitment will always be costly

(Read 2 Sam 24:24 – I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing…”)

II. THE TRUST OF ABRAHAM

Read Gen 22:3-4

Henry Barnhouse: “90% of knowing the will of God consists of being willing to do the will of God.”

Read Gen 22:5

In the midst of Abraham’s confusion and pain, he worshipped God

Read Gen 22:10

Spurgeon: “That knife was cutting into Abraham’s heart. Unbelief would have left the knife at home, but genuine faith takes it with you.”

II. THE TRUTH OF ABRAHAM

Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord will provide

Read Gen 22:11-14

Ken Hemphill: “Too many of us are missing the joy of God’s blessings fully released in our lives because we are tenaciously clinging to that which seems most precious. We argue with God that we can’t possibly put our family or career on the altar – because it is the only we thing we have of value. The problem is that we have taken possession of what God gave to us in stewardship…”

A.W. Tozer: “Father I want to know you but my coward heart fears to give its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding and I do not try to hide from you the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long, and which have become a very part of my living self, so that you may enter and dwell there without a rival. In Jesus’ name Amen”

IV. THE TRIUMPH OF ABRAHAM

Read Gen 22:15-18

Because Jesus provided the real lamb upon Calvary, we can trust Him to provide everything needed in the Christian life

Read Romans 8:32

Read Philippians 4:6-7