Introduction:     God loves to talk to His children. He has an open line of communication with the saints. (Illus. young lawyer and disconnected phone…) There is no problem with our line to God! As God talks to His children, sometimes He asks them to do something and sometimes He asks them do to do things that are difficult. Abraham was asked to do something hard, (v.1) – “Tempt” = to test or prove – (U. of Faith). God does not test us to trip us. Here’s the difference, Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us; God tests us to bring out the best in us! What is God asking you to do? God asks Abraham to give up something; what is God asking you to give up? God asks Abraham to go somewhere; where is God asking you to go? This is a story of obedience, faith, and sacrifice.

I.          UNCONDITIONAL ORDER (VV.1-2)

When our Country called multitudes responded (and continue to). When The Father calls we are to respond and it will be a test of our faith. This was an order of:

            A.        Great Difficulty (v.2a) 

“Offer” = to lay down or give up. This is a pointed, precise unconditional order and one of great difficulty. (Illus. it is amazing what some call sacrifice today…stinking thinking!)  

            B.         Great Devotion (v.2b)

God is not promoting human sacrifice. He was testing Abraham at the point of his devotion. God did not want Isaac’s life; He wanted Abraham’s heart! (Illus. discovered that he did not love God as much as…some are married to God, but going steady with someone else!) Isn’t it sad that to so many God is like the salad at a meal; part of the meal, but not the main course! It’s like He is one day in the week, but not the whole year! It really comes down to what you love the most because you will sacrifice for what you love!

II.         UNCOMPROMISING OBEDIENCE (VV.3-8)

(1 Sam 15:22)  “…Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

How do you know when you have uncompromising obedience? There are 3 marks. You’ll obey God:

            A.        Without Discussion

When God tells you to do something He is not running it by you for your approval.

            B.         Without Delay (v.3)

There are times to wait on the Lord (Isa.40:31), but when God speaks clearly, we are to respond without delay! Abraham got up and got going. Delay brings:

• Detours
• Dead Ends
• Death (to those lost without Christ)
• Defeat (to a church that delays)

             C.        Without Doubt (v.4-8)

Abraham had 3 days to change his mind and turn around. He told his servants with confidence, “Isaac and I will be back!” (v.5) Abraham never wavered because his confidence was in God! (See Heb.11:17-19). He didn’t know when God would do it! He didn’t know how God would do it! He just knew God would do it because he had God’s promise! - When God calls you to commitment, God is committed to you! Get rid of your discussion, delay, and doubt. What God promises He provides!!!!

III.       UNCOMMON OFFERING (VV.9-14)

“Uncommon” = rare or exceptional. The true value of a thing is tied to its cost to us in sacrifice.

            A.                 Full Surrender (vv.9-12)

“Withheld” = to refuse. God said, “I’ve seen enough, you are totally obedient; there is nothing half-way about your service!” (Illus. Football teams leave it all on the field; doctors give it their all in surgery; you don’t want a half-committed doctor…You want your preacher to give it everything he’s got and day by day, minute by minute, God wants no less than our best; our all; our complete service. God doesn’t want a half-hearted Christianity that serves God one day and lives like hell the next day! What ever God asks us to give Him we ought to be willing to give it! I don’t want to be a half-way anything.)

            B.         Fulfilled Sacrifice (vv.13-14)

While Abraham and Isaac were walking up one side of the mountain, God had a ram walking up the other side. This is a dress rehearsal for Calvary!

• Abraham takes his son to sacrifice him on a mountain called Moriah.
• God the Father takes His Son to sacrifice Him on a mountain called Golgotha.
• Abraham said at the foot of the mountain, “Stay here and wait.”
• Jesus said in the Garden, “stay here and watch.”
• Isaac carried the wood up the mountain on his back.
• Jesus carried the wooden cross of Calvary on His back.
• Isaac had the weight of everything on him as he climbed Moriah.
• Jesus had all the sins of all humanity on Him as He climbed Calvary.
• Isaac asked, “Where is the Lamb.”
• John the Baptist declared that Jesus was the Lamb!
• On top of the mountain Abraham laid Isaac down on the wood of the alter.
• On top of Golgotha Jesus was laid on the wood of the cross.

Here’s where it all ends. Isaac was untied and got up, but not Jesus. Jesus was hammered on that cross so His blood could flow! As God the Father watched it all as His Son paid the supreme price for sin, He reached down and grabbed the knife of our sin and pierced the body of His Only Son to rid us of the hell that we deserve. God sacrificed His Son! He bled and died for my sin! How dare I give any less than my best for Him!!!!

Conclusion:       Abraham was willing to give up his most prized possession and God blessed him with more than he could have ever dreamed. (Illus. Royalty reached down and kissed the ugly…that is why I obey Him.) Is your commitment to Jesus first class?