OPENING SCRIPTURE:

Now faith is CONFIDENCE in what we hope for and ASSURANCE about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

• Faith is not wishful thinking. Faith is not blind optimism.

Faith is confidence

• It is firm foundation, something solid enough to stand upon.

Faith is Assurance

• Assurance means conviction.
• It means believing something is true before visible evidence appears

That is exactly how faith works. God rarely reveals the entire journey. He simply asks us to trust Him for the next step.

Faith says: even though I cannot see it, I know God is working.

Faith has to be tested.

For you know that when your FAITH IS TESTED, your ENDURANCE has a chance to GROW. (James 1:3 NLT)

Testing is not punishment. Testing produces endurance, the strength to push through the hard times. Endurance, produces growth, the maturity you need to develop Christlike character.

Some time later, God TESTED Abraham’s FAITH. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” (Genesis 22:1 NLT)

• “Here I am”- Ready to obey! Ready for action!

Lesson 1: Faith Obeys Even When God Doesn’t Explain

“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” (Genesis 22:2 NLT)

• God gave Abraham an instruction and not an explanation.

Real faith doesn’t wait until everything makes sense. Faith obeys because it trusts God’s heart even when it cannot understand God’s hand.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

• Faith does not require understanding. Faith requires obedience.

The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.  (Genesis 22:3 NLT)

• Abraham did not wait. He most likely did not run this by his wife Sarah,

Faith starts with obedience but then leads to action.

On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. (Genesis 22:4 NLT)

Faith obeys even when God doesn’t explain

Our responsibility is obedience. God’s responsibility is the outcome.

LESSON 2: Faith Trust God’s Provision Before It Appears

“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “THE BOY AND I will travel a little farther. WE will worship there, and then WE will come right back.” (Genesis 22:5 NLT)

• Emphasis here on WE, The boy and I.
• We are coming back because we trust that God will provide.

“We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”

“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. (Genesis 22:7, 8 NLT)

• Abraham had no visible evidence. Yet he believed God already had the answer.

Faith doesn’t ignore reality. Faith simply believes God’s provision is greater than present circumstances.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 NIV)

• God often provides exactly when we need Him most.

Lesson 3: Faith Always Leads to Greater Blessing

I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.” (Genesis 22:17-18 NLT)

• Abraham’s greatest blessing came after his greatest test.
• Every test became preparation for greater influence.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)

• Don’t judge God’s faithfulness by today’s circumstances.
• Your current test may be preparing you for your greatest testimony.

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?