Chestnut Ridge Church
People love Bible stories, because they involve ordinary people doing extraordinary things—with
the help of God.
Our summer series, The Ordinaries, will explore examples & lessons from some of the most beloved
Old Testament Bible stories.
Music from today
Glorious Day, Life Defined, God You're So Good
The Ordinaries - Part 1: Abraham [July 1, 2018] Tim Haring
Problem: We have trouble believing
Solution: We need to take God at his Word
We trust God by taking him at his Word
Genesis 12:1-3 HCSB
Genesis 12:4 HCSB
Genesis 15:1-5 HCSB
Genesis 15:6 HCSB
In the legal custom of that day a barren woman could give her maid to her husband as a wife, and the child born of that union was regarded as the first wife’s child. If the husband said to the slave-wife’s son, “You are my son,” then he was the adopted son and heir. So Sarai’s suggestion was unobjectionable according to the customs of that time.[1] - Ross
[1] Ross, A. P. (1985). Genesis. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 56). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Genesis 22:1-2 HCSB
In the ancient Near East, the god that provides fertility is also entitled to demand a portion of what has been produced. This is expressed in the sacrifice of animals, grain and children. Texts from Phoenician and Punic colonies, like Carthage in North Africa, describe the ritual of child sacrifice as a means of insuring continued fertility.
- IVP Bible Commentary
Genesis 22:3-6 HCSB
Hebrews 11:17-19 HCSB
We trust God by taking him at his Word
• Do you trust God? If not, why not?
• Is there some area in your life in which you need to trust God more? Are you willing to ask God to help you grow in faith?
• Are you taking the opportunity to trust God by claiming his promises?
• Are there any areas in your life in which you saying no to God because you don’t trust him?