LifePointe Christian Church

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“Some time later God tested Abraham.” Genesis 22:1

Does God test us? Yes, but He doesn’t tempt us.

“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.”
James 1:13-14

What’s the difference between temptations and testing?
-The source: Satan is the tempter, not God

What’s the difference between temptations and testing?
-The source: Satan is the tempter, not God
-The purpose: Temptation is meant to bring spiritual death. Testing is meant to bring spiritual growth.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.

Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’” Genesis 22:1-2

“Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.” Genesis 22:3

“Here I am”: Abraham was not only present, but more importantly, he was available, ready and willing to take on whatever task God might give him

Would God ever ask us to do wrong?

“On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’” Genesis 22:4-5

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

“Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?’ ‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied. ‘The fire and the wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together. 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.” Genesis 22:6-9

What kind of faith are you displaying for your children/grandchildren?

“Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. ‘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.’ 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.” Genesis 22:10-13

“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’ Abraham reasoned that God could raise the
dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” Hebrews 11:17-19

Steps to take to grow your faith:
-Ask God to increase your faith

Steps to take to grow your faith:
-Ask God to increase your faith
-Study Scripture to have an accurate understand of who God is

Steps to take to grow your faith:
-Ask God to increase your faith
-Study Scripture to have an accurate understand of who God is
-Ask God to give you opportunities to exercise your faith

“The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me.’” Genesis 22:15-18

The Benefits of Testing:
-Our faith in God is proved genuine

“…when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

The Benefits of Testing:
-Our faith in God is proved genuine
-Our character is refined so we look more like Jesus

The Benefits of Testing:
-Our faith in God is proved genuine
-Our character is refined so we look more like Jesus
-Our testing becomes our testimony

“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

“Here I am, God. I am ready and willing to take on whatever task you have for me.”