Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac. He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking. Big Idea: God gives us more than he asks from us. Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son… Genesis 22:1–3 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Ishmael was not the child of promise. Isaac was. Genesis 17:19–21 But God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm my covenant with him as a permanent covenant for his future offspring. As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father twelve tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation. But I will confirm my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.” James 1:13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. John 1:14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:18 No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him. Genesis 22:3 So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. God does not tell us to obey when we feel like it. What is your Isaac? Is it your finances? Your health? Your anger? Is it control over all of the things around you? Is it a gift or talent that God gave you that you do not want to let go of? Real faith doesn't just believe God exists — it surrenders to God's will even when it costs us what we love most. Hebrews 11:18 ...the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac. Genesis 3:15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. Genesis 22:18 “And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed my command.” God's promises don't depend on our ability to protect them — they depend on God's faithfulness. Hebrews 11:19 He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking. Genesis 22:2 “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Genesis 22:5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” God cannot lie. Parable - παραβολή (parabolē): a story proclaiming a greater truth Comparing Abraham & Isaac to God the Father & Jesus Father offers his one and only son - God offers His one and only Son Son carries the wood for his own sacrifice (Gen. 22:6) - Jesus carries the cross for His own sacrifice (John 19:17) Isaac goes willingly, without protest - Jesus goes willingly — “No one takes my life from me” (John 10:18) Isaac is laid on the altar - Jesus is laid on the cross God provides a ram as a substitute (Gen. 22:13) - Jesus IS the substitute — the Lamb of God (John 1:29) Isaac is received back — figuratively from the dead - Jesus is literally raised from the dead “All nations blessed through your seed” (Gen. 22:18) “- All nations blessed through Christ" (Gal. 3:16) Jesus WAS the substitute. Abraham's faith was not irrational John 3:16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.