Faith and Assurance: Lessons from Abraham's Journey

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound assurance of faith as exemplified by Abraham, particularly through the lens of Hebrews 11 and the Gospel of John. The essence of our journey as believers is encapsulated in the assurance that we are indeed children of God, a truth made possible through the Incarnation. This assurance is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality that empowers us to face life's trials with unwavering faith. The New Testament, especially the Epistle to the Hebrews, emphasizes the importance of this assurance, urging us to live with the confidence that we are God's children.

Abraham's story, particularly his willingness to offer Isaac, serves as a powerful illustration of faith in action. Despite the seemingly impossible command from God, Abraham's assurance in God's promises and character enabled him to act in obedience. This narrative challenges us to examine the depth of our own faith and assurance. Are we able to trust God even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises? Abraham's faith was not blind but was rooted in a deep knowledge of God, allowing him to reason that God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary.

The testing of our faith, as seen in Abraham's life, is not meant to harm us but to strengthen and prepare us for greater things. It is through these trials that we come to know God more intimately and understand His ways more deeply. Our faith, like muscles, grows stronger through exercise and testing. This process not only reveals our true selves but also deepens our relationship with God, leading to greater assurance and confidence in His promises.

Ultimately, the story of Abraham points us to the ultimate sacrifice of God's own Son, Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham was willing to offer Isaac, God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all. This act of divine love assures us of our place as God's children and calls us to live in a manner that reflects our trust and confidence in Him.

Key Takeaways:

- Assurance of faith is foundational to our identity as children of God. It empowers us to live confidently, knowing our relationship with God is secure through Christ. This assurance is not just a feeling but a deep-seated conviction that shapes our entire life. [02:17]

- Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrates the depth of his faith and assurance in God's promises. His story challenges us to trust God even when His commands seem incomprehensible, knowing that His ways are higher than ours. [14:10]

- The testing of our faith is a divine tool for growth and preparation. Through trials, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and a more intimate knowledge of God, which strengthens our faith and assurance. [36:31]

- Our relationship with God should be characterized by an intimate knowledge of His voice and character. This familiarity allows us to discern His will and act in obedience, even in the face of uncertainty. [24:33]

- The ultimate assurance of our faith is found in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God's willingness to give His only Son for our salvation is the greatest demonstration of His love and the foundation of our assurance as His children. [48:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to Scripture
- [01:26] - The Possibility for God's Children
- [02:01] - Assurance Through the Incarnation
- [03:01] - The Importance of Assurance
- [04:12] - The Struggles of Early Christians
- [05:25] - Faith as the Foundation
- [06:23] - Abraham: Father of the Faithful
- [07:28] - The Secret of Assurance
- [09:32] - Abraham's Unwavering Faith
- [13:19] - The Nature of Assurance
- [18:57] - Reasoning and Faith
- [22:03] - The Extent of Assurance
- [32:05] - Testing of Assurance
- [39:39] - Knowing God Through Trials
- [48:42] - The Ultimate Sacrifice

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 1:12-13
- Hebrews 11:17-19

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 1:12-13, what is the significance of being given the "power to become the children of God"? How does this relate to the concept of assurance in the sermon? [02:17]

2. According to Hebrews 11:17-19, what was Abraham's reasoning for being willing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice? How does this illustrate his faith and assurance in God's promises? [12:12]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between faith and assurance, particularly in the context of Abraham's story? [07:45]

4. What role does the Incarnation play in providing assurance to believers, as discussed in the sermon? [02:01]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the assurance of being God's children, as mentioned in John 1:12-13, impact a believer's identity and daily life? [02:17]

2. In what ways does Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac challenge modern believers to trust God, even when His commands seem incomprehensible? [14:10]

3. The sermon suggests that trials and testing are tools for growth. How might this perspective change the way believers view their own challenges? [36:31]

4. How does the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as referenced in the sermon, serve as the foundation for a believer's assurance? [48:42]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced a situation that seemed to contradict God's promises. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now with a deeper understanding of assurance? [14:10]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God's voice and character. What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God and better discern His will? [24:33]

3. Consider a current trial you are facing. How can you view this challenge as an opportunity for growth and a deeper understanding of God's ways? [36:31]

4. How does the assurance of being a child of God empower you to live confidently in your daily life? Identify one area where you can apply this assurance more fully. [02:17]

5. The sermon highlights the ultimate assurance found in Jesus' sacrifice. How can this truth shape your perspective on God's love and your identity as His child? [48:42]

6. Abraham's story is one of obedience despite uncertainty. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? What is one action you can take this week to respond to that call? [14:10]

7. How can you support others in your community who are struggling with assurance in their faith? What specific actions can you take to encourage and uplift them? [43:18]

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance as Our Identity
The assurance of faith is foundational to our identity as children of God. It empowers us to live confidently, knowing our relationship with God is secure through Christ. This assurance is not just a feeling but a deep-seated conviction that shapes our entire life. The New Testament, especially the Epistle to the Hebrews, emphasizes the importance of this assurance, urging us to live with the confidence that we are God's children. This assurance is made possible through the Incarnation, where God became flesh in Jesus Christ, bridging the gap between humanity and divinity. As believers, this truth is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality that empowers us to face life's trials with unwavering faith. [02:17]

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself today that your identity is rooted in being a child of God, especially when faced with challenges?


Day 2: Trusting God Beyond Understanding
Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrates the depth of his faith and assurance in God's promises. His story challenges us to trust God even when His commands seem incomprehensible, knowing that His ways are higher than ours. Abraham's faith was not blind but was rooted in a deep knowledge of God, allowing him to reason that God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary. This narrative invites us to examine the depth of our own faith and assurance. Are we able to trust God even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises? Abraham's example encourages us to cultivate a faith that is both reasoned and reliant on God's character. [14:10]

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.'" (Hebrews 11:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you take a step of faith today, trusting in His promises?


Day 3: Growth Through Trials
The testing of our faith is a divine tool for growth and preparation. Through trials, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and a more intimate knowledge of God, which strengthens our faith and assurance. Just as muscles grow stronger through exercise and testing, so does our faith. These trials are not meant to harm us but to prepare us for greater things. It is through these experiences that we come to know God more intimately and understand His ways more deeply. This process not only reveals our true selves but also deepens our relationship with God, leading to greater assurance and confidence in His promises. [36:31]

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you faced. How did it help you grow in your faith and understanding of God?


Day 4: Knowing God's Voice
Our relationship with God should be characterized by an intimate knowledge of His voice and character. This familiarity allows us to discern His will and act in obedience, even in the face of uncertainty. Abraham's story illustrates the importance of knowing God's character and trusting His voice, even when His commands seem difficult to understand. As believers, cultivating this intimate relationship with God is essential for living a life of faith and obedience. It is through this relationship that we gain the confidence to follow God's leading, trusting that His ways are higher than ours. [24:33]

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper familiarity with God's voice in your daily life? What practices can you implement to better discern His will?


Day 5: Assurance Through Christ's Sacrifice
The ultimate assurance of our faith is found in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God's willingness to give His only Son for our salvation is the greatest demonstration of His love and the foundation of our assurance as His children. Just as Abraham was willing to offer Isaac, God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all. This act of divine love assures us of our place as God's children and calls us to live in a manner that reflects our trust and confidence in Him. The sacrifice of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, providing us with the assurance that we are indeed children of God, loved and redeemed by His grace. [48:42]

"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32, ESV)

Reflection: How does the sacrifice of Jesus Christ assure you of your identity as a child of God? How can this assurance influence the way you live today?

Quotes

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons are the children of God, even to them that believe on his name, which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of men but of God." [00:27:06]

"Assurance is essential and as I say so much of the New Testament is written in order that we might have assurance. Indeed, I could make a very good case for saying that the whole of the New Testament has been written to the attendant of you the Gospels are written in order that we may know that Jesus is the Son of God." [00:33:30]

"Now that's assurance and the secret of these men was that they had this wonderful assurance of their relationship to God and it was net that enabled them to do all that they did and the argument is this if that was possible for them it should be equally possible for us indeed it ought to be more possible for us." [00:46:58]

"Assurance is such that whatever may be happening to us, we still have it. God is still speaking to us good you're still making it known to us therefore I say we must emphasize this time recked immediate aspect the whole thing seemed against us the drivers to despair we know one gauges of one ear will hear our prayer." [01:48:31]

"Now this is one of the striking things which is brought up by this particular incident, what kind of limit is there to assure, how far does it take me how does it stretch, and here is this remarkable thing, it's very obvious it seems to me in this case that assurance is clear and unmistakable." [01:54:40]

"Assurance can take us as far as that, it is possible for mortal men in Christ Jesus and as a child of God to get so near to his father but even this is possible, do we know anything about this my friend, this is Christianity, this is what we're meant to be as Christian." [02:35:55]

"God tests us and Tysons in order to train us and to prepare us for that which he has awaiting us, yes the teachers more of the way of godliness and the villainess, it's a great work of preparing his children furthered everlasting glory which is God himself and the moment you look at it like that you see it you see our faith needs to be tested." [03:31:11]

"Everything that happens to you if you're a child of God should lead you to a greater knowledge of God, it is URI discovered more deeply than ever the purpose of God, the character of God and above all the power and the might of God Abram had been able to reason it he says I know that God is able to raise the dead if necessary." [03:59:06]

"God wants to get us into a place and into a position in which we will trust him utterly and absolutely, in the dark doesn't matter what's happening, and this is how he brings us to that position, here's a blimp a status though he didn't understand though he didn't know though he couldn't reason he says God's asked me God's come into me I do it God confirmed it to him." [04:05:51]

"God tests the assurance we have in order that he may give us greater assurance, and it goes on and on and on, you think you know the person but then you live with the person you get to know the person better and better and better and so it is with God." [04:18:03]

"The tragedy of the modern church it seems to me is that we're all remaining at the beginning salvation is everything we're saved we say and then we stop do you know God than you knew him ago are you most certain of your insurance today than you were 10 years ago is your knowledge of God so increasing that you've got a greater confidence a greater trust and a greater knowledge." [04:20:00]

"Over and above all that we have in this story concerning Abram is a prefiguring of what we are going to commemorate, Abram did not actually slay Isaac but God is smitten and a slain his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." [04:50:08]

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Transcript
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