Faith Beyond Gifts: Trusting the Giver

Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22, a narrative that challenges us to examine our faith and priorities. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac at God's command is a testament to his unwavering faith and trust in God. This story is not just about the act of sacrifice but about recognizing the supremacy of the Giver over the gift. Abraham's faith was tested to see if he valued the blessings of God more than God Himself. This is a pivotal lesson for us today: to ensure that our love for God surpasses our love for His gifts.

The narrative of Abraham and Isaac is a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice at Calvary, where God did not withhold His only Son. It reminds us that God always provides, even in the most challenging circumstances. Abraham's faith was not blind; it was rooted in the belief that God would provide a way, even if it seemed impossible. This is a call for us to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting that God will provide for our needs, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual.

We are also reminded of the importance of stepping out in faith, as Abraham did. God has promised us the land, but it requires us to walk it out, to step into the promises He has for us. This involves leaving our comfort zones, engaging with our communities, and sharing the love of Christ with those around us. The story of Abraham is a call to action, urging us to say "yes" to God's prompting and to trust Him with the outcomes.

As we reflect on this story, let us examine our own lives. Are we holding onto the gifts more than the Giver? Are we willing to step out in faith, trusting that God will provide? Let us commit to walking the land, to sharing the gospel, and to living lives that reflect our love for God above all else.

Key Takeaways:

- The Supremacy of the Giver: Abraham's story teaches us that our love for God must surpass our love for His gifts. God will test our faith to see if we value Him above all else. This is a call to examine our hearts and ensure that our devotion is directed towards the Giver, not just the gifts. [46:30]

- God's Provision: The narrative of Abraham and Isaac is a powerful reminder that God always provides. Even in the most challenging circumstances, we can trust that God will make a way. This is a call to walk by faith, believing that God will meet our needs, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual. [42:10]

- Walking by Faith: Abraham's journey is a testament to the power of faith. God calls us to step out of our comfort zones and trust Him with the unknown. This involves engaging with our communities and sharing the love of Christ, knowing that God will guide our steps. [01:04:17]

- New Beginnings: God can start something new out of something old. He can bring new life and new opportunities, even in the midst of challenges. This is a reminder that God is always at work, creating new beginnings and setting up divine appointments for us. [49:09]

- Saying Yes to God: The story of Abraham challenges us to say "yes" to God's prompting. Whether it's sharing the gospel, stepping into new opportunities, or trusting God with our lives, we are called to respond to His call with faith and obedience. [01:11:55]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [22:30] - Introduction of Special Guests
- [28:44] - Testimonies and Encouragement
- [31:20] - Outreach Statistics and Impact
- [34:52] - Genesis 22: The Story of Abraham and Isaac
- [36:11] - The Shadow of Calvary
- [37:25] - Abraham's Test of Faith
- [39:47] - The Faith of Abraham
- [42:10] - God's Provision
- [44:38] - The Giver Comes First
- [49:09] - New Beginnings from Old Ways
- [51:10] - God Talk and Crazy Faith
- [56:08] - Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
- [01:04:17] - Stepping Out in Faith
- [01:11:55] - Saying Yes to God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 22:1-14

Observation Questions:
1. What specific command did God give to Abraham regarding his son Isaac, and how did Abraham respond? ([37:25])
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the story of Abraham and Isaac and the events at Calvary? ([36:11])
3. What was Abraham's declaration to his servants before he and Isaac went up the mountain, and what does it reveal about his faith? ([39:47])
4. How did God provide for Abraham at the end of the test, and what name did Abraham give to that place? ([44:38])

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac reveal about his priorities and his relationship with God? ([46:30])
2. How does the sermon suggest that the story of Abraham and Isaac is a foreshadowing of God's ultimate sacrifice? ([36:11])
3. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to "walk by faith and not by sight," and how is this exemplified in Abraham's story? ([01:04:17])
4. How does the concept of "the supremacy of the Giver over the gift" challenge modern believers in their faith journey? ([46:30])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between a gift from God and God Himself. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? ([46:30])
2. The sermon emphasizes stepping out in faith. What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone? ([01:04:17])
3. How can you actively trust in God's provision in a current challenging situation you are facing? ([42:10])
4. The sermon talks about saying "yes" to God's prompting. What is one specific way you can say "yes" to God this week, whether in your personal life or in your community? ([01:11:55])
5. Consider the idea of "new beginnings" from the sermon. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to start anew? How can you embrace this change? ([49:09])
6. How can you ensure that your love for God remains greater than your love for His gifts in your daily life? ([46:30])
7. What practical steps can you take to engage with your community and share the love of Christ, as encouraged in the sermon? ([01:06:33])

Devotional

Day 1: The Giver Over the Gift
In the story of Abraham and Isaac, we see a profound lesson about prioritizing the Giver over the gift. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, his beloved son, at God's command demonstrates a faith that values God above all else. This narrative challenges us to examine our own hearts and question whether we cherish God's blessings more than God Himself. It is a call to ensure that our devotion is directed towards the Giver, not just the gifts. This reflection is crucial in a world where material blessings can easily overshadow our spiritual priorities. [46:30]

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, ESV)

Reflection: What is one gift or blessing in your life that you might be valuing more than your relationship with God? How can you begin to shift your focus back to the Giver today?

Day 2: Trusting in God's Provision
The narrative of Abraham and Isaac is a powerful reminder that God always provides, even in the most challenging circumstances. Abraham's faith was not blind; it was rooted in the belief that God would provide a way, even if it seemed impossible. This story encourages us to walk by faith, trusting that God will meet our needs, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual. It is a call to rely on God's provision and to trust Him with the unknown, knowing that He is faithful and will make a way. [42:10]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God for provision? How can you actively choose to trust Him with this need today?

Day 3: Stepping Out in Faith
Abraham's journey is a testament to the power of faith. God calls us to step out of our comfort zones and trust Him with the unknown. This involves engaging with our communities and sharing the love of Christ, knowing that God will guide our steps. The story of Abraham is a call to action, urging us to say "yes" to God's prompting and to trust Him with the outcomes. It challenges us to take bold steps of faith, believing that God will lead us and provide for us along the way. [01:04:17]

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one step of faith that God is calling you to take today? How can you begin to move out of your comfort zone and trust Him with the unknown?

Day 4: Embracing New Beginnings
God can start something new out of something old. He can bring new life and new opportunities, even in the midst of challenges. This is a reminder that God is always at work, creating new beginnings and setting up divine appointments for us. The story of Abraham and Isaac encourages us to embrace the new things God is doing in our lives and to trust Him with the process. It is a call to be open to change and to believe that God is working all things together for our good. [49:09]

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God is doing something new? How can you embrace this new beginning and trust Him with the process?

Day 5: Saying Yes to God's Call
The story of Abraham challenges us to say "yes" to God's prompting. Whether it's sharing the gospel, stepping into new opportunities, or trusting God with our lives, we are called to respond to His call with faith and obedience. This involves being attentive to God's voice and being willing to act on His leading. It is a call to live lives that reflect our love for God above all else and to trust Him with the outcomes. [01:11:55]

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where God is calling you to say "yes" to Him? How can you begin to respond to His call with faith and obedience today?

Quotes

1. "If you can count to five, you can share the gospel of Christ. The sixth one is discipleship, okay? But if you can count to five, you can share the gospel of Christ, and it's all color-coded, and it all starts out with these bands that are like this, and 17, or 1,749 bands were given out this week. To people, and these bands all have scriptures on them that go along with these. There's also little gospel cards that explain each one of these, and those gospel cards, there's 1,005 gospel cards that went out that share the word of God on the west side of Columbus." [31:20] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God has started a movement. God has started a movement. Started. You hear me? God has started. In that minister's meeting, because I missed Melinda's little talk and reading, uh, she read the back of this. Right? Is that what you read? She read the back of this. In that minister's meeting, and the remnant that met that evening, that night, Friday night, we're continuing the outreach here on the west side of Columbus." [32:40] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God himself will provide. Okay. He always provides. God himself will provide. Oh, oh, oh, I don't know why God wants someone to get this because I've preached on this many, many, many times. Pastor Watts has preached on this many, many, many, many times. And I don't know why somebody needs this this morning. There might be somebody going through something right now and they don't know how they're going to get out of it. But God is determined to nail this message into your spirit that God himself will provide. Whatever it is that you're standing in need of, whether it's financial, emotional, mental, physical, a job opportunity, strength, health, peace, joy, comfort, God is trying to tell you something this morning." [42:10] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Somewhere in your life, God will give you something to see if you will give it back. To see if somewhere along the way, if you have fallen in love with the gifts he gave, then the God who gave it. Somewhere along the way, if you have fallen in love with the gifts he gave, somewhere along the way, your faith will be tested to prove that you are not just following God in a spirit of manipulation. To get him to orchestrate your affairs to get what you want out of him. God will ask you to give up something you love as evidence that you love him more." [46:30] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "It is interesting to realize that God starts a new people out of an old people. That he goes... He goes amongst the Gentiles to a place called Ur, which is really Mesopotamia, and in that he pulls out a Gentile, and God goes into covenant with him, circumcises him, and starts the Jewish nation from a Gentile bloodline. That alone, we could stay there all day. That alone. The fact that God could start something new out of something old. That God doesn't need all the conditions to be right. That he can turn water into wine. That he can take the children of Israel in the middle of the wilderness and say, this shall be the beginning of months for you. That it's new when God says it's new, not when man says it's new." [49:09] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "God talk is crazy talk. And most church folk can't handle God talk because God says things that don't make sense and we walk in our senses even though we're totally in our senses. to walk in the Spirit. A lot of you would have had major problems this past week going out on teams because we followed a lot of God talk this past week. Going up to church buildings and praying over the building outside of the building. No one in them. No one home. No one in the office. No staff there. Just laying our hands on the building." [53:23] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "God will talk to you if you allow him god god talk is is is is crazy talk and people just sit back and they shake their heads but when you start walking by faith and not by sight god opens doors abraham was called called to walk by faith and not by sight. But when we walk in our senses, even though we're told to walk, walk in the spirit, we walk in our senses and God, sometimes God says, step out." [01:04:17] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We say we want people to come to church. We say we want the church to grow. We say that we want to see souls added to the kingdom. Look, we have some great... We have some great ground that we have to walk out. God is waiting on us to get up and walk it out. The promises are out there. The land is out there. But God is waiting on us to get up and walk it out. As I was walking through the streets of the West Side this week, I saw the promises of God this week. But it took getting out. It took getting out of this building. It took getting out into the street. It took getting out of my home. It took getting out of my comfort zone." [01:06:33] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Will you walk the land? go will you say yes where the Lord has been prompting you yes I'll talk to that person that the Lord has been prompting me to talk to yes I'll share the gospel message with someone who I know doesn't know the Lord today yes I'll commit to the Great Commission which is to go go I challenge you to make a commitment to God to say yes to him today you don't know him say yes to him today yes to the blood of Jesus Christ yes to salvation yes to redemption yes to a life of freedom in Jesus Christ yes to the blood of Jesus Christ yes to salvation yes to today leave the old life behind and start walking toward the Lord say yes you know him say yes to walking the land leave her the Chaldees and walk the promised land because everywhere your footsteps that land is yours the promises are yours but you gotta walk it out what are you gonna do today there's a land ready for us to possess" [01:13:57] (105 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?