Faithful Obedience: Listening for God's Ongoing Guidance
Summary
Dr. Charles Wesley Knight delivers a compelling message centered on the biblical account of Abraham's test of faith, as found in Genesis 22. He explores the concept of obedience to God's ongoing guidance rather than clinging to past instructions. The narrative of Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son Isaac is used to illustrate the importance of continually listening for God's direction, even after receiving a promise or a blessing.
The message begins with an acknowledgment of the human tendency to focus on the gifts received from God rather than on God Himself. Dr. Knight emphasizes that every blessing, referred to as an "Isaac," is not meant for personal retention but for offering back to God. He challenges the audience to consider whether they are in competition with the gifts they have been given, suggesting that such competition can lead to neglecting one's spiritual duties.
Dr. Knight then delves into the story of Abraham, highlighting his posture of listening and readiness to act on God's command without needing all the details. This level of faith and obedience is presented as a model for believers. The distinction between Abraham's two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, is discussed, pointing out that while Ishmael was a product of Abraham's impatience, Isaac was the fulfillment of God's promise. The focus is on the importance of waiting for God's timing and provision rather than taking matters into one's own hands.
The narrative continues with Abraham's journey to Moriah, where he is to sacrifice Isaac. Dr. Knight points out that God did not initially reveal the specific mountain for the sacrifice, teaching that faith often requires moving forward without complete information, trusting that God will provide clarity in due time. The story reaches its climax when Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac, only to be stopped by God, who provides a ram as a substitute offering. This moment is used to illustrate the necessity of remaining attentive to God's voice, as past instructions may change according to His will.
Dr. Knight also addresses the issue of religious pride and the danger of believing one has all the answers. He warns against the arrogance of claiming to possess "the truth" and encourages a posture of humility and continuous learning.
In conclusion, the message calls for a reevaluation of one's relationship with God, urging a shift from focusing on personal achievements and blessings to prioritizing obedience and a willingness to surrender to God's will. The story of Abraham and Isaac serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith and the importance of keeping one's spiritual ears open to God's ongoing guidance.
Key Takeaways:
- True faith requires a readiness to act on God's commands without demanding all the details upfront. Like Abraham, believers are called to trust that God will provide the necessary guidance at the right time, even if the full plan is not immediately clear. This level of trust fosters a deeper relationship with God and a willingness to follow His lead. [19:19]
- The story of Abraham and Isaac teaches that God's blessings are not always meant for personal retention but are often given to be offered back to Him. This principle challenges believers to evaluate their attachment to the gifts they have received and to prioritize their relationship with the Giver above all else. [26:56]
- Continual listening to God's voice is crucial, as it prevents believers from acting on expired instructions. Just as Abraham had to listen for God's intervention to avoid sacrificing Isaac, believers must stay attuned to God's current directions for their lives, which may differ from past commands. [37:15]
- The distinction between the manufactured and the manifested in Abraham's life serves as a warning against self-reliance and impatience. Believers are encouraged to wait for God's promises to manifest in His timing rather than creating their own solutions, which often lead to complications and lack God's blessing. [22:39]
- Worship and obedience are deeply connected, as demonstrated by Abraham's declaration that he and Isaac were going up the mountain to worship. This act of worship was not just a ritual but a profound expression of trust and surrender to God's will, even when it seemed incomprehensible. Believers are called to embrace this same spirit of worshipful obedience in their walk with God. [32:50]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 22:1-14 (ESV)
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific command did God give to Abraham in Genesis 22:2, and how did Abraham respond to it? ([08:11])
2. How did Abraham demonstrate his faith and obedience during his journey to Moriah? ([08:53])
3. What was the significance of the ram caught in the thicket, and how did it relate to Abraham's test? ([10:19])
4. How did Abraham's declaration in Genesis 22:5 ("We will go and worship and come again to you") reflect his faith in God's provision? ([31:54])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God tested Abraham after promoting him to the father of Isaac? What does this reveal about the nature of God's tests? ([13:55])
2. How does the distinction between Ishmael and Isaac illustrate the difference between the "manufactured" and the "manifested" in our lives? ([21:11])
3. What does Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac teach us about the importance of prioritizing the Giver over the gift? ([24:36])
4. How can the concept of "keeping one's spiritual ears open" to God's ongoing guidance be applied in our daily lives? ([37:15])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was asking you to act without giving you all the details. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can Abraham's example encourage you in similar situations? ([19:19])
2. Consider the blessings or "Isaacs" in your life. Are there any that you might be holding onto too tightly? How can you offer them back to God in a way that honors Him? ([26:56])
3. In what ways can you cultivate a posture of continual listening to God's voice? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are not acting on expired instructions? ([37:15])
4. Have you ever experienced the consequences of relying on your own solutions rather than waiting for God's timing? How did that situation resolve, and what did you learn from it? ([22:39])
5. How can you integrate worship and obedience in your daily walk with God, similar to how Abraham declared his intent to worship even in the face of a difficult command? ([32:50])
6. Reflect on any areas of religious pride or arrogance in your life. How can you adopt a more humble and teachable spirit, as Dr. Knight encourages? ([43:02])
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust God's ongoing guidance rather than relying on past instructions. What steps will you take this week to seek His current direction? ([37:15])
Devotional
Day 1: Trust Without Full Disclosure
True faith involves trusting in God's guidance without requiring every detail of His plan. Like Abraham, who moved forward without knowing the exact location for the sacrifice, we too are called to step out in faith, trusting that God will reveal the necessary steps as we go. This trust deepens our reliance on God and strengthens our spiritual journey. [19:19]
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: What decision or situation in your life requires you to trust God without having all the answers right now?
Day 2: The Gift is Not the Goal
God's blessings are meant to flow through us, not just to us. The story of Abraham and Isaac reminds us that our blessings, our "Isaacs," are not always for us to keep but to potentially offer back to God. This challenges us to examine our attachment to God's gifts and to prioritize our relationship with the Giver above the gifts themselves. [26:56]
Matthew 6:19-21 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: Consider a blessing you've been holding onto tightly. How can you use or offer that blessing in a way that honors God and extends His kingdom?
Day 3: Attuned to the Current Call
Remaining attentive to God's voice is essential, as His instructions for our lives can change over time. Abraham's experience teaches us to listen for God's current guidance, which may differ from past directions. This continual listening ensures we are acting on God's present will and not on outdated commands. [37:15]
Isaiah 30:21 - "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a practice of listening for God's voice in your daily life, and what might be a recent example where you sensed a change in direction?
Day 4: Manifestation Over Manufacture
The story of Ishmael and Isaac warns us against impatience and self-reliance. We are encouraged to wait for God's promises to manifest in His timing rather than creating our own solutions, which often lead to complications and lack God's blessing. Patience in faith leads to the fulfillment of God's true promises. [22:39]
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
Reflection: What promise or desire are you tempted to rush, and how can you practice patience, trusting in God's perfect timing?
Day 5: Worship as Obedience
Worship is more than a song or ritual; it is an act of obedience and surrender to God's will. Abraham's declaration of going up the mountain to worship was an expression of his trust and readiness to obey God, even when it seemed incomprehensible. Our worship should reflect a similar posture of surrender and obedience. [32:50]
Romans 12:1 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
Reflection: What aspect of your life do you need to surrender more fully to God, and how can you express that surrender through your daily acts of worship?
Quotes
1) "God speaks to Abraham and says Abraham Abraham's answer is Lord I'm listening with an intent to do whatever you ask me to do without knowing the details." [19:19]
2) "Abraham has to make a decision just like you've got to make a decision Abraham with tears in his eyes but faith in his heart packs up his bags chops the wood tells his son follow me." [26:56]
3) "God says go to the land of Moriah I will show you the mountain to offer him on notice if you will he does not tell him which mountain at the beginning of the journey because faith does not require for God to give you the details of the journey." [27:50]
4) "Abraham Abraham don't harm the boy now I know that you fear that you reverence that you love the giver of the gift more than the gift." [37:15]
5) "Abraham leaves with a general direction of where to go but he does not know the exact spot where God wants him to be until God reveals it." [45:17]
6) "God will break a rule to bless you he'll make your blessing climb the rough side of the mountain." [46:47]
7) "Abraham had a sense of expectation that God can do the impossible Abraham believed that God is able to be is there anybody in the building that still believes he can do the impossible." [32:50]
8) "The Bible says that Abraham grabs the land why the lamb why this lamb caught in the bush Isaac is now saved and now the lamb comes and the Bible says that he takes the lamb." [48:15]
9) "The Bible says that God never told Abraham to offer up the lamb so why would God why would Abraham offer a lamb God instructed him the whole time of what to do but this time he takes it on himself and he grabs the lamb and offered it why." [49:22]
10) "If you lift your hand and surrender today there is a better blessing in the bush." [47:32]
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