Sunday Sermons
Their Finest Hour
When asked the question, “Are you a faithful Christian?” One might be tempted to compare oneself to a false standard (2 Corinthians 10:12). Instead of thinking, “Well I am doing better than most” or, “People seem to think that I am faithful, or at least no one has accused me of being unfaithful”, let us ask God, “What does it mean to be faithful?” “What is the level of dedication that He expects?”
Abraham
Christians expected to walk in the same faith that Abraham manifested centuries ago (Romans 4:12 “but who also follow the steps of the faith of our father Abraham”; 4:16; Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith is it impossible to please Him”; 11:17 “By faith Abraham, when he was tested offered up Isaac”. Take a closer look in reference to those last two passages. We are greatly mistaken if we think that God does not expect of us today the same level of faithfulness that He expected of such men like Abraham. The faith that is necessary to please God in Hebrews chapter 11 is exactly the same type of faith that Abraham displayed when commanded to offer up Isaac. God expected Abraham to place Him ahead of Isaac, and God expects the same dedication that places Him ahead of family today (Matthew 10:37 “He who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me”).
Lessons from Genesis 22
· When God commanded something of Abraham, everything stopped for Abraham. Fulfilling the command, even a command that was extremely difficult, was given the top priority (Matthew 6:33; Genesis 22:3). Abraham surely had other responsibilities as a powerful and wealthy nomadic herder, from the constant care of livestock, to the oversight of servants and hired hands. Do we make the commands that God has given us to perform a priority?
· In Abraham we learn that being a good provider, a smart businessman, a good neighbor, a moral person, and a loving husband and father is not the sum total of what it means to be faithful. Abraham was all these things and more, yet God expected more of him. Remember, even unbelievers are good providers, good neighbors, moral people, and loving parents and mates (Matthew 5:46-47).
· Many people as they read the account describing God’s command for Abraham to sacrifice his only son are shocked and offended that God would even test a person with such a command. But why are we shocked? Because of man’s rebellion, sin entered the world (Romans 5:12), and because God loves mankind so much He sets in motion a plan that will cost Him dearly so that man can be saved (John 3:16). In order to bring out such a salvation, God needs a man from whom He can build a great nation that will result in the birth of the Messiah. But God cannot use just any man. The eternal destiny of human souls is on the line (as they are today), and He needs a man that will trust Him completely(Genesis 22:12,16-17).
· God allows this test to take place, not merely for His own evaluation of Abraham (Genesis 22:12), but for the sake of Abraham and Isaac as well. In order to grow spiritually one needs times of testing (Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-8). Abraham will learn much about himself in this section and he will gain confidence. Isaac will learn a tremendous lesson concerning that dedication that God expects (Matthew 22:37). It is a mistake to assume that such an event adversely affected Isaac’s psychological makeup. Children who know that their parents have a greater love and a greater loyalty for God than for them, are liberated from the pressure and adverse affects of being the center of the universe for their parents and the same is true in marriage as well. It is a great burden for any human being to bear when someone else is depending upon you for all their happiness. Children who have parents who are already happy and content because of their relationship with God, will not be parented out of the fear that the child might not love them if the parent makes an unpopular decision.
· This chapter also exists for all believers who have lived since the time of Abraham and is given as an encouragement for Christians (Hebrews 11:17-19). Remember, God expects the same loyalty of Christians as Abraham displayed, God comes first, everything else is in second place (Luke 14:26). Faithfulness means that we truly love God more than our mates, our children, other family members, and even our own lives. This is not an optional matter, but rather is a basic condition for being a Christian. This is the level of faithfulness, dedication, and loyalty that God expects. Are we faithful?
· At the end of this test, God does not apologize to Abraham for putting Abraham through such a situation. As I look at how God tested Abraham and I am left wondering, “Compared to this I have not really experienced anything difficult in life”. What Abraham went though should also make us rethink the way that we complain about all the “stress” in our lives. Compared to Abraham, I don’t think that I have any stressful situations! After reading this chapter I feel ashamed for complaining about the dumps in the road that I encounter and I also ask myself the question, “Am I strong enough spiritually to really be tested?” (Proverbs 24:10 “If you are slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited”).
Job
Job is also set before Christians as an example to follow (James 5:10-11).
“Perhaps the most intense example of undeserved suffering (besides that of Christ) is recorded in the book of Job. In a matter of minutes, Job, a wealthy and godly man, lost all his material possessions, all his children, and his health. Then, adding anguish upon anguish, his friends accused him rather than consoled him. Furthermore, God, from all appearances, was intentionally absenting Himself from Job’s problems, refusing to hear and rise to his cause” (Job, Roy Zuck, p. 5).
· Again we see that such a man as Job, “blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil” (1:1), is allowed to suffer tremendously because even Job needs to reach a deeper level of spiritual understanding and faith. Even Job needs additional spiritual growth (Hebrews 5:14).
· Just look at Job’s love for this grown children (Job 1:5), yet God will allow all these children to die in order for Job to be tested (1:12,19). There is something even more important than family. Let us remember that! One can find another spouse after the death of a husband or wife, one can even have more children, and possessions can be acquired once again, but there is something that cannot be replaced, that is, one’s soul if one dies in a lost condition. One’s relationship with God must take priority over all other considerations. Everything that Job endured will be worth the growth that is seen at the end of the book (42:1-6). Unquestioning loyalty, a faith that will not bend or break, absolute confidence in God’s governing of this world, absolute trust in the wisdom of His word, and a love that serves God even if one receives absolutely no earthly reward for such service, is the love that God desires.
“Have you considered My servant Job?” 1:8
Would God even dare present us before Satan as an example of faithfulness? Are we dependable? “Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face” (Job 1:9-11). Why are we Christians? Satan did not question Job’s outward dutiful life, but he did question Job’s motivation. “It’s all a front. He serves You only because of what he gets out of it. Take the pay away and he’ll quit the job”. Will Job be seen as one who will serve God even if he gets nothing in return? Will anyone serve God for no personal gain? Is worship a coin that buys us a heavenly reward? Does man serve God to get blessings, fearing that failure to worship will bring punishment? Is piety part of a contract by which to gain wealth and ward off trouble?” (Zuck p. 15).
· There seems to be a myth among religious people, that if God really loves you, He will not allow bad things to happen to you. This is false. God actually chastens believers and allows them to be tried (Hebrews 12:4-7; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9; Deuteronomy 8:3-5).
Job 1:22 “Nor did he blame God”
“How many believers today would react as Job did if they encountered the blows he experienced? How many would follow adversity with adoration, woe with worship? How many would, like Job, maintain their moral integrity, refusing to bend to bitterness? How many, suffering inequitably, would refuse to blame God of wrongdoing?” (Zuck p. 17).
· Job is a tremendous example of how strong a human being can be when they have genuine faith. This is the faith that is needed to overcome the world (1 John 5:4). Are we doing everything we can at the present to make sure that our faith is this strong? Are we taking advantage of opportunities that would strength our faith?
· In view of these examples, I stand amazed when professed Christians cannot seem to find the motivation to study their Bibles, pray regularly, depart from sin, share the gospel with others, worship God with enthusiasm, take time out to help and assist others, or sadly even make it to worship services, which is a direct command (Hebrews 10:24-25). If I fall into this category of apathy, God could have never presented me to Satan as an example of faithfulness. And Abraham’s faithful willingness to offer up his only son without complaint, delay or question, certainly would put me to shame. Remember, everyone is tested (Acts 14:22; James 1:2-4). At the time of the test, it will be too late to make any preparations, the test will find you and deal with you just as you are. Look at the tests that others are experiencing in this congregation. Why is it that at times we think that we will be immune? In addition, in light of the above verse, Christians need to remember that difficult times do not give them the right to question God’s wisdom or the way He is running this universe. Faith includes an unquestioning devotion and belief that God is holy and is always doing what is in our best interest. Take the time to read Romans 8:38-39. No matter what would happen to Paul, nothing would ever move Paul to believe that God did not presently love him.
