Scripture: Genesis 22
“Stop worrying about me. I joined the parachutists to fight. I intend to fight. If necessary, I shall die fighting, but don’t worry about this because no war can be won without young men dying. Those things which are precious are saved only by sacrifice.”
– David Webster (Easy Company – 101st Airborne)
This morning as we continue our Origins stories from the Book of Genesis, we will look at the willing sacrifice of Isaac, we’ll see the parallels to the willing sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the call for sacrifice in our own lives.
CONCLUSION
In this passage, God tested Abraham’s faith and provided an illustration of a willing sacrifice – the Redeemer who would come to bless all the nations of the world and take away their sins.
God did not spare His own Son – Just like Abraham Romans 8:32
Isaac carried the wood up the hill for the sacrifice. Some say this is a picture of Jesus carrying His wooden cross to Calvary. It could also represent the sins God laid on Jesus just like Abraham laid the wood on Isaac. Isaiah 53:6
Jesus offered Himself as a willing sacrifice and laid down His own life because of the instructions of His Father. Just like Isaac. John 10:17-18
The Ram was a substitute for Isaac. In John 1:29, John the Baptist saw Jesus coming and said “behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
Jesus Christ was the substitute for you and me.
God’s Word tells us that are all sinners Romans 3:23 and the penalty is death or separation from God Romans 6:23
But He not only died for us, but He came back to life conquering sin and death for us. 1 Peter 3:18
Jesus died in our place when He was crucified on the cross. He took the punishment for our sins and became our substitute. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Have you accepted Jesus sacrifice for your sins? Just knowing about it is not enough. God calls you to repent of your sins, believe that Jesus, the Son of God, died on the cross paying the penalty for your sins, and rose again to new life. Come talk to me if you want to be sure of your salvation today.
Believers
If you have already trusted Jesus as your Savior you are His disciple. Listen to what Jesus to us, His disciples.
“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:25-26
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12
Apostle Paul said in Phil. 2:16-18, even if I have to offer myself to share faith with others. I will be glad and rejoice. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
This passage in 1 Corinthians 3 talks about the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Bema seat when believers works or sacrifices will be judged and rewarded for their purity.
“Each one’s work will become manifest for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Cor. 3:13-15 ESV.
Are you willing to sacrifice anything, even yourself, for the sake of the Gospel? Are you willing to give up the parts of your life that need to change or be removed for you to become more like Jesus?
- Your time, your children to serve, your money, your life? All these things already belong to God if you are His son/daughter.
- The question should not be “What do I have to give up?”
- Instead it should be, “What can I offer God?”
- Let’s be good stewards of all He has entrusted to us.
