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Abraham’s
Sacrificial Faith
Introduction
(Hebrews 11:17–19)
Hebrews 11:17–19 reveals faith at its highest cost: Abraham offering
Isaac. In that test, Abraham trusted God to keep His promises, even
to the point of raising the dead. This is sacrificial faith that
obeys completely and rests in God’s power.
The Command
and the Test
God tested Abraham: “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom
you love… and offer him” (Genesis 22:1–2). The words reach into a
father’s heart. Isaac was the child of promise through whom God
said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called” (Hebrews 11:18). Abraham
rose early, prepared the wood, journeyed to Moriah, built the altar,
bound Isaac, and stretched forth the knife (Genesis 22:3–10). The
test was clear. Would Abraham treasure the gift more than the Giver?
God requires undivided loyalty. He asks for the first place in every
decision, every relationship, and every possession.
Faith
Reasoning on God’s Promises
Hebrews says Abraham “concluded that God was able to raise him up,
even from the dead” (Hebrews 11:19). That is the logic of faith. God
had sworn promises to Abraham—nation, land, blessing, and “seed”
(Genesis 22:16–18). By the Spirit, Paul identifies the “seed” as
Christ (Galatians 3:16). Since the promises rested on Isaac’s line,
Abraham reasoned that obedience to God’s command could not cancel
God’s oath. Therefore, if Isaac died, God would raise him. True
faith lays God’s promise beside God’s command and submits to the
command, trusting the promise.
The
Substitute and the Lord Who Provides
At the altar, the Angel of the LORD stayed Abraham’s hand, and a ram
appeared, caught by its horns (Genesis 22:11–13). Abraham offered
the ram “instead of his son,” and named the place “The LORD Will
Provide” (Genesis 22:14). The mount of the LORD displays
substitution and providence: God supplies the sacrifice that averts
death. This points forward to Christ, who laid down His life for us
(1 John 3:16). “While we were still without strength, in due time
Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). On Moriah, God taught
that salvation comes by His provision, not human merit.
Obedience
that Justifies
James appeals to this scene: “Was not Abraham our father justified
by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?… By works faith
was made perfect” (James 2:21–22). Scripture says, “Abraham believed
God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness,” and James shows
that living faith acts. Abraham’s offering did not replace faith. It
completed and proved faith. Saving faith always obeys, even when the
path is steep.
The
Assurance that Sustains Sacrifice
Romans 4 describes Abraham as “fully convinced that what He had
promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:21). That assurance
fuels sacrificial obedience. God gives life to the dead and calls
into existence what does not exist (Romans 4:17). The Christian hope
rests on the same power. The Son promises everlasting life to all
who believe and will raise them up at the last day (John 6:40). He
declares that all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come
forth (John 5:24, 28–29). With resurrection before us, we can lay
anything on the altar.
What God
Requires of Us Today
God seeks hearts that hold nothing back. Family, friends,
possessions, position, plans—everything must yield to the will of
God. The call is simple and searching: “Because you have obeyed My
voice” (Genesis 22:18). Discipleship walks that same road: hear the
word, believe the promises, obey the commands, and trust the Lord to
provide.
Abraham’s
Sacrificial Faith Sermon Outline:
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Introduction: Faith at its
highest cost (Hebrews 11:17–19).
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I. The
Command and the Test (Genesis 22:1–10)
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God’s
call to offer Isaac, the beloved son.
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Abraham’s prompt preparation and deliberate steps of
obedience.
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The
altar as the place where loyalty is proven.
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II.
Faith’s Holy Reasoning (Hebrews 11:18–19)
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God’s
oath through Isaac cannot fail.
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Faith
concludes God can raise the dead.
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Promise
and command held together by trust.
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III.
The Substitute God Provides (Genesis 22:11–14; 1 John 3:16;
Romans 5:6)
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The ram
“instead of” Isaac.
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“The
LORD Will Provide”—the banner of providence.
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Foreshadowing the cross where Christ dies for sinners.
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IV.
Obedience that Justifies (James 2:21–24)
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V. The
Assurance that Sustains Sacrifice (Romans 4:17–21; John 6:40;
John 5:24, 28–29)
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God
gives life to the dead.
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Christ’s
promise of resurrection and everlasting life.
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Hope
that frees the heart to yield all.
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VI.
Application
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Place
every treasure under God’s rule.
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Trust
God’s promise while obeying God’s command.
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Walk
daily in surrendered, resurrection-shaped faith.
Call to
Action
Bring your heart to the altar. Yield the treasure you have guarded.
Trust the God who gave His Son and who raises the dead. Believe the
gospel, repent of sin, confess Christ, and be baptized for the
forgiveness of sins. Then walk forward in daily obedience, certain
that the Lord will provide and that the risen Christ will keep every
promise.
Key
Takeaways
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Abraham’s
test reveals undivided loyalty to God (Genesis 22:1–2, 9–12).
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Faith
reasons from God’s promises to God’s power to raise the dead
(Hebrews 11:18–19).
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God provides
the substitute; salvation rests on His provision (Genesis
22:13–14; 1 John 3:16; Romans 5:6).
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Living faith
is completed by obedience (James 2:21–24).
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Resurrection
hope sustains sacrificial discipleship (Romans 4:17–21; John
6:40; John 5:24, 28–29).
Scripture
Reference List
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Genesis
22:1–19 – The command, the altar,
the substitute, and the promise renewed.
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Hebrews
11:17–19 – Abraham’s faith
concludes God can raise the dead.
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Galatians 3:16 – The promise to
Abraham’s “seed,” who is Christ.
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James
2:21–24 – Faith made perfect by
works; Abraham justified when he offered Isaac.
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1 John
3:16 – Love known in Christ
laying down His life.
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Romans
5:6 – Christ died for the ungodly
at the right time.
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Romans
4:16–21 – Fully convinced God
performs what He promises.
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John
5:24, 28–29 – Passing from death
to life; the hour of resurrection.
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John
6:40 – The Son will raise
believers at the last day.
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
