Part 2: Abraham – Learning to Give God What He Wants Most
What does God really want from me?
80 percent of Christians in America think that “keeping the rules”, especially the 10 Commandments is what God wants the most.
… “faithful church attendance, bible reading and tithing”
True spirituality is built on the principle of relationship, not rules.
True Spirituality begins with an accurate picture of God.
1. Abraham’s journey reveals what God wants most from each of us.
The call from God to Abraham to follow Him. (Genesis 12:1-3)
Test #1 –Famine—Will you trust me to protect you? (Genesis 12)
Test #2 –Greed- Will you trust me to provide for you? (Genesis 13)
Test #3--Prosperity—Will you trust me with your possessions? (Genesis 14)
Test #4 -- Courage – Will you trust me to fulfill my promises (Genesis 15)
Test #5 –Timing-- Will you trust me by patiently enduring. (Genesis 16)
Test #6- Obedience- Will you trust me when what I ask doesn’t make sense? (Genesis 17)
Test #7 -The Final Exam- Will you trust me with everything and everyone in your life? (Genesis 22)
-An outrageous request
-An obedient response
-A long walk
-The moment of truth
-The great reward
II. Abraham’s success and confidence was in God’s promises and God’s character. That is the secret to his surrender and his reward.
20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Hebrews 11:17-19
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6
III. Abraham’s life reveals that surrender is the channel through which God’s biggest and best blessings flow.
Surrender is the key to experiencing true spirituality.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. John 12:24-25
…The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:24-25
What does God want from me and you?
1. He wants all I am and all I have.
2. God wants you by faith to say “Lord I’m all In”
What does God really want from me?
80 percent of Christians in America think that “keeping the rules”, especially the 10 Commandments is what God wants the most.
… “faithful church attendance, bible reading and tithing”
True spirituality is built on the principle of relationship, not rules.
True Spirituality begins with an accurate picture of God.
1. Abraham’s journey reveals what God wants most from each of us.
The call from God to Abraham to follow Him. (Genesis 12:1-3)
Test #1 –Famine—Will you trust me to protect you? (Genesis 12)
Test #2 –Greed- Will you trust me to provide for you? (Genesis 13)
Test #3--Prosperity—Will you trust me with your possessions? (Genesis 14)
Test #4 -- Courage – Will you trust me to fulfill my promises (Genesis 15)
Test #5 –Timing-- Will you trust me by patiently enduring. (Genesis 16)
Test #6- Obedience- Will you trust me when what I ask doesn’t make sense? (Genesis 17)
Test #7 -The Final Exam- Will you trust me with everything and everyone in your life? (Genesis 22)
-An outrageous request
-An obedient response
-A long walk
-The moment of truth
-The great reward
II. Abraham’s success and confidence was in God’s promises and God’s character. That is the secret to his surrender and his reward.
20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Hebrews 11:17-19
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6
III. Abraham’s life reveals that surrender is the channel through which God’s biggest and best blessings flow.
Surrender is the key to experiencing true spirituality.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. John 12:24-25
…The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:24-25
What does God want from me and you?
1. He wants all I am and all I have.
2. God wants you by faith to say “Lord I’m all In”
