Father's Day Faith

2024.06.16.Sermon Notes. FATHER’S DAY FAITH

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA: Abraham has finally received GOD’s Promise of a son from whom many nations and descendants of Abraham would come. But today, we see GOD putting this Father to the ultimate test. Choose this son whom you love, or ME.

Scriptures: Genesis 21:1-7, Hebrews 11:8-12, Genesis 22:1-24, Hebrews 11:17-19, John 3:16

Today is Father’s Day. A celebration of those who have fathered us and mentored us. Men of Faith in our lives, who have shown us the love, and directed us to the HEAVENLY FATHER.

And while it is a happy day for some, it also is a day of sadness.

For those men who desire to be a father, and cannot.

For those who have lost their father or are estranged from their father.

For those fathers, who have lost a child, or become estranged from their children.

Today is a special day, no matter how we face it.

I’m thankful for a good earthly father, who is now with the LORD GOD, MY HEAVENLY FATHER.

I’m thankful for a HEAVENLY FATHER, who called me out to turn to HIM, and listen to HIM, as though I was listening to my dad.

This is a special day, as we can all look to OUR FATHER, WHO IS IN HEAVEN, WHO loves us, blesses us, and provides for our every need, all in HIS perfect plan and timing for our lives.

(Recap) Genesis 21:1-7 Isaac Is Born (Heb. 11:11)

1 And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac. 4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” 7 She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Hebrews 11:8-12

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

BY FAITH ABRAHAM and SARAH believed the LORD and in HIS PROMISES

ISAAC, YOUR ONLY SON.

SON OF PROMISE

HOLY SPIRIT PROVISION

Genesis 22:1-24 Abraham’s Faith Confirmed (Heb. 11:17–19)

1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

ISAAC, YOUR ONLY SON.

WE KNOW THAT ABRAHAM FATHERED TWO SONS, ISHMAEL AND ISAAC, BUT IT WAS ISAAC THAT CAME FROM THE UNION OF THOSE PROMISED, ABRAHAM AND SARAH. THIS WAS THE UNION FROM WHICH THE BLESSING WOULD FLOW TO ALL NATIONS.

AND I WONDER AT WHAT ABRAHAM AND ISAAC WERE THINKING. FROM THE INSTANCE THAT GOD COMMANDED ABRAHAM TO TAKE HIS SON ISAAC AND OFFER HIM AS A BURNT OFFERING, WHAT RAN THROUGH ABRAHAM’S MIND?

3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.

THREE DAYS TRAVEL, AND AGAIN, WHAT WAS ABRAHAM’S THOUGHTS?

5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

WE GET AN INKLING OF ABRAHAM’S THOUGHTS HERE. “WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU”.