Giving God Our Best

Giving God Our Best By: Rev. James Torrence

Genesis 22:1-19 Text: Verse 9

Hebrews 11:17 – By faith Abraham, when he tried was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Here in these scriptures we find something that most or all of us have never really tried…….That is GIVING GOD OUR BEST!!!!

But that is what God called upon Abraham to give and also each of us to give.

There are to many of us who try to get by with a half love.

You remember Jesus asked Peter 3 time… “Peter do you love me more than…”

To many times we want to be like Peter in saying yes Lord I like you, God didn’t command us to like him but to LOVE Him. And love means sacrifice.

Lets look at four great experiences which came to Abraham in this supreme test of his life. Bare in mind God permitted him to pass through this test.

Abraham’s testing call – Verse one says..” Take now thy son..and offer, WOW what a call!! What a test!! Abraham has only one son and God is asking for him. See when God calls for your service not only does he want your love but trust ole Brother James on this one be ready to sacrifice.

God asked for NOTHING less than Abraham’s Best!!! God could have asked for his best cow or sheep, or even himself, But when he laid his hand upon his only son, brother he was touchin old Abe’s heartstrings.

See sometimes God has to SNAP the strings that keep us from our best. (Maybe God was using Isaac as a excuse for not serving God in some way.

He calls for the best of our love!!!

Matt 22:35-40

35Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"

37Jesus said to him, ""You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[1] 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[2] 40On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Boy Jesus sure is plain on how we should love ain’t he? Then what in the world is wrong with the Christian people today and fightin and bickerin. I mean we expect it from sinners.. Why do heathen rage…BECAUSE their heathen!!! But what about God’s people?? We have no excuse cause Matt 22 knock anyone of them down.

What if we loved God with all hearts?? That would sure weedout the heathen from the holy!!!

What if we loved God’s house like we do our own? Then you might see the holy out weeden. GOD CALLS FOR OUR BEST!!!!!!!! B_e_s_t

Not 2nd best not leftovers but our 1st string starting BEST!!!!

He calls for the best of our gifts – Lev. 27: 30 –33

30And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD. 31If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. 32And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD. 33He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it at all, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed."’

God does not, will not, can not and WON”T play second fiddle to anyone or anything!!!!

He calls for the best of our labors – Matt 19 : 27 – 30

27Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?"

28So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[1] or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

There ain’t a coach in this country that will allow a player to stay in a game with anything less than his best effort. Why do we expect God too??

God call for our best loyalty Luke 9:57-62

1) 57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go."