Climbing up an uncertain mountain - Absolute Faith in the Unseen
Genesis 22:1-8, 13-14; Exodus 24:12-18
Intro. It is easy for us to trust in the things we can see and touch. We love to talk about our faith in God, but do we have actions in our lives that prove we trust Him. Or is it evident that we like to say we trust Him, all the while trying to control our own circumstances around us.
We find a couple of incidents in the Bible that show an absolute faith, even tho they could not see the outcome.
I. THE SACRIFICE OF SON - Abraham and Isaac - Genesis 22:1-8, 13-14
A. The Father’s Love - vs. 2
He was tested for who he loved the most
B. The Father’s Loyalty - vs. 3
1. He obeyed immediately - vs. 3
2. He obeyed completely - vs. 4 “the place”
- Just any place was not good enough, it had to be the place (will of God)
3. He obeyed painfully - vs. 6 all of the supplies for the sacrifice
C. The Father’s Faith - vs. 5-8
1. The Promise of Return - vs. 5
2. The Probing of the Child - vs. 7
3. The Persuasion of the Father - vs. 8
D. The Father’s Triumph - vs. 9-13
1. His Actions spoke louder than words - vs. 9-10
2. His Answer was one of Trust - vs. 11, (see vs. 1) Here am I
3. His Aftermath was one of Jubilee - vs. 13-14
Abraham faced this uncertain mountain, but God was faithful!
II. THE SUBMISSION TO A SUMMONS - Moses and Joshua -
Exodus 24:12-18
A. The Leader’s Understanding - (approaching God)
1. He knew that it was a sacred thing
2. They had just sacrificed, His security was in the Blood
3. They could see the mountain, covered with a cloud, quaking with God’s presence!
B. The Leader’s Heart (Obedience)
1. He Listened to the Command of God - vs. 12
2. He Acted on the Command of God - vs. 13
IT is one thing to know right, it is absolutely another to do it!
C. The Leader’s Faith
1. He Climbed to an uncertain ledge - vs. 18
2. He Climbed with an assurance - vs. 14
Sometimes we do not want to submit to the task God has for us:
The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message" "Alter your course 10 degrees south." Promptly a return message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north."
The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south--I am the captain!"Soon another message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north--I am seaman third class Jones."Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: "Alter your course 10 degrees south--I am a battleship."Then the reply came "Alter your course 10 degrees north--I am a lighthouse."
III. The Standing in a Suspense (Joshua)
A. His Faithfulness to Follow
1. He does not say a word, He just followed his leader
2. You can never be a leader, until you learn how to follow
B. His Strength to Endure ( forty days and forty nights)
1. God is Speaking to Moses, no record of supplies being taken
2. They did not know how long they would be gone
Likely a 40 day fast!
C. His Character to Stay - 32:17
(Joshua not mentioned since chapter 24)
1. His friends and acquaintances were just down the mountain
2. He chose to be faithful to the plan of God than to the companionship of the world!
3. He recognized trouble when he heard it! 32:17
He was a faithful Companion to Moses, and God blessed Him
It was a stormy night in Birmingham, England, and Hudson Taylor was to speak at a meeting at the Severn Street schoolroom. His hostess assured him that nobody would attend on such a stormy night, but Taylor insisted on going. "I must go even if there is no one but the doorkeeper." Less than a dozen people showed up, but the meeting was marked with unusual spiritual power. Half of those present either became missionaries or gave their children as missionaries; and the rest were faithful supporters of the China Inland Mission for years to come. All Because, Hudson Taylor was Faithful!
Conclusion: The Climb of Assurance - Mt. Calvary
Jesus knew as he climbed that mountain, the same mountain where Isaac was offered to God, that He was there for a purpose. He had the Love. Loyalty, the Heart, the faithfulness, the strength and the character to climb it and fulfill what was to be done.
Maybe you are facing a Mountain of Sacrifice - Trust God
Maybe you are facing a Mountain of Submission - Trust God
Maybe you are facing a Mountain of Suspense - Trust God
It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, "What will you give me if I release you?" "The half of my wealth," was his reply. "And if I release your children?" "Everything I possess." "And if I release your wife?" "Your Majesty, I will give myself." Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he freed them all. As they returned home, the prince said to his wife, "Wasn’t Cyrus a handsome man!" With a look of deep love for her husband, she said to him, "I didn’t notice. I could only keep my eyes on you- -the one who was willing to give himself for me."
We should look at Jesus and say, we do not even notice the enticements of the world, we can only keep our eyes on the one willing to give himself for us.!!!!
Are you looking at your mountain or at your God?
