“The Ultimate Test

"The Ultimate Test." Ch.22:1-13

Verse one says, "God did tempt Abraham."

"God did tempt Abraham" it means that God tested Abraham.

What was God’s test? What is "The Ultimate Test?"

I believe the answer to that question is found in verse 12.

The test for Abraham was do you fear God?

The subject of "fearing God" is one that is addressed hundreds of times in the scriptures. Let me share some examples with you.
Ps:2:11: Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Ps:33:8: Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Ps:34:7: The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Ps:111:10: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:

Ps:128:1: Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

Prov:1:7: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Prov:3:7: Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Prov:15:16: Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

In describing man in his sinful condition Paul says in

Romans 3:18: There is no fear of God before their eyes.

2Cor:7:1: instructs us to: "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Eph:5:21: teaches the believer that we are to be "Submitting …one to another in the fear of God."

Heb:10:31: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Fearing God is not a concept that our culture understands very much about these days.

We live in the NO FEAR generation.

One of the reasons so many homes are in shambles and our culture has such horrendous moral problems is that we as a nation have stopped fearing God!

The Ultimate Test is simply this. Do you fear God?

Abraham passed that test.

In this episode of his life Abraham illustrates the characteristics of a person who fears the Lord.

For example, Abraham’s example teaches us first that the person who fears the Lord is…

1. A PERSON WHO OBEYS THE LORD COMPLETELY

We see Abraham taking off the next morning to do what the Lord has instructed him to do.

Abraham did not respond the way we often do.

Abraham wasn’t like the old comedian W.C. Fields. It is reported that when W.C. Fields was on his deathbed a friend of his dropped in on him and caught Fields reading the Bible. Shocked to see Fields a man who live his life of contempt for anything holy reading the Bible he asked him what he was up to. Fields replied, "I’m looking for loopholes."

Does the world look for loopholes to justify some area of disobedience?

Listen, being obedient to the Lord isn’t just a good idea, it is vitally important.

Let me show you three reasons why. It is important because of what it verifies.

1. It verifies assurance of salvation

1Jo 2:3,4 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

2. It verifies love for the Savior.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

3. It verifies the Lordship of Jesus.

Luke 14:6 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

2. A PERSON WHO TRUSTS THE LORD TOTALLY

Abraham’s response to the Lord was not only an act of obedience

It was a tremendous demonstration of trust.

Notice for example in verses 7-8.

In the New Testament we gain some important insight into the thought processes of Abraham as he was facing this circumstance.

Heb 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

God had made him a promise.

He promised that his seed would be as great as the stars in the sky .

What faith. Abraham illustrates what real living faith is about. He decided to obey the Lord in spite of the circumstances or the consequences.

Pr 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
We need to trust the Lord like that.

ILL> The hair cut---

We respond that way to the Lord at times.

Instead of trusting we doubt God’s love for us.

We are afraid to trust the Lord totally because we are afraid we are going to end up with a bad cut.
3. A PERSON WHO LOVES THE LORD SUPREMELY

In verse 2 of this passage we have the first reference to love in the Bible. You will not find the word love in the first 21 chapters of Genesis.

Abraham loved Isaac.

The fact is, Abraham love the Lord more.

Abraham loved the Lord supremely

How do I know that? I know that because individuals who love the Lord supremely

do two things.

First…

1. They are willing to Serve in Anyway

It is interesting that in verse 5 that Abraham viewed what he was about to do as "worship."

In his view what the offering of Isaac was expression of service unto the Lord.

When Paul when he met the Lord on the road to Damascus, "Lord, what would you have me to do?"

No task was too great or too.

Secondly.. the person who loves the Lord supremely…

2. They are willing to sacrifice anything.

Abraham was will to sacrifice perhaps what he loved most. (God did this)

Isaac represented all the promises and plans of God.

Isaac represented all that Abraham was living for.

He put that on the altar.

Mt 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

We have the capacity to love because … He first loved us

Conclusion: The Ultimate Test… Do you fear God?