What Is Faith? (Part 3)

Faith is essential to having a right relationship with our Creator. It is what allows us to receive every glorious blessing of heaven. And in this third installment of a three-part message titled, What Is Faith?, we see Abraham exercise deep trust in God at a crucial moment in his life, showing us what true faith really looks like. 

► Genesis 22:1–14
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take 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.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 

4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 

9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 

13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Cross-References

• 3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. (Psalm 130:3–4)

Discussion Questions

1. What were some of the highlights and lowlights of your week? Everyone needs to get a chance to answer!
2. In this three-part series, we’ve been asking the question: “What is faith?” After the final installment tonight, how would you define faith in your own words?
3. Do you believe that you have real faith? Explain how you know, and if not, what should one do to acquire faith?
4. From the cross-reference section, reread Psalm 130:3–4 together. How do you think receiving forgiveness of our sins, instead of punishment, lead us to fear God? What might this look like in everyday life?
5. Reread v. 12 together. In Abraham’s life, his fear of God led to total surrender. What might you be holding back from God? Is there anything He’s calling you give up so that you can more fully obey Him?
6. Pray

RISEN is a ministry of the Sheboygan eFree Church for students in grades 6 - 12 that aims to transform lives by proclaiming the resurrected Jesus Christ in all of His grace and glory.

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