Scripture:

Consecrating God's Promise Back to Him

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-5

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Genesis 22:1-5 NKJV 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." 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. 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."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Introduction

Abraham now possessed partial fulfullment of God's promises to him. He now has two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. But God only recognizes the existance of Isaac, and He is asking Abraham to place Isaac on an altar of sacrifice.

I. Taking ownership of God's promise

A. Signals of taking ownership

1. We start trying to figure out what God meant when He said ...

2. We start trying to make it happen

3. We produce an Ishmael

a. We find a Hagar - our own plan

b. She conceives an Ishmael - a product of the flesh

B. We come up with an alternate plan

C. We produce products of the flesh

D. We want God to bless our efforts

Genesis 17:18 NKJV And Abraham said to God, "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!"

II. Consequences of taking ownership of God's promise

Galatians 4:28-30 NKJV Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

A. We have to make the promise come to pass

B. Constant conflict between His efforts and our efforts

C. Futile efforts to persuade God to recognize our efforts

D. Our efforts interfere with His plans

E. We experience the pain of sending our effort away

Genesis 21:9-11 KJV And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. 10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.

III. Consecrating God's promise back to Him

Genesis 22:5, 10 NKJV 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." 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

A. Signals of that consecration

1. Total and immediate obedience to Him

Genesis 22:3 NKJV 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.

2. Absolute trust in God's faithfulness

Genesis 22:5, 8 NKJV 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." 8 And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together.

3. Willingness to give the promise back to God

Genesis 22:10 NKJV And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

B. How to consecrate God's promise back to Him

1. Ask God to forgive:

a. Your failure to believe in His faithfulness

b. Your failure to trust Him

c. Your taking matters into your own hands

2. Send away your Hagar and Ishmael

3. Obey God's instructions regarding His promise

4. Acknowledge your trust in God's faithfullness

5. Be willing to give His promise back to Him

6. Make giving back His promise an act of worship