Intro: Ill. The Siamese twins joined at the waist. Both could not live, so the parents had to choose which child lived and which child died. What a terrible predicament to be in. That, however, is the position that God placed Abraham in in this passage. Abraham had a choice to make and it involved the live of his son. Abraham’s faith was on trial before the Lord.

Ill. 1 Pet. 1:7, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" Through the centuries, Abraham has stood as a monument to true faith if God. He trusted God in every area of his life and he was vindicated by God every time. He was tried, but he came forth from the trial shining in the glory of the Lord.

In these verses, we can learn much about the trial of faith. We can learn how to handle the trials of life and about the One who makes the victory possible for us. This morning, notice with me tree aspects of the trial of faith.

I. v. 1-2a A LOVING FATHER (Evidenced by:)

A. Isaac’s Appearing – He was: 1. The Son Of Promise – Gen. 17:19; 2. The Son of Prophecy – Gen. 17:19; 3. The Son of Abraham’s Old Age – Gen. 17:17. These three facts caused Isaac to hold a high place in his father’s life.

B. Abraham’s Actions – Ill. Gen. 21:8-14. Abraham held Isaac higher in his esteem than he did Ishmael.

C. God’s Acknowledgment – God knew Abraham better than anyone else and he stated the fact that Abraham loved Isaac! (Ill. Love made the task hard!)

II. v. 2b-14 A LIVING FAITH (Evidenced By)

A. v. 2b A Requirement – Ill. The context – This was a hard request which God placed upon Abraham. Ill. True faith is always tested – 1 Pet. 4:12; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Tim. 3:12. (Ill. Faith that is never tested is not a faith at all!)

B. v. 3-10 A Response – Ill. The context! Without question, Abraham set about doing that which God demanded. Ill. True faith always responds to God’s call!Abraham’s faith revealed the fact that he loved God more than he loved Isaac! Ill. John 14:15. (Ill. The particulars of the journey! v. 8-10 – These verses reveal the true faith of Abraham!) (Ill. How could Abraham do it all? Because in his mind Isaac died when God spoke. He had already put Isaac to death before he ever left home!) This is the secret to a walk of total faith. That is, a mind absolutely yielded to the Lord and ready at once to surrender all to Him!

C. v. 11-14 A Reward – Ill. The context. True faith in God is always rewarded by God. When we respond to Him in absolute trust and faith, He gets the glory and He blesses. God honors faith, because true faith honors God! (Ill. He doesn’t always pay off on Friday, but He always pays off!)

D. God may require that you and I walk through some pretty hard places, but it is faith that will deliver us and get us through all the valleys. Faith is the key ingredient that makes all the difference between worry and winning, struggling and succeeding, tragedy and triumph. Faith is the key to victory in the Christian life – Ill. 1 Cor. 15:57.

III. v. 12-14 SOME LASTING FEATURES (Ill. This story still speaks to us today because of three outstanding features!)

A. The Picture In Isaac – (Ill. A Portrait of Jesus through and through)

1. Only Son – John 3:16; Matt. 3:17

2. Son was Obedient To The Father’s Will – (Ill. Isaac about 15-20, Abraham about 100. Isaac was more than able to overcome his father, yet he submitted, just like Jesus. John 4:34; Luke 22:42.

3. Isaac carried the wood for the offering – Ill. Jesus carried His own cross – John 19:17

4. Isaac prayed to his Father – So did Jesus – Luke 22:42.

5. Isaac willingly surrender to the appointed task – John 10:18. So did Jesus, no one had to force Him to go to the cross – Isa. 53:7.

6. Isaac dead for three days – (Ill. In Abraham’s mind!) – Jesus was in the tomb for three days – Matt. 16:21.

7. Isaac Raised from the dead – Heb. 11:17-19 – Jesus was also raised from the dead – Matt. 28:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:1-23. (Ill. Rev. 1:18!)

B. The Peace In Abraham – Abraham is a wonderful portrait of the grace and peace of God. He was certainly heartbroken and miserable, yet somehow, he knew that God would intervene. (Ill. His attitude – Heb. 11:17-19) Perhaps, Abraham was even excited as he contemplated what God would do. Surely, he would se a new side of the Lord in this work. Ill. This is an encouragement for you and I to continue to trust in the Lord. He has no respect of persons, and what He did for Abraham, He will do for you!

C. The Provision Of God – Ill. The Ram in the thorns. God abundantly intervened and met the need. (Ill. He name of the place – Jehovah-Jireh – "The Lord Will See To It.") Ill. While (pain, heartache, grief, sorrow, dread, death, brokenness) went up one side of the mountain, (provision, healing, glory, salvation, delight, deliverance, blessing) was coming up the other. He was Jehovah-Jireh then, and He still is today! He is what you need this morning in every area of your life! (Ill. What God did on that same mountain 1,500 years later! Moriah is the same place as Calvary!)

Conc: Your faith, if it is real, will be tested, but rest assured today that Jesus is and has all you need to have the victory in your life. The primary thing that needs to be settled is this: Are you trusting Jesus Christ for your salvation today? Just like Isaac, he climbed Mt. Moriah carrying His cross and your sins. He died there to save your soul and today, you can be saved if you will come to Him by faith. Will you do that today? Christian, are you undergoing a trial today? If so, please come to the Lord, He is still the God who will see to it. Bring your need to Him right now.