Hebrews11: 17-19; Romans 4: 17-22 Man of Resurrection Faith, Abraham

Hebrews 11: 17-19; Romans 4: 17-22 Man of Resurrection Faith, Abraham

Hebrews 11: 17-19
17. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,  18.even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."  19. Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

Romans 4: 17-22
17. As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed -- the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
18. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
19. Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old -- and that Sarah's womb was also dead.
20. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
21. being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
22. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."   

    * A deaconess' testimony : Thanks to 100 titles, she changed from 'I want to die' to 'Thank you for living'.

   'Offer your only beloved son as a burnt offering.' It was a shocking order. Abraham received the command of God to give a burnt offering of his only son, who was about fifteen years old, a very loving and precious life. He got him in a hundred years old.  It is an imperceptible command. Why are these orders given? It was a test of faith (Gen. 22:1, tested, Romans 4:17, when tested). What is the test? It is a test of what he loves God more than the world. Where is the present state of our faith? Is it my love, or is it God, the source of fullness? There are two kinds of people when they meet the exam. Those who fall into the exam and pass the exam. Abraham would have fallen. How can he give him as a burnt offering? But Abraham calmly obeys this command. How is it possible? Resurrection faith! He believed that God who gives life to the dead.(17) 'Both Abraham and his wife were not able to have children, but God gave them a son, Isaac. At this time, he believed that God raised the dead and called them as if they had nothing. He walks with his son for three days and climbs to their destination, the Moriah Mountain in Jerusalem. Three days would have been a long time, such as several years of agony. But he believed in the resurrection power of God that could live again. He bound his son and lifted his sword to catch him as a burnt offering. At that time God acknowledged Abraham's resurrection faith. And he gave the lamb a burnt offering instead. The Lamb symbolizes Jesus Christ. Desperation comes to our lives like death. At that time, you must pass the test of looking at the Lord and believing. The Resurrection of Jesus wants us to be resurrected in our hearts and actions.

   There is the Hoover Dam in the Nevada State. It was built in the US recession (1931-1936). Many victims' names are recorded on the big bulletin board before this dam. At the end is the following phrase. "Why did they die, that the streams of living water flowed again in this desert, and the dry land rose again like a rose?" Yes. Why did the lamb die? To save Isaac. Why did Jesus die on the cross? It is for saving us. We pray that all of us will go beyond despair and become hopeful with resurrection faith and save our homes, churches and neighbors. Amen.