Will You Trust God or Take Control? | Genesis 22:1-24 | Darien Gabriel

eries: God's Promises, Our JourneyTitle: "Will you trust God or take control?"Scripture: Genesis 22:1-24 NIV Hebrews 11:17-19James 1:13-15John 1:29Bottom line: “We handle God’s tests by trusting His promises, obeying His voice, and relying on His provision.”INTRODUCTIONCONTEXTOUTLINECONCLUSIONDISCUSSION QUESTIONSNOTESYOUTUBE DESCRIPTIONMAIN REFERENCES USEDMy opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same. Bottom line: “We handle God’s tests by trusting His promises, obeying His voice, and relying on His provision.”OPENING STORY/ILLUSTRATIONControl vs. TrustImagine you’re riding in the passenger seat while someone else is driving…Not just anyone—your spouse, your friend, maybe even your child learning to drive.You’re coming up to a busy intersection…You see the light turning yellow…And what do you instinctively do?You reach for the imaginary brake pedal.You lean forward.You tense up.Why?Because you’re not in control.And when we’re not in control… we feel insecure.That’s not just true in a car.It’s true in life.Every time we feel insecure, we reach for control.And every time we reach for control, we reveal what we really trust.In Genesis 22, God puts Abraham in the ultimate “passenger seat” moment.God asks him to do something that feels unthinkable… unreasonable… even unbearable.And the question becomes:Will Abraham trust God… or try to take control?CONTEXTThe thread is security. Last week we saw...Abraham seek security through deception (Gen 20)Abraham seek security through control (Gen 21:1–21)Abraham seek security through agreements (Gen 21:22–34)This week, we hope to see Abraham find true security as he learns to trust in God's promises, obey his voice, and rely on his provision.Why does God test us?To reveal what we really trust (pleasing God)To display His worth through our obedience (glorifying God)God tests us to deepen our trust in Him and display His worth through us.Because he’s teaching us to trust him as our ultimate security when we’re tempted to reach for control.How do we handle God’s tests?By trusting his promises,Obeying his voice/word, and Relying on his provisionOr, more specifically…Expect tests from God (1-2)Focus on promises, not explanations (3-5)Depend on God’s provision (6-14)Look forward to what God has for you (15-24)Bottom line: “We handle God’s tests by trusting His promises, obeying His voice, and relying on His provision.”First, there’s a difference between testing and tempting:Temptation (James 1:13–15):“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬Comes from within and from the enemy → aims to pull us away from God → exposes weakness.Testing (Genesis 22:1):“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.” Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬Comes from God → aims to draw us closer to Him → strengthens faith.Temptation is designed to make you fall. Testing is designed to make you stand.Consider how unreasonable God’s test was as you consider how we might respond to his tests in our lives…OUTLINE (influenced by Warren Wiersbe & ChatGPT):We handle God’s tests in life by:Trusting His promisesObeying His voice (word)Relying on His provisionExpect tests from God. (22:1-2) WW writes, “In the ‘School of Faith’ we must have occasional tests, or we will never know where we are spiritually. Abraham had his share of tests right from the beginning.”“Family test” - leave nation, neighborhood and extended family and go“Famine test” - left Canaan and went to Egypt #FAIL“Fellowship test” - let Lot choose which way to go when they split up“Fight test” - rescued Lot and Sodom’s citizens and stuff“Fortune test” - declined Sodom’s wealth“Fatherhood test” - Sent Hagar & Ishmael away first time #FAIL“Farewell test” - Send Hagar and Ishmael away second timeOne test I faced was baptism. Another was my calling into ministry.Was “baptized” as an infant so didn’t believe I needed to be baptized after my conversion; it took 2 pastors and 10 years for me to see the truthWas “called” into full-time ministry within a month or 2 of being baptized leaving successful career in EngineeringIf you walk with God, tests are not the exception—they are the curriculum.Focus on promises, not explanations (3-5) “Faith does not demand explanations; faith rests on promises.” -WW“Our faith is not really tested until God asks us to bear what seems unbearable, do what seems unreasonable, and expect what seems impossible.” -WWWhen God sends a test or trial, our first response is usually, “Why me?” Or “Why, Lord?” Instead of “What can I learn through this?”"Deliverance will get you out of Egypt. But surrender will get Egypt out of you." (Or Sodom, or Babylon, or America...)We live by promises, not by explanations. Abraham says, “We will worship and then we will come back” → implicit faith in resurrection (cf. Hebrews 11:17–19)Faith doesn’t need to understand everything—it just needs to trust what God has said.If you wait for God to explain everything, you’ll never obey anything.Depend on God’s provision (6-14)Two statements reveal the emphasis in this passage:“God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” (8), &Yahweh Yireh, “The Lord will see to it.” (14) #provide“Where God guides, He pro-vides.” -Old PastorHow does God provide?Where…does the Lord provide? Where you sent you to walk in his will. Should we expect his provision when we don’t walk in his steps?When? Right when it’s needed. Sometimes at the last minute. He’s never late.How? Often simply. He surprised Abraham with the ram in the thicket right next behind him.To Whom? To those who humbly walk with him. Why? For his pleasure and his glory!What kind of provision is available?Resurrection-powered provisionEphesians 1:19–20 & 3:20You don’t experience God’s provision sitting on the sidelines—you experience it on the path of obedience.Look forward to what God has after the test. (15-24) What comes after the test?New Approval (12) “Atta boy!”New Son (13-14) → Isaac received backIsaac likely never the same. God gave. Abraham gave back. God gave back.Don’t let the gift replace the Giver—Abraham didn’tNew Assurances. (16-18) New names for an expanded future. (14; 23)Yahweh Yireh (14)Rebekah (23)God is already preparing the next chapter while you’re still in the test.CONCLUSIONBottom line: “We handle God’s tests by trusting His promises, obeying His voice, and relying on His provision.”How do we handle God’s tests?By trusting his promises,Obeying his voice/word, and Relying on his provisionEvery test exposes what we trustEvery test invites surrenderEvery test reveals God’s sufficiencyWhat is your Isaac?Are you trusting God—or trying to control the outcome?Ram → Lamb → GospelAbraham looks up…and there’s a ram caught in the thicket.God provides a substitute.Isaac lives…because something else dies in his place.Pause. Let that sit.Expand the PatternThis moment isn’t just about Abraham and Isaac.It’s pointing forward.Another Father…another Son…another sacrifice.Connect to ChristIn John 1:29, we read:When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said,“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”On that day in Genesis 22—God provided a ram.But one day—God would provide His own Son.⸻In Genesis 22…God stopped Abraham’s hand.At the cross…God did not stop His own.Let that land. This is your emotional peak.⸻Why?Because our greatest problem isn’t lack of control—it’s sin.And our greatest need isn’t control—it’s a Savior.⸻So the question isn’t just:“Will you trust God in the test?”The deeper question is:Will you trust the God who gave everything for you?⸻You don’t have to control your life…because the God who tested Abrahamis the God who gave His Son for you—PrayQuestions (Write this down) - grab an index card and penWhat is God saying to you right now? What are you going to do about it?Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.DISCUSSION QUESTIONSDiscovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/Read the passage together.Retell the story in your own words.Discovery the storyWhat does this story tell me about God?What does this story tell me about people?If this is really true, what should I do?What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)Who am I going to tell about this?Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcastNOTESYOUTUBE DESCRIPTION MAIN REFERENCES USED“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent HughesExalting Jesus in Genesis, by BethancourtThe Genesis Record, by Henry MorrisThe Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)"Genesis" by Briscoe (TCC)Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.orgThe Bible Project https://bibleproject.com“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)Claude.ai