Jim Batterton - That night, January 9, 1989, I paced around my room. All of the memory verses I had ever learned were racing through my mind. I knew I really needed to be saved, and as I became increasingly more upset, I was realizing that I really didn’t know how to be saved...
Memory Verse:Rom. 8:32 Memory Verse Text: He spared not His own Son.
Attention Getter: How do you treat your friends? How did God treat His friend?
Point 1: God tests Abraham, His friend, to see if he would now fully rest in His promise. Point 2: God's test: "Take Isaac, whom thou lovest, and offer him." Even though Abraham left immediately, what a mental struggle must have filled Abraham's mind during that journey! Point 3: God will provide Himself... Was this statement by Abraham a real grasp of God's ultimate purpose? This thought may be good for discussion if the timing is right. Point 4: Abraham's obedience: He obeyed in spite of the personal cost involved. Isaac's obedience and compliance: He didn't resist in spite of his concern. Ram provided: God renewed His promises and revealed His purposes to follow.
Notes: God never asks us to do something that He is not prepared to do as well.
Summary: Love gives its all. Consider how much God was willing to give to save our souls!
Jim Batterton
