Sunday Lesson 7/30 (Bryan)

Living Sacrifice

Genesis 22:1-8

Last week we had talked about what it take for us to go to God and ask for things/blessings etc... it takes a heart that is in the right place. One that is willing to do God's will no matter what. One that is willing to be in a relationship with him and not treat him as if he is a voice mail service that we can leave our issues with and expect delivery/results in 7-10 business days.

In Genesis 22:1-8, we see Abraham being told by God to take his son and sacrifice him on the altar as a burnt offering. God knows the desires of our hearts and he was testing Abraham with this trial, personally I think so that Abraham would know where his own heart was.

Abraham had two big desires in his heart during this. First and foremost to do the will of God regardless of how hard or difficult it might and secondly to not harm his child. His desire to do God's will was stronger and he was faithful to God to the end. God desired to give Abraham the desires of his heart and to provide for him. Abraham was willing to make the sacrifice whatever it meant and God provided a ram because of it.

Sometimes we are asked to do something in our lives that seems like the biggest sacrifice ever. We tend to weigh the pros and cons to see if the effort vs gain is worth the pain. God wants us to go into obedience to him with an open heart to be ready for whatever he desires to give us and sometimes it is something way better than our limited desires/imagination can come up with. The important part is not whether or not you carried out God's will perfectly and was the model christian... the important part is that your heart is in a place that is obedient to God. Abraham was willing to put his son to death because above all he wanted to not be outside of a relationship with God. He knew God would provide for him and he knew that God knew his heart. He however did not know how God was going to provide which is where Abraham's faith had to come into place when making a sacrifice that was so huge... think about what he was going to have to do...

Roman 12:1-2
We are to offer ourselves up as living sacrifices as is pleasing and holy to God. Man talk about a tough prospect... that is because this is a daily thing. Living sacrifices have a tendency to wander off of the altar if you are not completely desiring to do God's will and take care of the sacrifice. Think about the last time you thought you prayed about a sin in your life... thought it was taken care of and found yourself faced with the same sin in a month or two all over again.

This whole "walk with Christ" thing is a relationship and we talked about how if God stripped everything away from you... the church, the youth group, your friends, your family, your bible, your prayer journal, church camps, family camp, missions trips and simply plunked you down by yourself on an island with nothing, but the clothes on your back and noone around...

Would you still pursue Christ? Would you still desire a relationship with him. Would you still make time for him? Relationships are two way streets. It takes both parties putting effort into the relationship. God daily provides for us... are we putting effort into the relationship to meet him there?

If we expect him to listen to our needs and provide for us we should be willing to meet him at the altar as a living sacrifice. As one that desires ultimately to not live outside the will of God whatever that means. Is it is easy? No.

That is why I say it is a tough prospect... it is a daily thing.

Remember when you go into prayer and you are asking for x y z.... remember that where your heart is with God is really what matters.

-Bryan