Genesis 22: 15 - 19

Text: Genesis 12: 2 - 3 “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name a great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
 
3. "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”(KJV)

Introduction:

God is always faithful to His Promise

Promise is based on call (as in Abraham – Gen. 12:1-3)

Look at Heb. 6: 13 – 15
Hence Abraham was not just blessed, he was a blessing

Why was Abraham blessed?

In providing answers to this question, we observe three positions from Abraham

Obedience/Trust
Faith
Sacrifice

1.  Abraham's Obedience (Gen. 12: 1 & 4)
Note: Abraham left as the Lord had told him (Gen. 12:4)

Also see Gen. 22: 1 – 3
Wholehearted obedience is required – Deut. 26:16

Leaving nothing undone – Josh. 11:15
Our price to pay for success and blessing: Josh 1:8

2. Abraham's Faith ( Heb. 11:8 – 12, 17 – 19)

More example of faith
David – 1 Sam. 17:37
Job – Job 19:25


3. Abraham's Sacrifice (Gen. 22: 9 – 12)
Note the Words: “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son”

Now, her God's declaration: v.17, “I will surely bless you…”
Did God do it?

See Gen. 26:24
Heb. 11:12

Conclusion:
Do you desire Abraham's blessing?
That is – you want God to bless you as He did Abraham

Then, do what he did:
He left where God's blessing could not reach him

He obeyed God to go to where he knew not
He trusted God enough that what God said, he would do

He could part with what looked too precious to him, “the only son”
We can summarily say,” great blessing, great faith, great obedience, great sacrifice

What will you sacrifice today?
Your life?
Your time?
Your substance?
Your faith ?
Or
“Cast your bread on the water…”