Message Summary:
A Call to Faithfulness – The Test of Obedience
This message continues our series “A Call to Faithfulness”, moving from the test of stewardship (last week, Parable of the Talents) to the test of obedience, modeled in the life of Abraham in Genesis 22:1–19.
In this powerful passage, God commands Abraham to offer his beloved son Isaac—the son of promise—as a burnt offering. Humanly, it seems unreasonable, even contradictory to God’s own promise. Yet Abraham obeys without delay, trusting God’s character, promise, and provision.
The message reminds us that:
- Our walk with God will always include tests of obedience.
- Obedience is not just an action—it is surrender + response.
- Faithful obedience often involves cost, priority, and trust, but it always leads to God’s provision and deeper blessing.
Key Insights from the Message
1. Trials vs Temptations
The sermon distinguishes between temptations and trials:
- Temptations
- Come from our own desires and are used by the enemy to bring out the worst in us.
- Aim to lead us into sin and spiritual death.
- (James 1:13–15)
- Trials/Tests
- Come from God, with a purpose: to purify our faith, shape our character, and protect us from sin.
- Are tailor-made by God to grow us, promote us, and reveal where our heart really is.
- (James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6–7; 1 Corinthians 10:13)
Key insight:
Temptations pull us away from God; trials draw us deeper into obedience and trust in God.
2. Abraham’s Life of Tests
Before Genesis 22, Abraham had already gone through many “tests” in his walk with God—family, famine, fellowship, conflict, fortune, fatherhood, and farewell. Some he passed, some he failed, but in all of them, God was shaping his faith.
Genesis 22 is described as:
- The greatest test Abraham faced.
- A picture of the Father who one day would not spare His own Son, Jesus, but offer Him for us.
In this test, Abraham shows that:
- He trusts God even when the command seems unreasonable.
- He believes God can raise the dead if necessary (Hebrews 11:17–19).
- He values obedience to God above his deepest emotional attachments—even Isaac, “whom you love.”
Key insight:
God’s tests are not to destroy us but to reveal and refine our faith—and often to prepare us for promotion.
3. What Obedience Really Is (Biblical Understanding)
Two biblical words help define obedience:
- Greek: “hupakouō” – “to listen under”
- To hear, understand, and then respond.
- Hebrew: “shama” – to hear, listen, give attention, understand, submit, and obey.
So obedience to God includes:
- Surrender of the heart – a willing “yes” inside.
- Action with our life – actually doing what God says.
Doing the action without a surrendered heart is not full obedience. True obedience is:
Heart surrender + outward action.
Four Characteristics of Obedience to God
Drawn from Abraham’s story and supporting scriptures.
1. Obedience to God is a Choice
“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God…”
— Deuteronomy 28:1, 15
- God doesn’t force us like robots. He gives us free will.
- The word “if” shows that obedience is conditional—a decision.
- Abraham chose to obey, even when he didn’t have all the explanations.
Application questions:
- When God speaks through His Word or Spirit, do I choose to obey, or do I delay, negotiate, or ignore?
- In daily decisions, am I training my heart to say, “Yes, Lord”—even in small things?
2. Obedience to God Comes with a Cost
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
— Matthew 16:24
- Saying “yes” to God often means saying “no” to our own comfort, preferences, or plans.
- For Abraham, obedience meant being willing to give up Isaac, the son he loved, and even the visible form of the promise.
- Sometimes obedience will feel like sacrifice—but that is where some of the deepest joy in the Christian life is found.
Application questions:
- Has God ever asked you to obey in a way that required sacrifice—time, money, comfort, reputation, or a plan you really wanted?
- What “Isaac” might God be asking you to place on the altar—not to harm you, but to free you and test your obedience?
3. Obedience to God Comes First
“We ought to obey God rather than men.”
— Acts 5:29
- Obedience to God is not second to convenience, culture, or human opinion. It is first.
- Abraham rose early in the morning (Genesis 22:3). His obedience was immediate, not delayed.
- When obedience to God conflicts with the expectations of people or systems, God’s will must win.
Application questions:
- Are there areas where you are obeying people’s expectations over God’s Word?
- Where do you need to say, like the apostles, “I must obey God rather than men”?
4. Obedience to God is Always Rewarded
“In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
— Genesis 22:14
“Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants…”
— Genesis 22:17–18
- God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac and confirmed His promise to bless Abraham and his descendants.
- Obedience positions us in the place of God’s assignment, and it is there that His provision flows.
- Deuteronomy 28 shows blessings are promised to those who hear and obey.
Key insight:
God’s provision is often found in the place of obedience—“in the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
Application questions:
- Am I expecting God’s blessing while standing outside of His will?
- Is there an area where God is asking for obedience, and on the other side of that obedience is a provision I haven’t seen yet?
Key Verses Highlighted
- Genesis 22:1–19 – Abraham’s test of obedience with Isaac
- James 1:2–4, 13–15 – Trials vs temptations; the purpose of testing
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 – God is faithful; He provides a way of escape
- Hebrews 11:8, 17–19 – By faith, Abraham obeyed and believed God could raise Isaac
- Deuteronomy 28:1–2, 15 – Blessings for obedience; curses for disobedience
- Acts 5:29 – We must obey God rather than men
- Genesis 22:14 – “In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided”
Practical Applications for Members
You can adapt this as reflection questions, small group discussion points, or an email section.
- Daily Decisions
- Where is God inviting you to obey today—in your habits, words, relationships, or priorities?
- Start with simple obedience. If we don’t obey in small things, we will struggle in big tests.
- Surrender Check
- Ask the Holy Spirit:
“Lord, is there any area of my life that is not fully surrendered to Your will?”- When He shows you something, respond with heart surrender + concrete action.
- Costly Obedience
- Identify one area where obedience to God will require real sacrifice.
- Make a faith decision: “Lord, I choose Your will over my comfort.”
- Aligning with God’s Will
- Don’t just ask God to bless your plans; ask Him to bring you into His plan.
- Remember: “In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Blessing is found in the place of obedience.
- Evidence of Love & Lordship
- Jesus said love is proven by obedience (John 14:15).
- Obedience is the clearest evidence that we love God and that Jesus truly is Lord over our lives.
Closing Challenge to Members
As followers of Christ, our obedience will be tested—in small choices and in major life moments. There is no middle ground: either obedience or disobedience.
Let us live the rest of our days in total obedience to God
as an expression of our love and faithfulness to Him
who has always been faithful to us.
Series progression:
- Week 1: The Test of Stewardship
- Week 2: The Test of Obedience
- Next: The Test of Endurance
May we be a church that, like Abraham, chooses to trust and obey—so that one day we will hear:
“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.”
