1. Starts with a PROMISE! (Genesis 16–21)

It was God’s personal promise, national promise, and universal promise. God gave Abraham a promise. Out of his seed would come a great nation called Israel. Furthermore, the Savior of the world would be an heir of this promise: Jesus Christ.

Has our Lord given you any promises based on His Word? If so, then you need to know what to expect. Problems come next.

2. Then comes the PROBLEMS! (Genesis 22)

All idols must be laid on the altar! Why would this God that gave these promises ever allow problems to develop? Here was a major problem. Abraham was told to offer his son Isaac (the promise) as a sacrifice. What? Why? Obviously, our Lord was “testing” Abraham’s faith (Hebrews 11). But good news: Abraham passed the test.

3. Finally, when once approved, comes the PROVISION! (Hebrews 11:17–19) – “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son… Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

It took great FAITH and GRACE to pass the test. But he did—and we can too, if we will lay down our Isaacs.

Conclusion: Real FAITH is believing, receiving, and achieving. But in order to receive and achieve, there must be the act of laying down our Isaacs. Have you laid down your Isaac?