God" Scenic Route"

Sermon Preached By Rev. Kendrick D. Weaver - June 26, 2005

Genesis 22:1-19

I. Promised Destination

One year my father promised that he would take the family to Disney World.  He planned, saved up money and added special features to his van in preparation for our trip.  The day finally came to set off for this voyage. We got up early in the morning, packed the van, filled our pockets with snacks, grabbed our favorite pillow and headed for Disney World.  We began driving and there was a thick fog looming, which limited our vision. It crossed our minds that we should wait a while and let the fog subside, but my father would not be delayed in getting his family to Disney World. So on we traveled through the fog.  We continued a little further and we collided with a deer dashing across the road.  It damaged the front of the van. We began to question the feasibility of the trip in the current state of our automobile, but my father would not be deterred in getting his family to Disney World.  So he found some string, tied the hanging bumper to the van, inspected the engine, got back in the van and on we traveled.  Well into the trip, speeding down the highway, we stopped for gas.  When we attempted to exit the station, the ignition to the car would not start.  At this point, we had thoughts of canceling the entire trip, but my father would not be stopped from getting his family to Disney World.  He found a mechanic, the mechanic fixed the van and on we traveled until we reached our destination.  Despite the fog, collision, automotive difficulties, detours, delays, unanticipated stopping points and routes, my father delivered us to our promised destination.

God promised Abraham that the child from his marriage to Sarah would be the beginning of a great nation. God promised Abraham that this child would be the beginning of blessings, which would flood the earth.  God promised Abraham that this child would be the beginning of a people that would inspire and save the world. God promised  Abraham that he would take him to a particular destination through this child named Isaac.      

Abraham received this child.  He could see how God was taking him to his promised destination.  He was cruising down I-95 on a clear day with no traffic.    He was familiar with every turn and exit he needed to take.  He highlighted the entire trip on his map.  Everything was going fine.  Suddenly the road that he was on became blocked and this traffic officer named Jehovah began directing him down another route. 

Abraham rolled down his window and said, ‘Excuse me Officer Jehovah, what is wrong with this road that I’m traveling on and I’m not familiar with?  What is wrong with this road that allows me to see how God is going to take my son and make him into a great nation?’  Officer Jehovah responded, ‘Sir, don’t worry about a thing.  You might not be familiar with this route.  You might not have ever traveled this route before.  You might not know all the turns and exits with comfort.  It might not be on your map, but you can still get to your destination from it.’       

II. Abraham’s location

Verse 1

Some time later, God tested Abraham, He said to him, “Abraham!”  “Here I am,” he replied. 

God called out and searched for Abraham.   Just like God called out and searched for Adam and Eve after they had eaten the forbidden fruit and called out and searched for Cain after he had slain his brother Abel.  Why would a God that is all-knowing, all-powerful, and omnipresent inquire and search for someone’s presence?  When God demanded to know where Adam and Eve where in the Garden, when He demanded to know the whereabouts of Cain and Abel and when He searched for Abraham’s presence, He was not trying to find their physical location.  He was attempting to identify the position of their hearts. 

God called out and searched for Abraham in order to discover what position he had placed himself in, in reference to God.

He called out and searched to see if Abraham was in a position to follow his instructions or stray from them.

God called out and searched to see if Abraham had put himself in a position of obedience or disobedience to God.

He called out and searched to see if Abraham was wedded to the road he was traveling on or would he take an alternative route.   

III. God’s Request for Sacrifice

Verse 2

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”  

God tells Abraham to take his son Isaac and give him up as a burnt offering.  Some offerings were given to God and later consumed by humans, but burnt offerings were entirely for God; no part of it could be consumed by humans.  God said ‘Give Isaac up to me in his entirety.’

Isaac meant ‘he laughs or laughter’ because when God initially promised to bring him into existence it was a joke to everyone who heard it.  God said, ‘Take your son, the one who no one thought you would ever have, the one who you didn’t even think you were going to have, the one’s whose conception was so unbelievable that people laughed when they heard it and give him back to me completely.’

Take that education that no one thought you would ever obtain,

Take that business that no one thought you would ever start,

Take that work experience and expertise that no one thought you would acquire,

Take all those possessions that you didn’t even think you would have,

Take that reputation and status that no one could predict you would possess,

Take that accomplishment that no one believed you would ever reach,

Take that thing, which people laughed at and disregarded before it became manifested and put it on the line for me. 

IV. Abraham’s belief

Verse 5

He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there.  We will worship and then we will come back to you.” 

Abraham hears this voice from God to offer his son as a burnt offering.  He goes to sleep, arises early in the morning, chops some wood for the offering and gets two of his servants to accompany Isaac and him.  When Abraham sees the mountain in the distance, he leaves his servants and tells them to wait for him and Isaac to return.

Even though God had told Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering,

Even though Abraham had suddenly found himself traveling on a route with unfamiliar exits and turns,

Even though Abraham didn’t know exactly how God was going to get him to his promised destination on this present route,

Abraham believed that some way Isaac would return with him. He believed that he would reach his destination.

We need to develop tunnel vision when it comes to God’s promised destinations.  When God has a destination in store for you there is nothing any circumstance, person or thing can do to prevent you from getting there.   

That’s why Joseph became second in charge of Egypt despite being sold into slavery and imprisoned.

That’s why Moses became the leader of the Israelite people despite his inadequacies as a leader and speaker.

That’s why Sarah, Rachel and Hannah became mothers despite the infertility of their bodies.

That’s why Samson became a judge despite the lacking in his character.

That’s why Ruth became a provider despite the limits of her means.

That’s why Paul became an apostle despite his untimely birth. 

When God has a destination in store for you there is nothing that can be done to stop it.  The only speed bump to your destination is you.  Have you ever been driving, listening to your music, thinking and you just take one turn and you find yourself in the midst of a neighborhood that you’d rather not be driving through?  When you’re driving though one of these neighborhoods, which you are unfamiliar with and might not have the best reputation, you start becoming a little paranoid.  You think every person is watching each U turn you make.  You think the people of the neighbor are waiting for your car to break down. You start thinking crazy thoughts like, ‘Isn’t this the neighborhood where the little girl got kidnapped by the ice cream truck man.’  You become so focused on what you are driving through, you lose track of where you are driving to.             

We do the same thing in our life endeavors.  We have been walking in God’s word and service.  We have been faithful.  We know that we are God’s children with a promised destination, yet we let every comment, every negative person and little set back distract us from where God is taking us.   

Isaac and the servants could not understand how a sacrifice would be provided, but Abraham believed one would be there to preserve his son.  Never allow someone’s lack of vision to prevent you from believing in God’s provision. 

V. Abraham Remembers Provision

God provided a ram for the sacrifice instead of Isaac.  After God delivers Isaac and preserves his life, notice what Abraham does.

Verse 14 - So Abraham called that place, “the Lord will provide.”  And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 

After God spared Abraham’s son and kept alive the possibility of receiving his promise, Abraham named the mountain in remembrance of what God had done.  After he named the mountain, Abraham told other people about the name of the mountain and what happened on it and the name spread through the land.  Abraham testified to God’s provision, after God had provided. 

We are very good with asking God for things and talking about what we don’t have, but rarely do we tell others about all the goodness that God has bestowed upon us.  Abraham commemorated the place where God had provided, and then told everyone he encountered about it.  What is your testimony?  Where in your life has God provided for you?  When is the last time you have shared that with someone else? 

VI. Conclusion

Officer Jehovah was present when Abraham came to the end of his route and was about to get back on the main road.  Abraham rolled down his window and said, “Weren’t you the officer that directed me off the main road to this other route?  You never did tell me what was wrong with the road that I was on.  What exactly was the problem back there?”  Officer Jehovah said, “I knew that all 95 became flooded, so you were directed down a different route. God got it covered.” 

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

Everlasting God, before anything existed you where there.  Your presence has extended throughout the ages and touches us at this moment.  Your steadfastness has never failed, even when we stray from remaining connected to you.  We allow faith-depleted thoughts, discouraging comments and bleak situations to deter us from remembering your track record.  Seeking refuge in self-pity instead of your promises of provision often becomes our natural inclination.  Dear Lord, may we always abide in the faith of your presence through all circumstances.  Continue to show us the wealth of lack, the overwhelming activity in patience and the tremendous power associated with loving others so that we may more perfectly embody Christ. Amen.