Guest Preacher Mike Law: Genesis 22

Occoquan Bible Church | Sermons

For the last week, OBC has hosted the Simeon Trust workshop. And during that time close to a dozen OBC members taught, led small groups, learned, ran sound, prepared food, cleaned up trash, and blessed men from close to 20 churches across Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, and Florida. In short, the work done at OBC this week to study the book of 2 Timothy and to help current and future pastors will bear fruit both now and for generations, even for eternity.

So, thank you for all who served, who prayed, and who encouraged the work going on. It was a true joy! And one of the abiding joys is that Sunday we get to hear from one of the participants of the week, Mike Law.

We have often mentioned Mike, his church, and his labors in the Southern Baptist Convention. He is the pastor, from Arlington Baptist Church, who initiated a resolution to help the SBC hold fast to the Bible and its statement of faith (The Baptist Faith and Message 2000) and to only have qualified men serving as pastors in the SBC. This is our conviction too and we have, through the ministry of Christ Over All, sought to help stand for biblical faith and practice in the SBC.

All of this serves as background for Mike Law joining us on Sunday to bring a message from Genesis 22. Like our church, ABC has been going through the book of Genesis—though, they are at nearing the end. For us, Pastor Mike is going to encourage us and challenge us with a word from the story of God providing a lamb to save the life of Isaac.

To prepare for Sunday, read Genesis 22 and Hebrews 11 which reflects on this passage. Then, pray for Mike as he comes and preaches and for me as I go to Arlington Baptist Church to bring a message of resurrection hope from Genesis 1.

The Lord has been very gracious to us. In many places, the people of God go hungry for God’s Word. But this week I was reminded, and am reminding all of us, how good God has been to plant us in a place where the Word of God is bountiful. May we eat and be full, so that we might be conformed into the image of Christ, who is the Bread of Life.

Additionally, pray for the youth who are at camp this weekend. May the preachers and teachers there equip our teens with truth about what God says about humanity, manhood, womanhood, and everything related to these important subjects.

I am praying for OBC this Sunday and I look forward, Lord willing, to joining you again next Sunday. Until then be sure to welcome Mike Law and pray for him as he brings the Word to our family of believers.

For God’s Glory and your joy in Christ,

Pastor David

As a reminder, the Bristow Community group is in our overflow downstairs this Sunday.

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Discussion & Response Questions: Genesis 22

What does the “after these things” in Genesis 22:1 refer to? How does it point back to God’s faithfulness with what came before?

What is the connection between God’s command for Abraham to go in Genesis 22:2 and God’s command to Abraham in Genesis 12:1? How does this connection encourage Abraham to trust God?

Why is God testing Abraham?

Considering Genesis 22:3-5, Genesis 15:5, and James 2:18-22, how does faith respond to God’s commands?

What language is repeated in Genesis 22:6 and 8? What is the point of slowing down the narrative at this point? What does Abraham believe God will do?

Considering Genesis 22:9-10, and Hebrews 11:17-19, what does faith believe God is able to do? What day did this take place on (see Genesis 22:4)?

Considering Genesis 22:11-12 what does it mean to fear God? How does Abraham demonstrate his fear of God?

Read Genesis 22:13-14. What is substitution? Where does faith finally rest?

How does Isaac point forward to Jesus? How does he fall short? How does all of this connect to Romans 8:32

How does the ram point forward to Jesus? How is this related to the teaching we find in Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and 1 John 4:10?

In light of Genesis 22:15-19, what does faith believe about God and his promises?

What is the purpose of the list of names in Genesis 22:20-24? How is it linked to what went before and what comes after?

How ought we to respond to these truths? How have you been encouraged or challenged by Genesis 22?

How would you share the gospel of Jesus Christ from this passage with an unbelieving friend?

What can you pray for from this passage?