13 Jan Life’s Hardest Test and God’s Provision
Preacher Huijun - 3 September 2015
Jesus Brings In the Year Of The Lord's Favour
What's so gracious and joyous about the Lord's year? Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.." (Lk 4:18-19) Jesus's ministry brought spiritual restoration in the people of God, and redeemed us from the judgment and punishment of sin, uncovering the healing that is to come in all who respond to the good news with humility and desperate need for Him. Because it's the year of Lord's favour, the blind can now see, the bonded are liberated, the poor is satisfied in their souls and the oppressed found their tower of refuge. Lord's favor is on us, are we rejecting this blessing that is to come because of our pride and hardened heart? The year of Lord's favour is neither tomorrow nor when your situation is more bearable, it is now when you stop hardening your heart upon hearing His Word. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for i am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mt 11:28-30)
From Series: "All English Service"
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Life’s Hardest Test and God’s Provision
Sometimes life gets hard, even as we walk with the Lord. Yet, with greater tests and trials comes greater divine grace. Often, we tend to feel that God is heartless or unhelpful during our trials. However, the faithful God will provide for us, not necessarily by helping us avert the trials, but His help comes within our trials, so that we can eventually pass the test. The most blessed relationship with God is one that is built not on what God can give us or do for us, but on God Himself. To the one who trusts and obeys God, He will give grace upon grace. Yet, though human obedience is important in the walk of faith, God’s grace will always surpass human performance, our works can never outdo God’s grace.
Verses to Read: <Genesis 22:1-18>
1. God is Our Provider.
1) God tests His people <v1>.
- But God is not unkind.
- The greater the test, the greater the reward.
2) God provides for us during the test.
- God’s faithfulness helped Abraham passed the test.
- God’s provision is not in the form of averting the trial, but divine help is found within the trial, when trial is at its worst.
- Greatest sorrow >>> greatest relief and joy*
***Ever felt the knife was already at our throats?
***No mood to complain, but only gratitude for not dying
- Ram >>> Isaac
- Jesus >>> Us
- The God who was offended by our sin actually died for us!
- The Judge died for the offender.
- We are so sinful
- God’s grace is so bountiful
- If God provided the most important Substitute >>> other smaller things too <Ro 8:32>
2. Abraham’s obedience of great faith
- Difficulty of the test >>> magnitude of Abraham’s faith and obedience
- Abraham’s relationship with and faith in God was not based on what God could give him, but on God Himself.
- He never felt entitled about having Isaac >>> knew the son was from God, for God.
- Passed the test of honoring God above all else.
- How are we handling the “Isaacs” in our lives?
3. Intricate relationship between grace and works.
- Grace is not earned by human works.
- Yet, clear causal association between God’s blessings and human obedience:
- <v16-17>: “because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you…”
- Grace does not negate works, but goes beyond works.
- GOD’S GRACE surpasses HUMAN PERFORMANCE.
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