What are some ways we as people seek to make ourselves acceptable to God? What do our attempts to provide atonement for ourselves say about our view of God?

The Lord Will Provide

We Need Atonement to Come from Above, Not Ourselves

In this session we encounter the story of Abraham and Isaac. God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son, but then He provided an animal that was caught in the thicket, therefore supplying the sacrifice that preserved Isaac’s life. This event gives us a picture of the special sacrifice God requires for sin. The sacrifice does not come from us but from God. Our responsibility is to trust in God’s provision of atonement and to see His love demonstrated in His sending of Jesus. As we embrace God’s promises, we are empowered to engage in His mission.

http://scan.me/qf47395

The Atonement Thread

Garden Coverings

Abraham and Isaac

Passover

Sacrificial Offerings

Water from the Rock

Bronze Snake

Sign of Jonah

Suffering Servant

Lamb of God

Bread of Life

Perfect Sacrifice

Washed Robe

The Bible reveals that there is anarchy somewhere, real thorough-going anarchy in the heart of men against God; therefore the need is strong that something should come into us from the outside to readjust us, to reconcile us, to turn us round, to put us right with God. The doctrine of the Atonement is the explanation of how God does that.
–Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

1. God requires a special sacrifice.

Genesis 22:1-6

Like Abraham, we do not know when we are being tested. In what ways does Abraham’s story impact our obedience? When was the last time God tested you?

How did God’s past resurrection action in bringing life out of Sarah’s dead womb (Gen. 17:15-16) impact Abraham’s faith when he was tested?

When Abraham offered his son Isaac, he was a type of God the Father, while Isaac prefigured our Lord and Savior.

–Caesarius of Arles (460-542)

2. Atonement must come from above.

Genesis 22:7-14

“Where is the lamb for the sacrifice?”

What are the similarities between Isaac’s attitude and the attitude of Jesus? In what ways should our faith resemble the faith of Abraham and Isaac?

  • Lied to Pharaoh about Sarai being his sister (Gen. 12:10-20)

  • Laughed at the promise of God (Gen. 17:17)

“you have not withheld your son, your only son”

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son”

Gen. 22:12

John 3:16

In what ways is our obedience to God impacted by our trust in Christ’s atoning sacrifice? What are some ways we can love others sacrificially?

Abraham…was tested by being called upon to make this offering. And of course, God accepted his intentions, but he prevented him from slaying Isaac. The death of Isaac would not buy freedom for the world. No, that could be accomplished only by the death of our Savior, by whose stripes we are all healed.

–Athanasius (circa 293-373)

In the ram that hung in the tree and had become the sacrifice in the place of Abraham’s son, there might be depicted the day of Him who was to hang upon the wood like a ram and was to taste death for the sake of the whole world.
–Ephrem the Syrian (circa 306-373)

3. Faith is trusting in God’s provision.

Hebrews 11:17-19

  • Moses forgot that the God who led the Israelites out of Egypt doesn’t like it when others take credit for His accomplishments (Num. 20:10-13).
  • David forgot that God does not take adultery and murder lightly (2 Sam. 11).
  • Jonah forgot that God means it when He tells us to spread the love of God, even to those whom we think don’t deserve it (Jonah 1:1-5).

Forgetful

What are some other ways people use the word faith? How does the Bible affirm or challenge these visions of faith?

  • Mount Ararat reminded God’s people of God’s provision in sparing the life of a remnant from the flood of judgment (Gen. 8:15-22).
  • Mount Sinai reminded the Israelites of God’s provision in giving His people the law (Ex. 20:1-18).
  • Mount Moriah reminded the people of God’s provision of an atoning sacrifice.

Reminders

  • David built an altar to God and dedicated the land as “the house of the Lord God” (1 Chron. 22:1).
  • Solomon constructed the temple of the Lord (2 Chron. 3).
  • Jesus Christ carried the wood on His back while going up the same mountain to be sacrifice.

Mount Moriah

What altars have you constructed as a testament to God’s graciousness in your life? When you talk about yourself, do others look at your life and see God’s handiwork or do they see you as a strong, self-made individual?

Having faith does not mean never having doubts or questions. It does mean remaining obedient.
–John Ortberg
The God who is there does not demand that we sacrifice our children; instead, in sovereign grace He provides a sacrifice.
–D. A. Carson

Conclusion

As we have seen in this session, the provision of God does not originate with us. Abraham was merely a recipient of the goodness of God, who provided a substitute for Isaac. The waterfall of God’s love is summarized by John 3:16, which says the Father, who did not withhold His own Son, sent Christ into the world to be a substitute on our behalf.

 

He is the One who bends down to earth when we cannot raise ourselves to heaven. He is the One who brings humanity to a point of intimate contact with divinity. When we embrace that reality, when by faith we are able to kneel in humility before the generosity of the Father, only then can we respond to God’s provision in salvation. Only then can we accept the Son whose sacrifice was accepted by the Father for the atonement of our sins.

The promise to Abraham was for the blessing of the nations. How does trusting this promise lead us to embrace our identity as missionaries in the world? How is resurrection faith at the heart of our missions efforts?

When I See the Blood…

We Need Atonement to Escape the Judgment of God

In the story of the Passover, we come to understand our need to escape the just and righteous wrath of God. The blood of an unblemished lamb was the mark that signified the faith of God’s people. The Passover lamb provides a picture of the coming Messiah who will redeem us by His blood. Now, as God’s redeemed people, we are called to worship the Savior and be His instruments as He continues His mission of seeking and saving the lost.

http://scan.me/49n8hp2

The Lord Will Provide: We Need Atonement to Come from Above, Not Ourselves

By Butch Ewing

Made with Slides.com

The Lord Will Provide: We Need Atonement to Come from Above, Not Ourselves

In this session we encounter the story of Abraham and Isaac. God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son, but then He provided an animal that was caught in the thicket, therefore supplying the sacrifice that preserved Isaac’s life. This event gives us a picture of the special sacrifice God requires for sin. The sacrifice does not come from us but from God. Our responsibility is to trust in God’s provision of atonement and to see His love demonstrated in His sending of Jesus. As we embrace God’s promises, we are empowered to engage in His mission.

  • 1,148

More from Butch Ewing