HIS GLORY WITNESSED: THE HUMAN FATHER OF ALL NATIONS!

HIS GLORY WITNESSED: THE HUMAN FATHER OF ALL NATIONS!

“… It was BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”  Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead ......” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

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Like Noah, Abraham’s obedience to God was and had to be relentless too. THE BIBLE SAYS: “… It was BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”  Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead ......” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

Abraham’s kind of FAITH meant he had willfully chosen to trust in God, depend upon God’s Holy Spirit to EMPOWER him, and cooperate with God’s instructions even when it made no human sense. Abraham’s was a RELENTLESS commitment too. “… It was BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice ...God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”  ...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

Obedience is SUPPORTED by trust in, dependency upon, and cooperation with God, the Holy Spirit.  “...For it is God which worketh IN YOU both to will (empower) and to do (enable) of his good pleasure...” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “… It was BY FAITH (the support of faith) that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

“… It was BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”  Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead ......” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

Many of God’s people ARE on or HAVE BEEN on assignments, from God, that have consisted of days, weeks, months, or years that have TESTED their trust in, dependency upon, and willingness to continue to cooperate with God’s instructions. “… ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises,..” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “..though he (God) slay me, yet will I trust in him (and depend upon him and cooperate with him)…” (Job 13:15 KJV). “….All the days of my appointed TIME will I WAIT, till my CHANGE come…” (Job 14:14 KJV).

Often, even with ALL God’s promises of a favorable OUTCOME the future can seem DIM and HOPELESS. “...I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living...’’ (Psalms 27:13 KJV). “… Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, ...Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again.......” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

The assignment PROCESSES you through long stretches of TIME, unimaginable CHALLENGES, and ominous SEASONS where the situation LOOKS bleak or the outcome pessimistic. “...I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord. In the land of the living...” (Psalms 27:13 NASB). “...Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again.......” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

“… Abraham, who had received God’s promises... “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” ^...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

Abraham, like many of us, faced, a period of time, where God’s WORD was the “ONLY” hope and it was questionable. “… Abraham, ...was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, ...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “… “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” ^...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “…For the vision [is] yet FOR AN APPOINTED TIME, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, WAIT FOR IT; because IT WILL SURELY COME….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).

What Abraham DID was humanly impossible to do without God’s help. There is ONLY ONE power that could ENABLED him to ENDURE such an assignment: God, the Holy Spirit. “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…HE (the Holy Spirit) “WILL” KEEP YOU STRONG to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).

 “….Apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you (or Abraham) can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…[God] is able TO DO exceeding abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…is there any thing too hard for me (God, the Holy Spirit)?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

“...God is ...a very present help in trouble...” (Psalms 46:1 KJV). “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT).  “…You are my helper…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT).

God, the Holy Spirit, that MADE Abraham a promise, also empowered him to OBEY, and  enabled him to EXPECT him to KEEP the promise! “…Being confident of this very thing, that HE (the Holy Spirit) WHICH HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN YOU WILL “PERFORM” IT (empower it) until the day of Jesus Christ (his GLORY)…” (Philippians 1:6 KJV). “… “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” ^...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “…Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping--believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, "That's how many descendants you will have!.." (Romans 4:18 NLT).

“… “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” ^...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “…MY WORD … that goeth forth out of my mouth: IT SHALL NOT RETURN UNTO ME VOID, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).  “…Abraham kept hoping--believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, "That's how many descendants you will have!.." (Romans 4:18 NLT). “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; ALL CAME TO PASS…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). 

Abraham, in spite, of God’s request to sacrifice, Isaac, the son of promise, He RELENTLESSLY and CONFIDENTLY trusted in, depended upon, and cooperated with God’s instructions. “… Abraham, ...was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, ...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “…Abraham kept hoping--believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him..." (Romans 4:18 NLT). “… “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” ^...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

Abraham had no EXPECTATION of disappointment. “… HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT… (ROMANS 5:5 NASB). “…For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED…" (ROMANS 10:11 NASB). “...I ...believed ...I would see the goodness of the Lord. In the land of the living...” (Psalms 27:13 NASB). “… Abraham, who had received God’s promises... “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” ^...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

 “...Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again.......” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

“…Abraham kept hoping--believing that he would become the father of many nations...." (Romans 4:18 NLT).

God’s GLORY was witnessed through Abraham’s relentless  and confident obedience to God’s promises. “…Abraham kept hoping--believing...." (Romans 4:18 NLT).

Abraham’s relentless and confident obedience RESULTED in a GREATER witness of God’s GLORY too: Abraham, to this VERY day, is the “FATHER of many NATIONS.” “...that he would become the father of many nations...” (Romans 4:18 NLT).

God told Abraham he would have a son at 90+ years old and from that son he would make him a GREAT nation. “… Abraham, who had received God’s promises... “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” ^...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “…Abraham believed God…” (James 2:18-24 NIV).

“...And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee…” (Genesis 17 KJV). “…You are the LORD God, Who chose Abram  …and made a covenant with him…” (Nehemiah 9:7-8 NASB). “…And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. ^…And in thee SHALL ALL FAMILIES of the earth be blessed…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).

Yet, God told him to sacrifice, Isaac, his only son and the son of promise, upon the altar. “… Abraham, who had received God’s promises... “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” ^...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “…Abraham believed God…” (James 2:18-24 NIV).

THE OFFERING OF ISAAC: “...Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the Lord it will be provided...” (Genesis 22:1-14 NLT).

You may have wondered, like I did, if Abraham sacrifices his son on the altar, how will he become a GREAT nation through Isaac. After all, he is already past 99 years old. Yet, “…Abraham believed God…” (James 2:18-24 NIV). “…It was BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”  Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead…” (Hebrews 11 NLT)

 “…Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping--believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, "That's how many descendants you will have!" (Romans 4:18 NLT).

To this day, everyone who has faith in God, like Abraham did, is considered Abraham’s seed. “…Understand, then, that those who HAVE FAITH ARE children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who RELY ON FAITH are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith…” (Galatians 3: 7-9 NIV).

Abraham was empowered, by God’s Spirit, to have trust in, depend upon, and cooperate with God’s instructions. “…Abraham believed God…” (James 2:18-24 NIV). “…Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing..." (Romans 4:18 NLT).

Abraham was GIVEN the POWER to sacrifice his only son while, confidently, expecting that God would STILL be able to make him a GREAT nation through that SAME son, Isaac. “…Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead…” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

The GLORY of God - witnessed “IN” Abraham’s relentless and confident trust, dependency and cooperation with God’s word - is the WAY God, the Holy Spirit worked “in” and “through Abraham and DISPLAYED his POWER. “…the Father ...he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…The … HOLY SPIRIT …does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his (including Abraham)… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

“... It is God (the Holy Spirit) which worketh in you (and Abraham) ...” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “… [The Holy Spirit WILL] ...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and ...he [will]...work in [you]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

“…The …HOLY SPIRIT …is the SOURCE of [your spiritual strength and empowered obedience]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

“…it is …God [the Holy Spirit] ... who does the work [of obedience]... IN and THROUGH all of us who are his (including Abraham)… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

“…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).   “…the Father ... he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

“…The ...HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH [you and Abraham] … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

“…HE (the Holy Spirit) “WILL” KEEP YOU (like he did Abraham) STRONG to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).

 “….Apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you (or Abraham) can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…[God] is able TO DO exceeding abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…is there any thing too hard for me (God, the Holy Spirit)?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

“...God is ...a very present help in trouble...” (Psalms 46:1 KJV). “…He helps me (you & Abraham)…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT).  “…You are my helper…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT).

God, the Holy Spirit, MADE Abraham a promise, he empowered him to OBEY, and  enabled him to EXPECT him to KEEP the promise! “…Being confident of this very thing, that HE (the Holy Spirit) WHICH HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN YOU WILL “PERFORM” IT (empower it) until the day of Jesus Christ (his GLORY)…” (Philippians 1:6 KJV). “… “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” ^...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “…Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping--believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, "That's how many descendants you will have!.." (Romans 4:18 NLT).

“…It was BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC … Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was ABLE to bring him back to life again.…” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “… Is there any thing too hard for [God]?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD: “...then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”...” (Genesis 22:15-19 NLT).

Being asked to SACRIFICE Isaac, could NOT have been easy. His son, Isaac, the son of promise was going to become a burnt offering.  What went through 99 year old Abraham’s mind during that long walk up the mountain? Did he question God’s promise to become “the father of all nations” through Isaac?

LIKE WITH NOAH, THERE ARE TWO THINGS TO TAKE NOTICE OF: 1. ABRAHAM’S RELENTLESS AND CONFIDENT OBEDIENCE GAVE GOD GLORY, WHICH MEANS YOU SEE GOD’S POWER TO WORK “IN” AND “THROUGH” HIS PEOPLE .

2. YOU ALSO “SEE” HIS POWER TO REWARD OBEDIENCE BY WHAT HE “MADE” HAPPEN TO ABRAHAM AS HE PROMISED IT WOULD. ABRAHAM, TO THIS VERY DAY, IS THE FATHER OF ALL NATIONS!

“…those who HAVE FAITH ARE children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who RELY ON FAITH are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith…” (Galatians 3: 7-9 NIV).

Abraham chose to willfully follow and cooperate with God’s instructions to him. God GAVE Abraham specific instructions to follow too. ““...Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son;..” (Genesis 22:1-14 NLT).

What kind of relentless confident did Abraham have that MADE him willfully choose to obey God? “...Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”..” (Genesis 22:1-14 NLT).

Abraham’s relentless and confident obedience, to God’s instructions, was PROOF of his devoted love and reverence to God, the Holy Spirit, his POWER, and his PROMISES. “If you love (respect, honor, reverence, etc.) me, you will keep my commandments...” (John 14:15). “…Abraham believed God…” (James 2:18-24 NIV). “…Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing..." (Romans 4:18 NLT).  

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering,  laid it on top of Isaac, had the fire ready, took his knife in his hand, and raised it up to sacrifice his son at God’s command.  “...Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife...” (Genesis 22:1-14 NLT).

Isaac, the son of promise, asked his father many questions. “..Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”..” (Genesis 22:1-14 NLT).“…ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC…” (Hebrews 11 NLT).

Most likely you have NEVER been asked to make a sacrifice like Abraham, but God’s people are often called to difficult tasks, upon the earth, that require mind-boggling sacrifices. FOLLOWING GOD IS COSTLY! “...One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple. “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’  “Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce? “Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple...” (Luke 14:25-35 MSG).

Those tasks may include the crowds in a ministry, or “one” person, or a Hosea-type marriage, or a group of wayward students,  going into another country, a mission, children, siblings, family members, friends, or acquaintances, or any number of hard assignments. “…The faithful followers of the Lord … keep their promises (commitment to God) even when it hurts…” (Psalm 15:4 NLT).  “….everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus [our]… Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ…” (Philippians 3:8 NLT). “…‘We’ve given up everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

“… Abraham, ...was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, ...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “… “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” ^...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “…‘We’ve given up everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

 However, “…Abraham kept hoping--believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him..." (Romans 4:18 NLT).

After Abraham’s obedience, GOD SAID: “...because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”...” (Genesis 22:15-19 NLT).

God’s people were SENT to earth to be a WITNESS to God’s GLORY, which means they are WITNESSES to his presence and goodness upon the earth. “…Ye shall know [God’s people]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…He who ABIDES in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit  … ” (John 15:1-11 NASB).

HOW?  “…God ...does the work  IN AND THROUGH all of us who are his… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The fruit of the Spirit (the righteous conduct of God’s people) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The  ...Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [their] ...lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT) “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE (God’s GLORY)…” (John 3:6 NLT).  “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in [HIS PEOPLE]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV)

“…Ye shall know [God’s people]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).

"…[When “HIS PEOPLE”]...bear much fruit, [they]... PROVE to be [God’s] ...disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).

"…My Father (the holy spirit)... is glorified by this, that “YOU” bear much fruit...” (John 15:8 NIV).

“… ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

“… It was BY FAITH (the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of faith) that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”  ......” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

Many of God’s people ARE on or HAVE BEEN on assignments, from God, that have consisted of days, weeks, months, or years that have TESTED their trust in, dependency upon, and willingness to continue to cooperate with God’s instructions. “… ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises,..” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). "…My Father is glorified by this, that “YOU” bear much fruit...” (John 15:8 NIV).

God’s GLORY was witnessed through Abraham’s relentless and confident obedience. “…Abraham kept hoping--believing...." (Romans 4:18 NLT).

Abraham’s relentless and confident obedience RESULTED in a GREATER witness of God’s GLORY: Abraham, to this VERY day, is the “FATHER of many NATIONS.” “...that he would become the father of many nations...” (Romans 4:18 NLT).

TO ABRAHAM: “...In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”...” (Genesis 22:15-19 NLT).

 “…Understand, then, that those who HAVE FAITH ARE children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”…” (Galatians 3: 7-9 NIV).

God bestowed a GREAT blessing upon Abraham. “…I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).

“…Christ hath REDEEMED us ...That the “BLESSING of Abraham” might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that WE MIGHT receive the promise (BLESSING) of the Spirit through faith…” (Galatians 3:13-14 KJV).

Therefore, “….LET US NOT GROW WEARY while doing good, for in DUE SEASON we shall reap if we do not lose heart…” (Galatians 6:9 KJV). “…whatsoever a man (woman) soweth, that shall he (she) also reap….” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Abraham was WILLING to GIVE up EVERYTHING to OBEY God. “…‘[I’ve]… given up everything to follow (obey) you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

BEING OBEDIENT IS THE “LEAST” GOD’S PEOPLE CAN DO FOR HIM, BUT GOD REWARDS THE OBEDIENT NONETHELESS. “…I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive NOW in return a hundred times as many houses, brother, sisters, mothers, children, and property – along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life...” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

 BEING OBEDIENT MEANS YOU HAVE WILLFULLY CHOSEN TO TRUST IN GOD, DEPEND UPON GOD, AND COOPERATE WITH HIS INSTRUCTIONS (WORD).

YOUR OBEDIENCE GIVES GOD, NOT YOU, GLORY UPON THE EARTH. IT’S PERSONAL

GOD WORKS “IN” AND “THROUGH” HIS OBEDIENT CHILDREN TO LET THE WORLD KNOW HE IS PRESENCE, UPON THE EARTH, AND SO IS HIS LOVING GOODNESS.

ABRAHAM’S RELENTLESS AND CONFIDENT OBEDIENCE REACHES THROUGH HISTORY AND BLESSES “ALL” NATIONS, TODAY, IN WHICH “HE” IS THE FATHER!!

“… Abraham, who had received God’s promises,.....” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “… God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”  ......” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).  “…I will make of thee a great nation…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV). “...to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”…” (Galatians 3: 7-9 NIV).

Yet, “… ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God was testing him.......” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). “...Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac...” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). Regardless of what he had to do: “…Abraham kept hoping--believing...." (Romans 4:18 NLT). “...that he would become the father of many nations...” (Romans 4:18 NLT).

THE END RESULT: “...In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”...” (Genesis 22:15-19 NLT). GLORY!!