Half done amount to nothing accomplished!
A. Main scripture for this study:
But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.
The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete. Luke 6:49
B. What will happen if one quotes a few Bible verses and say: I preach what says in the Bible?
1. Jesus said: Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Matt.7:22
2. Then I will tell them plainly: I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers! Matt.7:23
C. Faith is faith indeed at time of work done! James 2:20-22
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
D. The story as recorded in Gen.22:1-18
1. Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him: Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 22:1
2. 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. 22:2
3. Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.
When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.
4. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
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.
6. Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife.
As the two of them went on together.
7. Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied:
The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?
8. Abraham answered: God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.
And the two of them went on together.
9. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
10. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.
12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him.
Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
13. Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns.
He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
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."
15-18 The angel of he LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said:
I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.
Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,
and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
E. Conclusion:
1. You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. James 2:22
2. God’s promised blessings were received at time of work done! James 1:25
May the Lord bless you and keep you! Preach this on June 6, 2014.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIu6LEyPjqE