Pastor Teacher Evangelist Visionary “ Your Faith Must Stand Trial ” Genesis 22:1-2, 12

Genesis 22: 1-2 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and he said to him, "Abraham!" And he said to him, "Here I am." Then he said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Genesis 22:12 And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing has happened unto you.

Pastor Teacher Evangelist Visionary “ Your Faith Must Stand Trial ” Genesis 22:1-2, 12

Commentary Good Morning Friends! What a delight for the brethren to dwell together! This morning I would like for us to understand how our faith works, to understand that absence of trials is not faith and the necessity of our faith being tried. We are living in perplexing and challenging times! Many of us are struggling in ways that people don't even know that we struggle.

Unfortunately we have raised a generation of people who can't deal with delayed gratification. Everything must be now! Everything must be fast! Everything must be quick! My friends, real faith must stand trial in the court of life. An unknown author says, “Instead of us setting the pattern for the world, the world has set the pattern for us". I agree with his statement simply because I too see a generation who do not understand that faith is established through trials for the purpose of

development and maturity. God's function in our lives is not just to grant us everything we want and think we deserve, but it is understanding that in order to get there, you must learn to endure with perseverance. Faith my friends is more than just naming it and claiming it. While it is true that God wants us blessed and to prosper. The scripture even bares out that "God wants us to prosper and be in good health even as our soul prosper.

However this prospering is a place in God first when you don't see it. The fiery trials of life is inevitable and necessary. In our endeavor to balance the extrememity of suffering (to be more like Christ) and the name it and claim it (confession of faith movement) we failed to teach balance. "In this life you shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world”. This scripture reveals two things: we will have problems and God gives the power to overcome.

My friends, the real tragedy is that we’ve failed to have people prepared for a real walk with God. We must remember we have everything we need to stand in Christ. But we must learn to stand in the court room of life, knowing that we have a lawyer that can not lose. Although sometimes our case is not a preliminary hearing, but a full blown trial we win! But we have to show up. Dr. Janice Gilbert, Senior Pastor McKinney UMC Copyright 2011

Pastor Teacher Evangelist Visionary “ Your Faith Must Stand Trial ” Genesis 22:1-2, 12

Life Application Statement: Your faith must stand trial in order to reveal true evidence.

Life Application Principles 1. Abraham's faith kept him from stopping or giving up. 2. Abraham's faith kept him connected through the process. 3. Abraham's faith caused determination and perseverance to rise up. 4. Abraham's faith carried him into victory.

Life Application Conclusion Your faith will stand trial! Sooner of later in your life your faith must stand triail! It doesn't matter whether you are rich or poor, White, Hispanic, or Black! Whether you live on 5th street or on the loop. Real faith is standing and letting your evidence be known. Dr. Janice Gilbert, Senior Pastor Copyright 2011

Pastor Teacher Evangelist Visionary “ Your Faith Must Stand Trial ” Genesis 22:1-2, 12