Part 3 | The Unthinkable Test

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Part 3 | The Unthinkable Test

Genesis 22:1-14 | March 29, 2026

Juan Carlos Heredia, Pastor of Spanish Ministry

  •  Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Trusting God only when we have all the answers does not require faith.

  • Genesis 22:1-2 Some time after these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am!” Abraham replied. 2 God said, “Take your son—your only son, whom you love, Isaac —and go to the land of Moriah! Offer him up there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will indicate to you.” (NET)
  • James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He himself tempts no one. (NET)

Temptation seeks to destroy our faith. God’s testing seeks to develop our faith.

God doesn’t test us to find out what we will do but to show us what He can do.

We tend to love the gift more than the Gift Giver.

  • Genesis 22:5-6 So he said to his servants, “You two stay here with the donkey while the boy and I go up there. We will worship and then return to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on his son Isaac. Then he took the fire and the knife in his hand, and the two of them walked on together. (NET)
  • Genesis 22:8 “God will provide for himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham replied. The two of them continued on together. (NET)
  • Hebrews 11:19 …and he reasoned that God could even raise him from the dead, and in a sense he received him back from there. (NET)
  • Genesis 22:11-12 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered. 12 “Do not harm the boy!” the angel said. “Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me.” (NET)
  • Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place “The LORD provides.” It is said to this day, “In the mountain of the LORD provision will be made.” (NET)

Whenever God tests our faith, He will provide for our faith.

Canaanites

Aztecs

False gods demand a sacrifice, but the true God became a sacrifice.

• How should we respond to this story?

Trust God’s character even when you don’t understand God’s commands.

Remember that the evidence of your faith is obedience.

  • James 2:19-22 You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear. 20 But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works. (NET)