I. Introduction (Philippians 1:21; 2 Corinthians 5:1,2,5-8; John 11:25,26)
A. We Christians have a pretty good view of death
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We don’t worship death, but we don’t freak-out about it either
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We kind of look forward to it as Christians
- Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
- John 11:25,26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
B. Listen to our music…
- “It Is Not Death to Die” - we Christians REALLY believe this
- “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” by Martin Luther
- “My Jesus I Love Thee” - “In mansions of glory and endless delight, I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright”
C. Where does such confidence come from?
- From the resurrection of Jesus Christ
- He conquered death
- And promised we would too
II. Abraham’s Test (Genesis 22:1-14)
A. The Command
- Take your son, your only son
- Go to Mount Moriah
- Offer him as a burnt offering
B. The Obedience
- Abraham rose early
- He took Isaac and the wood
- He journeyed for three days
C. Isaac’s Question (v. 7)
“Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
D. Abraham’s Answer (v. 8)
“My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.”
III. Abraham Saw the Resurrection (Hebrews 11:17-19)
“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”
A. Abraham Believed God Could Raise the Dead
- He knew the promises required Isaac to live
- He trusted God even if it meant resurrection
- He saw beyond death
B. Abraham Received Isaac Back “In a Figure”
- A type of resurrection
- A picture of what was coming
- Faith rewarded
IV. What Abraham Saw
A. He Saw God’s Lamb
- The ram caught in the thicket
- A substitute provided
- A picture of Jesus
B. He Saw the Resurrection
- His son spared
- Life from death
- Hope beyond the grave
C. He Saw Christ’s Day (John 8:56)
“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.”
Conclusion
Abraham looked ahead and saw the resurrection. We look back and see it fulfilled in Christ. “Because I live, ye shall live also.” This is our hope. This is our joy. Happy Resurrection Sunday!