Title: The Father Who Pleases God
Text: Genesis 22:1-19
Date: June 16, 2024
Introduction: In the life of Abraham, we find a man who represents what God is looking for in fathers, and men in general. He was a man who placed his confidence in an unchanging, all-powerful God. Abraham was known as “God’s friend” (James 2:23). Therefore, he had some characteristics of the father who pleases God. However, before considering these characteristics, let’s remember that he was Isaac’s father and becoming his father was not easy for him. Many years passed before Isaac was finally born. (Isaac means he laughs.) How many years, we do not know for certain. Twenty-five years had passed from the time Abraham left Harran until the time Isaac was born. “So Abraham went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abraham was seventy-five years old when he set out for Harran” (Genesis 12:4). “Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him” (Genesis 21:5). The time of waiting for his son probably extended well back into the silent years before God communicated with Abraham at Harran. So, it could have been sixty years or more.
When the child came, the challenge of parenthood confronted Abraham. In chapters 21 and 22 of Genesis, we see that Abraham fulfilled God’s charge to “keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just” (Genesis 18:19).
What did Abraham do to please God? What must a father do today to please God?
I. The father who pleases God
II. The father who pleases God
III. The father who pleases God
Larry Gipson
First Baptist Church Oneonta