When God Asks the Unthinkable
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Scriptures: Genesis 22
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Summary: In the last sermon of our series, Big Promises, Small Steps, Jeremy examines the Binding of Isaac. After addressing the generational trauma found in the story of Hagar and Ishmael, he emphasizes that not all actions in scripture are endorsed, exposing the moral complexity in these stories. Jeremy looked at God’s test of Abraham—to sacrifice his son—and suggests that Abraham’s silence and compliance reflects a failure to grasp God's character, contrasting with his earlier boldness in interceding for Sodom. He posits that God’s “test” may have been an invitation to dialogue rather than to blindly obey. Finally, Jeremy argues that the story dismantles sacrificial imaginations of God, pointing instead toward a divine character shaped by mercy, culminating in Jesus.
God who Sees: Jeremy begins by revisiting the story of Hagar and Ishmael to frame the Isaac narrative within a context of generational trauma and systemic failure. Scripture often depicts human wrongdoing without endorsing it, and God is present in these broken spaces. This affirms that divine faithfulness is not limited to the chosen but extends to the marginalized.
God who Tests: Jeremy explores God's request to Abraham through the presence of the Hebrew word "na" (please), suggesting a divine posture of invitation rather than command. He emphasizes reimagining our relationship with God as dialogical and intimate, not authoritarian. It raises questions about whether Abraham truly understands God's character or merely projects old ideas of divine expectation.
The Fallout: Jeremy highlights the psychological and relational consequences of the near-sacrifice, especially the implied estrangement between Abraham and Isaac. The pastoral thrust is that even when harm is averted, trauma can endure, and silence or avoidance can deepen relational fractures. It calls for a more honest reckoning with the cost of actions taken in the name of faith.
The Second Question: Jeremy concludes by interpreting God’s intervention as a rejection of sacrificial religion and a redefinition of divine desire. The test was not just about obedience but about whether Abraham could challenge a harmful view of God. We are invited to let go of distorted images of God and embrace the Christ-revealed God who desires mercy, justice, and peace.
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Community is shaped by the conversations we share. These questions and reflections are a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.
Connect: If you feel like sharing, start by describing how you’ve previously read the story of the Binding of Isaac. What ways was it taught to you in the past?.
If you haven’t before encountered this story, share what your initial thoughts are upon hearing it for the first time in this sermon.Share: Abraham is faced with a challenging test. On the one hand, he wishes to trust God and lean into obedience. On the other hand, he’s grown familiar with God’s character and collaborative grace.
Q: Have you ever had an experience where you believed God was asking something difficult of you? How did you respond?Reflect: Reflect on God saying “please” to Abraham. Despite feeling out of place, Jeremy says that its inclusion exposes God’s invitation to Abraham to question, converse, even argue with God; in a similar way to when Abraham called on God’s goodness in defence of Sodom.
Q: How does the idea of God saying “please” challenge or affirm your understanding of divine authority and relationship?
Engage: Engage with the following quote from Jeremy,
“Abraham understands that this God is different. And he’s ready to call on that imagination—to call God to that goodness.
When it needs to be directed at someone else Abraham can fight for Sodom. And yet, when that same conviction needs to be called on—for himself—it’s almost like he reverts back to that old imagination of the petty, vindictive, temperamental gods of his father.
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“The grace of the [binding] is not simply that God stays Abraham’s hand. It’s that God puts to bed the idea of a bloodthirsty God—forever.”Q: What are your thoughts on this quote?
Take away: What is your takeaway from the message or today’s conversation?
Prayer from the sermon:
God of Abraham and Sarah,
God who sees Hagar in the wilderness,
God who meets us in all the complicated places of our stories.
Today, as we come to the end of another tale,
would you open our hearts once again to your presence.
Some of us arrive joyful, some weary, some unsure what we believe,
but all of us are held in your confident grace.As we turn to a text that is difficult, unsettling, and honest,
give us the courage to stay present,
the humility to listen,
and the trust to believe that even here—even in the hardest stories—you are guiding us toward compassion, toward justice,
and toward the Christ who reveals your true heart.
In the strong name of the reason in Christ, we pray
Amen. -
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 33
MUSIC Curated by Kevin & Alyssa B.
Brooke Ligertwood - Ancient Gates
Royal Anthems - Turn Your Eyes
Commons Worship - Be Thou My Vision
Mission House - I Don't Have Much
COMMUNITY PRAYER
Written by Jarrod K.
The last Sunday before the start of Advent is called, by some, ‘Reign of Christ Sunday.’So, we pause and pray to our victorious Christ and for our community.
Please join me in prayer.
Loving God,
Your mercies are new everyday and great is your faithfulness.Ceaseless creator and prudent parent,
hear our prayer,
Among us, today, are those facing great trials:
For some, sickness and ailments of the body and of mind, which keeps us from doing the things we hoped to do;
For others, joblessness, the stress of schooling, fraught relationships, and with them, uncertainty of what’s next;
Still for others among us, death and the unavoidable transition of loss;
In this moment, we have nothing else to do but to lift these things to you, our God.
This season, our community carries all these things together, and we also carry gratitude:
Gratitude for the people we call friends that you’ve placed in our lives, whom we rely on when times are tough;
Gratitude for the start of a new season, the pure scents of autumn, the sunrise and sunset, and the new things you are doing in our lives;
Gratitude for honest words, warm hugs, and simple gestures.
Christ who reigns over all with a perfect kingdom—an upside down kingdom.
Whose reign is one of healing, reconciliation, and life—have mercy on us, and watch over us—walking always just a few steps ahead, for us to follow in faith.
In the name of Christ our King,
Amen.
SERIES BUMPER
Big Promises Small Steps
