Sermon Notes (2.20.22)

Genesis 12:10–13:2

10 There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to stay there for a while because the famine in the land was severe. 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me but let you live. 13 Please say you’re my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account.” 14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh, so the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s household. 16 He treated Abram well because of her, and Abram acquired flocks and herds, male and female donkeys, male and female slaves, and camels.
17 But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife, Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh sent for Abram and said, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave his men orders about him, and they sent him away with his wife and all he had.

13 Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev—he, his wife, and all he had, and Lot with him. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. (CSB)

FRUSTRATED & FORGETFUL

Genesis 12:10

There was a famine in the land…

…so Abram went down to Egypt

1 Peter 4:12-13 – Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. 

Abram did the natural thing, and herein the problem lies. There is no mention that he sought God’s will in the matter…Abram’s going to Egypt was not so much an intentional sin as it was a reflexive turn to his own devices. He did not deny God; he simply forgot him. He forgot how great God is. – Kent Hughes

LAND & OFFSPRING – these are the promises of God

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THE FEAR

Genesis 12:11-16

“Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are…They will kill me but let you live.”

…so it will go well for me

We should be afraid when physically threatened. It is certainly not sinful for your adrenaline to be flowing when you are being fired upon. But fear of man is fear run amok. It might start with the very natural fear associated with being vulnerable and threatened. At times, however, this alarm is not regulated by faith. It becomes fear that is consumed with itself and for a time forgets God. It becomes a fear that, when activated, rules your life. In such a state, we trust for salvation in others. – Ed Welch

…the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful…so the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s household.

WE ARE ABRAM.

  • Do you ever struggle with peer pressure?
  • Are you over-committed?
  • Do you “need” something from your spouse? Your friend?
  • Is self-esteem critical for you?
  • Do you ever feel like you might be exposed as an impostor?
  • Are you always second guessing decisions?
  • Does life feel empty or meaningless?
  • Do you get easily embarrassed?
  • Do you ever lie, especially the little “white lies”?
  • Are you jealous of other people?
  • Do other people often make you angry or depressed?
  • Do you avoid certain people?
  • Why do you diet?
  • Are you “successful”?

FIGHT FEAR WITH FEAR

Psalm 56:3-4

3 When I am afraid,

I will trust in you.

4 In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?

You’ve royal blood in your veins, no matter what your name or place in this world…It occurs to me how silly it is to be writing this to a two-year-old boy. But maybe one day when you’re alone, unsure, doubting yourself, you’ll need these words. Remember this: Your father is a king. You are his son. This is your land, and nothing can change that. Nothing. – The Wingfeather Saga

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GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Genesis 12:17:-13:2

But the LORD…

2 Timothy 2:13 – if we are faithless, he remains faithful,

for he cannot deny himself.

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

THE FAITHFULNESS FORMULA

For every one look at myself I must take ten looks at Jesus

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HOW CAN WE RESPOND?

Repent. Remember. Rejoice. 

A Prayer for Salvation

“Heavenly Father, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through your Son Jesus I can be more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you that he lived the life I should have lived and paid the debt and punishment I owed. Receive me now for his sake. I turn from my sins and receive him as Savior. Amen.”

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