Sermon 517: A Faltering Faith, A Sister-Wife, A Faithful God: GENESIS 12:10-20

Today’s Bulletin


OUTLINE

I. The Fear Spiral; aka Faltering Faith (v.10-13)
II. The Unsettling Success of Sin (v.14-16)
III. God's Gracious Intervention (v. 17-20)
IV. Apps For Everyone


Genesis 12:10-20

“Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” 14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.

17 But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” 20 And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.”


Canceling Calvin

John Calvin on how Sarai could be beautiful despite being older…
“her sterility (not having had children) availed to preserve her beauty, and to keep her whole habit of body entire; for there is nothing which more debilitates females (beauty) than frequent parturition (child bearing).”

Translation in sermon, Calvin says, the reason Sarai is still stunning at 65 is that she has not given birth to any children. He then adds, “Nothing debilitates the appearance of women more than frequent childbirth.”

Nate Bargatze Ording Coffee like Pharaoh Dismissing Abram

Sermon Discussion questions
A Faltering Faith, A Faithful God: Genesis 12:10-20

Ice Breaker: Ice Breakers will return in fall with Small Groups

This Week Specific

  1. The sermon this week highlighted how Abram faltered in his faith and acted out of fear instead of trusting God's promises when the famine hit. Can you think of a recent situation where you struggled to trust God's promises and acted out of fear or self-reliance instead? What were the consequences?

  2. Abram's lie to protect himself ended up putting his wife Sarai in a compromising situation with Pharaoh. Have you ever made a decision motivated by fear or self-preservation that ended up negatively impacting or putting loved ones at risk? What did you learn from that experience?

  3. Pastor Brian emphasizes that despite Abram's lapses in faith, God remained faithful to His promises. How have you seen God's faithfulness evident in your own life, even during periods when your faith wavered?

  4. What is one practical step you can take this week to grow in trusting God more fully with the situations and relationships you are facing? What promise from Scripture can you cling to?

Weekly Questions

  1. What stood out to you/challenged you most in this sermon?

  2. What’s one area you feel the Lord wants to grow you into more Christ likeness?

  3. How can this group pray for you this week?