ENJOY FORTUNE TOGETHER, ENDURE MISFORTUNE TOGETHER.

PREACHER: REV. DR. WILLY MUTISO.

TEXT: GEN. 12 : 4 – 5 ; 10 – 13 : 1

INTRODUCTION:
Even people of faith fail for lack of courage, conviction, and commitment. They make poor decisions and suffer untold consequences. Abraham, the father of faith (Rom. 4:11) was faithless several times. He almost lost his family were it not for God’s faithfulness. Three things make a man: hard work, sincerity, and commitment. Abraham failed during hard economic times. He was not sincere to his neighbors. He did not have a real commitment to his wife when threatening circumstances arose.
It is said, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” That is not biblical. “Desperate times call for determination and faith.” Let us learn:

Desperate times call for determination and faith (Gen. 12:4-8).
Every couple enjoys their fair share of fortune and suffers misfortune like any other couple.
Embrace suffering together as a couple and family.
No sooner had Abraham and Sarai settled into Canaan, famine came into the land.
A famine is an environmental and agricultural downturn at its worst.
Abraham’s confidence in God was shaken. He wondered if Canaan was the promised land.
They panicked and fled to Egypt at the first sign of trouble (v.10).
The famine was a severe test. Remember, Abraham had built two altars (v.7-8).
Abraham only wanted good times, not bad times!
Abraham did not anticipate trials and problems; he would not adjust.
Only Abraham’s family left; the Canaanites remained.
He acted in fear and not faith. He failed to seek God’s presence, will, and guidance.
Like Elimelech and Naomi left Bethlehem (the house of bread) for Moab without prayer, Abraham left Canaan.

Desperate times call for a dependable character (Gen. 12:11-16).
Abraham was a selfish man. He wanted to spare his own skin. He did not think of his wife’s welfare.
He did not depend on and trust God.
He sold his wife to the kingdom of Egypt because of fear.
Sarai was very beautiful even at 65 years! Only two women are called beautiful in the Bible. Sarai and Abishag (1 Kings 1:2).
He should have braved the Canaan famine and embraced suffering together with his wife. Emigrating to Egypt was worse than staying in Canaan.
Abraham failed to anticipate selfishness on his part. He, however, was paid dowry for Sarai’s marriage to Pharaoh.

Desperate times call for a dignified response (Gen. 12:17-13:1).
Only divine intervention could save Abraham and Sarai.
God sent great plagues to Pharaoh’s family.
Sarai had been exchanged for beasts and servants – she became a palace concubine.
Abraham literally sacrificed his wife on the altar of self-preservation.
It is pathetic to offer your wife for money: “My honey for your money.”
Later, Abraham did not admit his mistake. “Not admitting a mistake is a bigger mistake.”
Sarai was not as guilty as Abraham, but she was not innocent.
Abraham was the supplier, Sarai was the peddler!
Out of Egypt, they picked a maidservant called Hagar who later became Sarai’s constant menace.
Out of Hagar came Ishmael the father of the Arabs (Gen. 25:12-13), the source of the conflict between Israel and Arabs.

CONCLUSION:
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Have you been faithful, devoted, true, and loyal to your spouse?
Men, don’t hang your wife out to dry. You are the head of the family. Wife, have you been the helper you were created to be? Choices have consequences!

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Rev, Dr. Willy Mutiso is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Athiriver. He is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives.

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Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

Rev, Dr. Willy Mutiso is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Athiriver. He is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives.

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