1. “The Faith of Abraham - Part 2” Genesis 12:10-20 10/04/2009 Dane Boyles

2. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” We have before us what is probably the saddest event in the entire life of Abraham. We see him making a decision that will bring tremendous trouble into his life and into ours as well.

3. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” In the Bible, Egypt is always presented to us as a picture and a type of the world. 10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. (Genesis 12:10)

4. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2”  IT IS ALWAYS A DOWNWARD PATH (12:10). It Led Him Down from the Land of Promise.

5. Acts 16:26 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

6. Genesis 50:20 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

7. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” It Led Him Down from the Land of Preparation.  In Genesis Abram left God’s best and ran away from God’s test.

8. 1 Kings 17:14 14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.’ ”

9. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” It Led Him Down from the Land of Provision. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. (Gen. 12:2)

10. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2”  Canaan was also the place of God’s rest for Abram.  The best place to be is where the Lord places you, even if it is difficult.

11. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2”  IT IS ALWAYS A DISHONEST PATH. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. (Gen. 12:11)

12. Genesis 12:12-13 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

13. Genesis 12:14-15 14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that she was a very beautiful woman. 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace.

14. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” Abram Birthed a Lie. Abram Became the Lie.  After he told the lie, he began to live the lie!

15. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” Abram Believed the Lie.  He couldn’t die because God’s promise to him had not yet been fulfilled (Gen. 12:2-3).  This is always sin’s way of deceiving us.

16. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2”  IT IS ALWAYS A DISASTROUS PATH. 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. (Gen. 12:15)

17. Genesis 12:16-17 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels. 17 But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai.

18. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” Because of the Potential.  When a believer goes to Egypt spiritually, it causes others to fall away or stay away.  “The reason I never became a Christian was other Christians.” -- Ghandi

19. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” Because of the Punishment. Because of the Profits.  Among the servants Abram acquired while in Egypt was an Egyptian girl named Hagar (Gen. 16:1-3).

20. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2”  “What we think are the world’s best blessings often become life’s greatest burdens." 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (Matt. 6:19)

21. Matthew 6:20-21 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2”  IT IS ALWAYS A DISAPPOINTING PATH 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? (Gen. 12:18)

23. Genesis 12:19-20 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

24. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” Because of the Reputation You Forfeit.  Lost people never forget a ruined reputation!  They may never remember your good works, but they will never forget your failures!

25. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” Because of the Things it Forgets.  No man can serve 2 masters (Matt. 6:24). Because of the Tragedy it Fosters.  It is always a tragedy when believers leave the world worse off than it was when they found it!

26. “The Faith of Abraham – Part 2” Conclusion Where is your tent pitched today? Are you camping in Canaan? Or have you gone down to Egypt? You’ll never prosper as long as you are not where God wants you to be!

27. “The Faith of Abraham - Part 2” Genesis 12:10-20 10/04/2009 Dane Boyles