"Boundaries"
Leading up to The 10 Commandments
Part 3
Boundaries that Abraham Crossed
1. He did not leave his Father and relatives like God told him.
“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”
-Genesis 12:1
He took his father and nephew Lot along.
His father interrupted/delayed Abram – by stopping to live in Haran because he was comfortable there.
I wonder how many Christians have been wrongly guided because of the comfort of someone else in their family.
Distractions
“As they were walking along the road… 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
-Luke 9:58-62
Be careful not to let the dreams of others get in the way of a dream that
GOD HAS FOR YOU.
Walking by Faith is leaning on God alone.
2. Went to Egypt rather than ask God.
Egypt represented a “big place” that would “provide” for him.
3. Abram lied about Sarai being his sister.
“Domino Sins”
“Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 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.” 14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai 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. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. 17 But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 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.
-Genesis 12:10-20
Note:
God did not void his covenant with Abram
because Abram did not
FULLY OBEY.
(God’s Grace)
The Bible doesn’t put any people up on a pedestal.
Why?
1. Disappointment
2. Impossible expectations to live up to
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
-1 Corinthians 10:11-13
When Abram failed to protect his wife, God did.
When others fail you, God will not.
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