July 10, 2005

 

Intro: Genesis 12:1-5- Abraham and Sarah are the first of

five living testimonies of God-designed marriage. I Cor.10:11

 

I. The many years without children drove them

together and drove them to the Lord.

  1) Frequent mention of lack of children- 11:30, 15:2, 16:1,

18:13.   Child-bearing was withheld to develop their faith-

Heb.11:11.

  How careless of so many believers to sustain emotional

bonds!  3 times in Eph. 5 men are told to love their wives.

 

II. Both had times of doubt & confusion concerning

God’s help and blessing.

1) Abraham- Gen.12:13—he was fearful & questioned

God’s protection

2) Sarai- Gen.16:2-she inserted her plan in the place of

God’s plan—her plan brought arrogance to the family.

Couples need to remember that they reap both good

and evil from their spouses.

 

III. They weathered great difficulties created by

their own mistakes.

1) The diligence of their love got them thru the storms.

2) Difficulties in marriage can drive you together or

apart.

  Believers with integrity will also manage a crisis

better than those w/o integrity.

 

IV. Note that their character development is

shown by their change in names.

Abraham- Gen.17:5     Sarah- Gen.17:15

God had to enlarge their capacity for His plan; we try

to reduce God’s plan to our capacity.

 

V. Together they experienced God’s mercy & power.

Gen.21:2—Abraham illustrates justification by faith-

Rom.4:19-15