Message Notes

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 24 July 2021

Call to Worship Pastor Charles Tan

Opening Prayer

Scripture Text: Genesis 20

Message: “He is a prophet”

Speaker: Pastor Charles Tan

Closing Prayer

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 24 July 2021

Scripture Text: Genesis 20

Message: “He is a prophet” Pastor Charles Tan

INTRODUCTION

1. Mistakes and Sins

a) Mistakes are errors

i) Error of judgment

ii) Error that arises from carelessness

b) Sins are more than errors

i) They may arise from the deep fears of the heart

ii) They may reflect a less than perfect trust in God

iii) They are sometimes “repeat sins”

2. The deceit and lie of Abram and Sarai

a) In Egypt Genesis 12

b) They were shamed and rebuked by the Pharaoh Genesis 12

THE JOURNEYS OF ABRAHAM

1. These Journeys had to be taken

a) Journeys of Faith

b) Journeys of Exploration of the Promised Land

c) Journeys of Discovery

d) This knowledge would be passed down to the descendants

These Journeys provided opportunities for Abraham to grow his faith further!

2. These Journeys were not without danger

a) There were hostile tribes living in Canaan

b) Some may prove to be difficult to handle

THE KINGDOM OF GERAR

1. Journey to the South (Negev) Genesis 20:1

a) The Negev (Hebrew) was used also to describe direction

b) This region was like a desert

2. Abraham had to dwell in different places he travelled

a) Between Kadesh and Shur

i) Kadesh was an old city

ii) Shur was a part of the Arabian desert

b) In Gerar

i) This land was ruled by Abimelech

ii) This land later was more famously known as Philistia

3. Abraham and Sarah

a) Once again, they chose the story of “brother-sister” (as in Egypt)

b) This was not a mistake

c) This was a repeat-sin

4. Abimelech captured Sarah

a) She would be added to his harem

b) This was not an uncommon practice of powerful kings

GOD’S COVENANT TO ABRAHAM

1. He will give the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants

2. The land of Canaan was described Genesis 15:18-20

3. God will also be Abraham’s Shield Genesis 15:1

4. God stepped in to confront Abimelech (dream) Genesis 20:3

a) Ominous words
“Indeed, you are a dead man” Genesis 20:3a

b) Reason given
Taken “another man’s wife” Genesis 20:3b

5. Abimelech’s plea

a) Abimelech had not come near Sarah Genesis 20:4a

b) A righteous nation
“Lord, will You slay a righteous nation?” Genesis 20:4b

c) “Integrity of my heart and innocence” Genesis 20:5

i) Abraham and Sarah were to blame

ii) They had declared they were siblings

6. God’s graciousness and mercy

a) God’s omniscience
“Yes, I know…” Genesis 20:6a

b) Withholding power
“I also withheld you from sinning” Genesis 20:6b

c) Restoration
“Restore the man’s wife” Genesis 20:7a

d) Status of Abraham
“He is a prophet” Genesis 20:7b

e) Prayer of Abraham
“He will pray for you and you shall live” Genesis 20:7c

f) Warning

i) “If you do not restore”

ii) “You shall surely die”

iii) “You and all that are yours” Genesis 20:7d

ABIMELECH’S WORD TO HIS PEOPLE

1. He related his dream to his servants

2. All were afraid Genesis 20:8

ABIMELECH CONFRONTS ABRAHAM

1. He rebuked Abraham

a) “What have you done to us?”

b) “How have I offended you?”

c) “That you have brought on me
and on my kingdom a great sin?”

d) “You have done deeds to me
that ought not to be done” Genesis 20:9

e) “What did you have in view,
that you have done this thing?” Genesis 20:10

2. Abraham’s explanation

a) Fearful thoughts
“Because I thought”

b) Mere human reasoning
“The fear of God is not in this place”

c) Fear of being killed
“They will kill me on account of my wife” Genesis 20:11

d) Technicality Explained

i) Daughter of my father

ii) But not daughter of my mother

iii) She became my wife Genesis 20:12

iv) A plan between Abraham and Sarah
Sarah was to say “He is my brother” Genesis 20:13

e) This was a pretty lame explanation!

ABIMELECH RESTORES SARAH TO ABRAHAM

1. Restoration was made

a) Immediately

b) With suitable gifts

i) Sheep

ii) Oxen

iii) Male and female servants Genesis 20:14

2. Generous offer to Abraham

a) Land
“See, my land is before you”

b) Dwelling
“Dwell where it pleases you” Genesis 20:15

3. A word to Sarah

a) Your brother
“I have given your brother a thousand pieces
of silver” Genesis 20:16a

b) Vindication
“This vindicates you before all who are with you
and before everybody” Genesis 20:16b

c) Thus Sarah was rebuked! Genesis 20:16c

ABRAHAM’S PRAYER TO GOD

1. Abraham prayed to God Genesis 20:17a

2. God healed

a) Abimelech

b) His wife

c) His female servants

d) Then they bore children Genesis 20:17b

e) God had closed up all the wombs
of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife Genesis 20:18

CONCLUSION

1. Beware of deep-seated sin problems

a) Deceit

b) Lies

2. Appreciate afresh

a) God’s Protection

b) God’s Power