Déjà vu All Over Again

Dear Mosaic Family,

In Genesis 20, a chapter sandwiched between God judging Sodom and Gomorrah, and God sending Abraham and Sarah the promised son Isaac, Abraham sins. Again. Basically same exact sin as in Genesis 12. In Genesis 12, things were a little different. Abraham was a brand new Christian. Due to a wavering faith, he left the promised land for Egypt. There, in order to protect himself, he passes Sarah off as his sister to Pharaoh, who took her as a wife and added her to his harem. God intervenes, punishes Pharaoh, and protects Abraham and Sarah's marriage. 

Since then, Abraham has grown tremendously in his faith. We see him string more wins together than the 2007 New England Patriots. He builds alters to the Lord throughout the land. He magnanimously gives Lot his choice of the land. He's victorious in war against a coalition of 4 kings who had taken Lot captive. He receives Melchizedek's blessing. He believes the Lord's promise that a son would come from him and that his progeny would be like the stars. He believes and righteousness is counted to him. He witnesses the flaming presence of God pass between the flayed sacrifices in unilateral covenant. He circumcises himself in obedience to God. He has his named changed from Abram to Abraham. He feasts with Jesus and two angels. He hears the Lord's promise that Sarah would have a child at the same time next year. He passionately pleads with God for Sodom, which saves Lot. Win after win after win. So much winning. Apparently he got tired of all the winning.

So in Genesis 20, right before the birth of the promised son, Abraham passes off Sarah as his sister to King Abimelech, pathetically watching her added to the King's harem. 18-1, like the 2007 Pats losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. Losing when it counts most. After all those wins, Abraham sins. 

How? Why? Abraham, what were you thinking?! After seeing God do so much in your life? A little detail to note, that perhaps makes more sense of Genesis 20: it's been about 30 years since Genesis 12. Over time, perhaps Abraham lost the awareness, that he's still a sinner. He still needs to fight the good fight of faith. Past victories mean nothing for today's war. Friends, fight the good fight of faith, today. 

With Love,

Pastor Jan

This Week's Announcements

Kids Summer Nights

July 25-30th from 6-8 pm

Registration is now open for kids ages 4-11 to attend our free, weeklong VBS program this summer! You can register your child(ren) or sign up to volunteer here.

Songs for Sunday 

If you would like to know what we'll be singing on Sunday, you can find the playlist here.