From the Pulpit...

After some initial remarks about Sanctity of Life Sunday, Pastor Postiff taught through Genesis 20. After the incident of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham "goes on with life" and resumes moving about the land that God had deeded to him (v. 1). The first incident narrated for us is about the interaction of Abraham and Abimelech. In it we learn:

• Abimelech taking Sarah was a threat to the fulfillment of God’s promise that a son would come to her via Abraham. God was dead serious about His promise. He is just as serious about the integrity of marriage.
• We see a worldly pagan king rebukes a follower of God. This is a sad testimony of the behavior of God’s people, and it happens too often (2 Samuel 12:14, Rom. 2:24, 2 Peter 2:2).
• Your sin can lead others to sin.
• Patterns of sin are hard to overcome.
• God restrains sin. Ask Him to restrain your own sinfulness. Pray that He leads you away from temptation.
• Handle sin maturely by confessing it and making it right. Do not make excuses for it.