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Call to worship: Acts 26:4-23

Text: Genesis 11:10-32

Summary:

Moses gives a stark contrast when, amid a genealogy bursting with fertility, Abram's wife Sarai is said to be barren. As is customary, God chooses the weak things in the world to shame the strong. His purpose of grace therefore runs through a woman's womb that's more akin to an empty tomb. The entire scheme and weight of glory depends, not on flesh and blood or human will, but on God Who raises the dead. Redemption rests on resurrection. It rests on Him Who calls things that do not exist into existence. So while the line of grace seems compromised, Terah has died, and Sarai is barren, take heart! God lives! And as promised, He will deliver on the Gospel of the crucified and risen Christ. By Him, Sarai's empty tomb leads to Jesus' empty tomb, and to the putting off of our grave clothes in Him.

Main idea(s):

For God so loved the world that He raised the dead in Sarai's womb.

Sermon Outline:

1. The progress of Shem's living line. (11:10-26)
2. The problem of Terah's dead ends. (11:27-32)
3. The purpose in God's resurrecting power. (various)

Prepare

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Genesis 11:10-32.
2. What does Shem mean, and why is that contextually significant? What, if anything, do you especially discern in the record of Shem's line? Is every child recorded? Is it a record of fertility or infertility? What about their ages?
3. After Shem, in what branch of the genealogy of grace would Moses have us concentrate? What do we learn about this family in 11:27-32 (and give a moment to Joshua 24:2-3 as well)? Where are they from, and why is that significant? Where are they going, and why is that significant? Why are they going there, and why is that significant?
4. Haran dies. Terah dies. Nahor disappears. And Abram's wife, Sarai, is barren. In light of the promise and the genealogies carrying it forward, what's the new problem?
5. Sarai eventually has a son of promise. How so? And what's the significance of this as it relates to God, His purpose, the power behind the promise, and our faith in the face of apparent snags in the course of Gospel life and ministry as Christians and a church?