Ep. 37 The Affliction - Genesis 16 - 10/11/26
from Rise Church Dyer Hosted by Rise Church
People are complicated. Even when we want something good, our pursuit of it can lead us to make unwise decisions, hurt others, and take matters into our own hands.In **Genesis 16**, Sarai and Abram try to secure God’s promise of a son through their own plans. Their decisions create conflict and suffering, and Hagar—the Egyptian servant caught in the middle—is mistreated and driven into the wilderness. But there, Hagar encounters the God who sees her.This passage challenges us to consider how we make decisions, whether our goals are taking priority over obedience to God, and how easily we can treat people as obstacles or means to an end. It also reminds us that no one is invisible to God. He sees the brokenhearted, cares for those the world overlooks, and remains at work even when he seems silent.**In this sermon on Genesis 16, we explore three people and three lessons:**- **Sarai:** The danger of taking God’s promises into our own hands.- **Abram:** The failure to lead faithfully when courage and responsibility are needed.- **Hagar:** The comfort of knowing that we are seen and cared for by God.How can we pursue good things without compromising what is right? How do we choose grace over self-righteousness, and reconciliation over simply winning? Genesis 16 reminds us to begin with what honors God and loves our neighbor—not merely with what we want to accomplish.Sermon from Rise Church in Dyer, Indiana. Message preached by Pastor Josh Benner. Link to full service: https://studio.youtube.com/video/75a7lyaz0R0/edit?c=UC13P88u545VUgKmTkDC7WUg
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