Blessings That Outlive You | Jentezen Franklin

Today, I want to talk about passing on a blessing that outlives you. Did you know that it is possible to pass on a blessing that can transcend your lifetime? I’ll begin, and you may wonder where I’m headed, but trust me, I’ve been there before. I know where we’re going.

Let’s look at Genesis chapter 12, where God speaks to Abraham: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great, and you shall be a blessing.” This is the true definition of greatness – it’s not just about you, but about impacting others. God continues, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you. In you, all the families of the Earth shall be blessed.” God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. Don’t miss that!

Now, let’s move down to verse 10. There was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt because the famine was severe. As he neared Egypt, Abram said to Sarah, his wife, “I know you are a woman of great beauty.” By the way, Sarah was over 70 years old at this time, yet she was known for her stunning beauty. Abram said in verse 12, “When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife,’ and they will kill me, but they will let you live.” So, Abram says to Sarah, “Say you are my sister, so that I may live because of you.”

This may sound strange, but Abraham, though a mighty man of faith, had his weaknesses. His name literally means “father,” and Hebrews 11 calls him the “father of our faith.” Yet, the Bible doesn’t hide his flaws. It reveals both his successes and his moments of fear. In this situation, Abraham, in a moment of fear and panic, decides to lie to protect himself.

The Bible is brutally honest about the struggles of even its greatest figures. Abram, in his fear, makes a decision that goes against his usual faith-filled choices. When he acts out of fear, things go wrong. In this case, the very thing he feared happens. The Egyptians see Sarah, and as predicted, they tell Pharaoh about her beauty. Abram’s actions, based on fear, lead to complications. This story isn’t just about Abraham; it’s about the patterns that get passed down through generations.

In families, we often see the saying “like father, like son; like mother, like daughter” come to life. There are traits, both good and bad, that get passed down. We’re not here to criticize men, but to build them up. Today, I want to discuss what you are passing on and what will outlive you. God has a plan for our families.

In Genesis 12, there was a famine in the land. In response, Abraham makes a decision out of fear, not faith. Whenever Abraham makes decisions in faith, things go well. But when he makes decisions out of fear, without praying or seeking God’s guidance, the results are disastrous. Faced with a famine, Abraham decides to go to Egypt without consulting God. This decision, made under pressure, doesn’t honor God. When Abraham acted out of fear, things went wrong, and he put his wife in a compromising position.

In summary, Abraham’s decision to lie about his relationship with Sarah, in fear of his life, shows us the consequences of acting in fear instead of faith. It reminds us that our decisions, whether made in faith or fear, have a lasting impact on our lives and our families.