Atrocious Abe, 27 September 2026
28 09 26 Filed in: Sermons | Ideal Family
Atrocious Abe
Series: Ideal Family
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 27, 2026
Genesis 12:10-13
Series Big Idea: All families are messed up, including biblical families.
Big Idea: Father Abraham was not always faithful, but our Father God never fails.
Who’s your favorite character in the Bible…other than Jesus! The most mentioned name is David. After Jesus and David, Moses is next, and then today’s subject, Abraham, previously known as Abram. Although he was one of the most faith-filled people in the scriptures, you’ll soon see why I called this sermon “Atrocious Abe.”
Good morning! My name is Kirk and today we’re continuing our series entitled, “Ideal Family.” Whether you like it or not, you’re part of a family; at least one. Ever since God said it was not good for man to be alone, humans have lived with others…for better or worse. I have yet to meet someone who didn’t have a biological father and a biological mother. Most people have siblings. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents are a vital part of life for many of us. Family is God’s design. It was His idea.
There are two unfortunate things I’ve discovered about families. First, they are all messed up! That’s ultimately the result of sin, our disobedience toward God. Ever since Adam and Eve ate of the fruit in the Garden of Eden, we have struggled to get along. Pride divides. Greed corrupts. Selfishness hoards. Anger disturbs. Hatred destroys. Misunderstanding confuses.
The second unfortunate thing about families is the mistaken belief that everyone else’s family is okay. Listen to me carefully…all families are messed up! This includes biblical families.
Abe’s story ends well.
Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. (Genesis 25:7-8)
Abe’s story started well, too.
The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. (Genesis 12:1)
Imagine God says, “Go to the airport, board this airplane, and begin a new life wherever the plane lands.” Would you do it? Would you go? Would you leave your home, friends, family, and even your country to follow the LORD?
For centuries, people have been doing this very thing. I have friends who have been led by God overseas. They’ve sacrificed, studied new languages, and said goodbye to everything they’ve known in this life to obey God.
About a hundred years ago, “one-way” missionaries were sent to foreign lands, packing their possessions in coffins, buying one-way tickets with the expectation they would never return home. That’s faith! Abe had plenty of it. Then again, God made promises to him.
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)
Would you go to Michigan if He promised that to you? What about Canada? Mexico? Africa?
So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. (Genesis 12:4-5)
Obviously, he didn’t board a plane. This was a land journey of about 400 miles…without motorized transportation…with his family…
Have you ever traveled 400 miles with your family…WITH motorized transportation?! That’s about from here to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. (Genesis 12:6-7)
That’s a special moment! Look at this land, Abe. It’s not yours, but your offspring will get it someday. But don’t stop now! We’re not there yet!
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. (Genesis 12:8)
Abram is obviously devoted to God. He’s quite the altar builder!
Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev. (Genesis 12:9)
So far, so good. Then we get to this unusual story.
Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. (Genesis 12:10)
Remember, God promised to make Abram into a great nation. That means he will become a dad…eventually. God always keeps His promises. Always.
As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” (Genesis 12:11-13)
What?! He wants his wife lie…to spare his own life! Abram is only worried about himself.
When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. (Genesis 12:14-16)
Let’s give credit to Abram. He was right. The Egyptians found his sister—err—wife to be beautiful. She was taken into Pharaoh’s palace. What would Pharaoh possibly want with a beautiful woman in his palace?!
But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had. (Genesis 12:17-20)
Abe’s plan worked…sorta. His life was spared. But what an ordeal. Can you imagine how Sarai must’ve felt during this whole experience? Abram receives grace—unmerited favor—despite his selfish, deceitful behavior. He became a biblical hero and the father of many nations, but this episode did not cause him to win Husband of the Year!
So What?
Husbands: don’t give your wife to another man, no matter who it is!
Also, don’t tell lies! It’s in God’s top ten. Technically, Sarai was Abe’s half-sister, but Abram was deceptive.
The motivation for it was fear. Admittedly, he was afraid for his life, but God had made great promises to Abram, yet he tried to control the situation and the consequences could’ve been catastrophic. Have you ever taken matters into your own hands instead of trusting God? I’m guilty!
And another thing—this is going to sound so basic—but learn from your mistakes.
Abraham lied about his wife being his sister. Twice! It happened again in Genesis chapter 20. Look it up!
Parents—and grandparents—it’s important to remember the next generation(s) is watching you. Whether it’s interpersonal conflicts or habitual sins like dishonesty, children often become like their parents.
Abraham’s son, Isaac, lied about his wife being his sister! It’s in Genesis chapter 26. You can’t make this stuff up! I know the Bible’s true, if only because nobody would fabricate these embarrassing stories and call them sacred scripture!
One thing we continue to see in this series is the imperfections of the heroes of the Bible. I find this encouraging, knowing I’m not alone in my weak faith, selfishness, pride, and sinfulness. Abe was atrocious in this scene, yet God used him to become a great nation. He always uses imperfect people to do great things, which gives us all hope.
Father Abraham was not lways faithful, but our Father God never fails. Hallelujah!
Series: Ideal Family
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 27, 2026
Genesis 12:10-13
Series Big Idea: All families are messed up, including biblical families.
Big Idea: Father Abraham was not always faithful, but our Father God never fails.
Who’s your favorite character in the Bible…other than Jesus! The most mentioned name is David. After Jesus and David, Moses is next, and then today’s subject, Abraham, previously known as Abram. Although he was one of the most faith-filled people in the scriptures, you’ll soon see why I called this sermon “Atrocious Abe.”
Good morning! My name is Kirk and today we’re continuing our series entitled, “Ideal Family.” Whether you like it or not, you’re part of a family; at least one. Ever since God said it was not good for man to be alone, humans have lived with others…for better or worse. I have yet to meet someone who didn’t have a biological father and a biological mother. Most people have siblings. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents are a vital part of life for many of us. Family is God’s design. It was His idea.
There are two unfortunate things I’ve discovered about families. First, they are all messed up! That’s ultimately the result of sin, our disobedience toward God. Ever since Adam and Eve ate of the fruit in the Garden of Eden, we have struggled to get along. Pride divides. Greed corrupts. Selfishness hoards. Anger disturbs. Hatred destroys. Misunderstanding confuses.
The second unfortunate thing about families is the mistaken belief that everyone else’s family is okay. Listen to me carefully…all families are messed up! This includes biblical families.
Abe’s story ends well.
Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. (Genesis 25:7-8)
Abe’s story started well, too.
The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. (Genesis 12:1)
Imagine God says, “Go to the airport, board this airplane, and begin a new life wherever the plane lands.” Would you do it? Would you go? Would you leave your home, friends, family, and even your country to follow the LORD?
For centuries, people have been doing this very thing. I have friends who have been led by God overseas. They’ve sacrificed, studied new languages, and said goodbye to everything they’ve known in this life to obey God.
About a hundred years ago, “one-way” missionaries were sent to foreign lands, packing their possessions in coffins, buying one-way tickets with the expectation they would never return home. That’s faith! Abe had plenty of it. Then again, God made promises to him.
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)
Would you go to Michigan if He promised that to you? What about Canada? Mexico? Africa?
So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. (Genesis 12:4-5)
Obviously, he didn’t board a plane. This was a land journey of about 400 miles…without motorized transportation…with his family…
Have you ever traveled 400 miles with your family…WITH motorized transportation?! That’s about from here to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. (Genesis 12:6-7)
That’s a special moment! Look at this land, Abe. It’s not yours, but your offspring will get it someday. But don’t stop now! We’re not there yet!
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. (Genesis 12:8)
Abram is obviously devoted to God. He’s quite the altar builder!
Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev. (Genesis 12:9)
So far, so good. Then we get to this unusual story.
Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. (Genesis 12:10)
Remember, God promised to make Abram into a great nation. That means he will become a dad…eventually. God always keeps His promises. Always.
As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” (Genesis 12:11-13)
What?! He wants his wife lie…to spare his own life! Abram is only worried about himself.
When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. (Genesis 12:14-16)
Let’s give credit to Abram. He was right. The Egyptians found his sister—err—wife to be beautiful. She was taken into Pharaoh’s palace. What would Pharaoh possibly want with a beautiful woman in his palace?!
But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had. (Genesis 12:17-20)
Abe’s plan worked…sorta. His life was spared. But what an ordeal. Can you imagine how Sarai must’ve felt during this whole experience? Abram receives grace—unmerited favor—despite his selfish, deceitful behavior. He became a biblical hero and the father of many nations, but this episode did not cause him to win Husband of the Year!
So What?
Husbands: don’t give your wife to another man, no matter who it is!
Also, don’t tell lies! It’s in God’s top ten. Technically, Sarai was Abe’s half-sister, but Abram was deceptive.
The motivation for it was fear. Admittedly, he was afraid for his life, but God had made great promises to Abram, yet he tried to control the situation and the consequences could’ve been catastrophic. Have you ever taken matters into your own hands instead of trusting God? I’m guilty!
And another thing—this is going to sound so basic—but learn from your mistakes.
Abraham lied about his wife being his sister. Twice! It happened again in Genesis chapter 20. Look it up!
Parents—and grandparents—it’s important to remember the next generation(s) is watching you. Whether it’s interpersonal conflicts or habitual sins like dishonesty, children often become like their parents.
Abraham’s son, Isaac, lied about his wife being his sister! It’s in Genesis chapter 26. You can’t make this stuff up! I know the Bible’s true, if only because nobody would fabricate these embarrassing stories and call them sacred scripture!
One thing we continue to see in this series is the imperfections of the heroes of the Bible. I find this encouraging, knowing I’m not alone in my weak faith, selfishness, pride, and sinfulness. Abe was atrocious in this scene, yet God used him to become a great nation. He always uses imperfect people to do great things, which gives us all hope.
Father Abraham was not lways faithful, but our Father God never fails. Hallelujah!