Bible Text: Genesis 22:20-23:20 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: Faith and the Future, Genesis

1.  Abraham demonstrates his faith in God’s promises by, contrary to custom of that day, burying Sarah in the land of promise.  There was no turning back in his life from God’s path for him and his family.

2.  Physical and spiritual death is the result of sin brought about by the fall of mankind in Adam and Eve, in Genesis 3.  Death is always a reminder of sin’s power broken at the cross by Jesus Christ.  Believers need no longer fear death but can live and hope and die without fear.

3.  “The deaths of patriarchs and saints are brutal reminders that people are sinners.  Death brings out mourning.  But death in this passage is a basis for hope.  The point is that God’s promises to those in the faith are not exhausted in this life.  As Abraham in hope bought a grave site in the land, so believers today have a hope beyond this life.  The time of death–when one’s natural inclination is to mourn as the world mourns—should be the time of the believer’s greatest demonstration of faith, for the recipient of God’s promises has a hope beyond the grave.” (Dr. Allen Ross)