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(Genesis) Genesis 25:5-18
J. Vernon McGee

John Vernon McGee (1904 - 1988). American Presbyterian pastor, radio teacher, and author born in Hillsboro, Texas. Converted at 14, he earned a bachelor’s from Southwestern University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Columbia Seminary. Ordained in 1933, he pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, and California, notably at Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles from 1949 to 1970, growing it to 3,000 members. In 1967, he launched Thru the Bible, a radio program teaching the entire Bible verse-by-verse over five years, now airing in 100 languages across 160 countries. McGee authored over 200 books, including Genesis to Revelation commentaries. Known for his folksy, Southern style, he reached millions with dispensationalist teachings. Married to Ruth Inez Jordan in 1936, they had one daughter. Despite throat cancer limiting his later years, he recorded thousands of broadcasts. His program and writings continue to shape evangelical Bible study globally.
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In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the genealogy of Abraham and the significance of the rejected line and the line leading to Christ. The preacher highlights that the rejected line, represented by Ishmael, is mentioned first in the book of Genesis but is eventually set aside. The line leading to Christ, represented by Isaac, is given prominence. The preacher also mentions that Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from Isaac. The sermon concludes with the death of Abraham and the burial by his sons, Isaac and Ishmael.
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Now, we come down to verse 5, "...and Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac," and notice that, "...but unto the sons of the concubines which Abraham had. Abraham gave gifts and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived eastward unto the east country. And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life, which he lived a hundred, threescore, and fifteen years. Then Abraham gave up the ghost, died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people." This is interesting, "...and his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre. The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth, there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife." Now, Ishmael comes for the funeral because, after all, Abraham is his father, and here Isaac and Ishmael bury Abraham. In verse 11, we follow right along now, "...it came to pass after the death of Abraham that God blessed his son Isaac, and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi." That's where, you remember, he met Rebekah when she came to him. Now, we have in verse 12 down through verse 18, "...the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, baroned Abraham." Now, the list of them are given here, and I have no intention of reading this section at all, but to call your attention to the fact that this is the method of the Holy Spirit, this is the handwriting of the Spirit of God, and that is, in the book of Genesis, the rejected line is given first, and then set aside, not mentioned anymore, and the line that's leading to Christ is given. And therefore, after we have the line of Ishmael,
(Genesis) Genesis 25:5-18
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John Vernon McGee (1904 - 1988). American Presbyterian pastor, radio teacher, and author born in Hillsboro, Texas. Converted at 14, he earned a bachelor’s from Southwestern University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Columbia Seminary. Ordained in 1933, he pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, and California, notably at Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles from 1949 to 1970, growing it to 3,000 members. In 1967, he launched Thru the Bible, a radio program teaching the entire Bible verse-by-verse over five years, now airing in 100 languages across 160 countries. McGee authored over 200 books, including Genesis to Revelation commentaries. Known for his folksy, Southern style, he reached millions with dispensationalist teachings. Married to Ruth Inez Jordan in 1936, they had one daughter. Despite throat cancer limiting his later years, he recorded thousands of broadcasts. His program and writings continue to shape evangelical Bible study globally.