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(Genesis) Genesis 38:1-11
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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Sermon Summary
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Judah from the book of Genesis, specifically chapter 38. Judah, a member of the kingly line, goes down to do business and encounters a Canaanite woman named Shua, with whom he has an affair. She conceives and bears three sons: Er, Onan, and Sheila. However, Er and Onan are both wicked in the sight of the Lord and are subsequently slain by Him. The preacher emphasizes the sinful nature of this family and highlights the importance of following God's commandments.
Sermon Transcription
Now, it's Judah. Judah is the kingly line, as we'll see later on. But notice Judah. And it came to pass at that time that Judah went down from his brethren and turned in to a certain Adulamite whose name was Hirah. Now, this is in chapter 38, verse 1. Notice this, "...and Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shuah, and he took her and went in unto her." Now, this is the story of Judah. He went down to do business with a certain Adulamite, and when he got down there, he saw this Canaanitish woman. He had an affair with her, and she conceived and bear a son. He called his name Er, and believe me, that's exactly what this man Judah had done. He had erred, or he'd certainly sinned. And she conceived again and bear a son, and she called his name Onan. And she yet again conceived and bear a son, called his name Shelah. He was at Shezeb when she bore him. And Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. And Tamar gets into the genealogy of Christ, by the way. And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord slew him. Now, look at this family, just loaded with sin. "...And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his." And so he didn't take her to wife, by the way. "...And the thing which he did displeased the Lord, wherefore he slew him also." Now, this is certainly something that fits right into the present hour when there's such an emphasis on sex. Believe me, the sons of Jacob put an emphasis there also. Certainly Judah did, let's say that. We read then, "...Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow in thy father's house, tell Shelah my son be grown. For, he said, lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went, and dwelt in her father's house." Now, that was the custom in that day that when a man died, his brother was to marry her. And the two of them, actually, they refused to do it, and they were smitten with death. Now, Judah tells her to go into her father's house and wait. He has another son that's coming along.
(Genesis) Genesis 38:1-11
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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.