Gen. 16: 1 - 6

Introduction:
It takes divine revelation to think something that what appears good has evil behind it
It is a paradox that something that promises pleasure eventually turns to pains.
The background story to our message today is about Father Abram, Mother Sarai and Servant Hagar
Although Papa Abram had problem of childlessness solved, there were other problems of discomfort, disaffection, hatred, and now dispensational challenges.
Watch out, please, for what looks appealing today but only a foundation for an unending problems and pains tomorrow.  Papa Abram did this, and the problem is with us here today.

I. Abram’s Pressure and Consent
Mama Sarai was barren v.1
There was an Egyptian maid-servant v.2
Accusation of God v.2
Mama Sarai’s  Appeal v.2
Human Arrangement v.2
Abram agreed to what Sarai said v.2
And slept with Hagar v.4

II. The Result
Pregnancy v.4
Despise v. 4
Shift of blame v.5
Curse v.5
Of a fact there is danger in momentary pleasure that later ends in pains.
Run away from it.

III. Similar Examples
1.    Esau (pleasure of food) Gen. 25:27 – 34
2.    Judah (pleasure of immorality) Gen. 38:12-18 Ref  38:24-26
3.    Achan (pleasure of property) Joshua 7:20-25 please note v. 25  “The Lord will bring trouble on you today”
4.    Israelites (the pleasure of being like other nations)
1 Sam. 8:1-6; 11 – 19 note v.19 very well. “But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No” they said, “we want a king over us”
Just see 1 Kings 12:1ff
This is apart from Saul who originally derailed them away from God starting with his own disobedience.

Conclusion:
 The message is,  “Be careful for what looks pleasurable today but it’s pain-inherent tomorrow”.
Quoting Matthew Henry:
1.    Foul temptations may have very fair pretences and be coloured with that which is very plausible
2.    Fleshly wisdom, as it anticipates God’s time of mercy, so it puts us out of God’s way
3.    Evil will be happily prevented if we would ask counsel of God by the Word of God and by Prayer before we attempt that which is important and suspicious

How many people are regretting their initial choices and decisions today!
Are you in some pains today due to some evil pleasures in the past in form of:
Location
Association
Relationship
Marriage/Immorality etc.
If you will genuinely repent and seek for mercy, there is a way out.
Seek forgiveness
Seek Counsel
Seek restitution where possible and practicable
Depend on God’s Grace
There may be scars; the Grace of God will see you through
If you are not suffering any pain now in the context of this message, watch out for devil’s deception.  Grow in Grace, relate well to well-meaning Christians, run away from every appearance of evil
The God of Grace will release His grace upon you today.  Let’s Pray.