Good evening.  Tonight we are going to continue to work our way through the Bible.  Now last week we didn’t meet, but the week before that I asked you to try and read through Genesis chapters 13-15.  And as we take a look at scripture tonight, we are only going to be able to get through 2 of these chapters tonight.  Hopefully we will be able to get a better understanding of the Bible, and in some way draw closer to God this evening with these 2 chapters.  Then next week we will take a look at chapters 15 and 16.

Before we get started though, let’s just open with a word of prayer.

Now before we read our first chapter for the night, let me begin by asking you a question.  As you were growing up, how were you at sharing your toys or your stuff with others people?

Well, as we get started tonight, we learn about Abram and Lot separating here in chapter 13.  If I could get whoever has those first 2 keys to go ahead and read for us chapter 13 of Genesis at this time.  (READ)

Okay, so God called Abram to Canaan, where he promised to make him the founder of a great nation.  After a short while famine drove Abram, Sarai, and their nephew Lot to Egypt.  Now they return to the “promised land.”  As we take a look at that chapter, I have several questions to work our way through the passage to help give us a better understanding of it.  So let’s take a deeper look at this chapter now.

What did Abram do by telling Lot to choose?  (He solved the problem, kept their relationship in good standing, and he put his future in God’s hands.)

How do you think Lot felt about Abram’s idea?  (Thought he was going to get away with something?)

If you had to describe Abram in this passage, how would you describe him and his actions?

If you had been in Abram’s shoes, how would you have tried to solve this problem?

Turn with me to Hebrews 11:8-16.  Here in this passage we are going to read about Abram.  Now, in forsaking rich cities and choosing less fertile land, What does this reveal to us about Abram?

Well let’s read that Hebrews passage now.  Here in Hebrews 11:8-16 it says, “1”

So, we see that Abram was not looking for a great country, but was looking for the one established by God alone.  Well, before we move on to the next chapter, I have 3 significant things that I think we need to see from this passage.

First, in verses 1-4 we see a new beginning.  Alexander Whyte once said, “The victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings.”  With Abram here in the beginning of the chapter, we see another new beginning.  He goes to the place that he once left, and then we see the new beginning in his life.

Second, in verses 5-13, we see a new burden.  While in Egypt, Lot acquired wealth and a taste for the world, and his interests where partially Abram’s fault.  God forgave Abram’s sins, but He did not prevent the sad consequences.  The lesson that we need to learn is that we reap what we sow, even after we have been forgiven.  Abram’s first test of faith came in the form of a famine, his second test came from his own family.  And family tests are the hardest ones of all.

Abram was a peacemaker because he lived by faith, Lot on the other hand was a troublemaker because he lived by sight.  As we read in Hebrews, Abram chose a Heavenly city, while Lot chose an earthly city, and a wicked one at that.  The city appeared to be ideal, but it was really headed for destruction.  So there is a new burden for Abram to have to deal with.

And finally, there is a new blessing in the rest of the chapter.  In reply to Abram’s faith, what new promise does God give here?

Well, a man of faith always receives a special word from, God after a time of testing.  Let others take what they want, but our God gives us far more than they can ever imagine.  Abram lifted up his eyes and saw the land.  He lifted up his feet and claimed it by faith.  then he lifted up his heart and worshipped God.  Lot had broken Abram’s hear, but God blessed Abram’s hear, and then made him a blessing.

Now, as we close this chapter out, I have just a few questions.  If faced with a similar situation, would you have followed the example of Abram or Lot?  And why?

When you have a disagreement with someone, what are you most likely to do?

And finally, how does this story found in chapter 13 challenge you?

Well, if there is nothing else, let’s move on to chapter 14.  When is a time that you have survived a “close call” or a “brush with death”?

Well, in our next chapter, we see Abram rescuing Lot.  Let’s go ahead and read that chapter.  Whoever has the next 2 keys go ahead and read them at this time.  (READ)

What subtle, but slippery slope of sin do you see Lot falling into?

How does this progressive movement toward Sodom dangerously affect Lot’s life?

As we move on and take a look at Abram, on what basis does Abram select some allies and reject others?

Well, with this chapter, I want to go ahead and get to the 3 things that I think we need to see.  I think that as we read this chapter there are 3 victories that we can see Abram winning.

First, Abram had a victory over Lot.  It would have been easy for Abram to have let Lot suffer the sad consequences of his own foolish decisions.  But a man of faith is called to “be a blessing,” and so Abram went and rescued Lot and became a blessing to Lot.

Lot was not a very dedicated believer, but he was still a brother and needed help.  You see, he may not have earned the help that he received from Abram, but because he was a brother, he needed the help and Abram rescued him in a tough time.

So what we can learn from this is that when a brother or sister creates problems in your life, remember the words of Abram and the words in Romans 12:21 which say, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Lot went right back into Sodom, but Abram did what he did for the Lord, and that is what really counts.

Second, we see that Abram had a victory over the kings.  Abram the pilgrim would never have gotten involved in the war except to rescue Lot.  In fact, Abram did not have a large army, but he did battle by faith, and that is what gave him the victory over these kings.

When has been a time in your life that the odds where against you, but because you had faith you pulled through?

The key here is that even when things seem like they are against us, if we remain faithful, God is for us, and that is all that matters.  Abram had a small army, was not interested in getting into the war, but because he kept his faith in God, God made him victorious.

And finally, Abram had a victory over himself.  Andrew Bonar once said, “Let us be as watchful after the victory as before the battle.”  Abram was tempted to use the victory that God had given to him for personal gain, but he realized that it was from God and so he refused the offer.  In this story the king of Sodom came with a bargain, but the king of Salem came with a blessing.

Now I think that the king of Salem is a great example of Jesus.  Turn with me to Hebrews 7:1-3.  Here in this passage we see read about that king.  Here in Hebrews 7:1-3 it says, “2”

I think that the thing that we need to learn from this point is that after every battle, we need to give God the glory, and beware of the Devil’s bargains.  Because if we aren’t careful, we could win the war, and lose the victory.

Now, before we close, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, I am going to close with a word of prayer, and then for next week try and read through Genesis chapters 15 and 16.

Let’s Pray