Trouble With Lot

Series Intro: few men, outside of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself have has such an impact on the history of the world as did the man introduced to us in this passage of scripture. This man is revered by over one-half the world’s population. In our day, Abraham is held in high esteem by Jews, Muslims and Christians. In ancient times the Jews considered Abraham to be almost worthy of their worship.

Consider This:

1. Genesis 1-11 deals with 2000 years of history-creation, sin, flood, languages changed.

2. All the rest of Genesis 12-50 covering about 400 years deals with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

3. The rest of the OT 39 books deals with the history of the nation which sprang from Abraham, the nation of Israel.

4. All of the rest of the Bible is occupied with and centers on Abraham’s greater Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. One man’s obedience and devotion impacted all of human history, and we don’t think it is important for us to obey God!!!!

In the Bible, Abraham is presented to us as a great example of a man who lived his life by faith, Heb. 11:8-19. James 2:23 records the fact that Abraham was called the “Friend of God.” This man’s life was a special life and a great portion of the first book of the Bible is devoted to it.

Now, some may ask, “Why take the time to study a man who lived 4,100 years ago?”

My answer to you is that, first, the Bible takes the time to speak about him, so we should take the time to study him. The second is that the life of Abraham teaches us much about the matter of walking with God by faith.

That, after all, is the goal of the Lord for all His children. God is calling every one of His children to live a life of faith. This man teaches us how.

Introduction:

Anytime a believer chooses to disobey God there are always consequences.

God can and does forgive but once one sets out to live a life apart from the leading of God; he sets in motion a series of events that cannot be stopped.

Genesis 12:10- Abram chose to not trust God and look to the world for answers: while there he lied, lost his testimony, led others into sin, left in shame to come back to God!!!

Galatians 6:7 KJV 1900

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Note-the private sins of the parents will often become the public sins of the children.

Note-That which we do/accept in moderation our children /next generation will do in excess!!

Note- after Abraham returned to God trouble came, the life of the believer is not always going to be a life without difficulties or heartaches. God did not promise us smooth sailing, but He did promise a safe passage!!!

There will be times when troubles and conflicts come into our lives and how we deal with them reveals a lot about our character and faith!!!

Note- for the believer there is nothing that comes into your life that God has not pre-approved!! He has a purpose and a plan for you:

2 Peter 1:5–7 KJV 1900

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

James 1:2–5 KJV 1900

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I. A Troublesome Problem- vs. 5-7

A. The Cause of the Problem- vs. 5-6

Note- before Egypt Abram and Lot were shepherds; after Egypt they were shepherds and cattlemen. Sheep do not need much grazing land, yet cattle need large amounts of acreage to find enough to feed them. Sheep clip off the grass allowing it to grow back quickly, cattle pull the grass eventually pulling some out by the roots making it difficult for it to grow back quickly.

1. The wealth gotten in Egypt

Nothing wrong with having “things” the problem is when “things” have us.

Matthew 6:19–21 KJV 1900

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

2. The way that was learned in Egypt

B. The Course of the Problem- vs. 7

Their problem remained unresolved and eventually developed into a bone of contention. Evidently, each wanted the best grazing ground for their flocks and herds. (Note: Trouble is always a certainty when the focus of life is removed from the Lord Jesus Christ and focused on self, individual right, or to the things of this world! Ill. Heb. 12:2

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1. Loss of Respect

Note- the continuing cost of sin, Abram led them out of God’s will into Egypt and while their he led a life of deception and lies. People will not respect a hypocrite!!!

2. Lack of Leadership

“Leadership is influence”

Important for a leader to live a live that is pleasing to God. When a leader fails then the “ripple effect” is put into place.

3. Longing to be like the world

(1 John 2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

4. Led by ambition

(Note: How Abram and Lot responded to this crisis in the family says a great deal about the character of each. If you want to know the true character of any person, just see how they respond in a time of crisis or conflict!)

A Troublesome Problem

II. A Tender Proposal- vs. 8-9

Treasures from Genesis Strife in the Family (13:5–9)

* Handling Difficult Family Situations

⬧ Abram Saw he had a problem. He admitted it existed. 13:7

⬧ He Started the process in solving the conflict. He took the first steps by going to Lot. 13:8

⬧ A Solution was offered to clear up the crisis. He recommends they should separate their families. 13:8

⬧ He Sacrificed his own personal desires by letting Lot have first choice. 13:9

⬧ He chose Self-abasement by putting harmony in the home above his personal goals and dreams. 13:9

⬧ He Submitted to God’s leadership and directions. 13:14, 15

A. A Plea for Peace- vs. 8

1. They were brethren

Even in the best of circumstances, trouble is always a possibility. It is important for brethren to seek God’s way rather than our own way.

Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

(John 13:34) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

(John 13:35) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

2. The heathen were watching- vs. 7b

Placed Abram and Lot in danger because the Canaanites were a warlike people and could use this distraction as a time of attack.

(1 Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The lost man is observing Christians to see if what they “talk” is really their “walk.”

The Canaanites would have been interested in the God of Abraham for they would have known his story.

Note- when we fight in the church then Satan has his own way and attacks and the lost man sees the lack of tenderness, commitment, love. Instead they see selfishness, unforgiveness, and childish attitudes.

We often harm our credibility with the unsaved man by the way that we act.

B. A Provision for Peace- vs. 9

1. Abram was willing the give up his “rights” to restore peace.

(Philippians 2:4) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

(Romans 15:1) We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2. We should never compromise truth to gain peace, but there are times that we should give in to the wishes, needs, and rights of others.

C. A Promise for Peace- vs. 9

1. Abram could rest on the fact that God had promised to give him the whole land so in essence he was not giving up anything, but he was gaining much:

Faith in God was growing

Demonstrated to all that were watching that a believer can rise above problem.

Note- Abram walked away from this difficulty with greater confidence in God than ever before.

Treasures from Genesis Strife in the Family (13:5–9)

When handling conflicts, remember the CLASP system.

C—Calm Down!

L—Lower your voice.

A—Acknowledge the request of the family member. Do you want me to do this now? Have them explain.

S—State your request. Explain your side Its best to sit down when you do.

P—Propose a solution.

III. A Tragic Plan- vs. 10-13

A. Lot lived by Sight- vs. 10

1. He chose the path according to what he could see.

2. He did not consult the Lord or Abram.

3. “like the land of Egypt”- Lot may have come out to Egypt but Egypt had not come out of him!!!

B. Lot lived for Self- vs. 11

1. Lot’s choice demonstrated a total lack of regard for Abram. He apparently did not respect Abram at all.

2. Lot lived to please one person and that person was completely out of touch with God- Lot himself.

3. We have many like this today:

Faking it and not really living for God

My rights, my way, my needs, my life, my wants, etc….

That is not pleasing to the Lord, you live life like that and you will always be mad at somebody or something!!!

You will always have your feelings hurt about some issue or the other!!!!

Note- living for self usually is a result of living by sight and often leads one to lean toward sin!!

C. Lot leaned toward Sin- vs. 12-13

Johnny Pope- “the way that you lean is the way that you will fall”

Conclusion:

There is no doubt that these men needed to separate but Lot choose the wrong path with the wrong attitude!!

His choice led him down and it cost him plenty later on!!!

Compare yourself with one of these men: which one are you?

Abram who took last place so that another could go first.

Lot who chose to grab all he could for himself with no regard to others or the consequences.

I think we could all use help in this matter of responding to conflict and trouble.

Admit that you need help, seek the Lord and let Him help you

Trouble will come: How we respond/ how are we responding is the question.

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