Are You Carrying Around a Lot?

Are You Carrying Around a Lot? (Genesis 12:1-4, Key Vs.4)

Intro

The Command (vs.1)

The LORD (Jehovah) said unto Abram

The Covenant (vs.2-3)

Blessings come from God to all those who obey the word of God.

The Consenting (vs.4) So Abram Departed

God gave Abram a command. Abram could’ve went against God’s word, but....

Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”

The Carrying (vs.4)

He departed, like the LORD told him, but Lot went with him.

Lot was Abram’s nephew, and God specifically told Abram to “get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house.” Lot going with Abram was disobedience to the word of God.

Lot was unnecessary baggage that Abram toted around trying to fulfill the word of God and the will of God in his life.

- Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

It could’ve been that Abram could’ve been close to his nephew and didn’t want to hurt him/offend him in saying that Lot couldn’t come with Abram.

It could’ve been that Abram thought it wouldn’t be a big deal if Lot came along for a few miles. What God says He means and He means what He says! We can’t pick and choose what we want to obey and not obey in God’s word. We must obey the word of God!

What Will Carrying A Lot Do For The Child Of God?

It Will Hinder Worship (5-8)

They came to Canaan, the Lord appeared unto Abram blessed Abram! Abram built an altar there. Apparently that wasn’t good enough so Abram kept on moving and put an alter between Bethel (House of God) and Hai (heap of Ruins).

Abram called on the Lord there, but the Lord didn’t answer. Why? Because Abram had left where God had wanted him. In rebellion, God denied fellowship together until Genesis 13:14.

It Will Hinder Your Walk (9-10)

Because Abram was half hearted in his worship, he neglected to feel the presence and leading of God. He didn’t return back to Canaan, he journeyed (picked up camp) and went his own way, and when he did, he was going “still toward the south.” It’s as if the Holy Ghost was amazed that he was still going away from where God wanted him.

This led Abram to Egypt (the world) to sojourn there. (Sojourn = dwell in a foreign place for an unspecified amount of time, to seek hospitality with) Abram went to a place that wasn’t home to seek help. (Prodigal son)

There was a famine, nothing of sufficiency in Egypt for the child of God, but Abram (in disobedience) still went living and looking for help in Egypt.

It Will Hinder Your Witness (11-20)

Abram was Selfish (12) (They will kill me, it may be well with me, my soul shall live.)

Carrying a Lot will cause you not to care about others, but self.

Abram was Sly (13) (told his wife to lie for their safety)

Disobedience to the word of God, if unrepentant of, will only lead to more disobedience.

Abram was Starving (15-16)

Abram acquired material wealth from Pharoah when God had already promised Abram he would make of him a great nation.

The Father’s promises are better than Pharoah’ provisions!

Abram was SORRY (13:1-4)

Abram gets kicked out of Egypt for his lies (18-20).

He goes back between Bethel and Hai (still not where he needed to be with God, but heading back in the right direction) (1-4)

He finally separates from Lot and went back to Canaan. Only when Abram separated from Lot was when he could back to the land that God told him to go to.

Only when we get sin that we know is sin out of our lives will we get back to where God wants us in our lives to be used of Him.

The LORD talks back with Abram again and further reveals more information about the covenant He made with Abram (14-18)

OBEYING THE WORD OF GOD TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY LEADS TO MORE ILLUMINATION (FILLING OF THE HOLY GHOST) TO GIVE YOU DISCERNMENT)

You and me can’t obey the word of God to the best of our ability if we’re carrying around a Lot. It may seem insignificant. You may not want to offend anybody in saying “we can’t bring that with us.” But it’s worth it if we want to be in the will of God.