Genesis Ch. 13 & 14

Intro

Happy Fathers Day!

On Fathers Day I must give you a quote from my favorite preacher Charles Spurgeon.

“Fathers, never cease pleading to God for your Children”

Thank you

God

My Family- Wife

Norrie

Scott

Board

Team

Congregation

Pray

To every man there openeth A way, and ways, and a way. And some men climb the high way, And some men grope below, And in between on the misty flats The rest drift to and fro. And to every man there openeth A high way and a low; And every man decideth Which way his soul shall go.

John Oxenham.

History of Genesis- The Book of Beginnings, The promise of God focuses on the children of Israel

Lead into focus of the message

Deceit and Lies

1. Abram goes to the place he met God (13:1-4)

Called on the Name of the Lord -reset in his life

There is something special and relative that we find in our text. Through out these chapters you have gained a glimpse of Abram’s life (Egypt Sarai, fear of man) This is a great reminder God’s promises our true despite man’s poor decision making.

Return to the Lord go back to the basics -why

“Many times there is a benefit, a blessing, in returning to that first place we met God” -Chuck Smith

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. New American Standard Bible (Matthew 6:33)

But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. New American Standard Bible (Matthew 6:6)

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. New American Standard Bible (Psalm 119:105)

2. Abram and Lot go their own ways (13:5-9)

How quickly after Abram calls on the name of the Lord difficulty arrises

Abram loved his family, he desires to not have any strive between himself and His brother in law (Small note here that though we have spent time with God we must remember our faith is our own, it is not a faith gained without authentic obedience (faith).

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. New American Standard Bible Heb 11:6.

Lot had all Abram had, yet He was lacking the obedience to God.

Brethren -family, body, flesh meat

separate from me -sever from me

Two different people though in the same situation (Abram and Lot)

3. The Decisions of Two Men (13:10-18)

Lot lifted his eyes (What will He do with his free choice)

“Sin doesn't always look sinful to us; sometimes it looks beautiful. That's why we need grace to see sin for what it really is - dark, dangerous, enslaving and destructive” -Paul David Tripp

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a person who listens to advice is wise. New American Standard Bible (Proverbs 12:15)

Well watered -Lot chooses the greenest area in the Jordan valley, near Sodom and Gomorrah, because it looked like Eden, “the garden of the Lord,” and more ominously like the land of Egypt. Gordon J. Wenham, “Genesis,” in Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible, ed. James D. G. Dunn and John W. Rogerson (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003), 49.

Sodom and Gomorrah- Appealing to the flesh

God speaks once Lot departs from him

The promise God shows Abram the land that has been promised

Abram never would see his family own any of this land, this promise was fulfilled in heaven for Abram

Abram obeys and honors God (Hall of faith in Hebrews 11)

4. The Actions of Evil Mean (14:1-12)

The Next chapter of our story in Genesis takes a drastic turn, that which look so appealing to Lot was full of wicked men against the Lord

I believe it is extremely important that we do not get trapped into a common thought amongst our culture today. This thought would be that apart from God their is any good in man. Though it sounds great, it is not beneficial for anyone

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned—for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not counted against anyone when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the violation committed by Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the gracious gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many. Romans 5:12–15 (NASB 2020)

“As the salt flavors every drop in the Atlantic, so does sin affect every atom of our nature. It is so sadly there, so abundantly there, that if you cannot detect it, you are deceived”- Charles H. Spurgeon

12 years they served and in the 13th they rebelled -they had enough (I can do it better)

Their rebellion was met with retribution

Characteristics of evil men just in this passage we see

Deception

War

Pride

Cowardly

Lustful

Dishonor

5. The Actions of Courageous Men (14:13-16)

It is in these verses that we can now tell the difference of a courageous individual in contrast to the previous verses of that of wicked men.

I am baffled the repeated understanding we continually see here in Chapter 13 and 14 it is always a contrast between those who are honorable and those who decisions are based on their own gain.

First we see a survivor who has escaped and he honors his commitment to his word

Bravery and Honor (loyalty)

Does God love these things?

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. All that you do must be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13–14 (NASB 2020)

“The frontiers of the kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution” J. Oswald Sanders

Abram responds quickly to the news of Lot

was a mighty warrior and he had those who were trained

These men of the Old Testament were strong men, very capable of battle we sometimes do not have an accurate picture of these men in our minds

Strategy, planning, and thinking things out- There is something truly important here that we cannot simply glean over. These men knew what they wanted to accomplish and brought strategy to the their goal.

Abram was kind- He brought back Lot and all his possessions. They desired to be apart from Abram and Abram does the loving thing and brings them back from their captivity.

6. Abram honors God (14:17-24)

Abram honors God (14:17-24)

Melchizedek- Spend some time here in relation to honoring God Salem is most likely Jerusalem

God glory above man’s glory.

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Revelation 4:11 (NASB 2020)

King of Sodom

ungrateful sign of things to come

Way of Application

God promises are eternal

Do not neglect your time with God (Faith)

Be a courageous person who honors God and loves others

Know Christ

Pray