Getting back on Mission with God

Open: What do you think of when you hear about the organization called the Salvation Army? Most of us think of a thrift shop store where you can donate items to help others or a place you can find some bargains. You may also know the Salvation Army gives financial assistance to those in need.

Transition: The current state of the Salvation Army is an example of mission drift. The SA was started in London in the early 1850’s by William Booth. Booth left the traditional church in an effort to take the Gospel directly to those in need. Within 10 years the SA gained over a 1,000 volunteer evangelists and in a 5 year span (1881-1885) they recorded over 250,000 conversions to Christ throughout the United Kingdom.

How does an organization move from the direct preaching of the Gospel to being known for thrift stores and a resource for power bills? By taking its eyes off Jesus and allowing the mission to drift into other areas.

In our present time we are seeing many segments of the Church dealing with the same issue. What are we to do?

Today’s text gives us insight into this area as we learn from Abram’s journey to correct his own mission drift.

READ the TEXT: Genesis 13: 1-18

Answering God’s Call requires the foundation of Worship Gen 13:3-4)

Explanation: Abram’s side trip down to Egypt was off-mission. He left the Promised Land on his own, he lied about Sarai being his wife, involved her in his lies, endangered the Promises of God, and received rebuke at the hands of a pagan King! Not his best effort!

Instead of giving up, Abram returns to his starting point of entering the land: he returns to Bethel where he established his first altar. Abraham is prioritizing his worship of the One True God. He is returning to the only solid foundation that exists.

Illustrate: Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Packers, would start the training season by saying, “gentlemen, this is a football.”

Argument: Believers are repeatedly reminded of the priority of worship, both personal and communal. Worship IS foundational to the life of believers and we can benefit from the reminder to return to the God who loves us. Churches and individuals will never rise higher than their level of worship. We are called to keep the main thing the main thing - and Jesus IS the main thing! Mission drift does occur, and we resist the call of lesser things by drawing near to God (Rev. 2:4-5)

Application: Ask yourself: Am I experiencing mission drift? Am I pursuing God’s call to be on mission with Him or have I drifted into doing my own things? Please don’t stop at the point of realization - ask God to forgive you for drifting away and seek Him with a pure heart. (Psalm 51:15-17)

Answering God’s Call will avoid manipulation (Gen 13:8-9)

Explanation: When Abram went down to Egypt, his entire trip was marked by his own attempts to bring forth a positive outcome. He tried hard to manipulate others and his situation for his well-being. In his conflict with Lot, however, Abram is free from any deceit or attempts to manipulate the situation.

Abram takes the initiative in responding to a real problem. Due to the blessings of God on both Abram and Lot, the resources of the land are insufficient to support them. [side note: money / possessions do NOT solve problems - sometimes their existence brings additional problems] Abram wants to end the conflict as it is a bad witness to their unbelieving neighbors (Gen 3:7b) so he proposes that the two groups separate. Abram, the senior member and the more wealthier of the two, gives the choice to Lot.

Argument: Abram displays his trust in God to bring out a good result. Abram is free from any attempt to create a favorable outcome on his own. He doesn’t flatter, lay a guilt trip, or threaten. He simply trusts God with the outcome.

Application: Consider your level of trust in God to do what is best for you and for your family. Do you trust Him completely? or are you “trying to help God just a little bit?”

Answering God’s Call is not realized by the way of the easy path (Gen 13:10-13)

Explanation: The reader is given a foreshadowing of the tragedy of Lot. When given the power of choice by Abram, Lot chooses the easy path. His choice is based on appearance - “the plain of Jordan was well watered . . . even as the garden of the LORD” (Gen 13:10).

Example: Accepting a job offer based only on money or dating a person based solely on physical appearance. Believers are guilty of these, and similar actions.

Argument: The text gives no indication of Lot seeking the desire of God in his decision making process. Lot chooses based on what he wants, not necessarily what is best for him and his family. Lot’s choice is based on worldly thoughts and Scripture warns us against taking this approach:

1 John 2:15–17 KJV 1900

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. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Application: Decisions are opportunities. They are opportunities to live for self or to live for God. You are free to choose a particular path, but you are not free from the consequences of your choices.

Answering God’s Call will involve the sacrifice of separation (Gen 13:14-18)

Explanation: Abram is finally in the position that God had called him to. In Gen 12:1 God called Abram to separate himself from his former country and from his extended family members. After several false starts and side trips, Abram has finally arrived in position. The separation process was not easy for Abram, but it proved to be very much a benefit to Abram. Notice that God only gives a fuller revelation to Abram after Lot has been removed.

Illustrate: Angela and I moved all of our stuff from TN to SC thirty eight years ago in a single horse trailer (loaned by a friend). We have way more stuff now!

Argument: It is apparently in human nature to accumulate stuff over time. We also, however, have a tendency to fill our lives with activities and relationships that can prevent us from hearing clearly from God. We are called to separate ourselves from the trappings of the material world so we can hear from God and be ready to respond to His call.

Application: It is worth repeating that believers are called to travel light. We are pilgrims on a journey, not residents who are too deeply rooted and established in a foreign country. Reassess your spiritual mobility. Are you on mission with God? or are you so heavily engaged in the pursuits of this world that you don’t even know your spiritual calling?

Conclusion: This section of Scripture gives insight into Abram’s path as he navigates back to being used of God. It would be incomplete, however, to focus solely on Abram’s actions in bringing about this renewal. Above and behind Abram’s actions is the Grace and Sovereignty of God. The LORD is gracious to Abram in that God allowed him to keep his wealth. God is sovereign in that Abram remains in the Land of Promise. The qualities of God’s grace and sovereignty were of great comfort to Abram and they should encourage us as well. As John Sailhamer declares, “The past is not allowed to remain in the past. Its lessons are drawn into the future. Behind the pattern stands a faithful, loving God, who will do for the faithful people of today and tomorrow what was done for Abram.”

God was faithful to Abram and He continues to be faithful to His children in this present time. The question for you is this: Are you on mission with God? If not, why not? Consider what plan and purpose of yours is better than God’s plan. (whatever it is, it is NOT!)