I Got Your Back
From the Beginning • Sermon • Submitted
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· 23 viewsAs brothers and sisters in Christ it is imparative and even a command that we watch out and help one another when someone is taken or captured by sin. Pastor Bill illustrates this through the story of Abram and Lot, as Lot is captured in the city of Soddom.
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Introduction:
I want to tell you a story this morning about a man that is always at the wrong place at the wrong time.
He grew up in a good home, a godly home, a home that walked by faith.
You know th
But this guy would always find himself right on the edge of mishap and mayhem.
He believed in the Lord, but he didn’t consult the Lord in his decision making until he was already in a huge mess or circumstance that he needed the Lord to get him out of.
He had family and friends that would try give him guidance but he never wanted to listen until it was to late.
So his life begins to spiral downward. One bad decision leads to another bad decision until he finds himself a prisoner of his own demise. His bad choices have gotten him into a situation that he can’t get out of.
He can’t flatter his way out. He can’t charm his way out. He can’t even lie his way out.
He’s at the point that if someone doesn’t come to his rescue, he’s never getting out of this mess. He’s become hopeless in his bad choices.
What do we do with a person like that? They’re the ones that keep making these stupid, ungodly choices. He’s the ones that are leading his family astray.
Is it my responsibility to rescue them over and over again?
The person I have been describing this morning is (dramatic pause) Lot, the nephew of Abram. I had some of you worried there didn’t I.
Lot had the best of everything but he just couldn’t see it. Look at where it all starts for Lot when he has to make a choice about where he is going to live.
Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom.
Genesis 13:
By the time we get to Lot is dwelling in Sodom.
They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.
Sin is a slippery slope. Sin is a place outside the protection of God. Sin although fun for a season will cost you more than you ever wanted to pay.
Sin is a slippery
This series through Genesis is entitled “From the Beginning.” And gives of many “firsts” in the Bible:
The first war
The first alliance ( 4 kings against 5 kings).
The first rescue
The first priest
The first tithe
What steps do we need to take when we see our brother or sister captured by the things of this world? Abram is going to show us the proper steps. So we pick up the story in Genesis 14:14.
Body:
When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Pursue with Passion
Pursue with Passion
Cherish your relationship with your brothers
The Hewbrew word in 14:14 is “awkh” which means from the same father.
We are the family of God. We all have the same Father.
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:1
Care instead of curse
Care instead of curse
Don’t be a “I told you so.” “I told you this would happen.”
Abram had every right to condemn Lot for his actions but none of that mattered at that moment. He just needed to be rescued.
“When you pursue your brother with passion, you illustrate the passion of Christ.”
Send the trained servants.
Send those from the house of God.
Fight for Freedom
Fight for Freedom
When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Genesis 14:14
Fight with your very best.
Spiritual men of God.
Trained men of God.
Against all odds.
Fight until you destroy the enemy.
Freedom is not cheap. It usually requires death
And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.
And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.
Freedom is a struggle.
Fight until you destroy the enemy.
Fight until you destroy the enemy.
You must pursue until you destroy the enemy.
Our enemy is the Devil and his world system
Keep pursuing until the flesh is dead
“It’s hard to fight for people who don’t realize they are captured.”
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
A. Cherish the relationship with your brothers
You must restore what was lost
You must restore what was lost (14:16)
Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.
Set things back in order.
Set things back in order.
Guard the family of God.
Rejoice with the Righteous
Rejoice with the Righteous
After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)
Let God get all the glory
Genesis 14:17
And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Abram gave to the Lord who had given the victory.
Abram wouldn’t receive anything from the world.
“God’s promises are better than the World’s riches”
You have two choices of kings
The King of this world (Sodom) (14:21)
This Kings wants the people
He will trade you things for souls
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
He encourages you to take because you’ve earned it.
The King of peace (Melchizedek)
This Kings wants to bless you (14:19)
He desire to give glory to God (14:20)
He encourages you to give because God has earned it.
You must stay true to your King.
Be a man of your word (14:22)
You will not lack reward (15:1)
Challenge:
So there are two sides to this coin this morning.
Challenge:
Maybe you are the one that is captured and needs to be pursued and rescued.
Do you realize you are captured by the enemy?
Can you see your family and friends pursuing after you?
The first step in being helped is taking the help that is offered.
Or Maybe you are the one that needs to keep pursuing.
Get rid of the bitterness in your heart toward your brother.
Pursue them with the love and compassion of Christ.
Don’t stop until you see the victory come to pass and the flesh defeated.