The First Rescue Mission

I. Introduction

Would you please be turning in your Bibles to Genesis Chapter 14. We will be looking this week at Genesis Chapter 14, and verses 1-16. You’ll recall last week while we were in Chapter 13, we saw Abram and his nephew Lot part ways. Abram went the way he was supposed to go....and Lot chose to go the way of sin to the city of Sodom.

So let’s go ahead and get right into the text this morning…Genesis 14:1-16.

a. Scripture: Genesis 14:1-16

I’m going to ask you to stand with me, if you are able, as we read from God’s Holy, Perfect, Sufficient and inerrant Word.

<Pray>

Thank you, and you may be seated.

Now what we just read about here in this chapter, is without a doubt the historical account of the very first war in the Bible. As a matter of fact, that distinction has been confirmed by archaeologists and Biblical scholars over and over again. This massive war occurred with 4 kingdoms against 5 kingdoms....and Lot, because of his disobedience, ended up in the middle of it, and ends up needing to be rescued.

You know....it’s really easy for us to look back at the choices Lot made and condemn him. To say “Lot, you knew how corrupt the people of Sodom were....why would you EVER want to go there.” We’d like to sit in judgment of Lot rather than to face the fact that most of us picture Lot in our life choices a lot more than we picture Abram.

The alure of sin has a way of charming even the most staunch Christian from time to time.

But you know, not only does this text tell the story of the first war in history....it also tells the story of the first rescue mission in history. And so today, I want to show you how the first rescue pictures, in so many ways, our own life journey as we find our way to Jesus Christ.

II. Major Points: 3 things Disobedience Leads to

Chaos

Suffering

The Need of a Savior

III. Point #1: Disobedience Leads to Chaos

Explanation

Illustration

Explanation

After Lot is disobedient and goes many miles South of where he is supposed to be, as you can see, things get extremely complicated for him. For one thing, this huge war takes place that has nothng to do with them. Rememebr that he had decided to settle in Sodom…and this was a terrible decision. Because the side of the war that Sodom was on ends up losing the war…and therefore the other armies of the opposing side came into Sodom and the other losing kingdoms and stole all of their valuables. Listen to verse 11:”Then they took ALL [did you see that?…ALL] the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and ALL [there it is again] their food supply, and departed. Translation? There was nothing left....they took it all!

So let’s get this straight: Their government of their kingdom, the city-state of Sodom, falls apart....so can you imagine the disorder that would arise from that? Even a corrupt government maibtains order better than no government at all…and the government there falls. These are already depraved people....can you imagine the looting and killing that must have taken place in that evil city after there was no one around to punish them?

They also lost all of their possessions…so there went Lot’s wealth....the very thing that made him “somebody” in this new place....gone....chaos....

And finally....the food is gone....now when the food is gone, you truly see people’s hearts. They heart of a sacrifical Christian who loves the Lord might steal for his children, but in a godless word, the heart is corrupted and people begin to act on their godlessness. They do what is right in their own eyes....that means they rape and pillage and steal from their own neighbors.

Can you imagine what chaos must have been in that godless city during the aftermath of this war?

They are swept up into a whirlwind of absolute chaos.

Illustration

Do you remember the utter chaos in the streets of New York City and Washington D.C. following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001? A more chaotic scene I cannot recall seeing play out. I can imagine that the people of Sodom were probably just as frightened…and I can imagine that their reaction was perhaps even worse, given the sinfulness of the city.

Perhaps you have seen the dredful scenes coming out of our friend Israel the past week or two as the terrorist groupa Hamas has fired hundreds of missiles into the country…aiming at hospitals and even schools....and their goal has been the utter destruction of God’s people....chaos....and it is straight from the pit of hell and Satan himself.

Application Friends, hear me this morning: our God is a God of ORDER…not chaos.

Satan is the father of lies, he’s the purveyer of chaos....he is the destroyer of order.

Look around your own life....is it chaotic. If so, friend you can be sure that it is the result of one of two things:

It could be that Satan is simply attacking you and trying to take your joy. Perhaps you have done nothing wrong at all....maybe it’s simply a matter of you being on the right track and the Lord was pleased with you....but Satan wants to take that joy of serving from you. I encourage you to recognize that the source is Satan....and not to get too Pentecostal on you here, but order him out of your life. Remind Satan that you belong to God Almighty....that you were bought with a price and that he has no power over you. Throw some Scripture at him, he hate sthat.....

It could be that you have some disobedience in your life. Your disobedience can invite chaos into your life.

Friends, it is important that you recognize that chaos and then you recognize the source and do something about it. If its YOUR sin and disobedience that is present, then do something about it! Repent, turn from it....move on. Because, more devastating than this is what we find in point number 2:

IV. Point #2: Disobedience Leads to Suffering

Explanation So not only is Lot the victim of confusion, he and his family are the victims of suffering.

How many of you know that chaos, itself, can often lead to suffering?

It’s true…chaos can cause us distress, stress, and dissention.

In this case, think of what happened when chaos broke out in the streets of Sodom: he lost everything....perhaps he was beaten up a time or two trying to defend himself…we don’t know, it doesn’t tell us that, but it could have happened.

Think about Abram and his family trying to find food after it was all taken....that’s not just an inconvenience, that’s LIFE threatening isn’t it? He and his family could’ve starved to death.

But the worst part was this: he and his family were KIDNAPPED! They were taken by the bad guys....and these are barbarians....these aren’t armies commanded by the gentlemen of the civilized Western world with rules of war....these are savage individuals. Who knows what horrors they were subjected to....beatings....rapes....starvation....sleep depravation....on and on and on....

And all of it due to Lot’s disobedience. Yes, indeed, our disobedience can lead (and often does) directly to suffering.

Illustration

You know, as Americans, we are often easily frustrated with what are called First World Problems.  In other words, the things we complain about, when compared to what other nations go through, just don’t seem so bad....Here are a few examples (feel free to add your own!):

• When you say something on social media which you think is really clever, but hardly anyone "likes" it!

• When your kids put dishes in the dishwasher, BEFORE they unload it. Now, you have to play the game of which one is clean.

• When you run out of hot water for the shower because someone else took too long.

• When you and your spouse can’t agree on what temperature to keep the thermostat.

• When your phone battery dies before you get home from work to charge it.

• When you're eating chips, crunching so loudly that you can’t hear the TV. So annoying!

• When you get chicken tenders from the drive through, but they forget the dipping sauce.

Friends those things might be minor annoyances, but real suffering is around the corner for those who are disobedient.

Application Friends: Understand this: when Lot moved to Sodom, he lost the protection of what Genesis 18:25 calls “the Judge of all the earth.” When God is removed from our lives…chaos and suffering are sure to follow....and as a result, Lot and his family had to suffer the consequences. Lot followe dthe path of friendship with the sinful system of the world that James 4:4 mentions....and then sought the love of the sinful system of the world that 1 John 2:15-17 mentions.

Church, hear me today: when you exchange the favor of God for the pleasure and approval of the world, chaos, and very shortly to be sure you will find pain and suffering.

What was the result for Lot? He was captured and suffered.

Now listen folks: We find ourselves many times. You may not have killed anybody....may not have cussed anybody out but listen: are you harboring hate in your heart for somebody? Are you holding unforgiveness in your heart for someone? No, to the letter of the laws of the United States, that isn’t murder: but next to God’s perfection there is no difference between murder and hatred....there is no difference between harboring unforgiveness and hate. THAT…even THAT can lead to suffering church:

Church: we have to remove that....and that’s why WE needed a Savior named Jesus Christ....and its why God sent one for Abram here.

V. Point #3: Disobedience Leads to The Need of a Savior

Explanation Now Abram found himself in a predicament. His nephew Lot had been captured and was ikely being tortured and mistreated.

Genesis 14:12–13 (NASB95)

They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom.

Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew....

So that is how Abram found out…his kin was in trouble....and now he ha sto act....he has no choice. But remember: this is Abram and just his family....this isn’t a large nation attacking a large nation; it’s one large family acting against several large nations:

Genesis 14:14–15 NASB95

When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

So understand this: This was a rescue mission…and more than that, it was basically like special forces…and he did this by night....I mean this is exciting stuff! Abram defeats these large armies of enemies to rescue his relative and his family.

Illustration

On Wednesday, April 8, 2009, four pirates from Somolia attacked the cargo ship Maersk Alabama. All four of the pirates were between 15 and 18 years old. When the pirate alarm sounded, Chief Engineer Mike Perry brought 14 members of the crew into a secure room that the engineers had been fortifying for such a purpose. As the pirates approached, the remaining crew fired flares. Nonetheless, the ship was boarded and the pirates took control. The Captain, Richard Phillips, was taken hostage.

I’m sure to Captain Phillips, things seemed pretty grim…but there was a Savior coming....

On Sunday, 12 April, United States Navy SEAL snipers of Red Squadron, Naval Special Warfare Development Group armed with semi-automatic rifles approached the ship. Upon seeing Phillips was in immediate danger with a pirate pointing an AK-47 rifle at Phillips' back, snipers fired multiple shots killing the three pirates with bullets to the head.

Captain Phillips was rescued unscathed.

Application

Church: Understand this: We ALL are like Lot in this story…because you see we have ALL fallen short, the Bible says. We have ALL been disobedient....and so, like Lot, we need a Savior. Abraham wants to rescue Lot, defeat the enemy, and bring Lot back into his family....

But notice this: Not only does Lot have his life restored…not only is he brought back into the family of Abram....but even his wealth, possessions and position were restored:

Genesis 14:16 NASB95

He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.

You see church, through Jesus Christ, we can all be restored and brought back into the family of God. That’s exactly what He desires for each and every one of us!

So you see, Lot needed a Savior, just like we do. The question is: will YOU accept the rescue?

If you were Lot and Abram showed up with his men to save you, would you wave them off and say “you know Abram, I apprecite the trouble you went to to save me....I realize you went 120 miles out of your way....but you know: I think I’d rather stay in this situation....” WHAT? He’d have been CRAZY right?

Folks, we’d be crazy to resject Jesus’ offer of Salvation too. All you have to do it believe it folks....confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord....that’s all it takes. Follow Him and make Him the Lord of your life....

VI. Conclusion

a. Let me ask you this morning: Have YOU done that? Folks....the clock is ticking. I don’t want to scare you, but I want you to understand: not one of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Coe to Jesus....accept His gift of salvation once and for all....don’t wait. He’s calling. And just like Abram went on a rescue mission for Lot, Jesus came on one for you 2,000 years ago. Will you recieve it?

b. Let’s Pray