The Battle
Notes
Transcript
Me
Me
We
We
Every follower of Jesus can win your battles because of
Every follower of Jesus can win your battles because of
Context:
Genesis 14 has several “firsts”
mention of “Hebrew”
mention of a priest of Yhwh
chapter of Abram without “blessing”
chapter of Abram without talking to God
and only chapter of Abram fighting.
Summarize the Battle of the 4 vs 5
Genesis 14:11–16 (ESV)
Genesis 14:11–16 (ESV)
11So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.
12They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.
Lot was blessed by Abram but separated himself.
Abram had 318 trained soldiers, others, and allied kings.
Genesis 14:17–20 (ESV)
Genesis 14:17–20 (ESV)
17After 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).
18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)
19And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
God’s Promises Trump your Power
God’s Promises Trump your Power
Feel overwhelmed? - God is working when you can’t see Him.
Abram wasn’t a warrior.
He knew he had a calling.
Your enemies don’t know God is on your side. They don’t consider what God is doing.
ILL- When the world is darkest, we shine brightest!
APP- Even when it feels overwhelming, remember the promises of God in your life.
You are forgiven and loved.
You will not go hungry or homeless. He will provide and you have a church family.
Whatever you think will be your downfall, will likely be where God wins!
You may not be strong or smart enough. His promises trump your power.
Youth Minister and Ashlee on part time
It may be your season of life
Maybe your wayward child
Maybe your job and your coworkers.
This maybe where God is going to show up in that battle.
Maybe God will get the glory because of how you fought that battle.
GOD’S PROMISES TRUMP YOUR POWER
Giving Changes Everything!
Giving Changes Everything!
Abram thought beating the kings was the big battle. It was actually in his heart. Should he grab the material win or the spiritual.
Melchizedek brought Bread and wine and a spiritual blessing- Words of affirmation
Sodom brought promises of wealth. You can have the money and stuff if I can have the people!
Abram could have thought- this money is God’s blessing. But he knew it would bless him and undermine God.
God had already promised him blessing.
Sodom could see Abram rising status and he was positioning himself to say, of course Abram is rich, I gave it to him!
ILL
He is tempted within so he gives generously.
He is tempted within so he gives generously.
Genesis 14:20
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Tithe- Means Tenth
It is a statement of Faith in God
It is a statement of Thanksgiving to God
His heart is thankful!
Tenth requires intentionality. Predates the law. Principle.
He is tempted within so he gives glory to God.
He is tempted within so he gives glory to God.
Genesis 14:21–24 (ESV)
24I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”
When you are at war within, Look to give!
When you are at war within, Look to give!
Give praise.
Give time.
Give money
Give glory to God.
The Battle was won before it began!
The Battle was won before it began!
Melchizedek comes from nowhere!
Melchizedek comes from nowhere!
Hebrews 7:3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
Melchizedek is closer to God than Abram!
Melchizedek is closer to God than Abram!
7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.
Melchizedek > Abram- Levites- Law!
Messiah is prophesied!
Messiah is prophesied!
4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
Before you ever existed, God prepared a savior for you!
Before you ever existed, God prepared a savior for you!
You
You
You may feel alone, but God is working in your battles. God’s promises trump your power!
We trust God by giving, not getting.
Jesus has already won. You are already forgiven of your future sins if you abide in Christ.
Melchizedek proves that God is doing more than you can ever imagine to secure your blessings in this life and the next.
We
We
Lord’s Supper- invite band
English Standard Version Chapter 11
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
