Genesis 13 Same beginnings Different outcomes - A question of choices

I find it always amazing. When you look around you see people with the same background – same experiences – same families – different outcomes.

This can mean hope for those who have a hard life with little opportunity and without growing up in a family who do not know God.

But the reverse is also true.

Living alongside someone that is Godly, does not mean that you will be Godly. In fact, the same situations, the same environments, and the same workings of God may produce radically different results in different people's lives. As we encounter each situation, we are faced with whether we respond to God or succumb to the temptation to follow another path.

The issue is one of response. Often God's path looks tough and the other path looks gratifying. How we respond is the part that is critical, not what circumstances that we must face.

There was a man who was with Abraham throughout his initial lifetime, He lived with one who was a friend of God. But.

But had a totally different result in his life. All the same events, but when faced with choices, he responded by taking the path that led away from God.

Genesis 13 Same beginnings Different outcomes

A question of choices

I. Same beginnings Different outcomes: A question of choices

A. New beginnings * Gen 13:1-5

(ESV) Genesis 13 1 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. 2 Now Abram was very richin livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,

4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. 5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,

B. Choosing in the face of tension Gen 13:6-7

(ESV) Genesis 13 6 so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so greatthat they could not dwell together, 7 and there was strife between the herdsmenof Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.

1. Strife still arises

2. How will you deal with it

C. A path of faith Gen 13:8-9

(ESV) Genesis 13 8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

1. God- oriented

a. Inclusio – Worship needs to surround all we do / choose

2. Others-oriented

a. Blessings of God are not mine to hoard - give

b. Blessings of God are to share

3. God will take care of me – trust God

D. A path of self Gen 13:10a

(ESV) Genesis 13 10 And Lot lifted up his eyesand saw that the Jordan Valley

1. Self oriented

2. Appearance based

3. Pursue what looks good

II. Same beginnings Different outcomes: Choosing a self-focusedpath

A. Considereda self-focused path Gen 13:10a

Genesis 13 10 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley

1. Look at the appeal

2. Appearance looks great

B. Examined it closely Gen 13:10b

(ESV) Genesis 13 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lorddestroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

1. Examined it closely

2. Better land (a plain / water / lush) – deeper problems

3. Ominous tones even before choice made – NO NO NO

a. Before the destruction of Sodom/Gomorrah

4. Like Egypt

5. In the general direction of Zoar – ungodly place

6. But the appeal overcomes one’s reason

C. Chosea self-focused path Gen 13:11a

(ESV) Genesis 13 11 So Lot chose for himselfall the Jordan Valley,

and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other.

1. Decide

2. Personal decision – no one to blame

D. Journeyedforward Gen 13:11b \\

(ESV) Genesis 13 11 … and Lot journeyed east. and they separated from each other.

1. Away from God – good influences

2. Leave God – uncomfortable with God’s people

3. Go further than you ever intended

E. Made it his life Gen 13:12b

(ESV) Genesis 13 12 … Lot settled among the cities of the valley …

1. Settle in

2. Becomes your life

F. Got comfortable in the distance from the Lord Gen 13:12c-13

(ESV) Genesis 13 12 … and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.

1. Desensitized

2. Conscience seared

3. Only influence is the ungodly

4. Partake in stuff unheard of previously

5. Yet never totally comfortable

(ESV) 2 Peter 2 7 … Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

III. Same beginnings Different outcomes: Choosing the faith path

A. Considered the faith path Gen 13:14a

(ESV) Genesis 13 14 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, …

1. Major break in Hebrew – Attention – new flow of narrative - contrast

2. God establishing the options for Abraham

B. Examined it closely Gen 13:14b-16

(ESV) Genesis 13 14 … and look from the place where you are, northwardand southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you seeI will give to youand to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.

1. Closely examine the true benefit

2. Look to God’s fulfillment beyond where you are

3. Gave away – but received it all (note: Sodom area part of the promise)

4. Eternal possessions

C. Choose the faith path Gen 13:17a

(ESV) Genesis 13 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, … 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” …

1. Decide

2. Depend upon God’s promise

D. Journeyed forward Gen 13:17b

(ESV) Genesis 13 17 Arise, walk through the lengthand the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”

1. Toward or away from

2. Walk in light of God’s promise

3. Move progressively toward God (not things)

E. Made it his life Gen 13:12a, 18a

(ESV) Genesis 13 18 So Abram moved his tentand came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, …

1. Settle in

F. Got comfortable in closeness with the Lord Gen 13:18b

18…and built an altar there to the Lord.

1. Contrast to ungodly place – build his own altar to God

IV. Choosing a path: Considerations (Swindoll)

1. One chooses a path not a destination – that is determined by the path

2. Always look beyond the benefits promised

3. Never underestimate the impact of a bad decision

4. Forget about pleasing yourself

5. Greater freedom of choice demands stronger discipline and accountability

6.