September 30, 2001 am

Abraham and Lot

TEXT: Gen. 13:1-13

INTRODUCTION:

A. ABRAHAM SERVES AS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF CHARACTER AND FAITH.

B. IN THIS STORY OF ABRAHAM AND LOT THERE A LESSONS ABOUT STRIFE, PEACE, AND CHOICE SUGGESTED.

I. STRIFE – A COMMON MALADY ( Gen. 13:7-8 ).

A. STRIFE IS CONTRARY TO OUR CALL ( Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:31-32 ).

B. THE ORIGIN OF STRIFE:

1. A carnal mind ( 1 Cor. 3:1-3 ).

2. James 3:13-18.

a. Nature: earthly wisdom, sensual, devilish.

Fruit: bitter jealousy, faction, confusion and every vile deed.

b. Nature: wisdom from above

Fruit: pure, peaceable, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance or hypocrisy.

c. vs. 18.

C. Gen. 13:8. "WE BE BRETHREN!"

D. PEACE IS DEPENDENT ON UNITY ( Amos 3:3; Eph. 4:3 ).

E. UNITY IS DEPENDENT ON PEACE ( Psa. 133:1 ).

II. PEACE – THE ANTITHESIS OF STRIFE.

A. JESUS IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE ( Isa.. 9:6; John 16:33 ).

B. THROUGH CHRIST WE HAVE PEACE

1. Our fellowman ( Heb. 12:14 ).

a. Sons of God ( Matt. 5:9 ).

b. 1 Pet. 3:10-11. "Seek and Pursue." ( Rom. 12:18 )

How? Matt. 5:23-26; 18:15-17; 7:12.

c. Love is the key ( Eph. 4:1-3 ).

2. God.

a. We were enemies ( Rom. 5:8 ).

b. Reconciliation explained ( 2 Cor. 5:18-21 ).

3. Ourselves ( Phil. 4:6-7; John 16:33 ).

III. CHOICE – LOT CHOSE SODOM( Gen. 13:11-13 ).

A. LOT MADE A BAD CHOICE WITH CONSEQUENCES ( Gen. 19 ).

1. Danger to his guests ( vs. 1-11 ).

2. Sons-in-law and friends ( vs. 12-14 ).

3. Reluctance to leave – Lot’s wife ( vs. 15-26 ).

4. His daughters ( vs. 30-38 ).

B. WE ALL HAVE CHOICES TO MAKE – our associations, our work, our mate, who we will serve, where we spend eternity.

C. WE CAN MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES.

1. Joshua 24:15; Rev. 22:17.

2. Is man predestined?

a. God’s desire is for all to be saved ( 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9 ).

b. Yet many will be lost ( Matt. 7:13-14 ).

c. Implies someone else is responsible.

Titus 2:11-12. Grace extended to all.

2 Cor. 6:1. We may receive the grace of God in vain ( 2 Cor. 6:2 ).

Rom. 5:1-2.

CONCLUSION:

A. HAVE YOU DECIDED WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE?

B. ARE YOU READY TO ACT ON WHAT YOU KNOW IS RIGHT?