Abraham obeys God's call, although he stopped off half-way at Haran
He left the promised land and went into Egypt (12:10-20)
This was part of God's overall plan and purpose but not in the way it should have been
Blessing was promised in the land (not out of it)
He put his wife at risk
He had given a half-truth and a bad testimony
This magnifies the grace of God to underserving sinners
Abraham was humbled by this whole experience
We went 'down' into Egypt but now he is coming 'up' out of Egypt
We see a different man: who prays, who is wise, who goes back to the place of worship, who calls on the name of the Lord, who knows to resolve conflicts, to accept a lesser blessing
Growth in Grace (v1-9)
Abram was very rich (v2)
Do you believe that someone who can be very rich can be godly?
Abram was a very godly man
His riches are not a sign of his spiritual growth but of God's trust in him to use these blessings wisely
It is God who gives the power for someone to become rich - Deut 8:17-18
Abram returns to the place where he met with God (v3-4)
He wants to seek God
When we have strayed and are backsliden - we need to come back to that place of prayer and meeting God in His word
We are to return to the place of worship
Abram's riches became a snare (v5-7)
There was tension and division between Abram's people and Lot's people due to the fact that they both had large herds of livestock
How many relatives fall out over money?
How much jealousy is caused in families or neighbourhoods?
There are dangers with riches that you might set your heart upon them
Abram wanted to sort out the situation
There were others in the land - the Canaanities and the Perizzites
Divided the families would fall
They would not be able to fight enemies if they were fighting amongst themselves
Sometimes conflict and division is not possible to avoid
Example of the church in Philippi
Abram wanted to sort out the conflict - it was not between him and Lot, but the herdsmen
Lord help me to be a peacemaker
Abram approaches the situation with grace (v8-9)
He acts with sincerity
We are brothers - that changes everything
Occasionally the solution to conflict is separation
The land could not support the size of the two herds
Paul felt this was the best solution with Barnabas (John Mark) - but they were later restored
Abram was prepared to forgo all his rights
He was the man to whom the promise was made
He put the needs of others before himself
We see a man growing in grace
We are commanded to grow in grace in the Lord Jesus
We are to be worshipping the Lord day by day
Do not make Rash Decisions (v10-13)
Lot lifted his eyes (v10)
It was a selfish choice (v11)
He hasn't carefully considered things (v12)
He has gone even as far as Sodom
Sodom had a great/evil reputation
Perhaps Lot wanted to trade with the city
Lot ended up living in the city
His daughters were affected by the city
The family came to love Sodom in their heart
Lot was oppressed by the conduct of the people and his soul was tormented (2 Pet 2:7-8)
What looks to be a good choice is not necessarily so
'Pitch you tent near Sodom'
Is it right that we should witness in certain areas and to certain types of people?
The test is this: why are you doing it?
Are you choosing the leafy suburb?
Are you choosing for yourself or for God?
There should be no 'no-go' areas but we should make right choices
We should consider our vulnerabilities and weakness
'Sodom' may not just be out there, but might be in our homes
The things we watch or the things we read
'We are to be innocent to what is evil and wise to what is good'
"Bad company corrupts character"
We are to be friends of sinners but not sinful
God honouring those who honour Him (v14-18)
Go throughout the land - it is given to you
Abram died with no physical inheritance
He was happy to be a pilgrim and a stranger (Heb 11)
