Sermon Nuggets Tues May 29 Motivations
Verses: Gen 14: 11-16 11 The four kings seized all the
goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They
also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was
living in Sodom.
13 A man who had escaped came and
reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great
trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshkol and Aner, all of
whom were allied with Abram. 14 When Abram heard
that his relativehad been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men
born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During
the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them,
pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.16 He
recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his
possessions, together with the women and the other people.
Family Loyalty
We live in
a dangerous society. We know about the recent rash of guns in school and
killings all over the country even as low as 6 years old. An Ohio student
brought a gun with the intent to use it, but was talked out of it. Where are
you safe?
I was
watching the TV program “It’s a miracle” where there was presented a
reenactment of a family whose life
centered around their only son, McCay who at the age of 12 was left alone in
his home down south in an upper class neighborhood while the parents went to a
meeting. During that time he was kidnapped. A ransom was asked for. 5 days
later they found the body of McCay. We know too well the horror story of missing
Jacob Wetterling, or the kidnapping and murder of young women too often.
We read
this week in horror of the atrocities of Syria and the rampant execution of
government forces on a community where
men, women and children were slaughtered. The people that were given the
responsibility of protection were instead the perpetrators of the horrors of
war.
Many times
the victims of violence are followers of Jesus Christ. One of our missionary
speakers ministers to persecuted church people in other areas of the world. She
and others have talked with Christian families in Sudan who have lost children
kidnapped and sold into slavery by radical Muslims in the North. The government
gives weapon to the Baggara tribe which in turn uses these weapons to raid town
and steals people. A family might flee to get out of a war zone because civil
war is occurring and a man will offer safety of the family and have them work
for him. The father is often killed putting the rest of the family under total
control of the master and unable to leave.
She has met the Christian leaders
who risked their lives going into very dangerous areas to help liberate people.
And some of the money which we gave also helped for humanitarian aid including
the redemption of people if the opportunity arose.
Our world
can be dangerous, but the safest place one can be is in the will of God. There
is no such thing as a safe world as long as there is evil. But there are ways
to face dangers courageously.
The story in Genesis 14 is the first Biblical
mention of war as there were raiding parties attacking other people groups and
taking families as slaves. We might assume there were some area battles before
that but not mentioned before this. We see recorded kidnapping, killing and
threatening of lives of the relatives of Abram. There are various influences
that motivate various actions. Wars and looting occur for various reasons. As
we look at the importance of defense we also see the power which plays among
nations, tribes, and even family groups.
God established civil government in
part to protect the citizens from outside attacks. We have police and
government officials that also have the responsibility to keep our
neighborhoods safer and establish justice when laws are broken.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds May 30 – Power
Gen 14: 14 At
the time when Amraphel was king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar,
Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goyim,2 these
kings went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab
king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is,
Zoar). 3 All these latter kings joined forces in
the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea Valley ). 4 For
twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth
year they rebelled.
5 In
the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out
and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the
Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim 6 and the Horites in
the hill country of Seir, as far as El Parannear the desert. 7 Then
they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they
conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who
were living in Hazezon Tamar.
8 Then
the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of
Zeboyim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar)marched out and drew up their
battle lines in the Valley of Siddim 9 against
Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goyim, Amraphel king of
Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. 10 Now
the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of
Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled
to the hills. 11 The four kings seized all the
goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They
also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was
living in Sodom.
Power
Last week we talked about the
family feud between the herdsmen of Lot and Abram and how they resolved that by
separating in order to keep the peace. Lot was attracted to the better land,
selfish pursuits and went to live near the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He
might be an example of a carnal Christian who is living in the world for
selfish pursuits. Abram continued to follow and worship God and received the
promise of blessing as he dwelt near the trees of Mamre.
We read in
this chapter about four kings from the North. Their allegiances allowed them to
raid the lands stealing people, property, possession to expand their power.
This four-king confederation seems to represent the kingdom of darkness,
suggested by their names. Amraphel means sayer of darkness or ruin. Ellasar
means- revolting from God. Kedorlaomer means
sheaf band or binding of the sheaf.
Tidal means dreadful or fear.
South of them were five more kings
which in history were called the Mediterrean Confederation. They were under the
power of the North but band together in the 13th year to cease
paying tribute and rebelled against the King of Elam, Kedorloamer. That led to
battles of powers. The Bible lists different small cities which the King of
Elam and his friends conquered along the way. When he came to Sodom many were
killed or captured fled to the mountains. Many of them in fleeing fell into the
pits of tar and were destroyed. Others
were captured including Lot and his family.
What
motivates people to war and individuals to violence? In the Rush City prison
some are thieves in their lust for possessions and fence their goods. Some steal
or kill to get money to continue in their drug addictions. Many are there
because of rape. Their lust of sex motivated them to kidnap women and children
and kidnap them and abuse them. It is the lust of power that inspires young men
to rebel when they felt bullied and became bullies to others. Their attitude of
power turned to violence against others.
Wars abound
in history over the lust of power. Mark 7:21-23 says, “From within out of men’s
hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed,
malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils
come from inside and make a man “unclean”
If you
believed in God and his sovereignty why would you steal or cheat or lie. It is
a lack of faith that God can provide for your needs. Greed is a lack of trust
in the provision of God. Sexual lusts is saying my sensual desires are more
important to me that the Creator of those desires. Why would we have malice or
envy toward someone? Why slander someone? If we believe in God we don't have to
promote ourselves and certainly don't have to tear someone else down.
I think the
problem is a relationship problem. The lust for power we talk about aren’t just
among the G8 or leaders of the various world alliances. It creeps into our
hearts at home, work, school, and neighborhood. The desire for power can creep
into churches as well.
I wonder if we don't really know
God well enough to trust His power and submit our hearts to Him.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 31 – Family
Verses Gen 14: 13 A man who had escaped came and reported
this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre
the Amorite, a brother of Eshkol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram.
14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the
318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15
During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them,
pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods
and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women
and the other people.
Family.
What causes wars among you? Not
only those seeking possessions and power, but defense is another aspect of war
among countries and cause of conflict among people. The love of family and the
desire to protect, rescue, and retaliate is the source of conflict.
Someone had escaped came and told Abram of the news. He must have
thought that Abram could and would help. Immediately Abram contacted his new
found friends as well as 318 well trained people and went to battle.
What motivated Abram to leave his
safety and work out an agreement with his
neighbors to form fighting men to rescue his family? His
devotion to family allowed him to risk all he had to rescue his loved ones.
What
motivates parents to give sacrificially for their children? What happens at
times of crises with most families? They do what they can out of love,
protection, and care for their loved ones. There is a place for defense and
protection. Courts are also established for justice. Unfortunately the Hatfield
and McCoy feuds continued for years for the honor of family reputation.
Now some may say that Lot should
not have been there in the first place. The more we find out about Sodom and Gomorrah
the more we realize Lot had joined himself to a system that was under Satanic
control and under divine judgment. Notice the regression as Lot caters to the
flesh. First, Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom (13:12). Next he dwelt in Sodom
(14:12) and was taken captive along with the Sodomites (14:12). The man who
thinks he can serve God and indulge the flesh is only fooling himself. Paul
tells us "the carnal mind is enmity with God".
However, there are some people who
think the only reason some people suffer is because they have done something
wrong. That is not true. Jesus suffered. All the disciples suffered. Paul
suffered. Many times we can be exactly in the will of God and undergo hardship
because of it. Sometimes we are in the wrong places where we should not be and
suffer the consequences of those decisions.
Throughout the rest of this account
we are told how Abram chased these kings to
Dan and engaged them in conflict there. Then he chased them
north of Damascus, and finally he drove them out of the country, and was able
to save Lot and his family and the other Sodomites and their goods and bring
them back with him. As you read this chapter, it is difficult to see the
magnitude of this action.
Abram had a very small force and he
had taken on four of the greatest powers of that age. Note the careful strategy
Abram employed. We are told he divided his forces by night. As was the custom
with armies of that day, when the pagan invaders had withdrawn to a place they
considered safe, they made camp for several days and indulged in a time of
carousing and reveling in celebration of their victory. It was at such a time
and place that Abram and his allies found them, and during the night, they
divided their forces and surrounded the drunken camp. Abram sent one part of
his army one way and one the other. At a signal, they sprang upon the surprised
host and there was a general rout and a great victory.
Abram avenged
the people who were captured and rescued them. He was their deliverer. Now you
might be able to look at a spiritual lesson and relationship in Abram’s role as
a deliverer. While Lot was still going his own way, Abram, like God to us, came
to rescue him out of bondage. Lot would have lived the rest of his life in
captivity if it had not been for Abram.
Abram’s
motivation was love and commitment for those who were close to him.
We just celebrated Memorial Day recognizing those willing to
go to battle for defense. We need to evaluate on a national level as well as
our hearts that our motives are just and right and under God’s rule and with
His power to do what we do for protection,
justice, and love. God knows.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri June 1
Verses Gen 14:17-24
17 After Abram returned from defeating
Kedorlaomer and his allied kings, the king of Sodom came out to greet him in
the Valley of Shaveh, the King's alley. 18 Melchizedek, king
of Salem, brought out bread and wine - he was priest of The High God - 19 and
blessed him: Blessed be Abram by The High God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. 20 And
blessed be The High God, who handed your enemies over to you. Abram gave him a
tenth of all the recovered plunder. 21 The king of Sodom said
to Abram, "Give me back the people but keep all the plunder for
yourself." 22 But Abram told the king of Sodom, "I
swear to God, The High God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, this solemn oath, 23that
I'll take nothing from you, not so much as a thread or a shoestring. I'm not
going to have you go around saying, 'I made Abram rich.' 24 Nothing
for me other than what the young men ate and the share of the men who went with
me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; they're to get their share of the plunder."
Divine Attention
We have an interesting conclusion
to the story. It is apparent with only 318 people who are trained they could
have taken on the armies of the Northern alliance. It was a miracle. I believe
the Bible shows often that real victory does not lie in the might of the horses
and spears, of weapons, of nuclear missiles, or diplomacy, but in men and women
of faith who seek the face of God. I believe the Scripture is full of the fight
of evil versus good, or more appropriately the kingdom of darkness against the
kingdom of light.
What happens next is significant.
Abram is greeted by a priest and king named Melchizadek. This is the only time
his name is mentioned in the Old Testament except in one Psalm of David 110
when the office of Melchizedek is related to the coming of the Messiah. He is a
mystery man. We also find out more about him in the book of Hebrews.
Some believe Melchizedek was an appearance
of the pre-incarnate Christ in human form. I believe Psalms and Hebrews says
Jesus was likened unto the office of Melchizedek so that he wasn’t the same,
but antitype or a prophetic fulfillment of the office. Christ holds the divine
title and offices of king and priest. No one else ever held the title before
except Melchizedek. Kings and priests were separate. These offices were divided
because the kings might be tempted to use their spiritual or religious power to
gain political power over the people. But here is a man who is both king and
priest -- a man who represents God to the people and the people of God, and who
also exercises political authority. So he is somewhat unique. He is the king of
Salem (which afterwards became Jerusalem), It is the city of peace. He is the
priest of the Most High God. Both also apply to the spiritual fulfillment of
Jesus.
It says in the Bible that
Melchizedek gave Abram bread and wine to fortify him. Abram had been involved
in a very difficult battle, he had traveled long and hard, and his men were
tired and hungry. Melchizedek met their need at a crucial time. It was a
physical need to be sure to have something to drink and something to eat, but
you can’t be blind to the implications of the wine and bread provided by Jesus
at the Last Supper.
We are also told that Melchizedek
worshipped God Most High. Here was a priest of the same God whom Abram
worshipped. He blesses Abram and calls his attention to the fact that it was
God Most High who delivered him. The one who is the possessor of heaven and
earth is the one who has consistently met Abram's needs.
In the intimacy of this fellowship,
under the ministry of Melchizedek, Abram worships his God. The record says he
gave him a tenth of everything, that is, he gave him tithes of all he had. The
tithe is not a debt paid to God -- it is rather a symbolic representation that
everything belongs to him. That is what it represents today. We still give a
tithe or 10% symbolic that God owns everything we have and it all belongs to
him.
If you were to look at the place this occurred it is the valley
of Kibron or the King's Valley. Geographically this is where the Garden of Gethsemane
would have been near. Our priest interceded for the sins of the world,
preparing the greatest sacrifice.
Abram saw that God alone could satisfy his
heart. There was no other place where he could find heart satisfaction. Here he
swore to the Lord his God he would not touch a single thing that Sodom could
offer him.
When Abram was met that day there
were two greeters. The High Priest Melchizedek and the king of Sodom, which
still represents the world, remember. What he has to offer seems pleasant
enough, in fact very understandable, but not according to the faith commitment
of Abram to God. That is how temptation comes to me most of the time. It isn’t
in anything bad, but not according to Christ first. The king of Sodom suggested
that Abram keep the goods for himself. "That's the way to provide for your
needs, he said. "Give me the people and you keep the goods. So when the
temptation of the king of Sodom comes, Abram's response, in almost the same
words as Melchizedek's, "I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth," It is
Yahweh, it is the Lord, who is the Most High God, who owns it all. It wasn't
long before all of the possession were destroyed. God is the possessor of the
universe. Therefore, Abram says,
"... I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is
yours, lest you should say, 'I have
made Abram rich.'" "My confidence is in God Most High," says
Abram. "I will count on him, rather than these human resources."
Abrams worship wasn’t on getting,
but on giving. He gave his offering to the Lord and didn’t want the money of
Sodom. God would meet his need, just as he will meet our needs, whatever they
were, in whatever situation we find ourselves. He is like our high priest,
Jesus, who is always available to us. He does not die; he is never
inaccessible. He is always available. The king/priest who is to come, the Lord
Jesus, is always available. He is there to give help in times of pressure and
distress. It may be a head-on attack -- the sort of thing that Abram
experienced from the kings of the east -- or it may be like the more subtle
attack that came from the king of Sodom -- the unexpected attack, the
temptation to count on our own resources instead of laying hold of the
resources of the possessor of heaven and earth. But whatever the attack is,
Jesus is a high priest who is always available. He is always there.
In essence Abram
is saying, "I want you to know why I have done this. I can serve only one
king at a time, and I want you to understand that I am not concerned for my own
enrichment, least of all through you. If God doesn't give me something, then I
don't want it. If it doesn't come to me through my God, to whom I have
committed my life and from whom I have determined to accept whatever he offers,
then I don't want it.
Do you ever think about what
motivates you? For most people they are motivated by money. Some are motivated
by fame, or pleasure, or selfishness. Wars abound when people want power over
others. That’s why many run for political office. It is nobler yet to be
motivated out of responsibility and concern and loyalty for loved ones, for
family, for friends, for church, for service to others in need. That is other
directed. But the blessing of peace comes when your motivation is out of a
passion and supreme love for God. It is a reflection of his nature that brings
satisfaction.
You see the progression. You might
say it this way: Some people are motivated out of the love of self, others out
of the love of others, and some out of the Love of God. It is only in the Love
of God that you can appropriately love yourself created in His image and for
his glory. To love others as Christ taught us. And that brings us back to the
greatest of all commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with
all your mind and with all your soul.” That is the motivation behind the faith
journey that brings blessing.
Pastor Dale
