Back to the Future: A Journey Through the Bible Genesis 13 Abrams Separation from Lot Pastor Craig B. Key, Sr. Living Word Bible Fellowship

Genesis 13 O Opening: O I believe that it's important to note here that God never appeared to Abram, as long as he was out of His will (Egypt) O We must understand when we are out of the will of God it is simply viewed as open rebellion against God; knowingly or unknowingly His Willis equaled to His Word Rebellion means to go against, opposed or opposite

Genesis 13:1-4 O Abram missed God; flat out!!! But he never stopped, he fell but he got up and kept moving toward God. O So then it's not in the falling, it's what you do after the fall (talk about repentance (ref.) 1 John 1:9) O Sometimes in our ignorance and our rebellion God will allow us to have our Egypt moment so that He can bring us back to Him. Abram worshipped, rebelled, lied, deceived, and could have gotten himself killed; but God !!! Disastrous things have a way of bringing us back and even closer to God.

Genesis 13:5-9 O (verses 5-7) Lets understand a principle for those who think that money will solve all of your issues; just because you have material wealth does not automatically discount you from life. O This deals with Abram and Lot handling conflict resolution O (verse 8) Every leader in Christ must come to grips, when they are dealing with disagreements, no matter who it is with, that they are dealing with...FAMILY AND NOT AN OUTSIDER!!!

Genesis 13:5-9 (Continued) O They came to an agreement that separation was better for them than strife; there must some sort of wisdom and level headed ness to every leader. (Matt. 10:16b "...be wise as servants and harmless as doves.) O Sometimes as leaders or people in general we need to stop looking deeper into the problem and just defuse or bring a solution to it. (Don't stir it up; get rid of it)

Genesis 13:10-13 O Was Lot's decision based on greed??? O A great principle here is: Dont allow greed and your lust for things, to fuel your mind and make decisions that you will regret later O Mark 4:18-19 (MSG) The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.

Genesis 13:10-13 (Continued) O 1 Tim. 6:6-10 (MSG) A devout life does bring wealth, but its the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, thats enough. But if its only money these leaders are after, theyll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.

Genesis 13:10-13 (Continued) O There comes a time in everyone's life where you've gotta let Lot go!!! His mind is not the same as yours His heart is in the big city He brought a house on Sodom O Watch who you link up because you could be linking up with a toxic person that taints and poisons your mind. (Lots demise) Amos 3:3 (MSG)Do two people walk hand in hand if they arent going to the same place? Matt. 6:21 (MSG)"The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.."

Genesis 13:14-18 O We must understand that when God shows up He: is trying to get something to you is trying to get something out of you must be reverenced O Scripture says: Matt. 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Ps. 16:11 …In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. O God appears to Abraham a third time and reaffirms his promise to him of numerous descendants.

Genesis 13:14-18 (Continued) O God made a promise to Abram and He intended to keep it. O The principle here is that if God made you a promise by His Word remember that He is a promise keeping God. O Num. 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Genesis 13:14-18 (Continued) O Here we see the principle of God's commitment and love toward Abram and not only toward him but God also does this toward us. O Can you think of any ways in which God shows us His commitment and love toward us???