WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:01.860 We've been blessed this morning. 00:00:02.620 --> 00:00:03.300 Wonderful music. 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:05.379 If you have your Bibles, turn to Genesis chapter 14. 00:00:07.219 --> 00:00:08.740 Genesis chapter 14. 00:00:10.179 --> 00:00:16.080 If you ever wanted to know how to live out your faith, 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:20.679 you know we're to be a people of faith. 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:22.539 What all does that really mean? 00:00:22.820 --> 00:00:24.539 I mean, where the rubber meets the road. 00:00:25.379 --> 00:00:27.100 How do you live that out? 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:34.520 Hebrews chapter 11 is often called the Hall of Fame of Faith. 00:00:34.800 --> 00:00:37.840 And it is a list of the heroes of the faith. 00:00:38.100 --> 00:00:43.840 And it is filled with examples of how biblical heroes trusted God 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:46.280 in the midst of their circumstances. 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:50.980 Abraham is detailed there more than most on the list. 00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:53.260 Moses has a lot as well. 00:00:53.260 --> 00:00:56.000 Due to his mighty acts of faith, 00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:02.299 and the work of faith that we're talking about this morning in Genesis 14 00:01:02.299 --> 00:01:04.219 is not listed there. 00:01:04.920 --> 00:01:07.000 But it is well worth noting, 00:01:07.859 --> 00:01:10.140 and I'd like for us to pause for a few moments 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:13.879 and just take it in, exactly what went down. 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:17.840 The beginning of Genesis chapter 14 tells us 00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:20.379 that there was a war in the land. 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:24.619 It mentions a leader named Cater Laomer. 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:26.479 What a name. 00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:28.459 If I ever had a boy, that's what I was going to name him. 00:01:28.679 --> 00:01:29.280 Cater Laomer. 00:01:30.840 --> 00:01:33.280 I'll affectionately call him Cater this morning 00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:35.299 because I can't handle his name. 00:01:35.459 --> 00:01:40.840 But Cater was hungry to advance the cause of his territory, 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:42.459 which was Persia, 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:45.479 mentioned here as Elam. 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:50.060 And he teamed up with what would become known as the Assyrians 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:53.439 as well as those of Syria 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:56.260 and a guy named Tidal. 00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:05.080 And Tidal was the leader of a conglomerate of small tribes. 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:11.479 The name that he was the king of means many nations. 00:02:11.879 --> 00:02:15.879 And so to me, it sounds like if he calls himself the king of nations 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:19.060 that he might have had an inferiority complex of sorts 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:22.079 because he wasn't from as big of areas as other folks. 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:28.099 For 12 years, Cater had been ruling over several cities remotely. 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:31.340 And in the 13th year, those cities got tired of it 00:02:31.340 --> 00:02:32.979 and they rebelled against him. 00:02:32.979 --> 00:02:38.099 And Cater and his posse went in and wiped him clean. 00:02:39.099 --> 00:02:41.079 And the reason why that story matters 00:02:41.079 --> 00:02:43.739 is because it includes Sodom, 00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:48.039 where Lot was, Abram's nephew. 00:02:49.659 --> 00:02:53.159 And now Lot and his entourage has been taken. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:56.780 And word gets to Abram. 00:02:57.979 --> 00:03:00.159 And I want you to watch what happens. 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:03.900 We need some popcorn for this story 00:03:03.900 --> 00:03:09.840 because it's quite an account. 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:12.900 It's in Genesis chapter 14, beginning in verse 13. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:13.639 It says this, 00:03:13.639 --> 00:03:17.780 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew 00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:20.780 who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, 00:03:21.099 --> 00:03:23.180 brother of Eschol and of Aner. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:25.400 They were allies of Abram. 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:28.640 When Abram heard that his kinsmen had been taken captive, 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:32.300 he led forth his trained men born in his house, 00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:34.860 318 of them, 00:03:35.420 --> 00:03:38.219 and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:42.960 And he divided his forces against them by night. 00:03:43.700 --> 00:03:45.840 He and his servants and defeated them 00:03:45.840 --> 00:03:48.960 and pursued them to Hoboth, 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:51.340 north of Damascus. 00:03:51.340 --> 00:03:54.039 Then he brought back all the possessions 00:03:54.039 --> 00:03:57.000 and also brought back his kinsmen, Lot, 00:03:57.120 --> 00:03:58.080 with his possessions, 00:03:58.460 --> 00:04:00.560 and the women and the people. 00:04:02.699 --> 00:04:07.000 What Abram does here in response to this need 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:11.780 is what I see as the first of three moves 00:04:11.780 --> 00:04:14.659 that you'll see throughout the rest of this chapter 00:04:14.659 --> 00:04:19.780 that speaks to how you work out your faith in real life. 00:04:19.779 --> 00:04:24.239 I want you to see this morning a person of faith 00:04:24.239 --> 00:04:27.979 and putting that faith at work, 00:04:28.319 --> 00:04:29.819 working out his faith. 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:34.119 The first is found in the passage that I just read. 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:37.079 To put our faith to work, 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:41.299 we rescue the oppressed. 00:04:42.419 --> 00:04:46.000 We go after those who are hurting. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:49.699 To fully appreciate what Abram had done 00:04:49.699 --> 00:04:51.540 on behalf of Lot, 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:53.259 you need to understand their relationship 00:04:53.259 --> 00:04:56.560 because their relationship was not a good one. 00:04:57.339 --> 00:04:59.819 They were separated due to conflict. 00:05:00.680 --> 00:05:02.959 They had large entourages, 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:05.199 estates that traveled together, 00:05:05.459 --> 00:05:07.040 and they fought over the land, 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:08.379 and the herdsmen got to fighting, 00:05:08.579 --> 00:05:10.100 and so they divided themselves. 00:05:10.100 --> 00:05:11.500 And when they did, 00:05:12.820 --> 00:05:16.100 Abram told Lot he could go anywhere he wanted to, 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:17.320 and he'd go the opposite way. 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:19.660 And Lot tried to take advantage of Abram. 00:05:20.120 --> 00:05:23.760 He picked the best land that he could go to from his eye. 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:25.320 We talked about that last week. 00:05:25.900 --> 00:05:28.060 Sometimes what you see is not what's best, 00:05:28.300 --> 00:05:30.040 and that's what he found out. 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:32.640 Abram has no reason to be nice to Lot, 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:34.900 let alone risk his life for it. 00:05:34.899 --> 00:05:39.519 What Abram did was not only selfless, 00:05:39.779 --> 00:05:40.919 but it was gracious. 00:05:41.819 --> 00:05:45.839 But it also was one of boldness and courage. 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:48.379 So I want you to get this. 00:05:48.479 --> 00:05:50.479 Not only did he not hold grudges, 00:05:51.419 --> 00:05:52.819 not only was he not bitter, 00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:56.219 not only did he not have animosity toward Lot, 00:05:57.039 --> 00:06:00.519 but he also did what he did in the strength of the Lord. 00:06:01.419 --> 00:06:02.899 318 people are a lot of people 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:04.239 when you feed them around your table. 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:07.479 But when you take them into battle against five nations, 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:08.560 that's not a lot of folks. 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:11.500 And here he's taking 318 people in. 00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:15.899 It sounds to me like he was living out 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:18.239 what Christ later would tell us to do. 00:06:18.799 --> 00:06:21.719 And that is in Luke chapter 6, 27 and 28. 00:06:22.279 --> 00:06:24.959 Jesus said, but I say to you who hear, 00:06:25.299 --> 00:06:27.939 love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:29.759 bless those who curse you, 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:31.419 pray for those who abuse you. 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:34.479 Lot had misused Abram. 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:37.139 And he shouldn't have been in the trip to start with. 00:06:37.479 --> 00:06:38.719 But even though he went, 00:06:39.279 --> 00:06:40.479 he misused Abram. 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:41.879 And how did Abram respond? 00:06:42.339 --> 00:06:44.839 He could have said, let him face it. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:45.500 But he didn't. 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:48.939 And you're going to talk about boldness. 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:49.819 You're going to talk about courage. 00:06:49.899 --> 00:06:51.920 He took 318 men, divided them, 00:06:51.980 --> 00:06:54.740 and he hit this army from two different directions 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:56.459 and drove them out. 00:06:56.680 --> 00:07:00.180 Then he reclaimed Lot and all the people that came with him. 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:03.579 And all of that, he didn't have to do. 00:07:04.620 --> 00:07:05.560 But he did it. 00:07:06.660 --> 00:07:07.839 That's boldness. 00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:13.359 It reminds me of a little guy named David 00:07:13.359 --> 00:07:17.899 that was just supposed to take a lunch to his brothers 00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:23.539 who were in a standoff at a battlefield line in a valley. 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:29.660 And instead, David refused to take Saul's armor. 00:07:30.400 --> 00:07:32.100 He refused to fight another man's battle. 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:36.540 Instead, he knew that God had trained him 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:40.020 with a slingshot and a few smooth stones 00:07:40.020 --> 00:07:42.100 to do what needed to be done. 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:47.300 And he walked into that valley against a nine-foot giant 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:50.020 and said this, 00:07:51.220 --> 00:07:57.180 You come to me with sword and with spear and with javelin. 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:00.600 But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:03.540 the God of the enemies of Israel whom you've defied. 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:05.939 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:09.780 and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:15.360 And I will give the dead bodies of the host 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:16.860 to the Philistines this day, 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:18.660 to the birds of the air 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:20.740 and to the wild beasts of the earth, 00:08:20.900 --> 00:08:22.379 that all the earth may know 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:23.879 that there is a God in Israel 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:26.879 and that all this assembly may know 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:30.020 that the Lord saves not with sword and spear, 00:08:30.340 --> 00:08:32.320 for the battle is the Lord 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:35.200 and he will give you into our hand. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:36.360 Hello. 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:39.800 Braveheart don't have anything on David. 00:08:41.800 --> 00:08:43.240 Nor does he on Abram. 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:47.080 And the 318 men that went with him 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:48.919 to fight five countries, 00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:51.740 with the strength of the Lord, 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:55.019 he stood up for an enemy 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:59.879 and he rescued him from dying. 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:05.639 Do you catch that in the attitude of Abram? 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:10.100 I mean, we need to catch the attitude of Abram. 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:12.120 We have a message that is more powerful 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:14.519 than an army of 318 men. 00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:18.159 We have a message that will set people free. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:22.019 The battles that we fight are not physical. 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:23.940 The battles that we fight are spiritual. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:28.440 The weapons that we pick up are not tangible. 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:29.519 They are spiritual. 00:09:29.700 --> 00:09:31.899 The promises that we look to are not locative. 00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:33.279 They're eternal. 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:37.720 So we fight the battles of our day 00:09:37.720 --> 00:09:39.500 by standing on the right truth, 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:40.899 by living for the Lord, 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:43.000 by penetrating the enemy, 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:46.539 by sharing his truth and sharing his gospel. 00:09:46.939 --> 00:09:49.199 Because thank God he has power to save. 00:09:49.439 --> 00:09:51.079 The saving's not on us, folks. 00:09:51.179 --> 00:09:52.059 That's on him. 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:53.980 The sharing is on us. 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:55.559 We just have to share it. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:59.799 And yes, we often, so often we weigh it out. 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:01.740 We wonder if it's worth it. 00:10:02.579 --> 00:10:04.620 Should I bother sharing with somebody? 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:10.000 Abram didn't rescue Lot because of who Lot was. 00:10:11.979 --> 00:10:16.899 Abram rescued Lot because of who Abram served. 00:10:18.099 --> 00:10:19.500 And we have the opportunity 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:24.479 to be a part of the lost being rescued. 00:10:24.959 --> 00:10:25.979 I think about an old hymn. 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:29.279 I didn't like it when I was growing up and heard it. 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:30.779 Just to be honest with you. 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:34.420 But I didn't know what all of it meant. 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:39.519 But over time, it speaks to me. 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.720 Rescue the perishing. 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:43.940 Duty demands it. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:47.240 Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide. 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:48.620 Back to the narrow way. 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:50.200 Patiently win them. 00:10:50.680 --> 00:10:54.300 Tell the poor wonder a savior has died. 00:10:54.560 --> 00:10:55.840 Rescue the perishing. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:57.139 Care for the dying. 00:10:57.560 --> 00:10:58.620 Jesus is merciful. 00:10:59.060 --> 00:11:00.139 Jesus will save. 00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:04.220 Abram rescued the oppressed by going to war 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:06.039 to snatch them from the fire 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:09.120 even though he didn't like them that much. 00:11:11.060 --> 00:11:12.480 You got family like that? 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:15.720 You got neighbors like that? 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:18.580 You got co-workers like that? 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:19.960 Folks who don't like that much? 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:20.639 I mean, you know. 00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:23.039 You don't hate them because you're Christian. 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:23.800 You don't hate anybody. 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:25.620 But you can't stand them. 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:35.659 I want you to understand our duty is not about the person 00:11:35.659 --> 00:11:38.360 or about the situation. 00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:40.960 It's about the Savior. 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:43.279 It's about the Savior. 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:48.680 So what do we do as a work of faith? 00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:50.379 We rescue the oppressed. 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:53.559 We rescue the spiritually oppressed. 00:11:54.439 --> 00:11:55.819 Because people need the Lord. 00:11:57.299 --> 00:11:58.279 People need the Lord. 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:01.399 If you can look at our country today 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:02.679 and see what's happening in our world 00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:03.500 and you don't understand 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:05.980 that the desperate need of folks 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:07.919 more than anything else is the Lord. 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:09.399 He's the only answer, folks. 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:12.120 I'm thankful when I hear 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:15.500 what's going on on Asbury's campus. 00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:16.819 I don't know if you've heard about this. 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:19.679 There's a wonderful revival happening apparently. 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:23.059 And all weekend since Friday, 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:25.079 there's been constant prayers going up 00:12:25.079 --> 00:12:26.399 in a chapel full of people 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:29.519 praying and asking God to bring revival on this country 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:32.239 and upon our world. 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:35.839 For right at 72 hours, constant. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:38.659 People are going to that area to see. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:41.000 May God bring revival. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:43.460 And may it start with us. 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:46.840 Because people need the Lord. 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.320 Romans 10, 14 says, 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:50.559 How then will they call on Him 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:52.519 in whom they have not believed? 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:55.700 And how are they to believe in Him 00:12:55.700 --> 00:12:57.539 of whom they've never heard? 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:59.360 And how are they to hear 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:01.460 without someone preaching? 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:03.360 We got a job to do. 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.980 We got a job to do. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.720 We got to rescue the perishing. 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:08.879 A work of faith is to rescue the oppressed. 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.100 But not only that, 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:12.080 but in verse 17 through 24, 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.759 we see there's a greeting 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:16.120 and a congratulating of two kings. 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:19.279 Both meant well for Abram 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.500 and were appreciative to him. 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:24.279 But Abram in response acknowledged one of them 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:26.299 and didn't acknowledge the other one. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.840 It's interesting. 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:30.519 It says in verse 17, 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:31.360 it says, 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:35.600 And his return from the defeat of Caterleomer 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:37.899 and the kings who were with him, 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.840 the king of Sodom, 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:40.519 went out to meet him 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:42.519 at the valley of Shaveney. 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:44.220 That is the king's valley. 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:46.559 And Melchizedek, king of Salem, 00:13:46.699 --> 00:13:48.299 brought out bread and wine. 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:51.879 He was priest of God Most High. 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:54.179 And he blessed him and said, 00:13:54.699 --> 00:13:57.319 Blessed be Abram by God Most High 00:13:57.319 --> 00:13:59.399 and possessor of heaven and earth. 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:01.360 And blessed be God Most High 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:03.579 who has delivered your enemies into your hand. 00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:08.980 And Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:10.300 Now I want you to notice 00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:13.440 the proclamation of Melchizedek. 00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:18.360 He was giving praise to the God that he knew 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:22.200 for he knew that God had delivered Abram 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:23.639 and had watched over him. 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:27.860 Melchizedek has a special name. 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:30.180 His name means king of righteousness. 00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:33.419 Here he is called the king of Salem. 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:35.500 That comes from the word shalom, 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.879 which means he's also the king of peace. 00:14:38.219 --> 00:14:40.839 So the man's name means the king of righteousness. 00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:45.039 And where he's from means the king of peace. 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:47.299 Daniel says, excuse me, 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:49.559 David says in Psalm 110 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:51.179 that the coming king will come 00:14:51.739 --> 00:14:54.620 through such a priestly order. 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:56.219 When he says the coming king, 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:59.580 he's speaking of Christ coming. 00:15:00.040 --> 00:15:02.139 I want you to listen to Hebrews chapter 7, 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:02.980 verse 1 through 3 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:04.779 because Melchizedek's an interesting cat 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:06.340 and we got to figure it out somehow. 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:07.580 So I want you to see this. 00:15:07.660 --> 00:15:09.680 Hebrews chapter 7, verse 1 through 3 says this. 00:15:10.040 --> 00:15:12.220 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:13.899 priest of the Most High God, 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:16.960 met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.540 and blessed him. 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:22.460 And to him, Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:25.860 He is first by translation of his name, 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.660 king of righteousness, 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:28.540 and then he is also king of Salem, 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:30.220 that is king of peace. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.400 Listen to this. 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:35.460 He is without father or mother or genealogy, 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:39.200 having neither beginning of days nor end of life, 00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:41.800 but resembling the son of God, 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:44.960 he continues a priest forever. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:48.280 Wrap your head around that. 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:52.939 Melchizedek was a king and a priest 00:15:52.939 --> 00:15:55.579 without beginning or end. 00:15:56.839 --> 00:16:00.899 We at least see here a foreshadowing 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:05.000 of the Lord Jesus Christ himself in Melchizedek. 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:10.579 And possibly we see a pre-incarnate Christ. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:17.580 Abraham honors the Lord, 00:16:18.420 --> 00:16:23.020 whether a representation or whether the Lord himself, 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.139 he honors him. 00:16:24.900 --> 00:16:27.020 The bread and the wine that is offered, 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.580 you know what that symbolizes. 00:16:29.520 --> 00:16:30.940 You know what that foreshadows. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:33.480 It foreshadows the body and the blood of Christ. 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:36.700 The title that he gives is intended to honor God. 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:40.560 And I want you to notice what Abraham's response is. 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:43.500 He gives him a tenth of everything. 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.700 Because you know what? 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:48.060 You can't honor God with your hands in your pockets. 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:49.660 You can't do it. 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:51.360 You have to serve him. 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.420 You have to honor him. 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.780 You have to even fight for him. 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:57.860 And you have to be generous to the Lord. 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:00.240 God sure has been generous to us. 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:02.360 And it's not an attempt at payback 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.500 because we can't pay him back. 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:05.600 You can't pay God back for what he's done for you. 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:08.539 You just live for him with all that you have 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.719 and all that you are. 00:17:09.959 --> 00:17:11.719 Hands out for God. 00:17:12.659 --> 00:17:15.579 And as Melchizedek gave that honor to God, 00:17:15.719 --> 00:17:17.500 Abram gave honor to Melchizedek. 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:22.299 We work our faith by rescuing the perishing 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:24.139 and rescuing the oppressed, 00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:27.659 but we also work out our faith by revering the godly. 00:17:27.719 --> 00:17:28.679 And that's what we see here. 00:17:28.919 --> 00:17:31.099 We see him revering the godly, 00:17:31.199 --> 00:17:32.379 holding up what's right, 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:35.800 paying attention to what's correct. 00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:37.340 But don't stop there. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:39.220 I want you to notice one more thing. 00:17:40.800 --> 00:17:43.400 It says in verse 21, 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:46.960 and the king of Sodom said to Abram, 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:49.120 remember now these two kings came out 00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:52.620 to welcome Abram and thank him for what he did for them. 00:17:53.780 --> 00:17:54.380 Melchizedek, 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:56.680 he gave a tenth of everything that he had. 00:17:56.680 --> 00:18:00.400 And then the king of Sodom came out. 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:02.660 And he said to Abram, 00:18:02.840 --> 00:18:04.200 give me the persons, 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:05.900 but take the goods for yourselves. 00:18:07.120 --> 00:18:09.080 For Abram said to the king of Sodom, 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:10.640 but Abram said to the king of Sodom, 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:11.600 he said, 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:14.420 I've lifted my hand to the Lord God most high, 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.140 possessor of heaven and earth, 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:18.240 that I would not take a thread, 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:21.740 this is kind of animate. 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:25.079 Or a sandal strap, 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:30.000 or anything that is yours. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:33.859 Lest you should say I made Abram rich. 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:38.120 I'll take nothing but what the young men have eaten 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:41.440 and the share of the men who went with me. 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:45.460 Let Aner, Eschol, and Mamre take their share. 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:49.920 Friend, I want to be clear about something. 00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:53.460 When you live by faith, 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:57.340 you don't put your confidence in the things of the world. 00:18:58.660 --> 00:19:00.900 If we're to work out our faith, 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:03.700 when we are working out our faith, 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:05.700 we revere the godly, 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:07.480 but we refuse the wicked. 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:11.460 We've got to make a decision to refuse the wicked. 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.480 I want to show you this. 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:16.059 Not only did he rescue the oppressed and revere the godly, 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:17.579 but he also refused the wicked. 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:20.339 When the king of Sodom came to acknowledge Abram, 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:22.779 we find what Abram is really made of. 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.319 The king told him, 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:26.460 thank you for saving me. 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:28.660 Whatever you got from the battle, 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:30.099 keep the spoils. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.900 They're ours. 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:32.460 They took them from us. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.960 But you keep them 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:36.720 as an appreciation for what you've done. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:39.860 The king of Sodom just wanted his people released. 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:42.639 However, Abraham knew the man 00:19:42.639 --> 00:19:44.879 and he knew the land 00:19:44.879 --> 00:19:48.099 and he knew he was dreadfully sinful 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:50.879 and he refused that kind of agreement. 00:19:51.439 --> 00:19:53.240 He wanted nothing to do with it. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:55.759 He would not bow to wickedness. 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:58.599 Abram's concern was not money. 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.399 It was taking care of the people 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:01.819 and staying right with the Lord. 00:20:02.699 --> 00:20:06.899 And he would not make a partnership with the wicked. 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:10.180 He said, I don't want anything that you have 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:13.000 because I don't want you getting any credit for it. 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:15.400 Because you know who gets the credit for this battle? 00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:17.519 God gets the credit for it. 00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:19.500 And God will provide my every need. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:20.960 Friend, listen, 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:23.960 if we're concerned about God getting the credit, 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:25.100 we'll be in great shape. 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:28.280 But things get done in a mighty way for the glory of God 00:20:28.280 --> 00:20:30.700 when people do what they do for the glory of God 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:32.440 and not for the glory of themselves. 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:36.000 Most people want what the world offers them. 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:42.840 They look like they are surrounded by wonderful promises 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:45.840 when in reality the world delivers little. 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.259 It don't pay. 00:20:48.600 --> 00:20:50.120 I want to encourage you today 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:53.000 to instead look to what God would have. 00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:55.660 To live by faith. 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:57.340 To work out your faith. 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:59.340 How do you work out your faith? 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:02.779 I believe Abraham's given us three examples of how to do that. 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:05.599 One, I believe let's rescue the oppressed. 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:08.720 This world needs Jesus Christ 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:10.379 and we need to tell folks about Christ. 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:13.220 We need to trust the power of the gospel. 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.399 It ain't in our persuasion 00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:17.980 and ain't in our great elegance. 00:21:18.699 --> 00:21:22.899 Instead, it is in the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.519 Let's share the gospel. 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.740 Let's rescue the oppressed. 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.339 Let's revere the godly. 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:29.720 What's of God and what's right? 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.679 Let's hold that up. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:33.139 Let's make that what we look to. 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:37.379 And then, bless God, let's refuse the wicked. 00:21:38.459 --> 00:21:39.359 You know what that means? 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.379 That means quit compromising. 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.619 Let's not compromise. 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.439 Because I'm going to tell you something. 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:49.259 When you work out your faith 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:51.759 by sharing it with others, 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:54.840 by revering what's right with God, 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:57.279 and by refusing what's wrong, 00:21:58.400 --> 00:22:00.519 God honors such as that. 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:03.500 God blesses such as that. 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:08.400 God will impact your life when you trust him. 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:12.660 If you want to know how to work out your faith, 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:15.579 Abram teaches you how to work out your faith. 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:18.099 When you're in the midst of the battles, 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:21.460 you trust the Lord and hold him up. 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:23.099 With every head bowed, 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.640 and every eye closed, 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.519 I asked this morning, 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:27.740 is there anybody here 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:30.119 who's never accepted Christ Jesus 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:30.859 as their Lord and Savior? 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.700 There's never been a time 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:33.559 when you ask him to forgive you, 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.180 and to cleanse you, 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.259 and to come into your life? 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:37.059 And right now, 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.420 if you were to stand before him, 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.240 and he were to ask you, 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.500 why should I let you into my heaven? 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.759 You don't really have a good example. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.579 You don't have a good word to say. 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:46.700 And if you could try to say anything 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:49.139 except that I've given my heart and life to Jesus, 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.819 you'd give the wrong answer. 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:53.919 You've never surrendered your life to Christ. 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:55.659 I'm thankful today's the day of salvation. 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:59.240 You can come today. 00:22:59.379 --> 00:23:00.599 I'd love to guide you in that. 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:03.599 Maybe you're here, 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:05.039 and your faith is struggling. 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.819 You're a Christian, 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:08.639 but when you look at your life, 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.639 your faith is struggling. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.659 You're not revering what's godly. 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.759 You're not rejecting what's wicked. 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:23.039 You become too enamored with the world, 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:25.599 and it's invaded your life some. 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:28.039 And today you need to say, 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:32.299 Lord, I ask you to let me start over. 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:36.460 Let me clean up what's wrong in my life, 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:39.220 and things that I can't make right, 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.299 Lord, will you make them right? 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:43.099 Maybe you're here, 00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:44.599 and God's drawing you to this fellowship. 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:49.039 He'd have you join us in the journey along the way. 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:50.519 You come. 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:52.619 We'd love to guide you through that process. 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:56.480 Or maybe you've made a private decision for God, 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:58.159 but you've never made that public. 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.379 You've never told anybody 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:02.259 about a personal commitment that you made to Christ. 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:04.440 You come today. 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.639 Let folks know. 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:09.319 Honor God in that way. 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.720 Lord Jesus, 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:13.460 it's one thing to read about an account 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:15.799 of somebody else who was in a bad spot, 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:18.079 or saw somebody in a bad spot, 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:20.980 and was willing to put it all on the line 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.879 in order to help them. 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:24.159 It's one thing to read about that. 00:24:24.199 --> 00:24:25.019 It's another thing to do it. 00:24:26.699 --> 00:24:28.099 We live in a world, dear God, 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:30.919 that so desperately needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:24:32.419 --> 00:24:37.000 And I believe that the mess that we're in, 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:38.960 and that we see going on, 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.619 and the confusion in our world, 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:43.720 is just because folks need Jesus. 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.619 They're looking for answers everywhere else, 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.559 but they just need Jesus. 00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:49.159 And I just pray that you'll help us 00:24:49.159 --> 00:24:50.619 to be diligent to share that. 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:53.699 Help us, oh God, to live it out, 00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:56.899 to make the decisions in our lives 00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:58.859 that we need to make that would honor you, 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:01.759 to watch you work and move in us 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:03.339 as only you can, dear Father. 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:08.039 God, today, may today be a new day, 00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:11.419 a new start as needed, Father, 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:14.300 walking with you by faith. 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:17.100 We love you, and we thank you, Lord, 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:18.660 for the love that you have for us. 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:21.660 Lead us right now, we pray, in Jesus' name. 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.560 Amen.