WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.120 We come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:12.280 We're going to jump back into our series in Genesis, but before we do that, I want to say two things. 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:18.260 First of all, Andy Perch is not here with us because he's with his National Guard training in Louisiana, 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:22.559 so you can pray for him the next couple weeks. Pray for Jenny while he's away. 00:00:23.420 --> 00:00:28.000 Second, you may have gotten an email from me on Friday, and one of the things I said in that email 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:30.920 is there's an old saying that goes like this, 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:36.740 if the church isn't crying, then it's dying, which is a way of saying, 00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:41.840 hey, we as a church want to see young children coming up in our congregation. 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:47.200 That's a sign of life and help, and so as we have many criers here this morning, 00:00:47.340 --> 00:00:49.640 I want to remind you of what a great blessing that is. 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:56.420 We don't want to take that for granted. We praise God for having so many young children among us. 00:00:56.420 --> 00:00:58.740 We want that to continue. 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:06.040 Speaking of continuing, we are continuing our series in the book of Genesis on the life of Abraham, 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:11.719 Genesis chapter 11 through 25, and we are doing that for a couple reasons. 00:01:12.180 --> 00:01:17.040 First of all, it prepares us for our series in Romans when we go back to chapter 4, 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:18.960 which is about Abraham. 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:23.139 Second, it's a great way for us to ask the question, 00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:26.699 what does it look like to follow God in faith? 00:01:27.699 --> 00:01:32.259 And as we ask that question, we have a couple examples, both last week and this week, 00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:35.099 two separate, two different threats to faith. 00:01:35.560 --> 00:01:41.859 So last week, we saw Abraham gave in to the threat of fear and pragmatism. 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:44.479 That got in the way of him trusting God's promises. 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:50.320 This week, we're going to see his nephew Lot given to the threat of comfort and wealth. 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:55.200 And so it's with that, I invite you to turn with me to Genesis chapter 13. 00:01:55.600 --> 00:01:57.240 You can turn in your Bible. 00:01:57.740 --> 00:01:59.000 You can turn on your phone. 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:01.540 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:02:02.240 --> 00:02:05.180 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:08.319 Proverbs chapter 30, verse 5 tells us, 00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:20.400 And so for that reason, I invite you to read with me now Genesis chapter 13. 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:29.299 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him into the Negev. 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:34.800 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 00:02:35.640 --> 00:02:42.600 And he journeyed on from the Negev as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning between Bethel and Ai, 00:02:43.140 --> 00:02:46.180 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:49.500 And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. 00:02:49.500 --> 00:03:18.840 Verse 8, 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:21.479 Then Abram said to Lot, 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:28.879 Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. 00:03:29.379 --> 00:03:31.599 Is not the whole land before you? 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:34.080 Separate yourself from me. 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:37.560 If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:41.659 or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left. 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:49.859 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:53.259 like the land of Egypt in the direction of Zoar. 00:03:53.979 --> 00:03:57.859 This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:03:57.860 --> 00:04:03.520 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. 00:04:04.220 --> 00:04:06.080 Thus they separated from each other. 00:04:07.140 --> 00:04:09.000 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, 00:04:09.660 --> 00:04:12.140 while Lot settled among the cities of the valley, 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:15.440 and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:21.600 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:23.340 Verse 14. 00:04:23.339 --> 00:04:28.339 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, 00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:32.000 Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, 00:04:32.619 --> 00:04:35.819 northward and southward and eastward and westward. 00:04:36.459 --> 00:04:41.419 For all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 00:04:42.359 --> 00:04:45.179 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, 00:04:45.799 --> 00:04:48.559 so that if one can count the dust of the earth, 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:51.439 your offspring also can be counted. 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:56.060 Arise, walk through the length and breadth of the land, 00:04:56.180 --> 00:04:57.379 for I will give it to you. 00:04:58.139 --> 00:05:02.139 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:03.500 which are at Hebron. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:06.920 And there he built an altar to the Lord. 00:05:08.259 --> 00:05:12.000 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:17.579 Our Father in heaven, we do praise you and we thank you again 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:23.719 that you haven't left us alone, but you've given us your word to guide us and direct us, 00:05:24.219 --> 00:05:25.819 and most of all to show us Christ, 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:29.680 that we would be reconciled and reunited to you. 00:05:30.219 --> 00:05:33.839 We ask that you would be at work in a powerful way this morning, 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:39.000 that we would be able to understand everything that you've written for us in your word, 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:43.939 that we would see it, we'd believe it, and we'd follow you in faith and obedience. 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:48.620 We ask that you would do this not because we've earned or deserved it, 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:49.819 we know that we haven't, 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:53.019 but instead we ask for it in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:53.879 Amen. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:06:01.100 Last week at the end of chapter 12, 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:08.300 you'll remember we saw that Abraham was driven essentially from the promised land 00:06:08.300 --> 00:06:09.259 because of a famine, 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:12.899 so he heads down to Egypt where he's able to get a hold of some food, 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:17.879 and while he's there, he's afraid that they're going to kill him because of his wife Sarai. 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:20.120 He thinks, well, Sarai's so beautiful, 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:22.839 and so they're going to take me out to get to her, 00:06:22.839 --> 00:06:28.560 and so he convinces her to tell a lie and to say that she is just his sister. 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:33.039 And so Pharaoh, you'll remember, takes Sarai as one of his wives, 00:06:33.599 --> 00:06:39.339 and Abraham chooses fear and pragmatism over faith. 00:06:40.559 --> 00:06:47.620 And yet, the story drips with God's grace as God still remains faithful to his promises, 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:52.059 protects Abraham, strikes Pharaoh and his family, 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:54.920 so that they're released, sent out of Egypt. 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:56.680 Okay, that's the background. 00:06:57.060 --> 00:07:03.459 The point was this, that God keeps his promises despite his people's failures. 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:10.879 That if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. 00:07:12.099 --> 00:07:16.459 That's the background for chapter 13, because the very first verse, we see this, 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:18.519 Abram went up from Egypt. 00:07:18.659 --> 00:07:20.759 In other words, that episode is over. 00:07:21.099 --> 00:07:23.679 Now it's back to the main plot. 00:07:24.359 --> 00:07:26.560 He and his wife and all that he had, 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:30.300 which we find out in verse 2, is quite a lot. 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:35.639 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:39.420 Why is Abraham so rich? 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:46.180 If you were paying close attention last week, it's because he just plundered Egypt. 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:50.500 What did they do for him because of Sarai, his wife? 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:54.180 They gave him all sorts of things. 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:59.939 Pharaoh showered him with livestock, and we find out gold and silver as well. 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:02.220 And so he doesn't just return from Egypt. 00:08:02.220 --> 00:08:08.020 He returns from Egypt with his net worth a lot higher than it was before. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:15.700 But as it often does, wealth actually creates challenges and problems for Abraham. 00:08:16.220 --> 00:08:18.440 And that's where we jump to the meat of the story. 00:08:18.940 --> 00:08:23.600 He and Lot have both become so wealthy that the land actually can't support them. 00:08:23.640 --> 00:08:26.040 That's what we see in verses 5 and 6. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:29.620 It's not just, verse 5, Abraham that has so much. 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:31.500 Lot has so much as well. 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:34.620 Verse 6, the land could not support them. 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:38.279 In other words, there's a finite resource problem. 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:40.600 There's not enough grass. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:43.460 There's not enough water. 00:08:45.940 --> 00:08:49.740 And if the story, in fact, turns, it hinges on that challenge. 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:52.159 The limited resources lead to conflict. 00:08:52.419 --> 00:08:55.820 That's verse 7 between Lot's herdsmen and Abraham's herdsmen. 00:08:55.820 --> 00:09:00.600 And that's where, verses 8 and 9, Abraham comes up with a solution. 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:04.440 The first part of his solution is not surprising. 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:06.000 Let's separate. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:10.039 The second part of his solution is, 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:13.820 Lot, how about you pick first? 00:09:13.820 --> 00:09:20.780 And that's where we get into, really, the two points of this passage, 00:09:20.780 --> 00:09:25.040 which is two examples, the example of Lot, the example of Abraham, 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:31.840 that show two very different hearts towards God and his kingdom. 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:36.879 Two very different approaches to the promises of God. 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:41.139 So we're going to look at Lot first since he comes first in the narrative. 00:09:41.439 --> 00:09:47.679 He, this is verses 10 through 13 now, goes with what looks really good. 00:09:48.860 --> 00:09:49.179 Okay? 00:09:49.799 --> 00:09:52.580 If you look on verse 10, we're told he lifted up his eyes. 00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:53.779 He saw the Jordan Valley. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:54.980 And what is going on there? 00:09:55.059 --> 00:09:56.480 Well, there's lots of water. 00:09:57.220 --> 00:09:58.720 What was the problem before? 00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:01.040 Not enough water for him and Abraham. 00:10:02.060 --> 00:10:03.460 It looks like a garden. 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:05.420 What was the problem before? 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:07.620 Not enough grass to feed on. 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:09.840 Like the land of Egypt. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:11.820 Oh, wow, this is beautiful. 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:14.759 Like the place we just came from. 00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:17.379 And so he chooses it. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:19.660 Hey, I can see the best spot. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:21.480 That's going to be mine. 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:23.700 And that makes sense, right? 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:25.860 We can't condemn Lot just for that. 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:27.420 He's been given the first choice. 00:10:27.800 --> 00:10:28.420 Makes sense. 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:32.399 He's going to want what's the best, what's good, what's going to prosper him. 00:10:33.819 --> 00:10:35.039 Except for one thing. 00:10:38.979 --> 00:10:39.979 Verse 13. 00:10:40.699 --> 00:10:46.779 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.779 Verse 10. 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:55.740 This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:11:05.000 Lot is less concerned with staying close to God's land. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:11.279 And he is more concerned with how wealthy he can get. 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:14.440 In other words, the point is this. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:23.879 Lot is willing to cozy up close to wickedness for the sake of abundance. 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:30.580 Lot is willing to live right next to Sodom. 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:32.639 We're going to find out later. 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:34.200 He basically lives in Sodom. 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:39.279 He's willing to do that if it will help him prosper. 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:44.340 Lot gives in to this temptation. 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:50.660 It's the temptation to love the good life more than the kingdom. 00:11:53.800 --> 00:11:59.040 Lot is more interested in comfort than in the promises of God. 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:14.299 He is so focused on wealth he either doesn't see or doesn't care that he is moving in right next to Sodom. 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:21.919 He both remembers and forgets the first rule of real estate. 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:25.399 Location, location, location. 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:31.539 He remembers it when it comes to water and gardens. 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:37.039 He forgets it when it comes to wickedness and rebellion. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:41.740 Now, I don't want you to hear what I'm not saying. 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:51.659 There is a theme that runs throughout Scripture of enjoying the good gifts that God gives us in this world. 00:12:53.219 --> 00:12:58.379 I hope that all of you become fabulously wealthy. 00:12:58.379 --> 00:13:05.080 I hope that you're able to get the best education you can for your kids. 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:10.500 I hope that you are able to go to a fancy restaurant. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:14.539 And while you're there, time stops. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:22.700 And you're able to connect with people you love and care about more than you would have if you weren't there. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:26.700 I hope that you make fantastic investments. 00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:29.280 I hope they pay off. 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:31.940 And I hope that you have more than you need. 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.400 If. 00:13:37.660 --> 00:13:41.140 If you can hold it lightly. 00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:49.160 If you don't lose the plot. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:52.580 Whatever you do, 00:13:52.580 --> 00:14:00.280 Do not choose those things over God and his kingdom. 00:14:04.780 --> 00:14:06.440 I hope that you have it all. 00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:14.440 If and only if you remember what's most important. 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:20.300 This is on the back of your worship guide. 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:26.400 Lot was the kind of man who would certainly choose heaven over hell if given the choice, 00:14:26.920 --> 00:14:29.980 but not heaven over earth. 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:33.480 Material prosperity was the bottom line. 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:40.960 He was the example of believers who choose professions for their children or encourage marriages 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:49.779 that will elevate the family's prosperity and power with no thought of what it will do to their souls. 00:14:49.779 --> 00:15:02.059 Lot chose a piece of land with no thought of what it would do to his soul. 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:13.879 If advancing your career means that year by year you have to make bigger and bigger compromises, 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:15.339 then I will tell you right now, 00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:17.339 you've made a bad deal. 00:15:18.619 --> 00:15:19.899 It's not worth it. 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:28.639 If your lifestyle gets in the way of being with God's people on Sunday morning, 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:31.559 then something is backwards. 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:41.600 If your fear of being excluded from the right social group means you don't talk about Jesus, 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:45.659 then something is out of order. 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:55.259 And if you meet someone and you have amazing chemistry like you've never had before, 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.279 but they're not a Christian, 00:15:59.579 --> 00:16:03.519 that person is not for you. 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:13.019 Whatever you do, do not go outside the promised land. 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:21.259 No matter how good it looks over there. 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:26.399 By the way, if you don't believe me, 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:31.919 before too long, we're going to get to Genesis chapters 19 and 20. 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:37.139 The story does not end well for Lot. 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:42.199 Lot sees the water and the gardens of this section. 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:45.179 He thinks that's where he's going to end up. 00:16:45.819 --> 00:16:49.759 And when we leave Lot, he's actually living in a cave. 00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:53.460 That's how his story ends up. 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:56.120 Lot has lost the plot. 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.319 He's lost the big picture. 00:16:57.580 --> 00:17:00.919 Why is Lot so rich to begin with? 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:06.720 He's rich because he's close to Abraham. 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:10.440 He leaves Abraham. 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:13.139 He leaves the blessing. 00:17:14.899 --> 00:17:18.539 Remember, two or three weeks ago, I gave you this quote from David Gibson. 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:25.879 In the created world, you can only truly enjoy what you do not worship. 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:29.320 And we sang it again this morning. 00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:36.000 In his glory is my good. 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:40.500 That's what Lot forgets. 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:45.840 Thankfully, we don't just have a negative example, though. 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:46.860 We have two responses. 00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:50.900 We have the response of Lot and the response of Abraham. 00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:53.440 And Abraham gives us a positive example. 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:57.320 To get at Abraham's positive example, I'm going to tell you a story. 00:17:58.440 --> 00:18:01.799 When I was a child in my family growing up, 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:06.120 there was an enormous amount of conflict over dessert. 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:12.539 And the conflict revolved around whether one of the three Capone boys 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:15.779 got a bigger piece of cake or more ice cream than another. 00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:21.320 And so at one point, my parents instituted a rule that if you complained, 00:18:21.600 --> 00:18:22.880 you got no dessert. 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:27.240 And so my brother said one night, 00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:29.460 well, I'm actually not complaining. 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:33.480 I'm making an observation. 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:38.860 And I'm making the observation that one of my brothers has more ice cream than I do. 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.840 It's not a complaint. 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:41.779 It's just an observation. 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:42.259 Okay. 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:49.740 There's another rule that if you cut the cake, you got to pick your piece last. 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.180 Why? 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:58.180 Well, you want to have the greatest incentive to cut the pieces of cake just as evenly as possible. 00:18:58.400 --> 00:19:03.019 Because if you're picking last, everyone else is going to get the best pieces first, right? 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:08.720 If you let the person who cuts pick first, what are they going to do if they're in elementary school? 00:19:09.080 --> 00:19:09.960 No brainer. 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:12.980 You're going to pick a big piece and then you're going to take it. 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:15.620 What does that have to do with Abraham? 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:18.620 Well, the principle is this. 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:22.019 There is an advantage to picking first. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:27.240 If you're starting a company, it's called a first mover advantage. 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:30.799 If you can secure a market before anyone else does. 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:34.099 And that's what's shocking about verse 9. 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:37.140 Abraham is older. 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:41.140 Abraham is the uncle, not the nephew. 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:46.259 Abraham is the one to whom God has made his promises. 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:50.019 Abraham should pick first. 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:51.680 Right? 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:56.500 It should be Abraham that grabs the biggest piece of cake. 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.779 Notice what he does. 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:03.500 Then Abraham talks to Lot. 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.960 Verse 8, verse 9. 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:07.819 Is not the whole land before you? 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:10.200 Separate yourself from me. 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:13.440 If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right. 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:18.000 Or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left. 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:25.120 Abraham gives up his privilege and his right of first choice. 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.019 Why? 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:35.059 Because unlike chapter 12, Abraham trusts God. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:41.519 God has made him a promise that the promised land will be his. 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:47.339 Lot's choice cannot get in the way. 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:50.279 So Abraham's freed up. 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:52.539 He doesn't need to protect himself. 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:58.539 He doesn't need to figure out the smartest way to divide real estate. 00:20:59.500 --> 00:20:59.740 No. 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:05.119 God is going to do what he said he's going to do. 00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:12.079 There's something else that Abraham does that Lot doesn't. 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:18.979 I told you before, even just in the last few weeks, that bookends in stories are important. 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:24.579 What happens at the beginning and the end of this story? 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:33.500 At the beginning, verse 4, Abraham returns to the altar he made in chapter 12. 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:36.839 And there he calls on the name of the Lord. 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:42.220 In other words, this story begins with Abraham worshiping God. 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:44.640 And how does it end? 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.480 Same way. 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:48.200 Verse 18. 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:52.140 Abraham moves his tent. 00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:55.600 There he built an altar to the Lord. 00:21:55.599 --> 00:22:01.359 Abraham has remembered what he forgot last week. 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:08.039 That his life, first and foremost, is to trust and worship God. 00:22:09.139 --> 00:22:13.899 And because of that, Lot gets to pick the first piece. 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:20.519 Abraham remembers that in his glory is my good. 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:27.160 That you can only enjoy what you do not worship. 00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:34.440 John read for us again from Hebrews chapter 11 this morning. 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:39.900 We've read in the last few weeks the section about Abraham. 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:45.339 John read for us the section about Moses, which says this in verse 26. 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:52.179 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:55.480 for he was looking to the reward. 00:22:57.959 --> 00:22:59.099 Did you hear that? 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.699 Greater wealth. 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:05.220 It doesn't say the Egyptians didn't have wealth. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:11.919 No, it says Moses considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth. 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:15.980 Did he enjoy the good things of Egypt while he was there? 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.720 Absolutely. 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:24.300 And as God's people always must, he held it lightly. 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:36.100 Christian, there is something better than ease and comfort and pleasure now. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:39.060 There is something better. 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:43.259 There is something better in the sense we're told about Moses. 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:44.740 He was looking to the reward. 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:49.879 The Christian looks forward to the delights and glories of heaven. 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:52.700 We talked about that, I think, three weeks ago. 00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:56.859 But it is not simply or merely just a pie-in-the-sky hope. 00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:59.879 It's not a pie-in-the-sky hope, and it's not just a future hope. 00:24:00.139 --> 00:24:03.539 The experience of the Christian is one of joy now. 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:10.200 Now, if you buy a nice car, and I hope you do, 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:14.700 it will not cover your shame. 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.879 Only Jesus can do that. 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:27.900 If you pay for a fancy meal, and you get bottle service, 00:24:28.520 --> 00:24:30.140 and I hope you do, 00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:34.020 it will not heal your family. 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:40.260 Only Jesus does that. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:46.859 If you downplay Christianity, and your peer group approves of you, 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:52.099 it will not quiet the insecurity in your heart. 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:56.759 Only Jesus calms that. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:25:03.379 And I fear at times that we've become so entitled in the West, 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:05.200 and I include myself in this, of course, 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:07.579 that we think we're always going to have both. 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:12.720 We're always going to have the riches of Egypt, 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:15.140 and the riches of Christ. 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.339 You know what? 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.160 Sometimes you will. 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:22.940 And sometimes you're going to have to make a choice. 00:25:26.800 --> 00:25:27.940 Whatever you do, 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:31.360 don't leave the promised land. 00:25:32.860 --> 00:25:36.420 Don't go outside the boundary of God's people. 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:42.320 In her book, Candles Behind the Wall, 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:47.019 Barbara von der Heidt tells the story of Christians 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:49.640 under communism during the Soviet Union, 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:52.720 and she especially tells the story of Christian teenagers 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:56.779 who chose not to join the Komsomol, 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:58.519 which is the communist youth. 00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:00.360 They chose their faith in Christ 00:26:00.360 --> 00:26:02.039 rather than joining that organization 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:05.700 because it was an indoctrination program, 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:08.860 essentially for communism and the Soviet Union. 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.400 The problem is this. 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:12.420 If you did not join the Soviet Union, 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.380 the Soviet youth, 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:16.940 it would close off opportunities for you 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:20.299 and your future when it came to career and education. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:23.840 And so if you refuse the communist youth, 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.900 you refuse a comfortable future. 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.340 As she tells us, 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:31.220 in this book we learn about a woman named Marsha Vera 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:34.200 who had a dream of becoming a surgeon. 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:37.319 Marsha was a Christian, 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:39.039 was not part of the communist youth, 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.660 and so she has to go to an interview 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:42.100 for graduate school 00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:43.960 to determine whether she's going to become a surgeon. 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:46.519 And the panel asks her, 00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:48.019 expectedly, 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:51.519 why are you not part of the communist youth? 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:55.000 Is it because you're a Christian? 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:58.160 And in that moment, 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:03.480 Luke chapter 12 came to Marsha's mind 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.700 where Jesus says this, 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.359 And I tell you, 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:09.119 everyone who acknowledges me before men, 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:11.900 the Son of Man also will acknowledge 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:13.400 before the angels of God. 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:16.559 But the one who denies me before men 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:20.700 will be denied before the angels of God. 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:23.480 And the book tells us this, 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:26.840 As Martha stood before the committee of 30, 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:29.559 all of whom were waiting for her answer, 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:32.160 she remembered this verse. 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:35.220 She imagined the company of heaven 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:36.819 looking on at that moment 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:39.319 to see how she would answer the question. 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:42.779 She knew what answer she had to give 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:45.880 regardless of what the commission thought. 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:48.220 Yes, she said, 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.440 I am a Christian. 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:54.060 Martha's application to graduate school 00:27:54.060 --> 00:27:55.120 was rejected. 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:59.080 In that particular situation, 00:27:59.540 --> 00:28:01.120 God honored her faithfulness. 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:02.900 A family friend at a different school 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:05.620 was able to grant her admission, 00:28:06.320 --> 00:28:08.700 but that was the exception for Christians 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.740 in the Soviet Union, 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.500 not the rule. 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:15.920 He considered the reproach of Christ 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:18.920 greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:22.779 for he was looking to the reward. 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.160 Let's pray. 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:28.160 Our Father in heaven, 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:30.380 we do praise you and thank you 00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:33.240 that you offer better things 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:36.640 than the world tempts us with. 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:39.380 We ask that you would remind us 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:41.580 of what is of greatest value, 00:28:42.320 --> 00:28:44.440 that we would believe more and more 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.960 that it's in your glory 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:48.000 that we find our good. 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:49.840 We ask these things in Jesus' name. 00:28:50.020 --> 00:28:50.240 Amen.