WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 Thank you very much to the band and good evening, everybody. 00:00:04.339 --> 00:00:08.060 How about we just have a word of prayer before we look at Genesis 13? 00:00:08.179 --> 00:00:09.140 Let's pray together. 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:17.740 Heavenly Father, we know that the words that we have just sung are true for each and every one of us. 00:00:18.679 --> 00:00:21.879 Lord, we're sorry for the things that we put before you. 00:00:22.500 --> 00:00:24.359 We're sorry for the things that we worship. 00:00:24.980 --> 00:00:29.359 And Lord, we ask that this evening we would be brought back to you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.200 That we would be brought back into line with you and that we would worship you for who you are. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:39.500 Lord, help us see that it is all about you, Jesus. 00:00:40.620 --> 00:00:43.359 And it's in your name that we pray. Amen. 00:00:45.120 --> 00:00:49.100 It would be really helpful if you keep Genesis chapter 13 open in front of you. 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:53.799 We'll be looking in a few details as we travel through this passage. 00:00:53.799 --> 00:01:06.340 Now, I wonder how many of you have noticed on Sundays my or our lovely little car sitting outside. 00:01:06.459 --> 00:01:08.819 It's pretty hard to miss because it's bright yellow. 00:01:09.759 --> 00:01:11.099 And I took this picture this morning. 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:14.319 So, sorry, excuse the dirt that's on the car. 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:17.439 But recently my wife and Sabine and I bought this car. 00:01:18.419 --> 00:01:25.399 And I will admit that we were a little bit cautious when we went to see it, first of all, because of its obvious bold color. 00:01:26.419 --> 00:01:29.439 But we bought it from a well-known car dealer through in Glasgow. 00:01:30.019 --> 00:01:33.019 And so we saw it online and we traveled through to check it out. 00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:34.599 And then we gave it a test drive. 00:01:34.919 --> 00:01:36.439 Because that's what you do when you buy a car, apparently. 00:01:36.519 --> 00:01:37.139 That's what adults do. 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:38.540 So we did. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:39.200 We went through. 00:01:39.459 --> 00:01:40.359 And the car looked great. 00:01:41.260 --> 00:01:44.019 As much as I know about cars, you walk up, you kick the wheels. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:45.560 It looks fine. 00:01:46.739 --> 00:01:48.560 But the engine sounded great. 00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:50.079 The interior was fine. 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:51.659 It wasn't marked by the previous owner. 00:01:51.780 --> 00:01:54.099 It was just round and round amazing. 00:01:54.340 --> 00:02:00.140 And the bonus for me, the real point which sold it to me, was the fact that you could heat up the front two seats. 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:02.379 So when I drive, I can be nice and warm. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:04.780 So I was sold on the car. 00:02:04.780 --> 00:02:05.780 It was amazing. 00:02:06.519 --> 00:02:07.780 But then there was one problem. 00:02:08.300 --> 00:02:17.159 And the problem was, when we got in it to test drive it, the minute we set out, Sabina was driving, you could feel the car pulling to the left as we drove. 00:02:17.920 --> 00:02:18.719 And I was like, oh, no. 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:21.039 And then all of a sudden, your excitement just plummets. 00:02:21.139 --> 00:02:22.920 And you think, oh, no, something's really wrong. 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:27.240 So every time you touch the brakes, the car would pull away from the center of the road. 00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:29.819 And we got back to the garage. 00:02:29.920 --> 00:02:30.819 We spoke to the dealer. 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:32.560 And he was like, oh, yeah, that's not a problem. 00:02:32.599 --> 00:02:33.199 We can fix that. 00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:34.219 That's an easy fix. 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:35.479 We'll just track the wheels for you. 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:36.259 Great. 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:38.919 So they agreed to realign the wheels. 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:42.319 The problem was that our car wasn't driving straight because the wheels weren't aligned. 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:50.120 Now, last week, when we left Abraham at the end of chapter 12, he was off balance. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:51.819 He wasn't aligned. 00:02:51.979 --> 00:02:56.439 He went on a little bit of a detour and he wasn't relying on God. 00:02:56.840 --> 00:03:00.219 He wasn't living according to the promises that God had given him. 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:07.800 If you have your Bibles open in Genesis chapter 12, verses 1 to 3, you can see God speaking to Abraham. 00:03:08.199 --> 00:03:10.800 And God promises him some amazing things. 00:03:11.479 --> 00:03:17.319 Now, God was working out his masterful plan, good plan for this world. 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:25.459 And he promised Abraham a land, a vast number of descendants, and he promised Abraham that he would be a blessing to the world. 00:03:26.539 --> 00:03:27.519 Amazing things. 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:32.560 But then at the end of chapter 12, we found Abraham in Egypt. 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:35.560 He'd gone on a little bit of a detour. 00:03:35.640 --> 00:03:36.820 He wasn't relying on God. 00:03:36.900 --> 00:03:42.280 He had selfishly asked his wife to lie for him so that he wouldn't be in any danger. 00:03:43.420 --> 00:03:47.680 Abraham was lacking faith and he needed to be brought back to God. 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:50.740 And that's what we see in Genesis chapter 13. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:56.780 We see Abraham returning to God, calling on the name of the Lord once more. 00:03:57.240 --> 00:04:00.240 We see him being realigned with his God. 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:07.740 In Genesis chapters 3 to 11, we see the people of this world trying to make a name for themselves. 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:15.280 In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve, they eat the fruit which God told them not to eat of so that they could be like God. 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:23.639 In Genesis chapter 11, the Tower of Babel, the people wanted to build a tower to make a name for themselves. 00:04:24.779 --> 00:04:35.060 But in Genesis chapter 12, we see the huge, powerful God of this universe choosing to reveal himself to Abraham. 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:45.500 Here we see the goodness of God because God promises amazing, wonderful things to a corrupt and fallen, finite human being. 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:51.300 Now here's a map of where we've been with Abraham in chapter 12. 00:04:51.920 --> 00:04:56.500 So at chapter 12, 1 to 3, Abraham was called by God. 00:04:56.560 --> 00:04:58.319 That's up there at number 2 in Haran. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:07.459 And then he travels to the promised land, number 3, where God takes him to the land that he's promised him. 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:11.839 And then we get the spiritual detour going into Egypt, number 4. 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:15.060 And now in chapter 13, he's coming back to Canaan. 00:05:15.699 --> 00:05:17.959 So that's where we've been with Abraham in chapter 12. 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:21.480 Abraham went to the land that God showed him. 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:27.439 But at the end of chapter 12, we see him thrown out of Egypt, needing to be brought back to God. 00:05:27.520 --> 00:05:31.040 And that's what we're going to see this evening, Abraham's return to God. 00:05:32.400 --> 00:05:34.480 So we can look at Genesis chapter 13. 00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:36.460 And yes, we can see what Abraham did. 00:05:36.520 --> 00:05:38.460 We can look at all the things that happened. 00:05:38.780 --> 00:05:42.740 But the most important thing in this passage is to see God. 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:48.079 To see what God has done, to see the amazing things that God has promised. 00:05:48.340 --> 00:05:53.900 And that despite Abraham's failings as a human being, God's faithfulness endures. 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:58.660 So let's look through this passage and see what we can pick up. 00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:04.579 So as Abraham returns from Egypt, he seems to have some form of spiritual renewal. 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:06.300 He's being brought back to God. 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:10.600 And instead of focusing on the situation around him, he looks up. 00:06:10.960 --> 00:06:12.199 Verses 1 to 4. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:13.639 Look up. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:18.600 See, Abraham went to Egypt in the first place because of a severe famine. 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:23.639 And you see that if you glance over the page of Genesis chapter 12, verse 10. 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:29.319 But now in Genesis 13, Abraham's described as being very rich. 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:31.680 Abraham has many possessions. 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:35.300 Now, do you see the goodness of God in this? 00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:38.420 Because even though Abraham was on a detour, 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:44.240 even though he was relying on himself and living in his own strength and living on his own devices, 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:47.340 God did not turn his back on Abraham. 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:51.140 But instead, God blessed him. 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:55.480 God didn't just leave him, but he blessed him richly. 00:06:56.759 --> 00:07:01.200 Abraham and his family leave Egypt and they find their way back to Canaan. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:07.120 And verse 4 tells us that he goes back to the place where God spoke to him, first of all. 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:11.719 He goes back to where he had built an altar, where he had worshipped God. 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:18.759 In chapter 12, the creator of the universe spoke to Abraham and promised him many things. 00:07:18.759 --> 00:07:36.000 God promised Abraham a land, descendants that would be so great that they would become a nation. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:39.899 And God promises Abraham that his family would be a blessing to the world. 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:45.539 Now, God doesn't give these promises to Abraham because he is somebody special. 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:52.240 He hasn't done anything to deserve these, but God gives these promises to Abraham because God is sovereign. 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:54.240 God is in control. 00:07:54.400 --> 00:07:58.500 God is working out his good plan of salvation for the world, 00:07:58.580 --> 00:08:02.480 which is referenced in Genesis chapter 3, verse 15. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:07.520 God is working and God is loving and generous. 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:15.140 But Abraham still decided to trust in his own lies to keep him safe. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:20.640 He didn't trust in the power of the infinite and promise keeping God. 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:23.520 And so now God is drawing him back. 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:26.280 He goes to the place where God spoke to him. 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:27.120 And what does he do? 00:08:28.140 --> 00:08:31.480 Verse 4 says that he calls on the name of the Lord. 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:35.600 What do you think his cry to God was at that time? 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.340 Wouldn't it be a plea of forgiveness? 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:44.300 Wouldn't it be a cry for God to show his amazing mercy and grace? 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:48.980 Wouldn't it be a cry for forgiveness for Abraham's doubts and failings? 00:08:51.780 --> 00:08:54.460 Perhaps as he called out to God, he begged for strength. 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:56.620 Strength to endure. 00:08:58.040 --> 00:09:01.259 Strength to live by faith and not by sight. 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:06.899 Because in Genesis 12, Abraham saw a problem and he thought, 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:07.840 yeah, I'm the solution. 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:08.659 I know what to do. 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:09.700 I know how to fix it. 00:09:11.059 --> 00:09:14.720 But now we see that Abraham needs to look up. 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:18.419 He had a problem, but he can't be the solution to his problem. 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:20.480 God must be his help. 00:09:21.059 --> 00:09:23.519 God must be his deliverer and his provider. 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:25.700 That is exactly what God has promised to do. 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:30.940 And all of this time, despite Abraham's failings, 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:33.640 God has been working and drawing him back. 00:09:33.780 --> 00:09:36.640 God has been protecting him and blessing him. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:38.879 And he's saying, Abraham, come home. 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:43.840 So Abraham looks up and he calls on the name of the Lord. 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:45.400 Abraham worships God. 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:52.140 Abraham worships God because that is the right response when we meet God. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:55.899 Abraham can see God's hand in his life. 00:09:56.199 --> 00:09:58.199 He knows that it's God who's drawing him back. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:02.799 He knows that his fallen heart won't naturally take him towards God. 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:07.379 And he knows that God has remained faithful, even though he hasn't. 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:13.199 God is worthy of Abraham's praise and God is worthy of our praise. 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:16.419 Do we need to look up this evening? 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:20.279 Do we need to realign ourselves with God? 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:26.319 Life is full of ups and downs, full of encouragements and discouragements. 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:29.919 But let me say that there is one person who is a constant. 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:35.159 There is one person who, despite our failings, despite our doubting, 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:38.259 will never leave us nor forsake us. 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:42.919 And that is our loving Heavenly Father, God himself. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:47.720 Maybe Abraham called out to God, 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:50.460 Lord, I don't deserve these promises. 00:10:51.460 --> 00:10:52.980 I don't deserve your forgiveness. 00:10:53.160 --> 00:10:54.420 I don't deserve your mercy. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:57.800 But please, would you grant them to me? 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:00.840 And all of that is true. 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:04.040 Nobody deserves God's forgiveness. 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:07.480 Nobody deserves to be called and used by God. 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:10.840 But God forgives and uses people all the time 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:15.259 because he is an amazing, wonderful God who has created us with a purpose. 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:21.480 Maybe you're here this evening and you've been on a little bit of a detour. 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:25.420 Maybe you've been on an Egypt experience. 00:11:27.300 --> 00:11:29.080 Would you call out to God this evening? 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:32.540 Would you call out and ask for forgiveness? 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:34.480 Would you be drawn back to God? 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:37.960 Or maybe you haven't wondered. 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:40.399 Maybe you haven't gone to Egypt as it were. 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:43.500 But don't we all need to be realigned with God on a daily basis? 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:48.100 We've just sung these words earlier on in the service. 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:50.600 I'm coming back to the heart of worship. 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:52.659 It's all about you, Jesus. 00:11:53.659 --> 00:11:56.379 I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing that I've made it 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:58.980 when it's all about you, Jesus. 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:02.560 Aren't these words true for each of us? 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:05.139 Our lives become about our stuff, 00:12:05.859 --> 00:12:08.599 our jobs, our houses, our families, our car. 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:13.859 But we've got to come back and confess that it is all about Jesus. 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.979 He's the only reason that we can stand here. 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:18.299 And this should be our prayer. 00:12:18.579 --> 00:12:19.539 I'm coming back. 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:21.459 Help me come back. 00:12:22.939 --> 00:12:24.500 So let's look up to God. 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:27.239 Let's come back to him and let's worship God 00:12:27.239 --> 00:12:29.659 because that is what we were created to do. 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:32.000 Let's look up. 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:36.000 The second thing that we see in this passage 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:38.899 when Abraham is being called back to God 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:40.719 in verses 5 to 13 00:12:40.719 --> 00:12:42.939 is that we should look out. 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:45.000 Abraham should look out. 00:12:45.959 --> 00:12:48.159 Now this lookout is not necessarily 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:50.559 that Abraham should look out on the land, 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:52.359 although that does come in verse 10. 00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:54.919 But I think that this lookout is a warning. 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:58.479 So if you can imagine an exclamation mark after that, 00:12:58.579 --> 00:12:58.860 look out. 00:12:58.939 --> 00:12:59.439 It's a warning. 00:12:59.559 --> 00:12:59.979 Look out. 00:13:01.979 --> 00:13:03.500 Abraham has just worshipped God. 00:13:05.199 --> 00:13:07.279 And he's just realigned himself with God. 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:09.099 And often when someone has just met with God, 00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:09.779 they're excited. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:11.879 They're encouraged in their faith. 00:13:11.939 --> 00:13:13.639 They feel that they can take on the whole world 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.339 because they know the God that is with them. 00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:18.320 And it's at times like this 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:21.280 when reality hits, 00:13:21.780 --> 00:13:23.259 that we are in a fallen world. 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:25.740 It's at times like this where sin 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:29.120 is knocking at the door of our hearts and minds, 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:31.920 trying to pull our attention away from God. 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:35.639 And it's at this point in Abraham's life 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:37.779 that quarreling begins. 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:41.279 Abraham and Lot were both wealthy, 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:43.759 materially blessed with flocks and herds. 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:45.039 Look at verse 6. 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:48.439 It says their possessions were so great 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:50.279 that they were not able to stay together. 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:53.099 The shepherds begin to argue. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:56.459 So how does Abraham react? 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:58.919 How does this man react who has just worshipped God, 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.399 who has been realigned with God? 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:03.179 Well, he turns to Lot and in verse 8, 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:03.759 he says, 00:14:04.319 --> 00:14:06.220 let's not have any quarreling between you and me 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:09.459 or between your herders and mine, 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:10.860 for we are close relatives. 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:13.699 It is not the whole land before you. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.899 Let's part company. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.899 If you go to the left, 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.179 I will go to the right. 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:19.799 If you go to the right, 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:21.360 I will go to the left. 00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:24.980 There are two things I'd like us to notice 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:26.840 about Abraham's response here. 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:30.019 First of all, Abraham is a peacemaker. 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:32.319 He initiates peace. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:33.959 And then second, 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:36.179 he submits to the will of his nephew. 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:40.319 Instead of pulling rank on his nephew, Lot, 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:42.259 instead of insisting that he, 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.559 as the head of the family, 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:46.579 should have the right to pick out his land, 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:48.439 he turns to Lot and says, 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:50.240 you know, you choose which land you want. 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.379 You take first pick. 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:54.840 Abraham's spiritual renewal, 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:56.860 his being brought back to God, 00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:59.679 has brought him in line with God's will. 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:03.439 Abraham is no longer deciding to trust in himself 00:15:03.439 --> 00:15:06.879 or to rely on his own means to sort himself out. 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:09.600 But instead, he says, 00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:10.460 take what you want, Lot. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.320 I have God on my side. 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:17.660 Could it be that Abraham now trusts in the promises 00:15:17.660 --> 00:15:18.740 that God has given him? 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:23.560 Perhaps Abraham now knows that his God is faithful. 00:15:25.520 --> 00:15:28.879 Maybe Abraham has realized that despite his failings, 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:32.560 he is still the recipient of God's promises 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:33.620 and God's blessings. 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:37.000 And so in trust and reliance on God, 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:38.240 Abraham says to Lot, 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:40.320 you take whichever area you want. 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:42.399 God has me sorted. 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:45.000 Now this is such a stark, 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:48.200 stark contrast with the Abraham we meet in Genesis 12, 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.639 isn't it? 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:52.179 Look back with me at Genesis 12, verse 13. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:55.340 Abraham says to his wife, Sarai, 00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:57.419 say that you are my sister 00:15:57.419 --> 00:16:01.379 so that I will be treated well for your sake 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:04.480 and then my life will be spared because of you. 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:08.139 He cares more about himself than he does his wife. 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.899 But now in chapter 13, verse 9, 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:13.439 he says, if you go to the left, 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.360 I'll go to the right. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:15.779 If you go to the right, 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:17.059 I will go to the left. 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.240 He's changed. 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:21.120 And what a transformation it is. 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:25.340 What a change God has brought about in this man's life. 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:29.159 Now this is not a result of Abraham reading 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:31.299 a make yourself a better person book. 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:33.639 He's not read a self-help book. 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:37.159 But this is the result of a man who met God. 00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:41.539 See, when people meet the God of this universe, 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:44.419 they will not walk away unchanged. 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:47.299 We thought about this this morning 00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:48.600 as we looked at Zacchaeus, 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:51.960 a complete transformation in a man's life 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:53.480 because of God's grace. 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:55.340 And the same has happened here in Abraham. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.980 God has changed Abraham's heart 00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:01.100 and now he is relying on God's promises. 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:05.599 Here we see a man transformed by God. 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:09.980 But Abraham is not the hero of this story. 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:13.500 God is the hero of this story. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:16.559 Abraham is not the one who's changed himself, 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:18.700 but it is God who has brought him back. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:21.579 God is the hero of this whole story. 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:23.160 And over this whole series, 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.599 as we continue, 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:26.179 we will hopefully see that. 00:17:28.219 --> 00:17:29.959 And so Lot looks out at the land 00:17:29.959 --> 00:17:34.079 and he sees that the Valley of Jordan is amazing. 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:36.039 It's green. 00:17:36.399 --> 00:17:37.779 It's well irrigated. 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:39.299 It's perfect for all his sheep. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:43.359 I wonder if you remember back to the old Windows PCs 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:45.839 when they first arrived and you took them out of their box. 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:50.220 The first default picture that many of them had was this. 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:55.339 And this is the land that Lot looks out and sees. 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:55.799 Perfect. 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.959 It's like a green ocean. 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:58.539 It's like a sheep's dream. 00:17:59.199 --> 00:18:00.519 They could eat to their content. 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:01.599 There was not a problem. 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:03.259 And Lot looks at this and he says, 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:05.180 yes, that's the land I want. 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:07.240 I'd be daft if I didn't take it. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:12.879 But maybe you've noticed an interesting detail in verse 10. 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:17.220 The author likens this land to the garden of the Lord 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:18.539 or the land of Egypt. 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:22.000 Now these are descriptions which point to the beauty 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:25.220 and quality of the land that Lot sees. 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:27.359 But there was one problem. 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:32.940 Verse 12 tells us that Lot was moving towards Sodom. 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:36.440 Now we'll hear more about Sodom in a few weeks 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:39.420 when we get to Genesis chapters 18 and 19. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:42.819 But look what the author says in verse 13. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:46.420 Now the people of Sodom were wicked 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:50.119 and were sinning greatly against the Lord. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:54.700 So on the surface, this land might have looked perfect. 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:55.799 It looked great. 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:56.740 It looked good. 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.940 It looked like a no-brainer. 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:01.339 Lot thought he'd be silly if he didn't take it. 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:04.919 But at the core, this land was rotten. 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:10.779 J.C. Ryle is a famous bishop and author from the 1800s. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:14.919 And in his book, Holiness, he says this about Lot's decision. 00:19:15.919 --> 00:19:19.039 Lot chose by sight and not by faith. 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:23.459 He asked no counsel of God to preserve him from mistakes. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:27.759 He looked to the things of time, not to the things of eternity. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:32.200 He thought of his worldly profit and not of his soul. 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:35.779 He considered only what would help him in this life. 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:39.319 And he forgot the solemn business of the life to come. 00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:41.900 This was a bad beginning. 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:46.500 So the land that Lot saw was really good on the outside. 00:19:47.300 --> 00:19:49.400 But at the core, it was rotten. 00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:53.019 The people who lived there did not walk in line with God. 00:19:53.080 --> 00:19:57.019 In fact, they completely rejected God and they sinned greatly. 00:19:58.280 --> 00:20:01.259 Lot made this decision based on what he could see. 00:20:02.040 --> 00:20:06.320 But Abraham makes the decision based on God's faithfulness. 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:08.740 He rests in God. 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:13.460 Now, because of our time in history, we can see that Lot made the wrong decision. 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:15.619 The Bible records that for us. 00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:19.279 But can't we also see God's protection of Abraham? 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:27.460 Because God in his sovereign plan is not letting Abraham move to a place which is rotten at the core. 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:30.579 A place which might draw him away from God. 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:39.679 God is changing Abraham's heart and Abraham is now focused on God and not on what he can see before him. 00:20:42.439 --> 00:20:44.519 What are our tendencies to make plans? 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:49.099 Do we, like Lot, focus on the things that we see? 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.879 Focus on the world around us? 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:56.259 Or do we rest on the promises and faithfulness of God? 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:58.720 And the promises that he has given us in his word? 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:03.579 I think it's so easy for us to focus on the here and now. 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:08.399 To live life for today and to let the future me worry about the problems of tomorrow. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:15.839 But the Bible encourages us to have an eternal perspective on everything. 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:18.119 An eternal perspective on life. 00:21:18.199 --> 00:21:20.220 Look at life from God's point of view. 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:25.139 All of the things that we see in this world, all the things that we have, 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:27.220 will be gone in the blink of an eye. 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:33.319 And none of our possessions or stuff will matter to us as we stand before God. 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:36.960 We were created for eternity. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.720 Let's have an eternal perspective. 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:44.819 There's no point for a person to gain the whole world, 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:47.259 but to forfeit their very soul. 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:54.600 Instead, let us live lives as God wants us to and tells us to in his word. 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:59.019 In Matthew chapter 5 verse 9, Jesus says this, 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:03.519 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:06.279 What would our lives be like? 00:22:06.919 --> 00:22:09.899 What would our witnessing for Jesus be like? 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:13.539 If we sought peace where peace was lacking. 00:22:13.959 --> 00:22:18.159 If we did what Abraham did and sought peace in all of our relationships. 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:24.019 Imagine if the global church was a community which showed the true unity of Jesus 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:27.980 and encouraged peace in every case. 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:31.440 If we took the example of Abraham, 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:35.019 and if we take the words of Jesus in Matthew 5 seriously, 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:38.000 then I think it would make such a difference 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:41.259 to how we interact with friends and families and co-workers 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:43.220 and the world in general around us. 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:48.519 Our desire should be to live lives which are living testimonies 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:50.400 to the greatness of our God. 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:53.259 There is no better way to live, 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:56.079 there's no better way to do that than living, 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:59.200 than by living according to what God has told us in his word. 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:04.240 And I think the same warning that Abraham, 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:07.440 that I see there in verses 5 to 13, 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.259 that we should look out, 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.920 I think the same warning applies to us. 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:14.080 When we've just spent time with God in his word, 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:17.340 when we've just gathered with our church family 00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:19.660 to praise God and to learn from his word, 00:23:20.060 --> 00:23:23.560 isn't that the time where sin is creeping at the door of our hearts and minds? 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:28.120 Isn't that the time where we walk out the doors and we're distracted? 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:32.259 The world wants to pull us away from God, 00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:34.980 but we need to keep our eyes fixed on God. 00:23:35.620 --> 00:23:39.160 We need to keep our hearts in line with him and in line with his will. 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:42.779 And to do that, we need to be in constant prayer. 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:47.140 Our lives need to be about worshipping God, 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.920 the God who is sovereign, 00:23:49.300 --> 00:23:51.019 the God who is protecting us, 00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:52.560 the God who is guarding us. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.620 So let's be careful. 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.440 Let's look out. 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.519 Let's be peacemakers. 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:01.800 Let's be people who base our lives on eternity, 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:06.259 people who base our lives on God's word 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.940 rather than on what we see. 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:12.180 So Abraham's return to God. 00:24:12.580 --> 00:24:15.420 He's looked up and he's had to look out. 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:17.519 And now in verses 14 to 18, 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:20.040 God says, Abraham, look around. 00:24:20.820 --> 00:24:21.680 Look around. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:24.779 So after Lot and Abraham separate, 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.800 God tells Abraham to look around, 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:28.580 to survey the land that's before him. 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:32.420 He doesn't say this just so that Abraham has a nice view for a while, 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:38.259 but he says this because this is the land that God had promised him. 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:43.259 This is the land that God had promised Abraham and his descendants forever. 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:48.079 Now can you imagine Abraham's relief as he hears the voice of God again? 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:54.819 Abraham's past failures do not affect the way God is interacting with him now 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:58.420 because God is faithful to the promises that he has given to his servants. 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:02.799 Abraham needs to have faith and trust in God 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:08.680 because the land that he stands on currently belongs to the Canaanites and to the Perizzites. 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:13.059 And he needs to have faith because this man is in his 70s. 00:25:13.399 --> 00:25:14.740 He has no children. 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:19.379 His wife is barren, but he's supposed to be the father of a huge nation. 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:25.180 Every onlooker on this situation would stand there and say, 00:25:25.260 --> 00:25:27.000 Abraham, go home. 00:25:29.520 --> 00:25:32.620 Go live out your life in peace, in quiet. 00:25:34.060 --> 00:25:35.880 That would be the logical thing to do. 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:39.680 But if you look at this from an eternal perspective, 00:25:39.780 --> 00:25:41.820 if you look at this from the perspective of God, 00:25:42.760 --> 00:25:47.940 if you remember that these promises are not coming from a normal person, 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:50.059 but they are coming from the God of this world, 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:52.519 the God who made this world, 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:55.340 the God who spoke the world into being, 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:57.480 the God who doesn't dish out empty promises. 00:25:58.620 --> 00:26:02.720 But this is the God who remains faithful despite our failings. 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:06.940 This is the God who remains faithful to his word, 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.140 the God who never changes. 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:11.360 Take all of that into account and the character of God. 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:14.299 It makes sense, doesn't it, for Abraham to have faith? 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:19.079 Now, I once stood on a plot of land in Romania 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:21.779 with a friend of mine who just bought a plot of land. 00:26:22.659 --> 00:26:25.139 And as he stood there in this field, 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:28.000 he looked at me with a huge smile on his face. 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:29.119 He was like, this is my house. 00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:31.700 I was like, wow, he's lost it. 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:36.919 But it made sense once I heard his plans. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:40.440 It made sense once he showed me the blueprints 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:43.299 and I could see what was going to come in just a few months. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:45.700 And then once I saw that, I could imagine it. 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.759 And I got excited with him and for him. 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:53.440 Now, Abraham is looking at a land which God would give him. 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:56.640 But God has told him what's going to happen. 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:58.840 God has told him how this is going to work out. 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:01.160 Abraham doesn't need to see any plans. 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:04.820 He doesn't need to know the blueprint of God's grand design. 00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:06.140 Do you know why? 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:10.320 Because he has the grand designer standing with him. 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:14.900 Abraham is now walking in line with God. 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:18.460 God has transformed his heart and he is trusting in the faithful 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:21.200 and promise-keeping God that he worships. 00:27:22.020 --> 00:27:23.720 So Abraham pitches his tent. 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:27.920 And he worships God. 00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:28.980 He builds an altar. 00:27:30.280 --> 00:27:32.440 Abraham looked around and he worshiped God. 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:36.080 Now, in the world that we live in, 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:39.860 the world focuses on the physical and material things. 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:42.100 So often we can be discouraged. 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:45.200 We can think maybe that God's absent. 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:47.320 That God has left us or abandoned us. 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:50.380 That God has walked away from the promises that he has given us. 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.980 But let me say that none of that is true. 00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:57.299 The life of Abraham shows us that God is faithful. 00:27:57.299 --> 00:28:02.879 That God will never go back on his promises and that his promises will be fulfilled. 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:07.619 In this chapter, we've seen Abraham worship God twice. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:11.819 The first time he built an altar and worshiped God. 00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:14.680 And the second time he returned to the altar, sorry. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:17.720 And the second time he built another altar to the Lord. 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:21.460 So what is the result of a transformed heart? 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:25.119 What is the result of a man who's been realigned with God? 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:26.680 Well, it is a life of worship. 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:32.039 A life that is dedicated to enjoying God. 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:35.639 Abraham has reasons to worship God. 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:40.059 This old man was promised the land on which he stands. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:44.539 But we too have a reason to worship God. 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:50.579 Because we sit here this evening as a result of these promises given to Abraham. 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:52.119 How exactly? 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:57.959 Well, the promised land that Abraham is given is not just any land. 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:02.419 This land is the land where the nation of Israel will live. 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:04.719 Where the people of God will dwell. 00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:07.899 This is the land where God will dwell with his people. 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:13.459 Abraham's descendants are to be living representatives of God and God's goodness. 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:20.180 Every nation in the world should have been able to look at Israel and see God's strength, God's might and God's power. 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:26.120 Israel was supposed to be a light to the world from this land that he had given them. 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:34.199 And if you fast forward in time, this is the land and these are the people through whom Jesus Christ would come. 00:29:35.699 --> 00:29:40.939 Throughout the whole story of the Bible, there is one big theme which stretches through that. 00:29:41.199 --> 00:29:44.279 And that is the story of how God will restore this world to himself. 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:49.879 The Bible tells us the amazing story of God's plan to redeem this world. 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:54.420 And it started with this little old man in Canaan. 00:29:55.139 --> 00:30:00.599 And it was made possible through a man who died on a cross years later through Jesus Christ. 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:04.720 The son of God who came into this world, who lived in this promised land. 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:10.240 And who taught the people of God about their need to return to God. 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:16.700 And so how did Abraham's land and offspring become a blessing to the world? 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:22.920 Well, all of this was a blessing because this is the place where the savior of the world would be born. 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:27.799 But Jesus didn't only come to save the land of Canaan. 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:31.500 He didn't only come to save the people of Israel. 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:38.259 No, God came to restore the whole of fallen and broken humanity to God. 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:41.140 All those who call on his name. 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:43.920 That is what these promises are pointing forward to. 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:47.740 And that is the redemption story of the Bible. 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:55.099 Now if we think about that, doesn't it make sense that right at the beginning of these promises, Abraham worships God? 00:30:56.779 --> 00:31:03.599 But even more pressing, as we look back on all these events, doesn't it make sense for us to worship God too? 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:09.959 See, we can look at Genesis chapter 13 and see what Abraham did. 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.799 That is important. 00:31:10.919 --> 00:31:14.619 But the most important thing to focus on in this chapter is God. 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:20.099 To see what God has done, the amazing things that God has promised. 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:24.500 And to see that despite Abraham's failings, God is faithful. 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:29.740 And the great news is that God's faithfulness has not ended. 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:35.559 God's faithfulness is not bound by our failings. 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:40.339 Our sketchy pasts don't stop God from working in us. 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:43.279 Will we look around this evening? 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:49.640 Will we see the marvelous work that God has done through the whole history of this world? 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:51.019 And will we worship him? 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:55.859 Will we realign ourselves with God? 00:31:58.500 --> 00:32:01.240 Will we live in step with the God of this universe? 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:02.559 The God who created us? 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.960 The God who loves us? 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:06.279 And the God who has designed us with a purpose? 00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:10.819 The God who has sent his son so that we can return to him? 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:14.420 Will we realign ourselves with him this evening? 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.619 Let's pray together. 00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:17.720 Amen. 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:28.920 Heavenly Father, we come before you this evening. 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:32.819 And we confess that we are a people who wander. 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:38.559 We are a people whose hearts and minds constantly pull us away from you. 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:43.879 And yet, Lord, we thank you so much that you are always faithful. 00:32:43.880 --> 00:32:47.660 Lord, we thank you for your goodness. 00:32:48.300 --> 00:32:53.000 We thank you for the offer of salvation which was made possible through your son, Jesus Christ. 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:55.660 Lord, help us look to you. 00:32:56.660 --> 00:33:01.720 Help us live by faith and help us live lives of worship and devotion to you. 00:33:01.780 --> 00:33:04.660 The only one who is worthy of our praise. 00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:11.240 And we ask this in the mighty and precious name of your son, Jesus Christ. 00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.400 Amen.