WEBVTT 00:00:00.420 --> 00:00:08.859 Well, good evening everybody. It's great to see you all here and thank you so much Jamie for leading that time of worship. That was really excellent. 00:00:10.540 --> 00:00:18.800 Hi, my name's Tim Foster. Just in case you've never met me before, I'm an intern here and occasionally I have the great privilege of opening God's Word here. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:34.380 I came across the story of Charles Lightroller recently. He was a second officer of the RMS Titanic, the highest ranking officer that survived that disaster in the North Atlantic. 00:00:34.900 --> 00:00:45.120 And during that disaster, it was he who was in charge of the lifeboats and who enabled so many passengers to escape the sinking ship. 00:00:45.119 --> 00:00:56.099 Not only that, he served as an officer in the British Navy during the First World War and was decorated many times and retired with the rank of commander. 00:00:56.479 --> 00:00:59.439 Not doing so badly as an interesting life goes. 00:01:00.140 --> 00:01:12.239 But many of you will know a later episode of his life from the recent film Dunkirk, where he inspired the character Mr. Dawson. 00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:21.619 As a retired man, he had bought a private motor boat, a motor yacht, sorry, which was licensed to carry 21. 00:01:21.759 --> 00:01:23.859 I'm sure boat enthusiasts would have my head. 00:01:24.759 --> 00:01:31.799 Early in the Second World War, of course, the British and the French were pushed back to Dunkirk by the German forces. 00:01:32.419 --> 00:01:35.640 And from there, so many of us, it's such a familiar story. 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:39.500 A hasty evacuation was executed. 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:41.159 But there was a problem. 00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:47.759 The larger Navy ships couldn't get close to the shallow beaches, sandy beaches. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:57.379 And because the evacuation required smaller boats, many small boats from the south coast of England were requisitioned by the Navy. 00:01:58.219 --> 00:02:01.359 Some were crewed by sailors from the Navy. 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:04.099 But there weren't enough sailors. 00:02:04.099 --> 00:02:10.859 And some, like the sundown or that vessel that you see on the PowerPoint there. 00:02:11.659 --> 00:02:13.219 This man's boat. 00:02:13.859 --> 00:02:16.539 They were taken by their civilian owners. 00:02:16.539 --> 00:02:17.539 They saw a boat. 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:25.919 They saw a need and knowing full well the danger of sailing straight into a battle zone. 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:34.599 They took their lives in their hands and they went to rescue the stranded armies from the beaches of Normandy. 00:02:34.599 --> 00:02:45.759 Charles Lightroller, aided by two younger men, saved 130 men from that war zone on a boat supposed to carry 21. 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:59.679 Like Commander Lightroller, we are going to follow in the footsteps of an old man who bravely waded into a war zone to rescue those who were helplessly longing for aid. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:03.439 And we find this story in Genesis chapter 14. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:07.080 I'm going to invite Brenna up to come and to read it for us. 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:12.520 It'd be useful if you had a Bible to open it in front of you because we're going to read it in three sections throughout the night. 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:14.819 So keep it open in front of you if you can. 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:15.939 Brenna, please. 00:03:19.100 --> 00:03:23.800 Thank you very much for saving me from saying those words. 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:29.060 So we find folks caught up in war. 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:31.120 That's what we find first of all, isn't it? 00:03:31.580 --> 00:03:37.439 Two weeks ago, we saw Abraham coming back on track after his failure in Egypt. 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:41.140 He'd failed to trust God, remember, and made a mess. 00:03:41.640 --> 00:03:48.400 But God had brought him back both physically and spiritually to where he was in a relationship with God. 00:03:48.980 --> 00:03:53.400 And as we turn the chapter, aren't we a little surprised by what we find? 00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:58.960 The style and the content of what we've read is remarkably different. 00:03:59.060 --> 00:04:09.560 From everything else that we've read in Genesis so far, it feels almost like the Bible maker accidentally slipped a page of Kings into the middle of Genesis. 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:15.599 The focus has moved away from our chosen man and his family. 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:28.480 And the spotlight has landed on this massive geopolitical situation between some of the nations and city-states that would have dominated the news of the day. 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:36.080 And perhaps Abraham still got copies of the Ur-Chronical forwarded from his hometown. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:39.740 And perhaps they would have had headlines like this. 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:48.680 We read about an alliance that's existed for 12 years where this king, Kederleomar, has ruled the roost. 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:51.340 He is the superpower of his day. 00:04:51.460 --> 00:04:53.360 He is the top dog. 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:57.100 But in year 13, there is rebellion. 00:04:58.360 --> 00:05:07.620 And in year 14, we read that Kederleomar with his three allies come sweeping into roughly the area of modern Israel. 00:05:07.879 --> 00:05:10.840 And they defeat everyone that they find. 00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:22.819 That list of horrible names in 5 and 6 and 7, that's six victories that this eastern coalition of kings win. 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:29.159 And then in verse 8, we come to the battle that is the main focus of the campaign. 00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:44.580 The five kings from the south end of the Dead Sea, they ally together, they sally forth, and they meet these four foreign kings against whom they've rebelled. 00:05:45.820 --> 00:05:48.360 But the battle doesn't even seem to be a contest. 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:53.259 The kings of the valley and their armies flee and are scattered. 00:05:53.860 --> 00:06:00.400 And the foreign kings gobble up their well-won plunder and set off back to their countries. 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:10.280 But notice that here in verse 12, we discover why this whole situation has become the focus of the biblical narrative. 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:14.480 This wasn't a mistake that this happens to be here. 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:27.300 Lot, who chose the valley of Jordan as his residence at the end of chapter 13, has moved south and into Sodom itself. 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:35.960 And though he evidently hasn't taken part in the battle, he's not a soldier, otherwise this wouldn't have happened to him. 00:06:35.960 --> 00:06:40.340 But he's been taken captive by these victorious kings. 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:45.619 And at this stage, we have some serious questions to ask of the story. 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:47.959 Is that it for Lot? 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:54.839 If this was a TV show, the episode would end here and we'd be left wondering, 00:06:54.839 --> 00:07:02.599 was he just an additional cast member who could easily be written out whenever the situation required it? 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:07.179 Did the actor playing Lot get some better deal on another show? 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:09.019 Maybe a starring role? 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:17.519 And it raises some real questions in our hearts about God's care and his ability to intervene in real life. 00:07:17.679 --> 00:07:19.219 Does God see what's happening here? 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:21.779 Does God see what's happening to Lot? 00:07:22.099 --> 00:07:24.199 Does he really care about this family? 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:31.859 But thankfully, we can read the next episode and find out what happens next. 00:07:31.859 --> 00:07:34.419 I'll hand back to Brenna just for a short reading. 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:38.959 Fantastic. Thank you. 00:07:40.339 --> 00:07:46.079 A fortunate escapee from the war makes it to Abraham. 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:56.919 And we see that although Lot was caught up in war, these kings get caught up to by Abraham. 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:00.980 We find at the beginning that he settled into his new surroundings. 00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:10.640 But this news from this man rouses him from his business and causes him to muster his people together. 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:14.280 Bear in mind here that Abraham's around the age of 80. 00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:21.819 He has had his fill perhaps with his nephew. 00:08:22.619 --> 00:08:31.199 Perhaps if we were in Abraham's shoes, we would be tempted to let this situation go down as a terrible family tragedy that just couldn't be helped. 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:35.379 I mean, let's think about this for a minute. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:39.220 He got caught up in a war that's nothing to do with us. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:41.919 Like, come on, Lot, you shouldn't have done that. 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:46.419 The foreign armies are far in excess of my power. 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:47.480 I'm just a businessman. 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:49.439 No, no, I'm not going to get involved. 00:08:49.440 --> 00:08:52.180 They've already turned back and headed home. 00:08:52.680 --> 00:08:56.280 They'll be halfway back to her before I get on my horse. 00:08:56.400 --> 00:08:59.420 It will be no point in even trying. 00:09:00.040 --> 00:09:03.880 Not to mention that, well, I gave Lot the choice. 00:09:05.020 --> 00:09:07.960 And he chose to go near these people of Sodom. 00:09:08.020 --> 00:09:09.640 And we knew that they were bad company. 00:09:10.260 --> 00:09:14.540 And I'm sure I told them many times not to deal with them. 00:09:15.160 --> 00:09:17.980 He should have known better than to live in their city. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:23.840 The possible excuses that Abraham could have gave are plausible. 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:32.620 But Abraham doesn't respond to Lot's situation with apathy or concern for personal comfort even. 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:35.779 Rather, he's moved. 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:44.700 By compassion and duty, he marshals his resources and he uses them graciously. 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:53.400 He's about to get stuck into a situation that all of us would rather avoid if possible. 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:57.259 Who of us would run willingly into war? 00:09:58.920 --> 00:10:01.020 And this has been a real challenge to me. 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:07.620 I, like many of you, am very shy to jump into other people's problems. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:15.179 But here we see a clear example of what we're then taught in the New Testament time and time again. 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:17.740 Of advocating for. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.299 Of standing up for. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:24.560 Of fighting for those who are helpless in their situations. 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:31.119 And that's going to look different for you and me than Abram's armed warfare, right? 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:36.119 I don't expect to have to strap on a sword and get the chainmail on. 00:10:37.319 --> 00:10:41.139 I doubt I'm going to have to raid a house to rescue somebody. 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:50.419 But people like the International Justice Mission do it regularly as part of their work as Christians. 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:57.159 Likewise, I may not offer help to a struggling mum to keep house. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.480 But some of you do. 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:02.559 And that's part of this as well. 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:09.779 As are the phone calls for some of the basics bank clients that Fiona does so often. 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:17.699 For people who maybe have their credit stopped unjustly or get unreasonable demands. 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:25.679 And so are the hours that some of you spend chatting to brothers and sisters who've lost their way. 00:11:27.299 --> 00:11:29.979 Gotten ensnared in sin and in difficulties. 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:34.139 And so the challenge comes back to me. 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:36.920 Are there situations I can be getting involved in? 00:11:37.920 --> 00:11:40.440 Is there anything that I can do to help these people? 00:11:42.820 --> 00:11:48.879 Being a rich man in the ancient Near East, Abram traveled with a village of people around him. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:52.700 It wasn't three or four folk on a donkey in a single tent. 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:55.700 If Abram came near you, you would know it. 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:58.259 There would be a village pop-up overnight. 00:11:58.259 --> 00:12:01.279 If he came to stay near you. 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:07.360 And as part of his household, we read there are 318 trained men. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:10.039 Plus, imagine all their families. 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:12.340 Plus, imagine all their stuff. 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:18.580 And as well as his own force, there are these three Amorite brothers who are his allies. 00:12:18.980 --> 00:12:21.100 And they go with him to rescue Lot. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:24.759 And together they race to catch up with these kings. 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:30.480 Abram is, without a doubt, less experienced in battle. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:37.019 He's a less experienced commander than these kings who have wreaked havoc in the country. 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:40.159 He probably has fewer soldiers. 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:42.159 Although we don't know that for sure. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:47.720 But certainly his soldiers will have been much less experienced in battle. 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:50.600 And quite probably, they're less well armed. 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:52.759 They're his own personal security men. 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:54.340 These aren't a country's army. 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:56.899 These are just his folk. 00:12:56.899 --> 00:13:08.340 But this same Abram, 80 years old, with every odd against him, he leads a daring night attack. 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:13.639 He splits his army into two and routes the enemy completely. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:23.879 He chases them far into modern Syria before turning back, having captured the spoils of war that was taken from Sodom. 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:27.299 Not least, he successfully rescued Lot. 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:31.720 I wonder if that was the reason he went so far after them. 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:37.279 And I don't think we can underestimate God's hand in the victory that Abram won here. 00:13:38.800 --> 00:13:48.800 That a man without any history of war, successfully routed and scattered enemies whose power was renowned in the area. 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:58.480 This guy Kederleomer, he successfully held together a coalition of nations that stretched from the Gulf of Persia to the Mediterranean Sea. 00:13:58.480 --> 00:14:01.580 This was no half-bent king. 00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:05.840 This was no pushover. 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:13.440 And yet this 80-year-old shepherd, with his few hundred men, managed to win. 00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:16.560 This was definitely not down to Abram's skill. 00:14:17.420 --> 00:14:20.399 This was only but for God's input. 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:23.399 But Abram's trials have only begun. 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:30.279 And there's going to be another test of his both abilities and allegiances. 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:34.639 And so can we read together the final section of Genesis 14 together? 00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:35.399 Thanks, Brenna. 00:14:37.819 --> 00:14:39.100 Thank you so much. 00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:45.879 We've seen Lot get caught up in war and Abram with him. 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:48.840 We've seen Abram catching up to these kings. 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:51.060 Now there's this question. 00:14:51.300 --> 00:14:53.560 Is he going to get caught up in politics? 00:14:54.500 --> 00:15:00.340 Coming back victoriously from battle, Abram is met by the king of Sodom. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:05.340 Possibly the same one who fled from the battle or possibly his new successor. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:10.100 It isn't quite clear if he survived his encounter with the tar pit. 00:15:10.920 --> 00:15:13.480 Either way, we ought to be wary of this character. 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:18.300 In chapter 13, the author of Genesis gave us a little breadcrumb. 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:22.420 He talked about these people of Sodom as being exceedingly wicked. 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:27.560 And there's a little bit of apprehension here. 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:32.100 We're wondering, what is this meeting going to come out with? 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:34.240 But right in the middle of the meeting, 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:38.639 Just as you expect the important thing to be discussed. 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:44.680 Just as there's a little bit of talk. 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:49.019 In comes this other character who we've never met before. 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:52.159 And he just comes out of nowhere. 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:54.940 Mochizedek, the king of Salem. 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:58.820 And he comes and he sets out this feast for Abraham. 00:15:58.820 --> 00:16:04.300 And we learn that this king is also a priest of God Most High. 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:08.440 And he does a very strange thing. 00:16:08.520 --> 00:16:09.820 He blesses Abraham. 00:16:11.520 --> 00:16:14.100 This man who's been chosen by God. 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:17.200 And who is God's chosen person. 00:16:17.300 --> 00:16:19.460 You expect him to be going around doing the blessing. 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:20.000 But no. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:23.260 No, this random character, Mochizedek. 00:16:23.380 --> 00:16:24.820 This odd individual. 00:16:25.780 --> 00:16:26.880 He blesses Abram. 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:29.580 And he reminds him of some key truths. 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:32.080 Truths that we too need reminded of. 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:34.620 The God that you have a relationship, 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:36.939 He isn't a local deity. 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:39.360 He's not one of many. 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:40.460 No, no. 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:42.059 He doesn't have a peer. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:46.559 It's not that He's in amongst a pantheon. 00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:49.879 This God, He owns everything. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:52.240 He possesses everything. 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:54.159 Nothing is not His. 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:57.100 The battle you just won, Abram. 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.980 The battle you just won. 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.699 God did that. 00:17:01.579 --> 00:17:04.319 You think you won that battle because of strategy. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.639 Or because of strength. 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.879 Or because of the situation. 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.819 Think again. 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:11.819 God controlled the strategy. 00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:13.819 The strength and the situation. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.740 God did it. 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.319 Not you. 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:18.940 Isn't that a great God to have on your side? 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:22.139 Abram could have been offended at that. 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:24.040 He could have heard that and thought, 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.880 This is some firebrand preacher. 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:28.060 Not going to listen to him. 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:28.680 Much more. 00:17:30.340 --> 00:17:31.060 As could we. 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:35.180 But he recognized the truth when it was spoken. 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:38.660 And he gives Melchizedek 10% of everything. 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:43.220 Abram is recognizing that this priest is God's representative. 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:45.500 He is speaking God's word. 00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:51.060 And Abram is showing his allegiance to God by giving him his stuff. 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:56.119 And we're left to wonder why that's happened. 00:17:57.159 --> 00:18:00.779 And then immediately the king of Sodom cuts back in. 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:04.779 Almost as if he's trying to stamp on the toes of Melchizedek to get him out of the road. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:08.460 And he proposes this deal to Abram. 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:13.740 He offers Abram everything gained in the battle. 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:17.460 In exchange for the people that were rescued. 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:20.180 It's a great deal Abram isn't it? 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:25.140 But Abram outright rejects the proposal. 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:30.079 He sees something in this offer that is dangerous. 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:36.279 And perhaps as we dig into this we'll understand why Melchizedek has shown up here too. 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:41.059 Abram's response is that he has taken an oath. 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:43.620 He's not just said it in his head. 00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:46.919 He's not just rejecting the deal. 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:48.739 I have taken an oath. 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:52.639 Not even to take like not even a thread. 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:56.099 Like one of my guy's uniforms got a bit battered on the way. 00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:58.339 And we took a thread to patch it up. 00:18:58.459 --> 00:18:59.879 Not even a sandal strap. 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:04.299 Like I didn't even take a shoelace from among the spoils. 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:10.019 He wasn't even going to take the smallest expense from Sodom's hoard. 00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:10.979 Why? 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:13.019 Because it would be held over him. 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:16.660 He wouldn't even take reimbursement for the fuel. 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:20.779 Because there was a danger involved in being an ally of Sodom. 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:27.839 Abraham was all too aware that strings were attached to this. 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:33.079 And Sodom, he wouldn't be afraid to pull them at the right time. 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:37.440 Abram didn't stop his allies from taking their share of the plunder. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:41.240 Notice at the end, he wasn't making laws for them to follow. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:47.960 But he was setting himself apart from the profit that was offered to him. 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:53.620 Because he was acutely aware of the fact that he had been set apart by God. 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:57.959 And here we begin to realize what's going on. 00:19:58.579 --> 00:20:01.139 Notice there's two kings in this section. 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:03.699 Offering two very different proposals. 00:20:04.719 --> 00:20:08.599 On the one hand, we have Sodom with his offer of wealth. 00:20:08.959 --> 00:20:15.899 But the hidden agenda of an alliance that would come back maybe to haunt Abram. 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:19.060 On the other hand, we have Salem. 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:25.800 And Salem offers a free banquet and a free blessing with its hard truths. 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:29.500 And he demands nothing but freely gives. 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:33.860 This whole situation is a test of Abram's allegiances. 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:41.639 The question is being asked, will he get caught up in the politics of the region by joining Sodom? 00:20:41.639 --> 00:20:48.619 Or will he remain focused on his purpose as God's chosen ambassador to the world? 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:57.299 And as we see this struggle in Abram's situation, the very same question comes to us in different ways. 00:20:57.679 --> 00:21:00.079 Though we're never quite in a situation like this. 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:04.960 If you ever meet two kings in the one day, please tell me I want to run in the circles that you run in. 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:08.220 Although we're never in a situation quite like this. 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:15.240 Yet the same test is a very real test that many of us will face repeatedly along the same lines. 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:21.519 In our workplaces, in our classrooms, even in our own homes and in our own minds. 00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:25.000 We will come across this repeated challenge. 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:29.099 Will we accept the offer of this world? 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:34.559 Or will we choose to remain allied to God? 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:39.380 This isn't just making a commitment. 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:43.039 Reading our Bibles and keeping ourselves clean. 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:46.119 That's not what I mean by allegiance to God. 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:50.859 For some of us, this will entail a very practical thing. 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:53.479 Not taking a promotion in work. 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.799 Because you know what? 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:59.799 God's gifted me and given me ministries to take part of in church. 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:02.000 And actually they need me. 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:08.799 Rather than this promotion, which will put more responsibilities on me, strain my time and take me away. 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:15.559 For some of us, this will mean taking an unpopular position among our peers. 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:19.059 And standing up and being the odd one out. 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:25.500 But for all of us, this will mean putting God first in our priorities. 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:30.740 Doing uncomfortable things that the folk around us will not understand. 00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:35.839 The offer of Sodom was, I am sure, tempting. 00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:39.440 It would have been easy to accept. 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:43.599 And I speak as one who struggles to overcome temptation. 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:49.079 But too often, we just try to excuse ourselves. 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:51.359 We just explain ourselves away. 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:58.039 We don't take enough care about our allegiance to God to take action in these situations. 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:01.740 But note something here. 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:05.039 Because sometimes this is taken too far. 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:07.219 Note that in the face of temptation, 00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:12.399 Abram did not retreat from living a real life among normal people. 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:22.200 Both the decision to get involved with these warring kings and the decision to have nothing to do with the king of Sodom 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:25.400 came out of Abram's understanding of his call. 00:23:26.560 --> 00:23:30.200 His stance was neither retreat from all contact, 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:34.920 nor was it getting involved with everything that the world is involved in. 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:37.920 He rescued Lot. 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:40.480 He dealt graciously towards him. 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:44.000 He rescued him from this hopeless situation. 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:49.480 Yet, he denied any allegiance or indebtedness to Sodom. 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:53.759 Sure that God would instead provide everything that he needed. 00:23:54.820 --> 00:23:58.720 And instead of accepting Sodom's offer, 00:23:58.720 --> 00:24:01.799 he accepted the blessing of Sodom. 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:04.980 And he gave to Sodom richly in return. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:11.680 If this isn't an incredible picture of what it means to live out God's calling in our lives, 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.680 I'm not sure what is. 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:16.200 I'm going to finish in just a minute. 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:23.100 But maybe we need to think about how we're engaged in the situations and relationships that are close to our hearts. 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:32.579 Perhaps we need to confess where we have failed to be wholeheartedly focused on our mission. 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:39.959 And perhaps we've formed relationships and alliances that don't match up to what God would have for us. 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:44.480 Perhaps we have the opposite problem. 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:50.659 Perhaps we are finding ourselves overwhelmed with the situations of our friends and our family members. 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:53.720 And we're desperate to know how to respond to them. 00:24:55.200 --> 00:25:01.700 Can we take a minute before I hand back to the band, to Jamie. 00:25:02.040 --> 00:25:02.940 Jamie is the band. 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:04.380 Before I hand back to Jamie. 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:07.600 And can we bring these things to our God just for a minute? 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.940 And I'll pray just as we close. 00:25:13.580 --> 00:25:17.920 God most high, you are truly the possessor of heaven and earth. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:21.180 And we ask you to give us all that we need. 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:28.660 We recognize that victory is not assured by our strength or our abilities, but by you. 00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:32.740 And we bring before you all that is in our hearts. 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:38.580 Coming with confidence that you have heard us because of Jesus who stands before you. 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:48.599 Would you glorify yourself in our lives and enable us to live out the gospel as your people here on earth. 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:55.460 Who are wholeheartedly caught up in our calling and who rely completely on you. 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.240 Help us, we pray. 00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:58.639 In Jesus name. 00:25:59.279 --> 00:25:59.579 Amen. 00:25:59.579 --> 00:25:59.679 Amen.