Genesis 14:1-16 NKJV And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations, (2) that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). (3) All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). (4) Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. (5) In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim, (6) and the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is by the wilderness. (7) Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and attacked all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazezon Tamar. (8) And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim (9) against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. (10) Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains. (11) Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. (12) They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. (13) Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram. (14) Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. (15) He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. (16) So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
- So let’s recap real quick where we are and what is going on.
- A couple of weeks ago I preached through Genesis 13, and we saw how Lot and Abram decided to divide the land.
- Lot was selfish and not Spirit led in his decision, and he chose the land that was the must lush, flowing with waterfalls and springs and rains… like the garden of Eden!
- But it was also the land where the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah where, the two most wicked cities possibly in the history of mankind, but certainly in that day.
- Lot ends up moving right next to Sodom, and would later move into Sodom and even become a city official…
- Now we get into chapter 14, the beginning of which we just read.
- Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as some other cities, were under the rule of King Chedorlaomer, and they had to pay taxes and tributes…
- At some point 5 of these cities, including Sodom and Gomorrah, under Chedorlaomer rebelled! NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
- But Chedorlaomer has allies, and three of his allies joined him and there was a great battle, the 5 kings including Sodom and Gomorrah, and the 4 kings including Chedorlaomer.
- In the end, Chedorlaomer wins and the rebellious kings flee.
- Chedorlaomer and his armies then plunder Sodom and Gomorrah taking their riches and their people, and with this Lot get’s captured and taken as a slave.
- My question for lot is today’s sermon Title…
- WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?!
- WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN LOT?! You shacked up in the most unholy place on earth… what did you think was going to happen?
- You thought you would be blessed living in such close proximity to sin?
- Remember from two weeks ago the important line I preached: Sin Adjacent becomes sin Abundant!
- So Lot was captured and enslaved… righteous lot has become slave Lot…
- And that would be the end of the story… But God!
- Abram raises up a small army and goes to war with Chedorlaomer and wins a decisive victory… and in so doing rescues his nephew, Lot…
- So what can we learn from these events? I think the Holy Spirit would have us learn two things… first we need to learn this: When YOU mix with the World, Expect to Fall with the World!
- That is my first point this morning.
Point One – When YOU Mix with the World, Expect to Fall with the World
Genesis 14:11-12 NKJV Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. (12) They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
- It is interesting to me that verse twelve starts with the phrase “They also”…
- Showing that Lot and his goods are not the same thing as Sodom and Gomorrah and their goods.
- Remember, scripture calls Lot righteous…
- Lot was righteous, but not very bright sometimes… he made mistakes…
- And as we learned two weeks ago, you can be righteous and still make mistakes… you can be righteous and still believe wrong things and make wrong decisions.
- Lot was, at this point in his life, NOT a part of Sodom and Gomorrah, at least not officially, but he was there… he was near them, he was sin adjacent…
- And in so doing, he was caught up in their drama…
- Now Lot had no stake in this battle, Lot was not rebelling against Chedorlaomer, Lot was not trying to defend his friends or family or things… Lot was just living his best life right there next to sin city one and sin city two…
- But none-the-less, Lot was captured and taken away.
- WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, LOT?
- Did you think that sin was going to leave you well enough alone…
- Did you think that Satan was going to ignore you, setting up camp next to perversion.
- Did you think that you were some how favored because YOU got the best land, through your own selfish ambition.
- WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?
1 Peter 5:8 NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
- Or be like lot, instead of being sober, be selfish! Instead of being vigilant, be lazy… instead of watching out for the devil, who prowls around like a lion…
- instead of avoiding the hungry lion, do like Lot and do your best to get as close to Satan as possible… without actually climbing into his jaws!
Ephesians 4:27b ESV Give no opportunity to the devil.
- Or, ask your real estate agent to get you as CLOSE to the devil as possible.
2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- Or, you know, be like Lot. Instead of fleeing from lust, move in with lust… instead of pursing righteousness, faith, love, and peace… pursue the best land, pursue what your eyes tell you look good instead of pursuing the things of God…
- BUT LISTEN, WHEN YOU ACT LIKE LOT AND RUN TOWARD THE DEVIL.
- WHEN YOU ACT LIKE LOT AND RUN TOWARD TEMPTATION.
- WHEN YOU ACT LIKE LOT AND LOOK SELFISHLY INSTEAD OF BY FAITH…
- DON’T ACT SURPRISED WHEN YOU GET TAKEN CAPTIVE BY THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD.
- But pastor I don’t have anything to do with Chedorlaomer!
- Yeah, well HE has something to do with you, because you put yourself in his line of fire.
- As a pastor I have seen it so many times, and so many times my response has been “WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?!
- Righteous people playing around, having one foot in the world and one foot in the church.
- Young Christian couples moving in together before they are married…
- “BUT PASSTORRR! Where in the Bible does it say we can’t live together?! It’s not like we are having sex”
- “But ABRAMMMM… where in the covenant does it say I can’t live next to Sodom, it’s not like I am joining in with their sin…”
- Next thing you know you are captured my Chedorlaomer…
- Next thing you know, and I have seen this happen more than once… next thing you know you are pregnant… and you are asking “How did this happen?!”
- REMEMBER WHEN I TOLD YOU NOT TO LIVE TOGETHER?! WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?!
- Want to know where it says in scripture not to live together before you are married? 2 Timothy 2:22… That’s 4 two’s, easy to remember…
- FLEE YOUTHFUL LUSTS!!!!!!!
- How many men and women are in PRISON right now because of what their friend has done… I know a couple who are in prison because they used to be drug addicts, they gave their life to Christ, they gave up drugs, but did not give up their friends…
- “But pastor I am going to lead them to Christ”
- GREAT! Lead them to Christ in the safety of the church! Invite them to church!
- DON’T GO TO THE SAME HOUSE YOU USE TO GET HIGH IN AND TRY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL WHILE YOUR DRUG OF CHOICE IS SITTING ON THE TABLE IN FRONT OF YOU.
- Now you are in prison… WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?!
- I have ministered to men who had affairs and lost their marriages…
- They were just going to lunch every week with a pretty co-worker… it was harmless right… next thing you know… it’s an affair…
- WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?
- Stop listening to the music of Sodom, stop watching the shows of Sodom, stop hanging out with the people of Sodom, stop enjoying the hobbies of Sodom…
- WE ARE CHRISTIANS. WE ARE REDEEMED… WE SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH SODOM EXCEPT CALLING THEM OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NKJV Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (15) And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? (16) And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.” (17) Therefore “COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU.” (18) “I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.”
- Now, I don’t see anywhere in the text where Lot intended to fall into sin with Sodom, nor even, at least not at this point, that he did sin with Sodom.
- Lot’s sin was that he chose his land selfishly, we talked about that a couple weeks ago… and then his stupidity lead him to live next to Sodom.
- I think a lot of righteous Christians fall into captivity, be it drugs, alcohol, greed, gossip, sex… whatever… I think a lot of righteous Christians fall into captivity not because they have a desire to sin, no, to the contrary they have a desire for righteousness… instead it is out of selfishness and stupidity that they move in next to sin…
- It is cheaper to live together… selfish and stupid.
- I really like hanging out with them though… selfish and stupid.
- I just don’t enjoy listening to Christian music so I listen to filth… selfish and stupid.
- But the writing on this show IS SO GOOD… selfish and stupid…
- I know God doesn’t want me to take this job… but think about what I could do with all that money… selfish and stupid…
- Alternatively “I know God DOES want me to take this job… but I don’t want to wake up that early”… selfish and stupid…
- Selfishness and stupidity lead to the capture of Lot, and the capture of many other Christians…
- So point one could be recapped as “Don’t be selfish and stupid”…
- WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?
- When you mix with the world expect to fall with the world… don’t be selfish and stupid… that brings me to point two this morning… When they fall with the world, we must overcome the world.
Point Two – When THEY fall with the world, WE Must Overcome the World.
Genesis 14:14-16 NKJV Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. (15) He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. (16) So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
- THIS WAS NOT ABRAMS PROBLEM…
- Lot was not under the promise and protection of God, Abram was.
- In fact, Abram could have looked at this as a blessing… “Welp, Lot took the best land… and now there is no more Lot… guess I get all the land now!”
- Abram was under not obligation to rescue his cousin… I mean the last interaction they had they were fighting and Abram sacrificed selflessly to make it right…
- Yet Abram Accepted responsibility… a righteous, yet selfish and stupid, man had ben captured… a man Abram loved. And ABRAM DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
- Abram, under the blessing and protection of God, marched against the enemy and took back what was stolen from him.
“Well I went to the enemies camp and I, I took back what he stole form me, I took back what he stole from me! Well I went to the enemies camp and I took back what he stole from me!”
- When I sing that song I often think of taking back peace, and joy, and love, and contentment…
- I think about how the enemy tries to steal my joy and I go into his camp and take it back!
- But until today I have never thought of it in the eyes of Abram and Lot… Abram went into the enemies camp and took back LOT!
- What if, saints, what if we did not give up on people when their stupidity and selfishness has put them in the enemies camp…
- What if we went into the enemies camp and TAKE THEM BACK.
- What if we went into the prison and said “I love you! And even thought your own stupidity and selfishness brought you here… Jesus sacrificed to set you free, and I am going to sacrifice to love you even in this hard time… I won’t give up on you.
- What if we help take care of children who are born out of wedlock?
- What if we open our homes to let people stay with us because they feel like the only option is to live with their girlfriend…
- What if instead of ostracizing those believers, we loved them, helped them, discipled them… RESCUED THEM.
- OUR CHURCH IS FULL OF SUCH BELIEVERS and I am grateful for each and every one of you.
- What if we became a church that says “When you fall with the world, I will overcome the world and rescue you!”.
1 John 5:4-5 NKJV For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (5) Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
- Look at the events of Lot and Abram…
- Both of these men were called righteous… but one man made selfish, but practical choices…
- I mean, Lot made the best financial decision for himself… he choice the well watered land, where his crops would grow and his livestock would multiply.
- And living next to the city makes sense, where he can use their amenities and sell his goods there.
- Abram made, seemingly, a poor financial decision…
- Letting Lot chose the best land… now Abram is stuck with this subpar desert land. By all visible metrics Abram was going to lose livestock and money, growing crops would be difficult… not to mention the giants in the land…
- But Abram lived by faith… and it was ABRAM who overcame the world.
- Saints, Amanda was on her way to stardom when God told her to marry me.
- It was a fiscally poor decision… if she would have stayed single and pursued her career, or at the very least married someone who would better her carrier instead of bring her to Iowa… she might be very wealthy and famous right now…
- But how many wealthy musicians find themselves in bondage, find themselves being lead astray by Chedorlaomer?
- Now Amanda may not be rich and famous… but she is the one raising up armies to go after the captured ones… the lost sheep.
- I left behind a great carrier in Seattle to be planted in Iowa…
- But none of that money or stability would have helped the people in Sapporo Japan…
- Listen, there are many people in this room who are SUPERHEROE’S OF THE FAITH… and as I feel so fired up from the 10 year… let us in the faith overcome the world…
- I want our church to GROW GROW GROW… but let us grown not just because the preaching is good and the worship is good… which is an ok reason to grow.
- Let us grow not JUST because people are getting saved here… which is a great reason to grow.
- But let us also grow because we go into the enemies camp and we take back what he has stolen from us.
- Because we live by faith and our faith overcomes the world.
- Because we don’t give up on people even when they make stupid decisions.
- And church, that is messy sometimes… but I thank God that he is not afraid of messy, because he came and saved me!
Romans 8:35-37 NKJV Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written: “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER.” (37) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
- Shall Chedorlaomer separate us from the love of Christ?! NO!
- And if he tries, I am going to march into his camp and take back what he stole from me!
- AMEN?! Amen!
Conclusion
- If you have been selfish and stupid this morning I want you to know there is forgiveness… your job is simply to learn from your mistakes and move on… and if you need help, that is what discipleship is for.
- If you know someone who has been selfish and stupid… and now they are living in the consequences of their decisions and you are over here shouting “WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN”
- Can I just encourage you to take the stance of Abram…
- Satan is called the accuser, don’t join him in accusation.
- Instead overcome him by faith.
- If you have loved ones reaping the consequences of their sin, selfishness, or stupidity… can I challenge you to love them enough not to give up on them.
- To love them enough to go and rescue them.
- Don’t affirm there sin, Jesus often rescues sinners and instructs them “go and sin no more”, but can I challenge you to soften your heart, accept responsibility, raise up and army if you need to, and go into the enemies camp and TAKE BACK what he stole from you.
- Your son, or your daughter who was stolen… take them back.
- Your friend or your coworker… take them back…
- That person who used to be your brother in Christ and stabbed you in the back… Go into the camp of Chedorlaomer and TAKE HIM BACK!
Join us this Sunday at either 8:30AM or 10:30AM for worship followed by this message from the Word of God. Christian Life Church of Cedar Rapids. 2808 Schaeffer DR SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. www.CedarRapidsChurch.com
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