This chapter continues Abram’s story, telling of how he and Lot split up. Today I’d like for us to follow Abrams story and see how God reinforces His promises to Abram.
Read Genesis 13 (Today we will be looking at Abram’s actions, but I want us to also keep in mind that this story is meant to reveal God and His character, not simply provide a human model of action).
According to v2 and v5, what was Abram’s and Lot’s financial situation?
What was the cause of strife between Abram and Lot?
Why did their strife bother Abram?
Abram told Lot to choose the land he wanted and go there.
Do you think Abram’s proposal to solve the problem was radical?
Do you think that Abram’s solution was influenced by what happened in v4?
What causes strife in our families today?
Possible answers: Financial problems, self-centered behavior, external forces.
Lot was Abram’s nephew, but he refers to him as “Brother”. Hebrew word is ach (phonetic awkh)
A primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance. Also translated as kinsman (27 times) or relative (80 times).
Let me suggest that we, in the church family, can run into strife (surprise?).
Here are a few NT ideas on how to deal with strife among family or brothers in Christ:
Matthew 18:15-17 15"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16"But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. 17"If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Galations 6:1-3 1Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Let’s get back to Lot. Lot chose the best looking land based on the fertile ground and fitness for his own personal wealth. We can see what a bad choice this was in hindsight, but given prosperity or struggle, what would you choose?
What are some Biblical principles for making the best choices?
Does the Bible specifically forbid it?
Does the Bible specifically give guidance?
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 – God – to Israel. Choose Obedience!
V14-18: God confirms his promise of the land and Abram’s descendants.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Genesis 12 God's Promises
Genesis 12 Abram – God’s Promises
Listing of genealogy from Shem to Abram.
Read Genesis 12:1-9
Beginning in chapter 12, God promises Abram several things:
Go forth to the land I will show you. (No If).
• I will make you a great nation. Israel.
• I will bless you. “face to face”, Multiple promises, a son, wealth, the line of Jesus
• I will make your name great. – It’s great.
• You shall be a blessing. - His faith is still a blessing.
• I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you, I will curse.
• In you all the families of the earth will be blessed. – Jesus – Of course.
V7 – I will give this land to your descendents. (Canaan)
God kept His promises to Abram.
Promises in the Bible
God will keep all his promises
Psalm 89:34 My covenant I will not violate, Nor will I alter the utterance of My lips.
Some promises are to us (believers, followers of Christ)
James 1:5, NIV. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Some promises are made to individuals in the Bible
Abram
Some Promises are positive, some are negative.
Genesis 3:14-19 – God promised to curse the serpent, the woman, and Adam.
Promises must be understood in the context in which they are presented
Jeremiah 30:17- For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'Because they have called you an outcast, saying: "It is Zion; no one cares for her."'
This verse is presented in the context of delivering Israel and Judah from captivity. Their “sickness” or lack of health is presented figuratively and their deliverance is described as a restoration to health. Picking out promises without understanding the context is dangerous.
Some promises reveal something about God’s character
Numbers 14:17 18'The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.'
Some promises are for the future
Revelation 21:4, NIV. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Listing of genealogy from Shem to Abram.
Read Genesis 12:1-9
Beginning in chapter 12, God promises Abram several things:
Go forth to the land I will show you. (No If).
• I will make you a great nation. Israel.
• I will bless you. “face to face”, Multiple promises, a son, wealth, the line of Jesus
• I will make your name great. – It’s great.
• You shall be a blessing. - His faith is still a blessing.
• I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you, I will curse.
• In you all the families of the earth will be blessed. – Jesus – Of course.
V7 – I will give this land to your descendents. (Canaan)
God kept His promises to Abram.
Promises in the Bible
God will keep all his promises
Psalm 89:34 My covenant I will not violate, Nor will I alter the utterance of My lips.
Some promises are to us (believers, followers of Christ)
James 1:5, NIV. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Some promises are made to individuals in the Bible
Abram
Some Promises are positive, some are negative.
Genesis 3:14-19 – God promised to curse the serpent, the woman, and Adam.
Promises must be understood in the context in which they are presented
Jeremiah 30:17- For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'Because they have called you an outcast, saying: "It is Zion; no one cares for her."'
This verse is presented in the context of delivering Israel and Judah from captivity. Their “sickness” or lack of health is presented figuratively and their deliverance is described as a restoration to health. Picking out promises without understanding the context is dangerous.
Some promises reveal something about God’s character
Numbers 14:17 18'The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.'
Some promises are for the future
Revelation 21:4, NIV. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Genesis 11 Babel
What is the most widely recognized brand on earth?
10 most popular facebook pages
1 Coka-cola
2 Starbucks
3 Oreo
4 Disney
5 Skittles
6 Red Bull
7 Converse All start
8 Victoria’s Secret
9 Converse – like #7
10 Pringles
Today we are going to talk about some People who wanted to make a name for themselves. They wanted fame – a reputation for greatness.
Gen 11:1-9
What was wrong with building a tower that will reach to heaven?
What kind of reputation were they seeking?
What were they worried about? – How did God punish them?
How important is your reputation?
How closely does your reputation actually match your character?
Is your reputation different among family, friends, church, work, community? Why?
What Counts
Samuel is seeking a King to replace Saul
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
David’s prayer (Nathan just told him he would not build the temple)
2 Samuel 7:20 “What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign LORD.
God knows our heart. Our “reputation” with Him matters more than anything others may think about us.
10 most popular facebook pages
1 Coka-cola
2 Starbucks
3 Oreo
4 Disney
5 Skittles
6 Red Bull
7 Converse All start
8 Victoria’s Secret
9 Converse – like #7
10 Pringles
Today we are going to talk about some People who wanted to make a name for themselves. They wanted fame – a reputation for greatness.
Gen 11:1-9
What was wrong with building a tower that will reach to heaven?
What kind of reputation were they seeking?
What were they worried about? – How did God punish them?
How important is your reputation?
How closely does your reputation actually match your character?
Is your reputation different among family, friends, church, work, community? Why?
What Counts
Samuel is seeking a King to replace Saul
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
David’s prayer (Nathan just told him he would not build the temple)
2 Samuel 7:20 “What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign LORD.
God knows our heart. Our “reputation” with Him matters more than anything others may think about us.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Genesis 6 - Obedience in the Midst of a Flood
Obedience to God
Genesis 6:5-22 Key Verse 22, Noah did what God told him to do.
What do these verses say about Noah’s character? V9 – He was righteous, blameless in his time, and he walked with God.
What motivated Noah to obey God?
Was it the threat of the flood? His desire to please God? His faith?
What about the level of detail in this command?
How would you like that level of detail? Every day?
Genesis 7:1-16 The flood. V5 Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him.
V16- Is this a theophany?
Genesis 7:21-24 The consequences. Every living thing died.
What can we learn about God by reading this story?
God is a God of both judgment and grace.
Can what was said of Noah in V5 be said of you?
Do you think obedience was easy for Noah in this situation?
What were his challenges in obeying God?
What challenges do we face in obeying God?
How can we overcome these challenges?
Genesis 8:14-21 The fruit of obedience
What promises does God make in these verses?
What conditions must be met for God to fulfill these promises? None.
God’s Promises
I will never again curse the ground on account of man
I will never again destroy every living thing as I have done.
Seasons will come and go as long as the earth remains.
Noah’s obedience resulted in 950 years of life and a relationship with God like no one else.
He experienced deliverance in a way that most of us can barely imagine.
What is the result of obedience in our lives?
Genesis 6:5-22 Key Verse 22, Noah did what God told him to do.
What do these verses say about Noah’s character? V9 – He was righteous, blameless in his time, and he walked with God.
What motivated Noah to obey God?
Was it the threat of the flood? His desire to please God? His faith?
What about the level of detail in this command?
How would you like that level of detail? Every day?
Genesis 7:1-16 The flood. V5 Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him.
V16- Is this a theophany?
Genesis 7:21-24 The consequences. Every living thing died.
What can we learn about God by reading this story?
God is a God of both judgment and grace.
Can what was said of Noah in V5 be said of you?
Do you think obedience was easy for Noah in this situation?
What were his challenges in obeying God?
What challenges do we face in obeying God?
How can we overcome these challenges?
Genesis 8:14-21 The fruit of obedience
What promises does God make in these verses?
What conditions must be met for God to fulfill these promises? None.
God’s Promises
I will never again curse the ground on account of man
I will never again destroy every living thing as I have done.
Seasons will come and go as long as the earth remains.
Noah’s obedience resulted in 950 years of life and a relationship with God like no one else.
He experienced deliverance in a way that most of us can barely imagine.
What is the result of obedience in our lives?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Genesis 4 Cain’s offering
Offerings given wrongly.
Genesis 4:1-7 Cain and Abel born. Both gave offerings. Jealousy ensued. Cain killed Abel.
What was wrong with Cain’s offering?
How did his offering to God affect his relationship to God?
Why is God concerned about offerings?
Leviticus 10:1-3 Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire. Burnt up.
Why was Nadab and Abihu’s punishment so severe?
Was the priest’s offering any different than anyone else’s offering?
Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira. Lied about the price of the land. Died.
Where did Annanias and Sapphira go wrong?
Does this lesson mean that God wants us to all give 100% of everything to Him?
Were they seeking recognition from men at a discount?
How important is integrity in the body of Christ?
How to Give rightly.
What do these scriptures tell us about our offering to the Lord?
2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 Give Cheerfully
2 Corinthians 8: 1-5 Give according to one’s ability
Acts 17: 24-25 Give not because God needs it
1 Chronicles 29:6-9 Give willingly
Genesis 4:1-7 Cain and Abel born. Both gave offerings. Jealousy ensued. Cain killed Abel.
What was wrong with Cain’s offering?
How did his offering to God affect his relationship to God?
Why is God concerned about offerings?
Leviticus 10:1-3 Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire. Burnt up.
Why was Nadab and Abihu’s punishment so severe?
Was the priest’s offering any different than anyone else’s offering?
Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira. Lied about the price of the land. Died.
Where did Annanias and Sapphira go wrong?
Does this lesson mean that God wants us to all give 100% of everything to Him?
Were they seeking recognition from men at a discount?
How important is integrity in the body of Christ?
How to Give rightly.
What do these scriptures tell us about our offering to the Lord?
2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 Give Cheerfully
2 Corinthians 8: 1-5 Give according to one’s ability
Acts 17: 24-25 Give not because God needs it
1 Chronicles 29:6-9 Give willingly
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Genesis 3 Sin
Genesis 3 The Fall of Man Genesis 3:1-7 Sin
Satan’s 3 step approach
1) Question the truth – has God said?
2) Deny the truth – You shall not surely die
3) Twist the truth – You will be like God
Does Satan use this approach today?
Genesis 3:8-13
The result of sin
What were the immediate resulting consequences (before the curses) of the sin?
Man’s relationship with God suffered.
Adam didn’t understand how his sin had affected his relationship with God.
FEAR showed up.
Adam blamed Eve – Eve blamed the serpent.
What are the immediate results of your and my sin?
Why does sin impact our relationship with God?
Why doesn’t He just look the other way once in a while?
The Curses
Genesis 3:14-19
The serpent – on your belly, enmity, bruised head.
The Woman – pain in childbirth
Adam – toil, cursed ground, thorns and thistles, return to dust.
Sin is serious. The consequences range from impacting our relationship with God to everyday life.
We should be on guard against temptation, and recognize it for what it can lead to.
Satan’s 3 step approach
1) Question the truth – has God said?
2) Deny the truth – You shall not surely die
3) Twist the truth – You will be like God
Does Satan use this approach today?
Genesis 3:8-13
The result of sin
What were the immediate resulting consequences (before the curses) of the sin?
Man’s relationship with God suffered.
Adam didn’t understand how his sin had affected his relationship with God.
FEAR showed up.
Adam blamed Eve – Eve blamed the serpent.
What are the immediate results of your and my sin?
Why does sin impact our relationship with God?
Why doesn’t He just look the other way once in a while?
The Curses
Genesis 3:14-19
The serpent – on your belly, enmity, bruised head.
The Woman – pain in childbirth
Adam – toil, cursed ground, thorns and thistles, return to dust.
Sin is serious. The consequences range from impacting our relationship with God to everyday life.
We should be on guard against temptation, and recognize it for what it can lead to.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Creation
The Creation
Genesis 1:1-13 and 14-31
As we read Genesis 1 - Look for the verbs that indicate action by God.
God said
God created
God made
God blessed them
God gave
God saw
God called
Spirit of God moving
God spoke creation into being and made man
What do these actions tell us about God?
What did God do after making man?
God made man and immediately blessed him.
Then he gave him some commands.
The creation account describes the character and attributes of God. Genesis one corrects many misconceptions concerning God. Positively, it portrays His character and attributes.
• God is sovereign and all-powerful.
• God is no mere force, but a Person.
• God is eternal.
• God is good.
Genesis 1:1-13 and 14-31
As we read Genesis 1 - Look for the verbs that indicate action by God.
God said
God created
God made
God blessed them
God gave
God saw
God called
Spirit of God moving
God spoke creation into being and made man
What do these actions tell us about God?
What did God do after making man?
God made man and immediately blessed him.
Then he gave him some commands.
The creation account describes the character and attributes of God. Genesis one corrects many misconceptions concerning God. Positively, it portrays His character and attributes.
• God is sovereign and all-powerful.
• God is no mere force, but a Person.
• God is eternal.
• God is good.
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