Genesis 14:1-16
Rescuing the Drifter

Review Ch. 13: Abram and Lot part ways

Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

V.13:10 Lot is led astray by his natural inclinations rather seeking the LORD

David Gudzik, “It wasn’t Lot’s choice that led his heart astray. His heart was already astray, and it was demonstrated by his choice.”

No, we’ll just look. It was only a matter of time before they were soaked head to toe.

Wisdom is not seeing how close we can get without falling in, but never getting close enough to fall in.

V.14:12 “since he was living in Sodom”

Spurgeon, “Those believers who conform to the world must expect to suffer for it.”

No one ever wants to become a drunk,
drug addict or divorced.
How does it happen?

•Small, subtle choices that are driven by our desires rather than God’s Word

After a series of choices Lot finds himself enslaved unable to escape

V.14 “Abram went in pursuit...”

Abram didn’t say, “Lot made his choices now let him live with them.”

•He mobilized his men in pursuit of his nephew

What do we do with Christians who seemingly turn their backs on God and chase after the world?

Gal 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently

James 5:19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Who do you know who needs to be rescued?

•Some of you have heard the call and have gone over seas to the rescue.
•Some have searched their job sites and neighborhoods.

Some have heard the call but have turned a deaf ear.

**What is God’s attitude toward the sinner gone astray?
•See Luke 15

We are all vulnerable, we all can be tempted and overcome by sin.

1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him that thinks he stand, take heed lest he fall.”

Heb 2:1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

If we do drift may we remember we have a God who is ready to rescue

Illus: Come thou Fount

Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 Hymn Stories, p. 52
Robert Robinson had been saved out of a tempestuous life of sin through George Whitfield’s ministry in England. Shortly after that, at the age of twenty-three, Robinson wrote the hymn Come, Thou Fount. Come, Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing, Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Sadly, Robinson wandered far from those streams and, like the Prodigal Son, journeyed into the distant country of carnality. Until one day—he was traveling by stagecoach and sitting beside a young woman engrossed in her book. She ran across a verse she thought was beautiful and asked him what he thought of it. Prone to wander— Lord, I feel it— Prone to leave the God I love. Bursting into tears, Robinson said, "Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then." Although greatly surprised, she reassured him that the "streams of mercy" mentioned in his song still flowed. Mr. Robinson was deeply touched. Turning his "wandering heart" to the Lord, he was restored to full fellowship. —

“Ebenezer”- Biblical word

1 Sam 7:12 (When God rescued the Israelites from the Phillistines) Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."