Text...Genesis 13 and 14:1-16Introduction: Life will unexpectedly heap circumstances (beyond your control) upon you, that cause you to exhibit strength that you didn't know you had.
Transition: Everyone has a lot! Lot is more than a person, lot is pressure. Pressure to be, to become, to behold, to bear a burden...
Exposition: When dealing with 'A Lot' keep these principles in mind...
1) If the relationship is going to survive, you need space (Genesis 13:5-9) Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents. 6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. 7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.) 8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! 9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”
*Sometimes you have to feed people with long handled spoons.
*No animosity is harbored, this arrangement just isn't working out.
*Our connection has blessed you financially, but what have you learned from me about faith that will sustain you?
2) A sinful spot isn't a good place to stay (Genesis 13:10-13 & reference 14:1-16) Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. 12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. 13 But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.
*It's crap that keeps the grass green; sin was beneath the soil.
*When you change connections, you change consequences.
*Thank God for bailouts for those in bondage!
3) You can't hear God with a lot around (Genesis 13:14-18) After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. 16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! 17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the Lord.
*Who or what is around you, that's keeping you from hearing God's voice?
*The way you handled that 'lot' let's God know that you can handle a who 'lot' more!
*Stay faithful and blessings will follow you. The burden is just to remind you that you still need God!
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