|
THE CHURCH ON HIGHER GROUND |
|
|
HOMEPAGE |
|
|
|
OTHER STUDIES |
|
|
|
SERMON NETS short messages |
|
|
|
WHAT IS IN THE NEWS?.. a Christian response |
|
|
|
THE PLAN...... BIBLE STUDY |
|
|
|
GREETINGS AND GUIDANCE |
|
|
|
LESSON OUTLINES |
|
|
|
ADAM TO BABEL |
|
|
|
PAGE 1 ADAM TO SETH (1-6) |
|
|
|
PAGE 2 ENOCH TO JOB ( 5-11) |
|
|
|
SHORT STUDY FALSE RELIGION |
|
|
|
PAGE 3 S.S./ORIGIN OF FALSE RELIGIONS #1&2 |
|
|
|
ABRAHAM'S LIFE |
|
|
|
PAGE 4 ABRAM/ CALL TO FALL ( 12) |
|
|
|
PAGE 5 ABRAM'S RETURN/ LOT IN SODOM/ABRAM BUILDS ALTER (13) |
|
|
|
PAGE 6 LOT'S RESCUE/ABRAM'S VISION/HAGAR (14-16) |
|
|
|
PAGE 7 ABRAM'S NAME CHANGED/SS-PERFECTION/CUTTING THE COVENANT(17) |
|
|
|
PAGE 8 ANGELS VISIT ABRAHAM (18) |
|
|
|
LOT'S LIFE |
|
|
|
PAGE 9 THE DAYS OF LOT (19) |
|
|
|
PAGE 10 LOT'S WAY (19) |
|
|
|
ABRAHAM |
|
|
|
PAGE 11 ABIMELECH/ISAAC BORN/COST OF SIN (20-21) |
|
|
|
PAGE 12 (21) |
|
|
|
PAGE 13 (22) |
|
|
|
PAGE 14 (22-23) |
|
|
|
PAGE 15 (23) |
|
|
|
PAGE 16 (24- |
|
|
|
PAGE 17 ( |
|
|
|
PAGE 18 ( |
|
|
|
PAGE 19 |
|
|
|
PAGE 20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
|
|
|
| ||
PAGE 6 LOT'S RESCUE/ABRAM'S VISION/HAGAR (14-16)
LESSON #1 ABRAM RESCUES LOT Gen. 14:1-14
LESSON #2 ABRAM ENCOUNTERS GOD Genesis 15:1-21
LESSON #3 ABRAM AND HAGAR Genesis 16:1-14
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
LESSON #1 ABRAM RESCUES LOT Gen. 14:1-14
Jan 31, 2001
We have mentioned before that Abram came to the rescue of his nephew Lot, when Lot's community, Sodom, was invaded and taken captive by their oppressors. These oppressors were rulers of city-kingdoms to the east, around the Persian Gulf area, as we know it today. Not only is it possible that Hammurabi lived during the time of Abram, it is probable that he was one of the kings mentioned here, Amraphel, or at least the son of Amraphel.
These kings would collect taxes from a whole line of cities stretching across that part of the ancient world (vss.1-12). Abram would also be thought of as a tribal chief or a tribal king. Though he fielded an army of 318 men (vs.14), he probably was ruler of more than 1000 subjects.
As with Abram, city-kingdoms were not always large, either in population or in geographical boundaries. Though most city-kingdoms were small, some of them were somewhat imposing. Ur, the hometown of Abram was an imposing city-kingdom, along with Erech, Kish, Accad and Babylon. These kingdoms would sometimes go to war with each other in hopes of extending thier own borders of power, but more often would attack smaller cities. The behavior of fallen man is not that far removed from the plan of satan, "the prince of darkness", "the prince of the power of the air" and "the god of this world", who wanted to extend his broders by oppressing the human race.
The rulers of these city-kingdoms were often not only kings, they were priests as well. This is because "religion" was central to the thinking and behavior of the citizens. Though corrupted in their understanding, they still recognized that a relationship with "god" was basic to life. From the begining of time, government and "religion" have gone hand in hand. The problem is, man is corrupted and therefore his government and religion will also be corrupted.
When man is in a right relationship with God, then government should be tied to man's faith, worship and service to God. That is what is accomplished in Jesus. The prophet said that, "the government shall be upon His shoulders."
Once the Eastern Kings took Sodom captive, Abram led his men in the pursuit of these oppressors. He not only caught them, he conquered them and rescued his nephew along with the other victims. He returned home as a hero (vss.13-16.)
When Abram returned from rescueing Lot, Melchizedek, the King/Priest of Salem (Jerusalem) welcomed him home with a celebration of bread and wine. Melchizedek also pronounced a blessing upon Abram in the name of the most high God vss.17-19.) With all of the pagan corruption in the world at that time, there were still men who loved and followed the true and living God. Here we have Melchizedek, Abram and possibly Job, as well as poor Lot, living for, and serving God at about the same time in history.
Abram, thankful for God giving him victory over the imposing four kings from the east and saving his nephew Lot, offered a sacrifice to God and gave a tithe of all that he had to Melchizedek (vs.20.) In gratitude for Abram rescuing his city, the king of Sodom offered the spoils of battle to him. But Abram would not take any reward for the deed he had done. He would not be "beholding" to anyone and he would not allow any man to say that they had made Abram rich (vss.21-24.)
Points to consider:
- Abram used his resources for the good of others. Wealthy Christians are financially blessed in order to be a blessing, not to be horders.
- All governments are influenced by religious faiths, either good or evil.
- As Abram worshipped God after his victory over the four kings we should give God the glory for every victory in our life.
- Abram refused to let others be his supply. We need to look to God and not to men.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
LESSON #2 ABRAM ENCOUNTERS GOD Genesis 15:1-21
Feb 3, 2001
Chapter 15 records 6 very important concepts.
1- God speaks to Abram in a vision. "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward (vs.1.)" When Abram went out to face the powerful kings of the east, he trusted God for the victory. God told Abram that He would be his shield. In another place, God would tell His people, "Not by power nor by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord." Again, He warns His people to not trust in the arm of flesh and to not trust in horses or chariots. God always calls His people to trust in Him and not in human strength and devices. It took great faith to depend on God's protection against human enemies. But God is our shield. Abram also chose not to be rewarded by the king of Sodom for rescuing his city. God told him that He would be Abram's exceeding great reward. This would require Abram to see beyond the temporal and the material. Later, Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. In the New Testament we are told to seek things above and not on the earth.
2- Though Abram had a vibrant relationship with God, he still had weaknesses and shortcomings to deal with. He had been told that he would be the father of a great nation, yet he did not even have one child. He points out to God that he has no seed as of yet and that he was planning to let his faithful servant, Eliezer, become his heir (vss.2-3.) God corrected Abram and told him his heir would come from his own body (vs:4) God took him aside and showed him the stars of the sky and re-stated His promise to Abram, saying his offspring would be as un-numberable as the stars (vs.5.) We must believe God in all things.
3- We now come to one of the most important verses in the Bible. Some people say that God's "grace" and being "saved by faith" are New Testament concepts. Grace may find it's fullest expression in the New Testament, but we sawthat "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" in the Old Testament book of Genesis. Justifcation by faith may find it's fullest expression in the New Testament, but here in verse 6 we are told that Abram "...believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." (vs.6.) This is as basic to a right relationship with God as any concept found in the Bible. And notice, it is found all the way back in the life of Abram. Abram was not saved by being good, or by keeping laws, or by eating a certain diet, or by observing the Sabbath. He was saved by faith. Not only is there no New Testament if there is no "justification by faith", there is no Old Testament either.
4- God establishes a covenant, with Abram through a sacrifice (vss.7-10.) God tells Abram to offer five different animals on the altar. (We will consider the significance of this at another time.) Afterwards (vss.17-18) God confirms the covenant by passing between the divided offering and promises Abram the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates.
(Between the time of Abram's sacrifice and God's promise we find points 5 and 6)
5- After laying out the sacrifice and offering it to the Lord, the birds come down to either take it away or devour it or both. Abram stayed awake and kept the birds away all day long (vs.11.) In the New Testament we are told that the birds steal away the seed (the word of God) from men's hearts and then we are told that the bird is the wicked one (satan.) Here we are told that Abram protected his offering by keeping the birds away. It is not enough to make the sacrifice, we must keep the sacrifice on the altar.
6- At evening Abram fell into a deep sleep and a great dark horror came upon him. God told Abram that his descendents would become slaves for 400 years in a foreign land, but that they would be restored to the Promised Land.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
LESSON #3 ABRAM AND HAGAR Genesis 16:1-14
Feb 8, 2001
God had made great promises to Abram (chapters 12, 13, 14 and 15) but he and Sarai were still without children (vs.1).
At some point in time Abram and his wife Sarai became the masters of a new servant girl, Hagar, from Egypt. Did she become part of Abram's household during his ill fated journey to Egypt? I believe that is likely (vs.1). In those days, if the woman of the house was unable to bear children, the husband could have children by a concubine. A concubine had a legal status which carried certain rights and privileges, less than the wife, but more than other servants. This is what Sarai suggested to Abram concerning Hagar. This would then give Abram and Sarai (vs.2) a legal heir. It was not an unusual arrangement, but in this case it was disasterous.
From the beginning God had said one woman for one man for one lifetime. Though there have always been legal assualts on God's plan, God has never changed His mind. Though He has been patient in the affairs of man (no pun intended), He has not changed His standard of what a home should be. No man has the right to undermine God's order; neither lawmakers, judges, wives, husbands or anyone. "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.*" It would be double wrong for Abram to take a concubine. Not only did he have God's original directive, God had promised him a child and he should have waited instead of rushing ahead of God and His timing. Abram made a major mistake, he listened to his wife on this issue instead of trusting and obeying God vs.2).
Changing God's order for a family brings trouble. It did for Abram, Sarai, Hagar, Ishmael, Isaac and all of their offspring. Those who promote polygamy don't tell the heartache of jealousy, perversion, deceit, favoritism or the other aspects of this aberrant behavior. God may have allowed Old Testament people a certain latitude in this, but that was then and this is now*. The reason I know that polygamy is not only wrong but that it has a dark side is because God condemns it. Even with Abram, Sarai and Hagar we see problems. Hagar becomes proud and condescending to Sarai (vs.4), marital problems develope between Abram and Sarai (vs.5) Abram relinquishes his responsibility and allows Sarai to oppress Hagar (vs.6). Hagar could take no more and she ran away.
Some things never change. People still think that the solution to problems is to run away.God is good. He found Hagar by a spring and questioned her about her plans (vss.7-8). She admitted fleeing from Sarai. God told her to return to Sarai and submit to her authority (vs.9).
Sometimes the best way to deal with a problem is to see it all the way through. Sometimes the only solution to a problem is to work through it, not skirt around it. Life is tough and doing the right thing is often the toughest, but our own way leads to loss and destruction. God comforted Hagar and promised a blessing upon her yet unborn child (vss.10-12).
Though she was not totally responsible for all of the bad things that had happened in her life, she suffered much heartache. And though she suffered much hearache, God met with her and blessed her in a personal encounter (vss.13-14).
Points to consider:
- Bad choices have long term ramifications. We can repent of our misdeeds, but sometimes we have to face the results of our sin. Forgiveness changes our relationship with God, but does not always change our station in life.
- Men need to find God's will and not allow anyone to thwart His plan for their lives.
- Wives need to be confident supporters of their husbands, not usurpers of their husbands.
- Because a thing is legal, does not make it moral or right.
- The right way may be a difficult way.
| Site Tools |
|
|
|
|
|
Verse of the Day |
|
|
