You're listening to Mountain View Church Audio, Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City, Whitehorse, UConn. Here's this week's message.
In this nine-week sermon series, called by Gal, we will explore how Gal powerfully used those who hear and obey his call, examining the lives of nine biblical characters whose acts of faith and obedience shaped their destinies and impacted the world around them.
Each week, we will focus on a different character who uniquely responded to God's call, whether by giving up their rights, facing new challenges, or standing firm in their faith, encouraging us to reflect on how we, too, can respond to God's call in our lives. As we move through these powerful examples of faith, we will discover that when we fully surrender to God's will, He can accomplish extraordinary things through us. challenging us to live in complete obedience to His direction and trust in His plan for our lives. Welcome to Mountain View Church. My name is Herbert, and I'm the children's pastor. Today we are celebrating our Family Sunday. Every month that has a fifth Sunday, we give all our volunteers a day of rest, and we gather in the auditorium as a big family.
But before we start with our content, feel free to connect with us at mountainview.church slash connect or texting connect to the number on the screen. Or if you are in-house, complete a connect card under the seat in front of you and hand it into the welcome desk. If you have children, we offer a kids program every Sunday morning at 9.30 or 11am. And at home, you can also download the lessons and activities for your children at mountainview.church slash base camp, which is the name of our children's program. If you are a teenager or you have teenagers, we offer a youth program every Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Visit mountainview.church slash youth for more information. Now, let's jump into our scripture reading. Hi church, my name is Megan and I'm going to be reading all of Genesis chapter 13.
Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev desert. He took his wife and everything he had. Lot went with him. Abram had become very rich. He had a lot of livestock and silver and gold. Abram left the Negev desert. He went from place to place until he came to Bethel. Then he came to the place between Bethel and Ai, where his tent had been earlier. There he called on the name of the Lord at the altar he had built.
Lot was moving around with Abram. Lot also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land didn't have enough food for both Abram and Lot. They had large herds and many servants, so they weren't able to stay together. The people who took care of Abram's herds and those who took care of Lot's herds began to argue. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. So Abram said to Lot, Let's not argue with each other. The people taking care of your herds and those taking care of mine shouldn't argue with one another either. After all, we are a part of the same family. Isn't the whole land in front of you? Let's separate. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right. If you go to the right, I'll go to the left. Lot looked around. He saw that the whole Jordan River Valley toward the town of Zoar had plenty of water.
It was like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose the whole Jordan River Valley for himself. Then he started out toward the east. The two men separated. Abram lived in the land of Canaan. Lot lived among the cities of the Jordan River Valley. He set up his tents near Sodom.
The people of Sodom were evil. They were sinning greatly against the Lord. The Lord spoke to Abraham after Lot had left him. He said, look around from where you are. Look north and south, east and west. I will give you all the land you see. I will give it forever to you and your family who comes after you. I will make them like the dust of the earth. Can dust be counted? If it can, then your family can be counted. Go, walk through the land. See how long and wide it is. I'm giving it to you. So Abraham went to live near the large trees of Mamre at Hebron.
There he pitched his tents and built an altar to honor the Lord. Abraham is our first character in this series called by God, whose life of faith laid the foundation for generations to come. Abraham, known as the father of many nations, was not chosen for his power, wealth, or wisdom, but for his unwavering trust in God. In a world filled with uncertainty, God called him to live everything he knew and embark on a journey to an unknown land. And without hesitation, Abraham obeyed. This chapter 13 teaches us about faith, trust in God's promises, and the importance of prioritizing peace and godly values over temporary worldly gains. Abraham's actions show us what it means to walk by faith and not by convenience.
To understand better the teaching of today's message, we are going to divide this chapter 13 in four portions and discover the call that God is making to each one of us today. And as we read in the first portion from Genesis chapter 13, verses 1 to 4, Abraham went up from Egypt to Negev desert. He took his wife and everything he had. Lot went with him. Abraham had become very rich. He had a lot of livestock and silver and gold. Abraham left the Negev desert. He went from place to place until he came to Bethel. Then he came to the place between Bethel and Ai, where his tent had been earlier. There he called on the name of the Lord at the altar he had built. Because a famine was devastating the region.
Abraham decided to go to Egypt in search of food for himself, his family, servants, and animals. The problem was that out of fear for his life and lack of complete trust in God, he lied about his marriage status to Sarah and Pharaoh upon seeing the beauty of these women. took her to the palace. If you want to read more and know more about this story, you can go to Genesis chapter 12, verses 14 to 20. So Abraham did something wrong. And still the Bible tells that God works with mercy by rescuing them from Pharaoh and the Egyptian and shows his support to Abraham. Although that didn't free him from the shame that he had to face for having lied to Pharaoh. And as we read in verses three and four.
Abraham left the Negev desert. He went from place to place until he came to Bethel. Then he came to the place between Bethel and Ai, where his tent had been earlier. There he called on the name of the Lord at the altar he had built. God allows him to return to the place where he could connect with him again. A place far from the idolatry that abounded in Egypt.
Therefore, the first thing he does after recognizing how wrong he was is to go to the altar he had built and worship the name of the Lord. Now, let us pause and reflect on this. Do we need to return to that place or point in our lives where we were connected with God and worship Him? And I am asking this because in the Bible we see many times examples of people who decided to separate from God. Then something bad happened, and there was always a point when they needed to make a stop and reflect. And for Abraham, as we read in verse 3, he went from place to place until he came to Bethel. What we can assume in this journey back to Bethel is that he had time to reflect what he was doing wrong. And if you are far away to connect again with God.
Abraham is showing us how the path is. He went back to the place where he could worship God. Now, moving into the next portion, verses 5 to 9. Lot was moving around with Abraham. Lot also had flocks and herds and tents, but the land didn't have enough food for both Abraham and Lot. They had large herds and many servants, so they weren't able to stay together.
The people who took care of Abram's hearth and those who took care of Lot's hearth began to argue. The Canaanites and Perisites were also living in the land at that time. So Abram said to Lot, let's not argue with each other. The people taking care of your hearth and those taking care of mine shouldn't argue with one another either. After all, we're part of the same family. Is it the whole land in front of you?
Let's separate. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right. If you go to the right, I'll go to the left. Now it's time where conflicts and decisions to make come to the life of Abraham. Lot had been blessed through his relationship with Abraham. They were very wealthy and had large flocks, which created a conflict over feeding their livestock. So Abraham makes the wise decision to part ways with Lot.
Abraham's willingness to let Lot choose the better land requires him to trust in God's promises, rather than hang on to the immediate material benefit of the land. By giving up the better option, he gives up his rights as the elder between the two. Simplifying humility and trust in God's ability to provide for him, no matter the external circumstances. Let's ask ourselves this. How often do we fight for what we think we deserve rather than trusting God to provide? Moving into the next portion, verses 10 to 13, Lot looked around. He saw that the whole Jordan River Valley toward the town of Soar had plenty of water. It was like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose the whole Jordan River Valley for himself. Then he started out toward the east.
The two men separate. Aaron lived in the land of Canaan. Lot lived among the cities of the Jordan River Valley. He set up his tent near Sodom. The people of Sodom were evil. They were sinning greatly against the Lord. Now let's see in these verses Lot's decision, especially when we do things for our own benefit. When we read these verses, we do not see Lot consulting God for guidance and to do what is right.
But we do see in him his eagerness to choose what is best for his flock, and he did not consider how damaging this decision could be for him and his family. Lot's choice represents the temptation we face to prioritize immediate worldly gains over spiritual well-being. Lot, with this mind focused on the world, shows us that his principles are contrary to the fullness that spiritual life with God offers us. He set up his tents near Sodom, and the people of Sodom were evil. They were sinning greatly against the Lord. And the Apostle John put it this way in 1 John 2, verse 16. It is what people who belong to this world do. They try to satisfy what their sinful desires want to do.
They long for what their sinful eyes look at. They take pride in what they have and what they do. All of this comes from the world. None of it comes from the Father. And let me make another question. How often are we tempted to make decisions based on what seems good in our own eyes rather than seeking God's will? And the last portion, verses 14 to 18.
The Lord spoke to Abraham after Lot had left him. He said, Look around where you are. Look north and south, east and west. I will give you all the land you see. I will give it forever to you and your family who comes after you. I will make them like the dust of the earth. Can dust be counted? If it can, then your family can be counted. Go, walk through the land. See how long and wide it is.
I am giving it to you. So Abraham went to live near the large trees of Manre at Hebron. There he pitched his tents and built an altar to honor the Lord. God promised to Abraham a vision beyond the visible. God is assuring Abraham that despite Lord's actions of taking the best for himself, the promise that all the land would belong to him was still valid. And all the land Abraham saw with his eyes.
will one day be walked by him and his seed. A commentary of Genesis by Bruce Wolke said this, God's words in verse 17 for Abraham about walking through the land symbolize his legal acquisition. God will always do what he promised he's going to do. Are you waiting for God's answer to your prayer? Have you separated from those things or people that are contrary to God's will?
Let's summarize what we learned today. In Genesis 13 verses 1 to 4, we learned that we need to be back. We have to be back to the point of worship because we as individuals are going to make mistakes. But remember that we can go back to God and find the right path for our lives. Verses 5 to 9 show us that conflict and decision will be there always.
And being communion with God, it does not mean that we are free from conflicts and tough decisions to make, especially if we think that we deserve something better. So remember that Abraham gives up his rights and trust in God's ability to provide for him. And in verses 10 to 13, we are looking at Lot's decision, especially when we do things for our own benefit. Don't forget to ask for God's guidance in order to make the right decision. Something might look great, but at the end, it can be something bad for you and your family. And lastly, in verses 14 to 18, God promised to Abraham a vision beyond the visible. When we separate ourselves from the desires of the world and do the will of God, He allows us to contemplate the wonders of His glory and power.
And in connection with our series theme called by God, the story of Abraham, here highlights that God's calling us to trust in his promises, even when it requires giving up something valuable. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's plan over personal benefit, showing that true blessings come not from clinging to what we think is best for ourselves, but from faith in God's provision. How God might be calling you to renounce something. Reflect on what God might be asking you to give up and to desist from or offer to others, even when it seems like you are giving up something valuable, perhaps an opportunity, a possession, or a position of influence. Consider how letting off control and trusting in God's goodness can lead you to experience His faithfulness in unexpected ways. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, as we reflect on the journey of Abraham and Lot,
We are reminded of the choices we face in our own lives. Lord, help us discern the path before us. We thank you for your faithfulness even when we fail. May we trust in your provision and walk in obedience, knowing that you are our ultimate refuge and reward. May the lesson from Genesis chapter 13 resonate within us to prioritize obedience over personal desires.
to seek peace over strife, and to trust in your promises. In the name of Jesus, our Savior, I pray. Amen. Thanks for joining us, and have a great long weekend. If you prayed to receive Jesus today or would like to connect with our church community, visit mountainview.church and click the connect link. If this podcast and radio ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us or making a tax-deductible donation at mountainview.church. Thanks for listening to Mountain View Church Audio. Join us next week for more Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City of Whitehorse UConn.