Series: Father Abraham Had Many Sons…
Title: Calling & Conflict
Text: Gen 12-14
Summer Study
Date / Potluck (tentative) / Passage / Topics Include:June 7 / Mexican / Gen 12-14 / Calling & Conflict, War & Worship
June 14 / Sandwiches (Picnic) / Gen 15-17 / Covenants & Compromises, What’s in a Name
June 21 / Italian / Gen 18-23 / Legacies, Legends & Love
June 28 / Make your Tacos / Gen 24-26 / Finding a Mate, Altars & Wells
July 5 / Hamb/Hotdogs / Gen 27-30 / Parenting Lessons
July 12 / Salads/Desserts!!! / Gen 31-36 / Running from your Past… to you Past?
July 19 / Pizza & Pasta / Gen 37-40 / The 3 Deaths of a Dream
July 26 / Mexican / Gen 41-44 / Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Aug 2 / Your Favorite Dish / Gen 45-50 / Finishing Strong
Review
Ø Genesis 11 – Transition of History
o From humanity (Adam-Noah) to family (Abram)
o From rebellion (Babel) to faith (Abram)
o From curse to blessing (see 1:28, 12:1-3, 13:15-16, 15:5,18, 17:6-8, 22:17-18, 25:11, 26:2-4, 27:27-29, 49:28)
o From many ages (2000 yrs) to one household (4 generations)
Ø God established his authority as Father, now he will demonstrate his grace as Friend
I. The Journey of Abram
a. Abram means ______Sarai means ______
b. Called to Canaan – Knowing a true calling from God (12:1-5)
i. It will often require a ______from your past (cf. Luke 9:23-25)
ii. It will often require a ______into the unknown (cf. John 21:15-22)
iii. It will often involve a ______from God – based on the revealed will of God more than emotion (cf. Rom 10:17)
iv. It will often accompanied by ______– people, property, Presence
1. This one has special significance – 2nd prophecy of Jesus (Gal 3:16)
c. Challenged in Canaan (12:6-9)
i. Challenge of ______: Abram tested in obedience (takes along Lot)
ii. Challenge of ______: Abram tested in circumstances
iii. Challenge of ______: Abram tested in obstacles
iv. Abram responds in worship - Shechem, Bethel, Ai
1. Altars – signs of a meaningful ______with God
2. He ______to honor the promise of God
3. He ______to demonstrate trust in God
4. He ______to worship God
d. Chickened out of Canaan (12:10-13:5)
i. God gives the vision, Abram takes matters into his own hands
1. ______: Takes along Lot – this is NOT going to work out well!
2. ______: Runs from famine – deception, risk failure
3. ______: Later, has a child thru Hagar – begins an ongoing war
ii. Abram and family head to Egypt – sin of deception with Pharaoh
iii. Irony Alert!
1. The man of blessing to others creates threat: wife, family, Egyptians
2. Abram ends up profiting from deception (cf. Isaac, Jacob, others)
3. Abram (the believer) is rebuked by Pharaoh (pagan)
iv. Back in Canaan – rebuilds the Bethel altar (returns to worshipping God)
e. Conflict in Canaan (13:5ff)
i. The Source of conflict
1. The surface problem is dealing with wealth
2. The root problem is dealing with greed (i.e. pride, lust – 1Jn 2:16)
ii. The Result of conflict
1. Lot chooses Sodom – pitched tent, lived, later: sat at gate (leader)
2. Abram chooses God – given a more specific confirmation
3. Abram responds in worship – choosing God over greed is Worship!
II. The Campaign of Abram
a. The reasons for conflict
i. Kings ruled over small settlements (i.e. mayors) – fights over resources
ii. Abram has no concern – could justify staying out of the situation
1. ______- It’s an unjust world … tough luck
2. ______- Who needs the fight? Why risk more enemies?
3. ______- Lot made his choice… let him face the consequences
iii. Abram chooses to be his brother’s keeper (cf. Cain, Lk 19:10)
b. The results in conflict
i. Calls everyone together for the battle – every man involved!
ii. Attacks the problem without hestitation
iii. Honors the team and returns the
c. The return from conflict
i. Enter Melchizedek (Ps 110:4, Heb 5-7)
1. Mel ______with Abram (bread/wine --- cf. Matt 26:26-29)
2. Mel ______Abram
3. Mel ______a tithe from Abram
ii. Mel is a “type” of Christ – an Old Testament principle
1. type = an event, person, object which introduces something that later finds its fullest expression in the New Testament
2. King Melchizedek – means king of ______
3. He is King of Salem – means king of ______
4. Priest & King! Mel = ______of God (Heb 7: Jesus is our high priest)
5. He has no genealogy – not about genealogy, but about relationship
6. He is greater than Abram (receiver is more important than the giver)
iii. Abram is offered much, but only takes expenses (compare to Ch.12–Pharaoh)
III. Personally: Walking in the shoes of Abram…
a. Calling from God – Where do I fit in God’s plan of redemption?
b. Trusting in God – How am I “taking the reins” away from God in His plan?
What are my Safety Nets? … Comforts? … Compromises?
c. Remaining with God – What do I need to do in order to give my whole life back to God?
d. Worship for God – What blessings have I received, that I need to honor God with?
Is God first in my calendar? … in my checkbook? … in my service?
Series: Father Abraham Had Many Sons…
Title: Calling & Conflict
Text: Gen 12-14
Summer Study
Date / Potluck (tentative) / Passage / Topics Include:June 7 / Mexican / Gen 12-14 / Calling & Conflict, War & Worship
June 14 / Sandwiches (Picnic) / Gen 15-17 / Covenants & Compromises, What’s in a Name
June 21 / Italian / Gen 18-23 / Legacies, Legends & Love
June 28 / Make your Tacos / Gen 24-26 / Finding a Mate, Altars & Wells
July 5 / Hamb/Hotdogs / Gen 27-30 / Parenting Lessons
July 12 / Salads/Desserts!!! / Gen 31-36 / Running from your Past… to you Past?
July 19 / Pizza & Pasta / Gen 37-40 / The 3 Deaths of a Dream
July 26 / Mexican / Gen 41-44 / Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Aug 2 / Your Favorite Dish / Gen 45-50 / Finishing Strong
Review
Ø Genesis 11 – Transition of History
o From humanity (Adam-Noah) to family (Abram)
o From rebellion (Babel) to faith (Abram)
o From curse to blessing (see 1:28, 12:1-3, 13:15-16, 15:5,18, 17:6-8, 22:17-18, 25:11, 26:2-4, 27:27-29, 49:28)
o From many ages (2000 yrs) to one household (4 generations)
Ø God established his authority as Father, now he will demonstrate his grace as Friend
I. The Journey of Abram
e. Abram means high father Sarai means my princess
f. Called to Canaan – Knowing a true calling from God (12:1-5)
i. It will often require a break from your past (cf. Luke 9:23-25)
ii. It will often require a step of faith into the unknown (cf. John 21:15-22)
iii. It will often involve a revelation from God – based on the revealed will of God more than emotion (cf. Rom 10:17)
iv. It will often accompanied by blessing – people, property, Presence
1. This one has special significance – 2nd prophecy of Jesus (Gal 3:16)
g. Challenged in Canaan (12:6-9)
i. Challenge of faith : Abram tested in obedience (takes along Lot)
ii. Challenge of fear : Abram tested in circumstances
iii. Challenge of famine : Abram tested in obstacles
iv. Abram responds in worship - Shechem, Bethel, Ai
1. Altars – signs of a meaningful encounter with God
2. He built altars to honor the promise of God
3. He pitched tent to demonstrate trust in God
4. He called on name to worship God
h. Chickened out of Canaan (12:10-13:5)
i. God gives the vision, Abram takes matters into his own hands
1. Safety Nets: Takes along Lot – this is NOT going to work out well!
2. Comforts: Runs from famine – sin of deception, risk of failing at the vision
3. Compromises: Later, has a child thru Hagar – begins an ongoing war
ii. Abram and family head to Egypt – sin of deception with Pharaoh
iii. Irony Alert!
1. The man of blessing to others creates threat: wife, family, Egyptians
2. Abram ends up profiting from deception (cf. Isaac, Jacob, others)
3. Abram (the believer) is rebuked by Pharaoh (pagan)
iv. Back in Canaan – rebuilds the Bethel altar (returns to worshipping God)
i. Conflict in Canaan (13:5ff)
i. The Source of conflict
1. The surface problem is dealing with wealth
2. The root problem is dealing with greed (i.e. pride, lust – 1Jn 2:16)
ii. The Result of conflict
1. Lot chooses Sodom – pitched tent, lived, later: sat at gate (leader)
2. Abram chooses God – given a more specific confirmation
3. Abram responds in worship – choosing God over greed is Worship!
II. The Campaign of Abram
j. The reasons for conflict
i. Kings ruled over small settlements (i.e. mayors) – fights over resources
ii. Abram has no concern – could justify staying out of the situation
1. fatalism - It’s an unjust world … tough luck
2. safety - Who needs the fight? Why risk more enemies?
3. judgment - Lot made his choice… let him face the consequences
iii. Abram chooses to be his brother’s keeper (cf. Cain, Lk 19:10)
k. The results in conflict
i. Calls everyone together for the battle – every man involved!
ii. Attacks the problem without hestitation
iii. Honors the team and returns the
l. The return from conflict
i. Enter Melchizedek (Ps 110:4, Heb 5-7)
1. Mel communes with Abram (bread/wine --- cf. Matt 26:26-29)
2. Mel blesses Abram
3. Mel receives a tithe from Abram
ii. Mel is a “type” of Christ – an Old Testament principle
1. type = an event, person, object which introduces something that later finds its fullest expression in the New Testament
2. King Melchizedek – means king of righteousness
3. He is King of Salem – means king of peace
4. Priest & King! Mel = priest of God (Heb 7: Jesus is our high priest)
5. He has no genealogy – not about genealogy, but about relationship
6. He is greater than Abram (receiver is more important than the giver)
iii. Abram is offered much, but only takes expenses (compare to Ch.12–Pharaoh)
III. Personally: Walking in the shoes of Abram…
m. Calling from God – Where do I fit in God’s plan of redemption?
n. Trusting in God – How am I “taking the reins” away from God in His plan?
What are my Safety Nets? … Comforts? … Compromises?
o. Remaining with God – What do I need to do in order to give my whole life back to God?
p. Worship for God – What blessings have I received, that I need to honor God with?
Is God first in my calendar? … in my checkbook? … in my service?
Sermon Notes
Personally
Ø x
Contextually
Ø x
Grammatically
Historically
Ø Bible Background Commentary
Ø Bible Knowledge Commentary
Lexically
Ø x
Theologically
Ø x
Cooperatively
Ø Matthew Henry Commentary (concise)
Ø Teachers Commentary
Ø Bible Exposition Commentary
Ø College Press NT Commentary
Ø MacArthur NT Commentary
Ø Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)
Ø Other