A Tale Of Two Fathers

TITLE: A TALE OF TWO FATHERS

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 13:1-18

Lot was the son of Haran. Haran was Abraham’s brother. Abraham and Lot were both saved men, but Lot was like many of the fathers today. The way Lot lived his life, it is difficult to believe he was saved. Abram had been accompanied by Lot in all his wanderings.

• Abraham acted as a mentor to Lot

• When God called Abraham to leave Ur for an unknown land, Lot accompanied him without hesitation

• This decision highlights their close relationship

But like many families today - a separation took place between them. Abram and his seed were to be kept distinct from all other races, as from him the Promised Messiah was to spring. This also was brought about by what seemed a series of natural circumstances, and probably Abram himself was ignorant of the Divine plan of God that was working in his life at that time.

The increase of Abraham and Lot’s wealth, led to a dispute between the herdsmen of their flocks. Their herds were getting so large there was not enough grass for both herds. Both Abraham and Lot had become so prosperous that they could not live side by side in the land of Canaan. We are told “THE LAND WAS NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM, THAT THEY MIGHT DWELL TOGETHER.”

• This was because the livestock and servants of Abraham and Lot were coming into conflict

• It became necessary for them to operate separately

• This still separates families today

• When one family member, cousin starts to do better in life, we get jealous and fall out with each other

• Families fall out too often over money

The dispute here in our text proved to be an embarrassing situation, since the Bible states, "THE CANAANITE AND THE PERIZZITE DWELLED THEN IN THE LAND.” They were probably witnesses to this "Strife" between the two groups of herdsmen. Let me help explain what this is telling us.

• The unsaved watching Christians fight each other

• Those on the outside of the Church listening to us criticize those sitting beside us in Church

• Those on the outside watching our bad behavior, and we are supposed to be the ones that are Saved

To avoid strife, Abram now proposed a voluntary separation, allowing Lot to make the decision as to where he would want to move his family. As far as Lot was concerned it was a simple decision. As he looked eastward, at a distance he could see the Mountains of Moab. At the foot of these mountains, he could see the Jordan Valley, which was rich with the most luxuriant tropical vegetation.

As Lot saw this “Paradise” like the part of Egypt watered by the Nile, his heart went out after it. He could think of nothing else but its beauty. The scene might well have won the heart of anyone whose affections were set on earthy matters. Lot chose to live on the outskirts of Sodom -

• It caused some to question if he was a saved man

• In fact, some who examine his life say they believe that he was not saved

But the Word of God states clearly that he was. Look at II PETER 2:7 “AND DELIVERED JUST LOT, VEXED WITH THE FILTHY CONVERSATION OF THE WICKED.”

• Look at the word “JUST”

• The word “Just” here is ‘DIKAIOS,’ (pronounced as dik'-ah-yos)

• It means INNOCENT - HOLY - RIGHT

Lot was not only a believer in the true and living God, the Holy Spirit records he was distressed daily by the evil that surrounded him in this ungodly place where he chose to raise his family. we do not have to wonder if he was saved or not, the Word of God says he was A RIGHTEOUS MAN.

• We need to be careful trying to assume who is Saved and who isn’t

• I just read on Social Medial a few days ago, someone I follow told his sister she was ‘Going to Hell’

• He went to say, that he does not play, he stands on the Word

• You better be careful my brothers and sisters when we attempt to step in for things that belong to God

• That’s God business and His alone

But here is something we can question WHY LOT WOULD CHOOSE TO LIVE IN SUCH A PLACE.

• He is like so many professing Christians, he did not live as a saved man should live

• He did not make good godly choices

But on the other hand, Abraham lived his life in such a manner that no one would doubt his salvation. Lot and Abraham were very different in many ways.

• The way they conducted their lives