Lesson 4: Faith That Makes You Fight

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 19:1-24

1. Huge Opposition. "Four kings fought against five kings" (Gen. 14:9 ELT). The four kings from the Chaldees represented the largest known civilization.

2. Former Masters. The kings of the Jordan River Valley had formerly been in servitude. "Twelve years they (Jordan Valley kings) served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled" (Gen. 14:4).

3. God is concerned with small items. "They took Lot . . . one that had escaped, and told Abraham" (Gen. 14:12,13).

4. Why was Abraham concerned with the battle of heathen nations?

a. Family. Even though Lot compromised with Sodom, he was family.

b. God’s possession. God had given Abraham the land. "Arise, walk through the land . . . for I will give it unto thee" (Gen. 13:17). Abraham felt he had to protect God’s inheritance.

B. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS TO TAKE AWAY

1. Our faith cannot be just passive, and let the world do what it wants. Sometimes our faith must be active to change circumstances in the world about us.

2. We will always have battles in our walk of faith. Abraham had physical and spiritual battles that he would not have chosen to fight.

3. We must fight battles about the things that belong to God. The land belongs to God (Gen. 13:14-18).

4. We cannot turn our back on a brother just because they sin. Abraham could have said, "Lot made his bed, now let him lie in it."

5. We win great battles with human plans but behind the scenes, God gives us victory. Abraham defeated a superior foe with a quick, decisive hard-hitting night attack, but Melchizedek recognized, "God delivered thine enemies into thy hand" (v.20).

6. Our most dangerous battles usually come right after we have a great victory. Abraham defeated four mighty kings, but Satan attempted to sabotage him through the king of Sodom.

7. God will meet us before great battles to prepare us to stand against our enemies. We must let the Lord equip us for battle.

a. Abraham communed with God in Hebron, (3:14-18) before a physical battle.

b. Abraham communed with God and Melchizedek before a spiritual battle.

8. Abraham’s strength was in God’s name. "The Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth" (v.19). "I have lifted up mine hand unto the Lord, the Most High God" (v.22). What was done in the name of Jesus? Preach, baptize, heal, cast out demons, etc.

9. Compromise is one of the greatest threats facing believers. The king of Sodom wanted to form an alliance with Abraham. "Give me the persons, and take the goods for thyself" (v.21).

10. When you need strength, re-visit a promise or commitment you previously made to God. Abraham told the king of Sodom, "I have lifted mine hand unto the Lord" (v.22). The word "harimothi yadi" means literally to raise the hand in a vow.

11. You cannot compromise with the world and serve God. "No man can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24). "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God?" (James 4:4).

12. The world always offers us something it doesn’t possess and something it cannot deliver. All the possessions belong to Abraham under the "rules of war" but the king of Sodom offered them to Abraham. The world offers up peace, joy, and inner fulfillment, but cannot deliver.

13. Symbols are always important to God.

a. Bread and wine = Redemption.

b. Tithe = God’s ownership.

c. Worldly possession = Heart passion.

14. God is always concerned about certain places. Melchizedek met Abraham in the valley of Kidron, outside Jerusalem. There are places where God desires to meet with us and give us our strength. Today, God wants to meet us in the church.

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If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.eduand tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.

To get Dr. Towns’ Home Page for books, www.elmertowns.com.