Big sandals or stylish sidewalk surfers?

Our kids never ran out of things to fight about. One of the regular fights was over who was going to ride in the front seat of the car. They would race out to the car, trying to get there first, sometimes getting into a little scuffle. Of course, if Linda and I were both in the car, the fight switched to which one had to sit in the middle. No matter how we handled the situation, somebody was always unhappy. Did ya’ll ever have fights over stuff like that? You are not going to see a kid say, “Please, my wonderful sister, after you! You can take whichever seat you would like!”

Some of us are adults now…sort of. How do you deal with others in the adult world? Do you give others the choice of seats, let them go first in line at the potluck, hold the door for them…you know, just generally put others first in life? Or do you try to be first in everything, without people really noticing?

In Genesis chapter 13, Abraham and his family, including Lot his nephew, were travelling nomads, going where God directed. Both Abraham and Lot had become very wealthy. One day they had what you might call a meeting of the minds because there didn’t seem to be enough water, land, and pasture for for all of them. In fact, their shepherds quarrelled about it. They were camped out near Bethel, and Abraham called on the name of the Lord at that place. He often called on the Lord. And the Lord always showed up in one way or another.

Genesis 13:8–13 NIV

So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. 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 and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.

Genesis 13

Abraham was the elder, the patriarch: He had the right to first choice.

One thing we know about Abraham is that he trusted God — and God blessed Him. He believed God and it was credited to Him as righteousness (, , and ).

However, just because he trusted God doesn’t mean that all of his choices were easy ones. He was also human…but he had faith in God because he regularly talked to God.

Big Idea: Faith-driven choices are often difficult but they lead us closer to God, while self-focused choices are easy, often leading us away from God

Faith-driven choices are often difficult but they lead us closer to God, while self-focused choices are easy, leading us away from God

2 Peter 2:7–8 NIV

and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

Even believers can get pulled into the path of least resistance — it is very compelling because it looks easier and more rewarding

Transition: Even believers can get pulled into the path of least resistance — it is very compelling because it looks easier and more rewarding

The easy way is shortsighted

Anybody can fill those shoes — sissy, wimpy shoes — Stylish Sidewalk Surfers

Exposition: Lot

Abraham chose to believe God, even when things looked impossible. That became a way of life for Him.

What made Lot tick? We are not really sure - In , He is referred to as “righteous Lot”

2 Peter 2:7–8 NIV

The easy is shortsighted because it seems to be...

The easy way is shortsighted because it seems to be...

The path with the most perks

When Uncle Abraham told Lot to choose the part of the land he wanted, he immediately surveyed the situation, and took the land that looked the richest — including the cities - malls, theaters, restaurants, Starbucks, etc. “This will be so much better — with everything at my fingertips, life will be wonderful.”

It’s like they were standing in between Las Vegas and Death Valley or something. Lot sees the wealth and apparent ease of life so he chose the cities along the foothills and mountains of Vegas — Maybe Henderson, or Lake Mead, or possibly Mesquite. Abraham was left with what looked like the short end of the stick — but we know that Abraham was right where God wanted him…in the land of Canaan.

Lot seemed pretty shortsighted…blinded by the lure of the good life. He chose to settle in Sodom, knowing of it’s wickedness — this makes us wonder about his character and morality.

The path with the most perks

The easy way is shortsighted because it seems to be...

The path of least resistance

Lot probably felt like his choice would mean an easier life — not as many obstacles — many more conveniences

We will look at how this relates to us in a moment…but let’s look at Abraham: from our view looking back through time, we easily see that...

The hard way is rewarding

Lot probably felt like his choice would mean as easier life — not as many obstacles.

The hard way is rewarding

Abraham chose God’s plan, even when it looked impossible at times — big Sandals

Just because something is hard or challenging doesn’t mean it’s miserable — it just means it is not the way of least resistance. Abraham chose God’s plan, even when it looked impossible at times — big Sandals

Abraham was a man with the same challenges of any human being. We are only human…subject to the same temptations and difficulties.

Abraham chose to do what God said to do, even when it looked crazy. When God told him to leave Haran after his father died, it says that Abraham went, not knowing where he was going

Hebrews 11:8 NIV

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

The hard way is difficult but it makes you

Learns from Mistakes

Learn from mistakes

In Abraham moves his family down to Egypt because of a famine in the land of Canaan

So far so good — but right before they went into Egypt Abraham did something sketchy

Genesis 12:11–13 NIV

As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

Long story short — Pharoah took Sarai into the palace as a wife but everyone in his household became deathly ill. Someone told him that Sarai was Abraham’s wife

Pharoah called Abraham into his office — “Abraham what have you done to me by telling me Sarai was your sister? You and yours — get out of my land”

The hard way is difficult but it makes you

Willing to listen and make changes

In spite of Abraham’s unwise decisions at times — God continued to bless him and his family — he learned and grew as he sought the Lorod

Right before Abraham told Lot that he could have whatever part of the land he wanted, Abraham had been seeking the Lord (Genesis 13:3-4)

Seeking the Lord enables you to make the right choices

Hearing from God and making good choices builds your faith

Genesis 13:3–4 NIV

From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord.

The hard way is no fun but it helps you be...

Matures into a person of solid faith

Willing to sacrifice whatever it takes, in faith

Genesis 22:1–2 NIV

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

Genesis 22

God was testing Abraham…do you think He tests me, or you?

CHALLENGE

2 Peter 2:7–8 NIV

It turns out that Lot’s choice didn’t work out well for him

Faith-driven choices are often difficult but they lead us closer to God, while self-focused choices are easy, often leading us away from God

When Abraham found out, he gather his 318 men trained for battle and raided the camp and rescued Lot and his people

Faith-driven choices are often difficult but they lead us closer to God, while self-focused choices are easy, often leading us away from God

Sometime later God revealed to Abraham that he was about to destroy Sodom

Kidnapped — years later hustled out of the city by 2 angels right before God destroyed the wicked city of Sodom.

When we make choices based upon our faith in God - He will reward us in ways we can’t even imagine —

Faith-driven choices are often difficult but they lead us closer to God, while self-focused choices are easy, often leading us away from God

When we make choices based upon our faith in God - He will reward us in ways we can’t even imagine —

What does this mean for me and you?

I always teach young preachers one foundational principle: Make sure you are preaching Biblically sound message that meet the needs of your people at that particular time.

I don’t know exactly how this applies to each one of you individually…but God does — and He reminded me to let Him show you, rather than me. So listen to the Lord please

One key principle I teach young preachers about preaching is this: Make sure you are preaching Biblically sound message that meet the needs of your people at that particular time.

It always seems like the easy way is the best way

It has the most perks (benefits)

In today’s culture — we look for ways to work less, play more, and enjoy the fruit of our labor.

That’s fine…

It is the path of least resistance

FRANCIS CHAN: Don’t idolize your family

In culture…it is pretty common for families to focus on themselves above all else

So whatever it takes to get my kids involved in good stuff I am going to do it. I won’t miss a game or a concert. I will make sure they have full lives so they can stay out of trouble and so that they can succeed in the future

Those things are important and really help kids grow and develop in many ways

But what do we teach them about the Kingdom of God and what it means to follow Him? What do our attitudes, actions, habits, and priorities teach our kids and others that watch our lives?

It can sometimes create skewed priorities

What should our priorities really be? From a biblical perspective

Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

And love your neighbor as yourself

Where does family fit into these principles?

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 NIV

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Dt 6:

Abraham loved his family - Isaac was an amazing treasure

But Abraham loved God more and had faith that He would come though with His promises.

God’s path is hard sometimes

Take up your Cross and follow Him

In the face of ridicule and persecution at times

Friends, family, coworkers and others can really come against your faith

What does it mean to follow Him?

Dedicate everything you are and everything you have to God, for the sake of the Kingdom

That you might grow, mature, and be closer to the Lord — to hear from Him

That others might come to know Jesus as their Savior, King, and Lord

Rev 3:14-

Revelation 3:14–22 NIV

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Related Media

Related Sermons