January 20, 2019

Abraham’s Amazing Victory

Abraham’s Amazing Victory

Genesis 13:18-14:24  Abraham’s Amazing Victory

 

People enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and upon receiving Christ they come with their own expectations.  One way to express it: “I gave my heart to Jesus, and I think I can live at ease in this world.”  Is that true?  The word of God wants us to understand all that God has given us, but at the same time be aware of the battles that may be faced along the way.

 

The Bible suggests that Abraham was at peace and enjoying fellowship with Almighty God.  13:18

God had repeated the promise of an inheritance from the Owner.

Gen 1:1—all is His by creation

Great trees, oaks of Mamre—like a shaded resort, restful

Christians have good reasons to rest:  they are placed in Christ.

Three of the many things we have in Christ:

Romans 5:1  Peace with God

John 14:27   Peace of Christ in the world

Romans 14:17 Joy in the Holy Spirit

 

Abraham entered a battle, and Christians can’t avoid one.

He was called on to pursue the invading armies—Lot was captured

Our battle is with temptation to sin, and by that to contradict God.

We might try to excuse sin: because there is opportunity to

sin, doesn’t mean it was of God.  James 1:13

The Bible reminds us–we must be on guard against three enemies.

Our own flammable, sinful nature  James 1:14-15

The world system that is against God  John 16:33

The devil (slanderer, adversary)  1 Peter 5:8

 

Abraham was victorious and received a double blessing.

He recovered the people with all their goods.

Pay for marauding armies was the plunder, loot

Huge task for a few servant/soldiers (later Gideon)

Little is much if God is in it!

He was met by Melchizedek who gave him the blessing.

About the man: Hebrews 7:1-3

What he did:

  1. brought a blessing of food to sustain and refresh
  2. brought a spiritual blessing of God—victory!

When we met Christ, we were also given great blessings.

Way of escape through temptations:  1 Corinthians 10:31

Ephesians 1:3 blessed with every spiritual blessing

Communion: reminder of our spiritual sustenance, refresh

 

Abraham acknowledged the victory and the blessing from God.

He did not receive the king of Sodom’s reward—nothing of world.

He gave a tenth to Melchizedek as to the Lord.

Tithing is not an attempt to bribe God.

Tithing is not a means to gain salvation.

OT tithes were commanded in the law, but taught Israel

lessons in faith: firstfruits before the whole crop

Tithe is acknowledgement of God’s faithfulness, gifts

It is an act of faith and an act of worship.

It overcomes the natural greed for our possessions

 

God gives us spiritual victories in our lives so that we may experience his protection and love.  He allows temptations to come and he permits evil forces to oppress us, but he gives us victory after victory as we depend on all Christ is to help us.