As a start of doing my part of the Great Commission, I want to be a reproducer. This is based on my notes from Robert Chapman's sermon at TBC on 6/28/2015 from the passage above.
We have been discussing conflict resolution for several weeks and we are continuing on this topic this week. This week focuses on "I don't always have to get my way when conflict arises."
1. Sometimes having much can lead to conflicts. Abram and Lot had both become wealthy and in livestock, silver, and gold. Vs.6-7 tell us that they were unable to support all of their livestock and possessions on the same land so they would be unable to stay together. Quarreling and arguments were arising between their herdsmen and spilling over into family affairs. This showed us that even though both men were wealthy, that wealth and fortune could not help avoid, and could actually lead to, conflict.
2. We must understand the importance of valuing people over possessions. In v.8 Abram goes to Lot in an effort to stop the arguing among the herdsmen and their families. He offers is v.9 that if Lot wishes to go left that he will go right. Why is this significant? Well, Abram is the elder here. He is Lot's uncle and he should have first choice of the land to which he will go. But Abram loves Lot enough to be willing to step back and put him ahead of possessions here on earth. What are we focused on in business today? Is it people or numbers? Sometimes we work so hard to get ahead and get the raise, get the promotion that it ends up costing us more than the salary can ever pay by forcing us to sacrifice time at home with our families because we are working early or working to late. People are more important than possessions.
3. The grass is not always greener on the other side. In vs.10-11, Lot looks up and sees the plain of the Jordan and how well watered it is. Its even called the "garden of the Lord". By looking at these lush fields and taking the human common sense approach, Lot chose to head out to the east. But as Christians, we shouldn't always take the common sense, worldly, approach to things. We should ask ourselves going into every situation, What does God say about this? Abram stayed in the land of Canaan and he was content with Lot's choice. In Philippians 4:12, Paul writes "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Paul was able to find peace and contentment even in prison by keeping his faith in Jesus Christ. So remember, the grass is not always greener on the other side, and follow God, not always common sense.
4. Learn to rest in God's provision. In vs.14-17 God says to Abram to look up and out in all directions and promises to him all the land that he can see. The Lord goes on to tell Abram that He will make his offspring like the dust of the earth too. Abram sought God's guidance in solving the conflict he and Lot were having over land. He went to God and the Lord provided in ways I would imagine more miraculous than Abram expected. But Abram didn't fight with Lot, or battle and argue over his personal preferences; he sought God's plan and followed it. Are we content to rest in what God has given us? Or have we gotten caught up in the world's pace to always want more? God promises throughout the Bible to provide for our needs and if we seek him, he will give us the direction we need in life and conflict decisions.
#MondayMorningPreacher #SermonNotesChallenge
We have been discussing conflict resolution for several weeks and we are continuing on this topic this week. This week focuses on "I don't always have to get my way when conflict arises."
1. Sometimes having much can lead to conflicts. Abram and Lot had both become wealthy and in livestock, silver, and gold. Vs.6-7 tell us that they were unable to support all of their livestock and possessions on the same land so they would be unable to stay together. Quarreling and arguments were arising between their herdsmen and spilling over into family affairs. This showed us that even though both men were wealthy, that wealth and fortune could not help avoid, and could actually lead to, conflict.
2. We must understand the importance of valuing people over possessions. In v.8 Abram goes to Lot in an effort to stop the arguing among the herdsmen and their families. He offers is v.9 that if Lot wishes to go left that he will go right. Why is this significant? Well, Abram is the elder here. He is Lot's uncle and he should have first choice of the land to which he will go. But Abram loves Lot enough to be willing to step back and put him ahead of possessions here on earth. What are we focused on in business today? Is it people or numbers? Sometimes we work so hard to get ahead and get the raise, get the promotion that it ends up costing us more than the salary can ever pay by forcing us to sacrifice time at home with our families because we are working early or working to late. People are more important than possessions.
3. The grass is not always greener on the other side. In vs.10-11, Lot looks up and sees the plain of the Jordan and how well watered it is. Its even called the "garden of the Lord". By looking at these lush fields and taking the human common sense approach, Lot chose to head out to the east. But as Christians, we shouldn't always take the common sense, worldly, approach to things. We should ask ourselves going into every situation, What does God say about this? Abram stayed in the land of Canaan and he was content with Lot's choice. In Philippians 4:12, Paul writes "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Paul was able to find peace and contentment even in prison by keeping his faith in Jesus Christ. So remember, the grass is not always greener on the other side, and follow God, not always common sense.
4. Learn to rest in God's provision. In vs.14-17 God says to Abram to look up and out in all directions and promises to him all the land that he can see. The Lord goes on to tell Abram that He will make his offspring like the dust of the earth too. Abram sought God's guidance in solving the conflict he and Lot were having over land. He went to God and the Lord provided in ways I would imagine more miraculous than Abram expected. But Abram didn't fight with Lot, or battle and argue over his personal preferences; he sought God's plan and followed it. Are we content to rest in what God has given us? Or have we gotten caught up in the world's pace to always want more? God promises throughout the Bible to provide for our needs and if we seek him, he will give us the direction we need in life and conflict decisions.
#MondayMorningPreacher #SermonNotesChallenge
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