Scripture
Genesis 14:13-16
Introduction
Satan continually attempts to divide and conquer families, hoping that he can gain a captive and get us to give up on each other.
Lot's captivity began when he stubbornly went his own way into a land filled with sin.
When Abraham received word of Lot's demise, he wasted no time to rescue him and bring him back into the family's goodwill. This is what Easter is all about. Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross to save all families reveals how love truly conquers all.
Family Members Can Do Some Things That Make You Really Angry.
Lot represents the family member tests the extremities of our love - proud, ignorant, and stubborn; a fatal combination!
Satan will settle for who he CAN get – targeting the spiritually weakest among us. He did the same with Jesus, had Him crucified by the betrayal of Judas.
Jesus is always seeking to gain a life.
How can we indeed be happy with a divided or distant family?
Separation is painfully debilitating – not even Jesus wanted to leave his earthly family behind (Garden of Gethsemane prayer in John 17).
Abraham did not want to be part from Lot because they had built a life together. Even though the disagreed, he continually tried to reach him.
Jesus' Love for Us Models the Love We Should Have for Our Wayward Family Members
Both Abraham and Jesus show us the power of loving being:
Unconditionally redemptive - love and forgiveness are not the same things; God loved the world, so he gave…. God gave Jesus before He for-gave US! You don't need the offenders' repentance to start the process of reconciliation. (John 3:16)
Truthfully rehabilitative - our Christian walk requires us to draw closer to God and change as His light illuminates our imperfections.
Gracefully restorative - Jesus is tender. He is concerned about what makes us hurt the most.
Incredibly connective - Trouble helps us grow closer. Lot left Haran as Abraham's nephew then ended up as Abraham's brother.
Winning the Lost in Our Families Is A Shared Goal with Jesus
We should try to get them saved by any means necessary!
Abraham did not debate Lot's need for salvation.
Parable of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin - Luke 15:1-7; 8-10
Join with a few prayer warriors in your cause.
"….The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful." James 5:16 HOL
This battle was too big and significant for Abraham to fight alone (the men were "trained" and "servants").
Don't give up when you meet resistance from the enemy or the captive.
"Then Jesus used this story to teach his followers that they should always pray and never lose hope." Luke 18:1 NCV
Abraham pursued and attacked the enemy until his brother (LOT) was released!
Jesus' resurrection has released us all from the bondage of Satan. We are free to love and build a family in a radically different way.