ABRAHAM, THE MAN OF FAITH

GENESIS 14:17-24

INTRODUCTION

God called Abram, and he went out, not knowing where he was going. Abram believed that He who called him was able to lead him to his destiny. Lot went with him. Lot followed Abram and Abram followed God. It is always good for each one of us to follow God personally. Each one of us must choose God for self. Secondary faith or second-hand faith is dangerous. Let Jesus Christ be your own personal saviour and Lord. Lot is soon found dwelling in Sodom. Now we see him as a captive. Worldliness and sin leads to spiritual bondage.

Let us look at Abrams character of faith in this episode:-

I.  ABRAM, A MAN OF SYMPATHY. (Gen.14:13-14)

• Someone came and told Abram that his brother Lot was taken captive.
• Abram did not say “He has himself to blame”
• Abram did not say “He should not have gone to Sodom”
• Abram did not say: Those are the wages to sin and worldliness”
• Abram thought of deliverance to save his brother.
• Those who walk in faith and in fellowship with God are not indifferent to the suffering and sorrows of their brethren.

II.  ABRAM, A MAN OF COURAGE ( Gen.14:14-15)

• With his 318 men, Abram went forth against the four Kings!!
• The man of faith attempts great things, he knows that God uses the weak to confound the mighty.
• Faith is always moved by love, love for the brethren.
• Great faith constrains us to attempt the impossibilities.
• Just think of Nehemiah, Moses and Paul (Phil.4:13)

III.  ABRAM, A MAN OF POWER “HE BROUGHT BACK ALL” (Gen.14:16)

• Abram, the separated man, dwelt in the presence of God.
• Abram went into battle from the presence of God. He knew that the battle belongs to God.
• Lot, mingled with the worldly, he could not even save himself, leave alone his wife and children.
• It is the separated one alone who is able to save others.
• Faith is the victory, without faith we fail like Samson (Judges 16)

IV.  ABRAM, A MAN OF INDEPENDENCE “I Will Not Take Anything That Is Thine “ (Gen.14:23)

• Abram refused to take anything from the king of Sodom.
• Abram said lest he should say “I have made Abram rich”
• Not every gift is worthy taking, the king of Sodom is a picture of the devil.
• God had enriched Abram and given him honour.
• Abram was met by two people after the great victory.

1. The king of Sodom- Satan, offer Abram the things and spoils,
2. The king of Salem (Jerusalem) the Priest of the Most High God- Jesus Christ- He offered Abram bread and wine.

• There are two kingdoms and two kings. There are two cities, the city of God- Salem, the City of Satan- Sodom.
• The King of Sodom offers things. The king of Salem offers bread and wine.
• This independence is not of pride and self-sufficiency, but the independence that is jealous of God’s honour and character.
• Elisha refused the offer of the King of Assyria, and Naaman.
• Gehazi accepted the gifts of Naaman and with these gifts came leprosy.
• The Lord is the portion of His people (Deut.32:9)

V.   ABRAM, A MAN APPROVED OF GOD “MELCHIZEDEK Met him and blessed him” (Gen.14:18-20)

• Melchizedek met Abram and blessed him- He also refreshed Abram with bread and wine.
• The Good Samaritan gave the wounded man the oil and the wine.
• Jesus Christ, the priest of the Most High God will so bless and refresh all who walk, work and war for His glory.
• In the struggles of faith, the blessing priest will meet us.
• When you, the separated child of God go out to fight on behalf of others- the king of peace will meet you with help and blessing.
• Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe (a tenth) of everything.
• Abram gave back to God, the tithe of everything.
• The tithe is the Lord’s, a token of what God has given.

CONCLUSION

• Faith is the victory. Are you walking, working and warring for God.
• Faith is the blessing. God rewards our faith and exploits of faith.
• Don’t refuse to go to war, the battle is the Lords.
• When you got to battle, victory is assured, recovery is assured and Melchizedek will meet you in the Valley of the Kings.