subject: Bible Characters (#17 in Sain’s filing system) 1/11/04 p.m.

WE ARE BRETHREN

Genesis 13:8

I. Abraham was not perfect and neither was Lot, but they were brethren.

A. Abraham (whose name was not officially changed until Genesis 17:5) may have

been slow to believe God (Genesis 12:1; 14:12).

B. Abraham and Lot had different personalities.

C. Different personalities do not need to be a dividing wedge.

1. We are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

2. I do not have to have everything my way! Of course, in matters of doctrine

there is no room for compromise.

3. When one is helping another, both are strong (German proverb).

4. An MSN.com article from 1/7/04 listed the 5 most unpleasant co-worker types

as follows: 1) the office gossiper, 2) the constant complainer, 3) the nosey

neighbor, 4) the office thief, and 5) the all-around unpleasant coworker.

Consider the church counterparts to these types.

II. Abraham cared for Lot because they were brethren.

A. Abraham was selfless (Genesis 13:9), but Lot was not a lot like Abraham in this

area (Genesis 13:10-12).

1. Looks can be deceiving.

2. Often times we see what we are looking for.

a. If you want to like something or someone, it’s easy to find a reason why.

b. If you don’t want to like something or someone, it’s easy to find a reason

why.

B. Abraham came to Lot’s rescue.

1. The first instance is recorded in Genesis 14:14-16.

2. The second instance is recorded in Genesis 18:20-32.

a. Upon hearing that Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed, Abraham

successfully interceded for the cities to be spared if 10 righteous souls were

present.

b. Why the number 10?

(1) Doubtless Abraham wanted to see the destruction averted and

vigorously begged to that end, but perhaps Abraham considered the

size of Lot’s own family.

(2) >Lot and his wife = 2

>Lot’s virgin daughters (Genesis 19:8) = 2

>Lot had sons-in-law meaning there were at least 2 sons-in-law and

2 daughters though there could have been more (Genesis 19:14) = 4

>Genesis 19:12 mentions “sons” (which could mean sons-in-law) = 2

10

(3) There is good reason to believe that Lot’s own family exceeded 10

members (Genesis 13:6).

III. Because they were brethren, Abraham and Lot talked to each other about their

problems.

A. They did not run the other down to third-parties.

1. Read Matthew 5:24.

2. What is the common practice today.

3. It has been a long time since I have heard someone say: “You made me mad.”

I usually am told who is upset from outside sources.

B. Properly resolving the problem proved beneficial.

1. Over-population was corrected.

2. Abraham was brought into compliance with God’s rule (Genesis 12:1)

____

Strong Families

Professor Nick Stinnet headed a research project to “discover what makes families strong.” His team observed and interviewed 3,000 strong families in South America, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, South Africa, and the United States. From this research they concluded that strong families have six main qualities:

1. Family members are committed to the family (Matthew 19:6).

2. They spend time together (Ephesians 5:23-33).

3. They have good family communication (1 Peter 3:7).

4. They express appreciation to each other (Proverbs 31:30).

5. They have a spiritual commitment (Matthew 6:33; Luke 1:6).

6. They are able to solve problems in a crisis (Philippians 4:13).

Strong family ties don’t just happen—they take work!