Choices that honor God – Preaching
Preaching Outline on Genesis 13 – So Abram went up from Egypt to the south side, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him.
Introduction
Dear brothers and sisters, today I want to invite you to reflect on the story of Abram and Lot in Genesis 13, a story that teaches us about wealth, relationships and, above all, choices. This passage shows us how our decisions, whether small or large, impact not only our lives, but also our families and our relationship with God.
Recognize God’s blessings (Genesis 13:1-2)
Abram was a man blessed by God. His wealth included gold, silver and cattle. These assets were fundamental to life at the time, but they were also a demonstration of God’s provision. Abram could see his wealth multiplying daily, a reflection of God’s faithfulness.
Today, we must recognize that everything we have comes from the Lord. Whether it’s a little or a lot, our possessions are blessings from Him. This leads to a grateful heart and a willingness to use what we have to glorify God and bless others.
Promote peace in relationships (Genesis 13:5-9)
When there was a conflict between Abram and Lot’s shepherds, Abram took the initiative to resolve the situation. He gave up his right to choose, allowing Lot to decide first. He prioritized family peace over seeking his own benefit.
Conflicts often arise in our families and communities. Abram teaches us three valuable lessons:
- Take the initiative to resolve the conflict.
- Be generous, even if it means giving something up.
- Put peace above your own interests.
Doing so reflects the character of Christ, who called us to be peacemakers.
Avoid the traps of envy and rivalry (Genesis 13:7-8)
The rivalry between Abram and Lot’s shepherds led to divisions. This warns us about the danger of quarrels between brothers. Such disputes damage unity, delay the fulfillment of greater purposes and feed selfishness.
Jesus, in his prayer in John 17:21, asked the Father that his followers would be “one”. We need to be vigilant and resist the spirit of division that the enemy tries to sow in our families and churches. Let’s cultivate unity, trust and brotherly love.
Choices reveal the heart (Genesis 13:10-11)
Lot chose the best part of the land, without considering his uncle Abram or the spiritual dangers of living near Sodom. His greed and lack of discernment led to future problems.
The choices we make reveal what is in our hearts. Do we only seek what is convenient and advantageous for us, without consulting God’s will? Lot’s life teaches us that decisions based only on what seems good in our eyes can lead us into difficulties and away from God’s purpose.
Beware of the “Sodomites” around (Genesis 13:12-13)
Lot chose to live near Sodom, a city marked by sin, without considering the spiritual dangers for him and his family. Sometimes we approach places or situations that seem promising, but which could jeopardize our walk with God.
We must be a light in the world, reaching out to those who are lost, but without conforming to the world. If we expose ourselves too much to the modern “Sodomites”, we run the risk of compromising our faith and our family.
Conclusion of Genesis 13
Abram teaches us to be grateful for God’s blessings, promoters of peace and sensitive to his direction in our choices. Lot’s life, on the other hand, warns us of the dangers of impulsive and greedy decisions.
Today, the Lord is calling us to re-evaluate our choices. Are we seeking His will in everything we do? Are we promoting peace in our relationships? May we be examples of faith and obedience, like Abram, and avoid the mistakes of Lot.
Let’s pray and ask the Lord for wisdom to make decisions that honor His name and strengthen our spiritual journey. Amen.
Preaching Outline on Genesis 13 – So Abram went up from Egypt to the south side, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him.
More Preaching Outlines
- Genesis 19:17 – Abraham and Lot
- Communion – Genesis 19:5
- Is there anyone to accept Jesus? – Genesis 19:15-17
