Change of People | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus

ICEBREAKER:

What is your favorite fall activity and why?

MESSAGE NOTES:

Series: Choose Your Adventure

Sermon: Change of People

Text: Genesis 13

Pace + Place + People = Perspective

[Genesis 12:13-16]

So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” 14 And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone noticed Sarai’s beauty. 15 When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace. 16 Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—

[Genesis 13:1-11]

So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned. 2 (Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.) 3 From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel…

4 This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again. 5 Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy…

6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. 7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.) 8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives!

5 Principles for Changing a Relationship

1. Initiate important conversations

[Genesis 13:6-8]

But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. 7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.) 8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives!

Anticipating Crucial Conversations

[Genesis 13:9]

The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate.

What situation in your life is not getting better on its own and requires a conversation that you need to initiate?

[Romans 12:18]

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

2. Make your best effort to see through their lens

Lot’s perspective - lost his dad in Ur, lost his grandpa in Harran, lost his uncle in Canaan - every father figure has left him

[Romans 12:18]

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

3. Take the the high road where you can (be generous)

[Genesis 13:9]

The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”

4. Expect mixed feelings

[Genesis 13:10-11]

Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.

5. Stay Longsighted

[Genesis 13:13-18]

So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. 13 But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord. 14 After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. 16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! 17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the Lord.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

QUESTION 1:
Have you experienced “people pain”? How has it shaped your faith journey and how you relate to God?

QUESTION 2:
Which of the 5 points pastor Greg shared, do you need to apply most in this current season of life?

QUESTION 3:

In what aspect of your life, is God leading you to “choose your adventure”?

GUIDED PRAYER:

God thank you for every blessing - this things I see and the things I don’t see. Thank you that you are a faithful God. I ask you to guide the people in my world - help me to give and receive healthy community in every relationship. Help me to apply your word today. In Jesus name - amen.

One ChurchSeptember 19, 2023