Genesis 14:1-16

Genesis 14 shows us the three spiritual battles we must understand if we want to find lasting victory in our lives: the battle around, within, and for us.

Outline

  • First, The source of the spiritual battle around us (14:1-7)
  • Second, The shape of the spiritual battle within us (14:8-12)
  • Third, The story of the spiritual battle for us (14:13-16)

Christ Connections

  • Abram gives us a picture of how God battles for us. Kingdom warfare begin in Genesis 14, where God brings about an unlikely victory through an unexpected deliverer for an undeserving people. Begins a pattern that culminates in Christ defeating death through unexpected means.
  • Abram doesn’t just rescue God’s people, he restores their possessions. He brings restoration to God’s people in God’s place living out God’s purpose. Later, we see Jesus come as a conquering warrior who rescues captives, plunders his enemies, and pours out his victory gifts upon his people.

Applications

  • Conflict in our lives comes through unmet expectations and unsatisfied passions. How are you lining up your armies like those in Genesis 14?
  • Ephesians 6:11-12 and the battle in Genesis 14 helps us make sense of the spiritual battles we face today. The primary battles we face is a spiritual battle raging around us. We face Satan who is the prince of the power of the air and we must be prepared with a warfare worldview. Seeing this battle  enables us to fight for pursue lasting victory in the Christian life
  • John 10:10 shows us that while Satan comes to plunder our hearts, Christ comes to bring us abundant life in our great spiritual battle.