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Outline:

In way of introduction… I have a love affair for what most critics view as terrible comedies. For example, my favorite movie of all time is an old Tom Hanks classic called, “The Burbs.” Additionally, John Cusack’s “Better Off Dead” and Weird Al’s “UHF” are among my favorites.

And while superhero flicks have recently become all the rage, it’s my humble opinion none compare to the epic 1999 disaster “Mystery Men.” Yes, the movie was a box-office flop loosing about 35 million dollars, but this tale about a group of lesser superheros who save the day with what can only be described as unimpressive powers is simply awesome.

I bring this up really for no other reason than to avoid plagiarism concerning the title of this mornings message for at the end of Genesis 14 we run into what can only be described as the “Mystery Man.” Aside from this we’re also going to talk about the importance of having a heart for the lost, as well as the underlying motivator behind our giving.

In order to set the stage, two Sundays ago we read about the first recorded war in Scripture. Five kings rebel against the rule of Chedorlaomer and his four nation coalition causing those in power to swoop into the region, put down the rebellion, and plunder the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Among the spoils we find Abram’s nephew Lot was also taken captive…

Genesis 14:13-16, “Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram. Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.

He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.”

While it’s easy to conclude Abram was moved to act out of love for “his brother Lot” you can’t help but notice there were other “people” he liberated as well. These people, like Lot, had been residents of Sodom and Gomorrah - which meant they were in all likelihood some very bad hombres. Back in Genesis 13:13, when Lot and Abram separated, Moses tells us “the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.”

What I find interesting is that before this war broke out and directly after God reiterated His promise that “all the land had been given to him and his descendants forever” Abram was exhorted to “arise and walk in the land through its length and its width” (Genesis 13:17).

There is no doubt, as Abram worked his way through the land, he witnessed the wickedness of the Canaanites, including those who lived in these notoriously pagan cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. And yet, upon seeing a tragedy befall these “sinners,” what does Abram do?

Does he stand idly by reasoning their awful plight was the result of divine judgment? Does Abram delight in their misfortunes seeing this situation as their just and due reward? No! If this had been his perspective he would have only saved Lot! Instead, Abram not only goes to rescue his brother, but he demonstrates kindness to everyone who’d been taken captive.

When we first looked at this text, we noted how this story presents a clear example as to how we’re to act when we catch word of a brother taken captive by sin. That said, I do believe there is another point to be made about how we’re to also view and relate to those who aren’t presently related to us (who aren’t part of the family of God).

Read the Rest at: http://www.c316.tv/sermons/215