Week 98 - Free Weekend Program for Children

Date: Saturday, 5 July, 2025

Text: Genesis 14:1–17

Theme: Bearing One Another’s Burdens in Love

In Genesis 14, we encounter a chaotic world not so different from ours today where kings rise against kings, and the lust for power, territory, and dominance drives men to war. Nations are thrown into confusion, the innocent are caught in the crossfire and they suffer. In the midst of this turmoil, we find Lot, the nephew of Abram, swept away as a captive of war. He wasn’t part of the battle (John 17:16), but by choosing to live near Sodom—a place of sinful attraction—he became a victim of its destruction.

It might be easy to say, “Well, Lot chose that life. He should have known better.” After all, Lot had previously lifted his eyes and chosen the lush plains of Jordan near Sodom, prioritizing material advantage over spiritual guidance and safety. But this tendency is not unique to Lot; it is a reflection of our own human nature - all of us - heirs of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:6). We love sin, our fallen nature continually tempts us with what looks good to the eyes, leading us away from the Creator - Christ, into slavery to sin (Romans 6:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10).

Yet, when Abram heard that Lot had been taken captive, he didn’t pause to judge him. He didn’t say, “Let him face the consequences of his choices.” No — moved by love, Abram gathered his men and pursued those who had captured Lot, risking his own life to rescue his brother. That’s love. That’s burden-bearing. And that’s the heart of Christ.

The story of Abram and Lot is more than mere family loyalty or bravery; it points us to a much greater reality- Christ, who came after us when we were captives — not necessarily of earthly kings, but of sin, Satan, and the world. Like Lot, we were all led astray in Adam and Eve by the allure of worldly pleasures and the promises of self-fulfillment. We wandered near Sodom, dwelling in sin, and when trouble came, we were powerless to save ourselves.

The same is true today. But Jesus, like Abram, did not wait for us to call out or to clean ourselves up. He didn’t look down from heaven and say, “They made their bed; let them lie in it.” No. While we were yet sinners — while we were still in bondage — Christ died for us.

He came down. He pursued us. He fought for us (Isaiah 49:24-26). He bore the weight of our sin — a burden that was not His — and laid down His life on the cross. Not because we were worthy or had made the right choices, but because love compelled Him. Because grace triumphed over judgment.

Now, the gospel calls us to do the same: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). This is not a call to analyze people’s mistakes or to decide whether they deserve help. It is a call to love as we have been loved — to step into the mess, to intercede fervently in prayer (James 5:16), to offer practical support when God enables us, and to resist the pride that says, “I would never have made that choice.”

Right now, there are people all around us who, like Lot, are held captive and trapped — some by their own decisions, others by the brokenness of this world and our fallen nature. Some are bound by addiction, others by depression, sin, and Satan — hopeless and unforgiving. Will we be like Abram, moved to act in love? Or will we stand at a distance, wrapped in our own righteousness, content to “mind our own business”?

James writes, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:15–16). Faith that does not act in love is empty. A gospel that remains in our mouths but never moves our hands is hollow.

Let us not forget that we too were once in bondage — we too were rescued. Let that remembrance drive us to our knees in prayer for others. Let it stir us to give, to serve, to preach the gospel, and to stand in the gap when others fall, using our gifts effectively. We must remember that the gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. It is the truth that sets us free. Our salvation does not depend on our duties, money, possessions, or government; we must keep our eyes on Christ alone.

Abram fought for Lot. Christ fought for us. Now we are called to fight for others not with swords, but with intercession, compassion, and sacrificial love. This is how the world will know we belong to Christ: not by how well we judge, but by how well we love.

Let our lives reflect the gospel we believe. Let us bear one another’s burdens — and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Amen.

We are also studying the gospel through the Book of John, led by Evangelist Heshimu Colar, every Thursday and Sunday from 5pm - 6:15pm. You can hear the messages by visiting: https://www.sermonaudio.com/speakers/32161/

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