Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-05-06

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GOLDEN TEXT-In all these we are
norv than conquerors through Him
hat loved us.-Rom S:37.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Abraham Saves
ot From Danger
JUNIOR TOPIC-Abraham Rescues
lot.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR ToP-
c-Abraham' Courage and Generosity.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
3C-Victory Through Faith and Cour-
ge
|. Lot Taken Captive (14:1-12)
Lots misfortune was due to his
elfishness in choosing the hest land
regardless of the moral risks in his
associations ia 10. ~. The Jordan
alley was very fertile, but place of
noral snares because Sodom was
!Ahere. Frequently fine pasture for
6tle contains poisonous growths
.ot's trouble was not mimarily be-
ause he was bad man, but because
Pf his associations. The steps taken
BY Int as shown in chapter Is were:
]. Me lifted up his eyes and beheld
". 10Y
> lie chose him all the plain (v IL.
3. lie dwelt in the cities of the plain
v 12)
4 He pitched his tent toward Sodom
" 12).
3. He dwelt in Sodom 04:12l
6. II" sat IN the gate of Sodom (l9:D.
II. Abraham Resoues Lot Cl3-16).
/. News brought 10 Abraham ~. 10y
Abraham was in a place of safety
ust why the man who had escaped
ame to Abraham with the news we
10 not know. Perhaps Lot had re
uested him to tell Abraham of his
hisfortune making known the fact
# his kinship and through him APP
eaIing for help.
2 Abraham in pursuit (yv. H. 15).
Abraham, the greathearted forgot
1otx seltishness and ingratitude, or
arRzed his servants and by night
tack defeated the enemy. Abra-
am might Just have left Lot to his
hte, but because Lot was his brother
e forgot his wrongs
3. Lot rescued e. ICY.
Not only was Lot saved but the
kgomen and his goods were rescued.
because Abraham was separate from
odom he was able 10 save his brother.
The one who is separate from tie
Eorld has power to overcome it, While
he one who is joined to the world is
elpless and is carried away with its
5nin.
III. The Ministry of MsIchizedek
w 17-2o).
Melchizedek, mysterious person.
lddenly appears on the scene. His
ame signifies king of righteousness"
e was also king of Salem. Salem
N beans peace The name is descriptive
N his Office, rather than a proper
nasme He is a type of Christ. The
EolA pwing features are suggested by
'AvT Pierson:
|, /. He represents a primitive uni
Lkersal faith. antedating, outranking
hnd surviving the Levitical.
.. He was the priest of the Most
High Coda more comprehensive
Iame than Jehovah.
3. His order of priesthood was not
local or temporary, but universal and
Permanent
n a. He outranked even Abraham, who
bald him tithes as to superior.
5. He was prophet, priest and king
ALI in one, a sort of threefold per-
sonage
6. He was not reclloned according
No human geneaogy nor limited course
df service
{. He was both king of righteous
ness and king of peace. Righteous
ness pertains TO the name Of the ma
ton and peace. to the realm Ahra-
ham gave tithes to Melehizedek, and
this was the standard Of giving in
the Old Testament, but tire New
Testament puts giving ON a higher
pEne. In l Corinthians 1871 the be
n yer is instructed to give as the
Lord prospers.
~. Abraham and the King. Of sodon
(21-24).
The king Of sodom offered Abra
ham reward Abraham was quick to
discern his peril in receiving gifts
from him. He knew that what be
had done WAS through the grace Of
God upon him. He would not use
This grace for private gain, would moi
eompllcate himself With the world for
the sake Of money. He anticipated
shis temptation ard had covenanted
,Seith God not to yield to it tvy 22-23)
Ministers and eyangelsts have made
grievous mistakes in receiving and
even seeking financial help from god
less people. The God who is posses
sor Of heaven and earth does not
need the help of the world. The world
must not have opportunity to boast.
Our Punishment