Message Notes

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 10 April 2021

Call to Worship Pastor Charles Tan

1. HWC #1: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

2. HWC #4: How Great Thou Art

Opening Prayer

Scripture Reading:

1. Genesis 14:8-12

2. Genesis 14:13-17

3. Genesis 14:18-24

Scripture Readers: Chloe Tang, Bethany Toong and Tessa Kang

Pastoral Prayer: Pastor Mark Tan

Message: “Blessed be God Most High”

Speaker: Pastor Charles Tan

Closing Prayer

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 10 April 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. Two Rival kingdoms

a.Northern Coalition of 4 kings

i. Amraphel, king of Shinar (Babylon) Genesis 14:1a

ii. Arioch, king of Ellasar Genesis 14:1b

iii. Chedorlaomer, king of Elam (Persia) Genesis 14:1c

iv. Tidal, king of nations Genesis 14:1d

b. Southern Coalition of 5 kings

i. Bera, king of Sodom Genesis 14:2a

ii. Birsha, king of Gomorrah Genesis 14:2b

iii. Shinab, king of Admah Genesis 14:2c

iv. Shemeber, king of Zeboiim Genesis 14:2d

v. The king of Bela Genesis 14:2e

3. Serving the Northern Coalition led by Chedorlaomer

a. He was the leader of the Northern Coalition of 4 kings

b. Chedorlaomer was served for 12 years
By the coalition of Southern 5 kings Genesis 14:4a

c. They rebelled against him in the 13th year Genesis 14:4b

THE WAR BETWEEN THE NORTH AND SOUTH KINGDOMS

1. Cherdorlaomer led a punitive army task force
In the 14th year against the Southern Coalition Genesis 14:5

2. The Southern Coalition seemed to have gained more allies: Genesis 14:5-7

a. The Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim

b. The Zuzim in Ham

c. The Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim

d. The Horites in their mountain of Seir

e. The Amalekites

f. The Amorites

These allies may have given them “confidence” to rebel against their overlords
in the Northern Coalition

THE BATTLE FIELD: THE VALLEY OF SIDDIM

1. Wars were fought differently in the ancient days

2. A battle field was chosen

3. Armies from both sides would face each other

4. Whichever side had the stronger army would become the victors

5. The Valley of Siddim was chosen

a. This was a poor choice

b. There were asphalt pits

c. The two kings of Sodom and Gomorrah lost the battle

d. They fled from the battle field Genesis 14:10

i. Some were killed in battle

ii. Others fell in the asphalt pits

iii. The remainder to the mountains

6. The Northern Coalition won this battle

a. They took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 14:11

b. They also took Lot as prisoner and departed for home Genesis 14:12

NEWS REACHED ABRAM THE HEBREW

1. Abram dwelt in Mamre (about 3.2 km from Hebron)

2. He lived amidst chieftains who were his allies

a. Mamre the Amorite Genesis 14:13a

b. Brother of Eshcol Genesis 14:13b

c. And brother of Aner Genesis 14:13c

3. Action was taken immediately

a. He armed 318 of his servants Genesis 14:14a

b. They were born in his household Genesis 14:14b

c. They went in pursuit to rescue Lot Genesis 14:14c

4. Distance to be noted

a. Hebron to Sodom (3158km)

b. Hebron to Dan (4363 km)

5. A successful raid

a. Goods were recaptured Genesis 14:16a

b. Lot was rescued too Genesis 14:16b

c. Many rescued including women Genesis 14:16c

TWO KINGS MET ABRAM

1. The king of Sodom Genesis 14:17, 22-24

2. The king of Salem Genesis 14:18-20

THE VISIT OF THE KING OF SODOM

1. He went to see Abram in the King’s Valley Genesis 14:17

a. He asked for the return of his people Genesis 14:21a

b. But Abram may keep the spoils of war (goods) Genesis 14:21b

2. Abram’s response

a. He had sworn to God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth

b. He did not go to war for gain Genesis 14:23

i. He would take nothing for himself

ii. He did not want anyone to say that they made Abram rich

c. But his allies may be rewarded

i. Aner

ii. Eshcol

iii. Mamre Genesis 14:24

THE VISIT OF THE KING OF SALEM

1. Melchizedek Genesis 14:18a

a. King of righteousness

b. King of peace (Salem)

c. He was also a priest Genesis 14:18b

2. Blessing of Abram

a. In the name of God Most High

b. Possessor of heaven and earth

c. Blessing God Most High

d. He was the One who delivered the enemies into Abram’s hand

3. Symbolic worship

a. Bread

b. Wine

4. Response of Abram

a. He gave a tithe to the King of Salem Genesis 14:20

b. He acknowledged God Most High

 c.And this special priest of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth

CONCLUSION

1. More Tests

a. Would Abram rescue Lot?

b. Would he risk his life in battle?

c. How would he approach this War?

d. Would he gain wealth through War?

2. Abram passed these tests with flying colours

a. God was with him

b. He was blessed with success

c. He ended with Worship