Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes. We can differentiate friends from acquaintances by how we feed them. Friends eat in the living room or at least in a very comfortable setting. It’s ‘Let’s eat!’ We attempt to impress acquaintances. They are fed with fine china and silver and fed in the most proper way. How are we when the Almighty God appears? Do we kick into King James language when He shows up? Do we change everything to impress Him?
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
by Delbert Young
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
Scriptures: Genesis 18:1-2, Genesis 18:38, Genesis 18:8, Revelation 22:2, Genesis 18:9, Genesis 18:10, Genesis 18:10-12, Genesis 18:13-15, Genesis 18:16-17, Genesis 18:20, Romans 1:27-28, Ezekiel 16:49, Revelation 11:8, Isaac 1:10, Isaac 3:8, Jeremiah 23:14, Matthew 10:14-15, Matthew 11:24, Genesis 18:17-19, Genesis 18:19, Genesis 18:22-33
Genesis 18:1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
1. the LORD appeared unto him in the plains
One may suspect that when the Lord comes to town that there would be grandeur and trumpets and shouting of angels. That may well be when the Lord returns at the resurrection, but to Abraham, the Lord came the way a friend would. The Lord appeared to Abraham not in grandeur and majesty and as a stranger. Rather the Lord appeared to Abraham in familiarity and friendship. The Lord came walking up the driveway to Abraham’s house. It would be exactly like an old friend would come to my house.
It does not seem that Abraham was specifically seeking the Lord at this moment. Actually, it seems Abraham was only attempting to avoid the heat of the day. The Lord should be able to walk into our lives this way. He should be able to walk into our lives whenever he pleases. Friends are allowed to do this. Abraham, of course, was the friend of God (Jam 2:23).
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
We have noted again and again how the Lord would visit Abraham and then Abraham would build an altar and return a visit to the Lord. We have pointed out that this is how a friendship is established. People must spend time together to truly become friends. Acquaintances can see each other and wave and speak. But friends have the right to visit whenever they so desire. This is what we see between Abraham and the Lord. Abraham’s response to the Lord’s unannounced visit was to run (Strong’s #7323) or rush toward the Lord. How wonderful the picture of this nearly one-hundred-year-old man running to greet and welcome the Lord. Some folks, as they age, have trouble simply getting to church on Sunday. We see that Abraham ran to greet His Lord.
run
ruwts (roots);
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush):
This is a sweet picture. An acquaintance can drop by and we don’t run out to the car to meet them. When a friend comes by that we enjoy spending time with we have a rush inside and we are happy to see them.
The Lord will sometimes appear to us when we are simply avoiding the heat of life. We are not fasting or praying or being “spiritual.” If He is truly our friend, as well as our Lord, then He has access to our lives any time He desires. Expect the Lord to show up when you least expect Him.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
Genesis 18:3-8
3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetch a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
2. under the tree
Abraham does not bother with “fine china” though his guest is of the highest honor. Get this. Abraham sits them under a tree! Amazingly Abraham sits the Lord God Almighty under a tree! I could do this with a friend but with the Almighty God?
Abraham takes care of their washroom needs, but there are no eloquent acts of etiquette. No fine silver was brought out, no fine linen, no expensive dining-room furniture. There were not crystal glasses. All the elegant additives would have been nice, but they do not speak of friendship. Usually, etiquette speaks of stiffness and visitors. What happened at Abraham’s house was not stiff. Sitting under a tree with a big piece of fresh-cut steak just off the grill, some bread and butter, and a big drink is friendship.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
My wife and I have people in our house from time to time. Sometimes the silver, china, and crystal are set out. We sit at our very nice large dining-room table. All are fit and proper. But when friends come over we never sit at that large expensive table. We never drink from the crystal, we never eat from the china, and we do not use the silver. What we do is go into our “living room.” We sit on the “living room” furniture, put our plates (sometimes paper) on an old pillow (kept just for that purpose) on our laps. We sit our drinks on the floor. Those in one of the four recliner seats will kick out the leg rest and we go to work eating and talking and having a relationship.
This is the picture I see of the Lord God, His angel messengers, and Abraham in chapter 18 of Genesis.
Sarah is to be admired here also.
Often two guys will say, “Hey, let’s grill out tonight!” Often the wife is tired, had other plans, or just wanted to rest. Sarah dove right in. She got busy making bread–no small task. She never complained.
We can differentiate friends from acquaintances by how we feed them. If not friends we must sit at the dining room table with the fine china and crystal. We are making an impression. Friends are set at leisure and enjoy simply being together. Also, even the wife doesn’t complain when friends drop by and invited to stay over and eat. With acquaintances, the wife will say something like, “I don’t feel like having company tonight.”
How are we when the Almighty God appears? Do we kick into King James language when He shows up? Do we change the way we do things to impress Him? If so, then He is only an acquaintance.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
3. they did eat
Though Abraham kept it simple, he made it good. So good that the Lord “did eat.” I heard Mark Hanby preach a message once on “If the Lord was hungry, would he tell you?.” This was the passage (Genesis 18) he ended that message with. The Lord told Israel that if He were hungry He would not so much as tell them (Ps 50:12). Would he tell me or you? Could I feed Him? There was a fig tree once that could not feed the Lord Jesus when He was hungry. People are likened to trees in the scriptures (Ps 1:3). From a distance we often appear to have something to eat, but when the Lord comes looking many are barren.
There is a tree in the book of Revelation that does bare twelve manner of fruits and yields fruit every month (Rev 22:2). Its leaves even heal nations. I want to be that tree.
Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
This was no small task that Abraham pulled off feeding the Lord. It was expensive. It required a great deal of work and effort. Certainly, it required much time. However, during all that time, expense, and effort a relationship was being developed and experienced.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
Sometimes we find that it is too laborious to develop a relationship with the Lord. We are not willing to foot the expense. Sometimes, we are not willing to expel the labor and effort. Often, we are selfish with our time. Thus we miss developing the relationship we all so desire. The expense of tithes and offerings and alms are often more than we will bare. The labor and effort required to man a ministry are often wearisome and we “wear out” shortly. Today time is the most important commodity.
People will give money before they give time. However, in relationship, money is not important. Time is most important. To develop any relationship, especially with the Lord, time is the major requirement. The Lord owns the earth and all that is therein. He can have any and everything except one thing. The one thing the Lord does not own and cannot have is our time. Today people have trouble giving their time. Simply getting out of bed and coming to church for corporate meetings is too demanding. We wonder why the Lord will not work wonders for us.
Genesis 18:9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
4. Where is Sarah thy wife
Sarah is out of sight but not out of hearing. Abraham was asked where was his wife. Abraham said “Behold, in the tent” (v. 9). The Hebrew word translated “behold” is hinneh meaning “lo!” It’s as though Abraham is somewhat surprised by the question. “Behold she is in the tent.” Where else would she be? That is her area (if I said “her place” it would not sound the way I want it to sound). Sarah was in her domain! A home may be a man’s castle, but it is the woman’s domain. We big strong men don’t want to think that way, but we know it is true. A husband may build the house, but the wife makes the home. Where else would Sarah be? Sarah was exactly where she should be. Being where she should be brought her the blessing she longed for.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
behold
hinneh (hin-nay’);
lo!:
KJV– behold, lo, see.
Genesis 18:10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
5. the time of life
life
chay (khah’-ee);
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; life (or living thing),
KJV– age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, life etc.,
Abraham is only a few months from being one hundred years old. Abraham had lost any desire to procreate. He had no appetite to experience that act. Abraham’s strength in that area had departed. However, the Lord said He would return that strength to Abraham. The Lord called it the “time of life.”
There is a time span within our days when we are capable of procreating life. It is of this time of life the Lord spoke. Abraham would be made alive again in that area. He would once again have an appetite–a desire–a need.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
Sarah is now ninety years of age.
Her ability to conceive had long passed. Obviously, this was the case in chapter 16 when the situation with Hagar arose. In chapter 18 obviously, this is true “…it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women” (v. 11). The Lord promised saying that He would return to Abraham a desire for Sarah and Sarah would conceive and have a son.
It was interesting to me as I studied this that it was to Abraham the “time of life” would be restored. I had always been told and always thought it was to Sarah the “time of life was restored.” It was to Abraham.
Genesis 18:10-12
10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
6. Sarah laughed
Sarah heard the Lord say this to Abraham and she laughed. Remember Abraham also laughed when he was told of Isaac (17:17). They seemed to have laughed for identical reasons. Notice, they are not doubting the Lord God Almighty. They are doubting their selves. Sarah specifically is hung up on their age. If you remember Abraham did just laugh. He fell on his face and laughed (Genesis 17:17). Abraham’s laughter was much, say we say, healthier than Sarah’s laughter. The laughter of Abraham was not in doubt toward the Lord. The laughter was in doubt toward himself and Sarah. It was their ability to pull off the Isaac thing that caused both of them to laugh.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
Genesis 18:12-15
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
Genesis 18:13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Genesis 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
7. I am waxed old
It’s not discussed, but it does not seem that Sarah had been told by Abraham about the promise of Isaac by the Lord. All this seems to be new to her as it was once new to Abraham in chapter 17. Had Abraham not told Sarah? When Sarah heard that she would conceive and Abraham would be the reason she laughed. Sarah decided that she was too old to enjoy the pleasure of a conjugal relationship. Sarah had to be thinking, “It’s been so long since… And Abraham…? Come on now Lord, you don’t mean…!
I don’t even want to anymore and Abraham doesn’t want to either. He hasn’t even come to my tent since… Besides, we are both two bags of bones. Our teeth are gone. Our hair has fallen out and you said you are going to restore the time of life.” And she laughed.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
8. Wherefore did Sarah laugh
Sarah may have thought she laughed secretly, but her laugh was heard. Not only was it heard, it was not appreciated. The Lord still speaking to Abraham says, “Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” The words are straight and direct. This was not a suggestion. It would in fact be “AT THE TIME APPOINTED I WILL RETURN UNTO THEE, ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF LIFE, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON!”
No matter if they desired to or not [they would but that was irrelevant], no matter if they found each other desirable or not, no matter if they had teeth or not, they would do this, and SARAH, YOU SHALL HAVE A SON! This was a “no brainer”. They would not even need faith for this one. They would not need to pray about this one. This was decreed by the Almighty God and it would happen. “SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON!”
Sarah obviously noted the firmness in the voice of the Lord. As it should and did, that firmness frightened her. She lied and said, “I didn’t laugh.” The Lord spoke this time for the first time to Sarah, “Yes you did laugh”. Nothing more needed to be said.
The Lord does not appreciate our laughing at ourselves. This is especially true when we laugh at ourselves when it concerns something that He said. When God Almighty makes a decree He expects us to say, Yes Lord,” even if it is a “no-brainer”.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
Genesis 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
Genesis 18:17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
9. looked toward Sodom
On His way to Sodom, the Lord had stopped by to see His friend Abraham. That visit completed, the Lord turns His attention upon Sodom. The Lord and His angels had been looking at Abraham and Sarah. They turned and looked at Sodom.
looked
shaqaph (shaw-kaf’);
properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e. (by implication) gaze
The look was not a passing glance. It was intense as if one leaned out of a window to see all possible. It was a peer, a gaze (Strong’s #8259). They were gazing at an evil place. Sodom was vile. It was beyond anything imaginable. We have a word today taken from the name of this city. That word is sodomy. It means, “1. Anal copulation of one male with another. 2. Anal or oral copulation with a member of the opposite sex. 3. Copulation with an animal.” We were told in Genesis 13:13 that “the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.”
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
Sodom is mentioned 39 times in the Old Testament and 9 times in the New Testament. All 48 times it is found in a negative context. In 18:20 we read a similar comment.
Genesis 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; (emphesis added)
The apostle Paul deals with the act of sodomy in the book of Romans. The Lord continues His feelings toward this sin in the New Testament as He did in the Old Testament.
Romans 1:27-28
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; [KJV]
Romans 1:27 And the men, instead of having normal sex relationships with women, burned with lust for each other, men doing shameful things with other men and, as a result, getting paid within their own souls with the penalty they so richly deserved.
28 So it was that when they gave God up and would not even acknowledge him, God gave them up to doing everything their evil minds could think of. (TLB) (emphasis added)
Sodom has taken on a spiritual significance. There is spiritual sodomy. The Lord speaks to Ezekiel about calling Jerusalem Sodom (Eze 16:49). Sodom was a metaphor for Jerusalem (Rev 11:8) before that religious system was destroyed in A.D. 70.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
Ezekiel 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
I understand sin. Certainly, I know all have sinned (Rom 3:23). Additionally, I have sinned and you have sinned. But, when I studied in Genesis 13:13 that these were sinners exceedingly I had to stop and meditate. “Sinners exceedingly,” I thought. What does that mean? I looked and there is no other place in the scriptures where sin is expressed in that manner. Those of Sodom are sinners exceedingly.
I know of no other act of sin man does that places its victims in such bondage as does sodomy. There is no such destruction to humanity as sodomy. Of course, life is destroyed. Minds are defiled and held captive. Homes are destroyed. Health is destroyed. But other sin does that to people. Alcoholism, drug addiction, whoremongers, and prostitutes are all sins that place their victims in bondage. So why does the Lord so express the sin of sodomy in terms like sinners “exceedingly”?
The horrible aspect of sodomy is that man is terminated.
Men cannot reproduce when they copulate with another man or an animal. Women cannot reproduce when they have sex with another woman or an animal. Descendants who should come never come. The command to reproduce and replenish the earth is forsaken. The devil wins and destroys the seed before the seed has a chance to be born. When one understands the effects of sodomy upon lives there is clarity as to why the Lord wanted Abraham to teach his descendants. This is why the Lord made positive that Abraham knew what was happening to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
This is extremely difficult teaching. More people than one realizes are affected by sodomy. It cannot be taught without offending people. We have relatives and loved ones in the bondage of sodomy. So, we must be as understanding as possible, yet not turn from the truth. Also, we must remain in the hope those captured will one day be set free.
As we have mentioned there is also spiritual sodomy. This was most often spoken concerning Jerusalem. The prophets and Jesus spoke of Jerusalem as Sodom. John equates Jerusalem to Sodom Revelation 11:8.
Revelation 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Both Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke of Jerusalem as Sodom. Jerusalem and its religion had become a place like Sodom. It was a preacher with a preacher. There was no reproduction taking place.
Isaiah 1:10, 3:8-9
1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.
Jeremiah 23:14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
What does spiritual sodomy mean? What did it mean when Jerusalem was equated with Sodom? Spiritual sodomy is when people participate in a religious system not interested in the woman–Church. Again the most horrible fact of sodomy is there are no descendants. It was Pharisee with Pharisee and Sadducee with Sadducee. They were not populating the earth with the kingdom of God.
Jesus spoke of those cities that rejected Him. Jerusalem was the mother of those that rejected Him. What happened to Sodom was better than what would happen to Jerusalem.
Matthew 10:14-15
14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Matthew 11:24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Lot once looked toward Sodom (13:10), moved toward Sodom (13:12), and then Lot was in Sodom (14:12). He had taken his family to live in that vile atmosphere. Here in Genesis 18 Abraham, the Lord, and the Lord’s destroying angels looked toward Sodom. Then the angels move toward Sodom. In 19:1 the destroying angels will be in Sodom. The angels are not there to vacation, but to destroy.
10. Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do
As the angels moved toward Sodom the Lord stood yet with Abraham and said, “Can I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” We must approach this knowing that in the mind of God Sodom was already destroyed. If God is the Alpha and Omega (Rev 1:8) and knows the beginning and the end, then God knew the outcome of Sodom. It was a done deal. What the Almighty God wanted Abraham and us to know was that He, the Almighty God, destroyed Sodom.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
The Lord discussed that destruction with Abraham. Friends discuss all events and especially major events with each other. This was major to Almighty God. Abraham was allowed to input. Some people question why the Lord discussed this with Abraham. Some say it was because Abraham owned the land and God must get permission before acting. Abraham does own the land. The Lord owns the earth. Some say it was to allow the righteous to beg mercy for Sodom. Perhaps, but again this was a done deal. Why then did the Lord discuss this event prior to its happening with Abraham? I believe the scriptures tell us.
A. For I know him, that he will command his children
Genesis 18:17-19
17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
The Lord says, “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do” (not may do). The Lord answered our question of why He talked this over with Abraham. “For [or because here is why I must talk to Abraham about this]. First, “I know him…“Is that not wonderful? The Lord knew Abraham and how he would teach his children. Amazing! “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord…” Abraham would teach his children and his household after him. He would command them to keep the way of the Lord. He would command them that at all costs to avoid the way of Sodom.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
The seed of Abraham commands their children to avoid the way of Sodom. This would be both natural and spiritual. Will our children always obey? No, but they have been told.
B. that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him
Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
The reason Abraham must teach the wrong of Sodom was so “the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” The Lord bringing upon Abraham the promises was dependent upon Abraham commanding his children.
We consistently talk about how the things we do affect our children. We see that what we command our children affects their lives and ours. It affects us greatly. If we get the commands wrong then our promises are hindered, affected, and possibly terminated. Abraham must get it right to get the promises. Abraham must communicate his knowledge of the ways of God.
We must command our children according to the ways of Almighty God. Our promises depend upon that.
Genesis 18:22-33
22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.
30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirtythere.
31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake.
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.
33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
11. 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, 10
One of the most outstanding characteristics of great men of God, i.e. Abraham and Moses, was their unmerited compassion for people that the Lord was justified in destroying. Moses was once told by the Lord that He (the Lord) would destroy the people in the wilderness and begin all over with Moses (Exo 32:9-14). So, Moses stepped up to the Lord and brought the Lord to repentance concerning those people. Evidently, Moses must have learned from Abraham.
Isn’t it amazing how the church today is hell-bent on destroying “sinners” especially the sodomites? Today’s church is willing to believe the Lord will blow up the planet and get rid of those exceeding sinners so we wonderful churchgoers can walk on streets of gold. What a messed up doctrine. We think “Get em’ Lord” while the friend of God says, “Lord if there are fifty righteous you would not destroy it would you? How about forty-five? Forty? Thirty? Twenty? Ten?” Rather than finding reasons to destroy the wicked Abraham found reasons not to destroy them.
12. Abraham drew near, and said…
What does Abraham have to gain by sparing of these Sodomites? They are occupying the land that was given him. It seems Abraham should have encouraged their destruction. Isn’t it wonderful to know that a person can obtain a relationship with the Lord where we can entreat the Lord’s mercy for others? We may say that’s nice, but I think the wicked should be destroyed. You may think that until it is one of your children. Until it is one of your loved ones among the wicked that will spend eternity in hell many think that way.
Remember, Lot was in Sodom. Lot was Abraham’s nephew. Abraham loved Lot and Lot’s family. If we have fed the Lord and ministered to the Lord and spent time with the Lord, then we can “draw near” to the Lord and say, “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous…” We can say, “Lord, I know this person is wicked, but do you remember when they…” We can draw near and ask for mercy for our loved ones.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
13. What can we learn from this lesson that we can apply to our lives today?
A. The Lord will sometimes appear when we least expect Him. We may simply be avoiding the heat of life when we hear in our spirit the Lord speak. Suddenly there He is moving in our lives.
B. We can differentiate friends from acquaintances by how we feed them. Friends eat in the living room or at least in a very comfortable setting. We attempt to impress acquaintances. They are fed with fine china and silver and fed in the most proper way. How are we when the Almighty God appears? Do we kick into King James language when He shows up? Do we change everything to impress Him? If so, then He is only an acquaintance.
C. Expense, effort, and time are required in any meaningful relationship. It was expensive to feed the Lord. The Lord’s visit took great effort. The visit required time. Today we are very reluctant to give our finances, give effort, or give our time to develop the most meaningful relationship we could ever enjoy. That relationship is our relationship with the Almighty God.
D. The Lord does not appreciate us laughing at ourselves when it concerns something that He has instructed us to accomplish. Abraham laughed at himself and Sarah. Sarah laughed at herself and Abraham. They could not believe they could have a child. The Lord said they would have a child. When the Lord decrees He expects us to respond in the affirmative.
E. The sin of sodomy is sin exceedingly before the Lord. The reason is reproduction of mankind is terminated. The seed is terminated before it has a chance.
F. Almighty God talked to Abraham about Sodom. The reason He spoke with Abraham was because Abraham would command his children and household after him concerning what happened to Sodom and why it happened. The Lord will tell us things also if He knows we will properly teach and command our children properly.
G. Almighty God told Abraham that when Abraham commanded his children and household it would bring the blessing. The Lord said,”…that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. The NIV translation says, “…so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Our promises are greatly affected by the way we command our households. Commanding the way of the Lord activates the promises. Not commanding the way of the Lord would delay or terminate the promises of God for us.
H. Abraham, the friend of God, was able to “draw near” the Lord and ask for mercy for the wicked Sodomites. If we have spent time with the Lord, fed the Lord, and fed His ministry, then we too can draw near the Lord. We too can ask His mercy for our loved ones and expect to receive that mercy as did Abraham.
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
Let Us Eat then Sodom sermon notes
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Better For Sodom Than You Luke 10:1-16
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Abraham Commanded His Children Audio
The Gospel of Luke Chapter 10 video audio sermon notes
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