July 7, 2008

Text: Genesis 18-19

PUTTING THINGS IN THEIR APPROPRIATE CONTEXT

1. Sodom and Gomorrah

a) Outcry against the two cities    Genesis 18:20-21

b) Pleas to God for justice

2. Abraham- as Intercessor

a) Pleading earnestly on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah

b) Pleading for the two cities to be spared if 10 righteous men could be found there    Genesis 18:18:32

3. Findings of the two angels sent from God

a) Lodged in the home of Lot    Genesis 19:1-3

b) House surrounded by the men of Sodom and Gomorrah    Genesis 19:4-5

    i) Both young and old

    ii) They intended to molest the two angelic beings from heaven

    iii) Threatened Lot and family    Genesis 19:9-10

c) Divine power deployed for protection
The men of Sodom and Gomorrah struck blind    Genesis 19:11

d) Judgment pronounced by the Two angels

    i) To flee Sodom and Gomorrah    Genesis 19:12

    ii) Destruction of the two cities pronounced    Genesis 19:13-14

LOOKING FOR THE 10 RIGHTEOUS MEN!

1. Lot was one of "the righteous"

2. Whoever left with him would also be spared!

3. Only his two daughters survived!

ABRAHAM'S CONTINUED CONCERN
"And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of the furnace. And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt."    Genesis 19:27-29

1. Genuine Concern evidenced

a) First thing in the morning
"And Abraham went up early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD"    Genesis 19:27

b) Focus on Sodom and Gomorrah
"Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah"    Genesis 19:28

2. Justice Upheld

a) Outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah
This was found to be justified!

b) Abraham's prayer was given due consideration

c) Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown and destroyed

PRAYER OF ABRAHAM EVALUATED

1. His prayer was not in vain

2. God remembered Abraham    Genesis 19:29

3. Lot and his two daughters were spared from destruction because of Abraham    Genesis 19:29

LESSONS IN PRAYER

1. Intercessory Prayers are important!

2. God remembers all who pray

3. Some will benefit from prayers sent up to God

4. Some will not benefit- for they have rejected the way of the Lord
(There are some things that Prayer cannot do)!