WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.020 What a blessing. 00:00:02.300 --> 00:00:03.879 If you have your Bibles this morning, I want you to turn to 00:00:03.879 --> 00:00:05.160 Genesis chapter 18. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:08.640 Genesis chapter 18. 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:13.000 Leonard Ravenhill once said, one of these days somebody's going 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:18.900 to pick up this book and read it and believe it and the rest of 00:00:18.900 --> 00:00:21.080 us are going to be ashamed of ourselves. 00:00:22.519 --> 00:00:26.260 Well, I tell you, when the Word of God's applied, it'll change 00:00:26.260 --> 00:00:26.760 lives. 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:31.340 When you apply it to your life, it'll change your life and it'll 00:00:31.340 --> 00:00:33.420 also change others through you. 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:37.579 Abraham believed God. 00:00:38.380 --> 00:00:43.159 He believed in God's sovereignty and he knew that if God would 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:47.299 move, things would change. 00:00:48.660 --> 00:00:53.980 Now the setting is that three men have come to visit Abraham and 00:00:53.980 --> 00:00:54.359 Sarah. 00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:59.880 They found out that in fact, within a year, they'll have that 00:00:59.880 --> 00:01:03.460 child that God had promised them so long ago. 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:11.099 They took care of these three men and we find when we look at this 00:01:11.099 --> 00:01:15.560 passage that one of those men, or at least look like a man, was in 00:01:15.560 --> 00:01:17.200 fact the pre-incarnate Christ. 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:21.600 He's having an interaction now with heaven itself. 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:27.439 And as that conversation continues, I want you to notice what happens. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:30.379 It's in Genesis chapter 18, verse 16, it says this. 00:01:30.379 --> 00:01:37.679 Then the men set out from there and they looked down towards Sodom and Abraham went with them 00:01:37.679 --> 00:01:39.060 to set them on their way. 00:01:39.899 --> 00:01:45.959 The Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham what I'm about to do? 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:52.519 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation and all the nations of the 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:53.659 earth shall be blessed in him. 00:01:53.659 --> 00:02:00.299 For I have chosen him that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:05.620 way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has 00:02:05.620 --> 00:02:06.459 promised him. 00:02:07.140 --> 00:02:11.259 Then the Lord said, because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is 00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:16.840 very grave, I'll go down to see whether they've done all together according to the outcry that 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:17.599 has come to me. 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:20.060 And if not, I will know. 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:23.680 So the men turned from there and went towards Sodom. 00:02:24.500 --> 00:02:27.240 But Abraham still stood before the Lord. 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:34.819 Then Abraham drew near and said, will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 00:02:35.900 --> 00:02:38.780 Suppose there are 50 righteous within the city. 00:02:39.959 --> 00:02:45.900 Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for 50 righteous who are in it? 00:02:45.900 --> 00:02:51.099 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteousness to death with the wicked, 00:02:51.659 --> 00:02:54.420 so that the righteous fare as the wicked. 00:02:55.020 --> 00:02:56.040 Far be it from you. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:02:59.379 Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just? 00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:07.659 And the Lord said, if I find at Sodom 50 righteous in the city, I'll spare the whole place for their 00:03:07.659 --> 00:03:08.060 sake. 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:13.680 Abraham answered and said, behold, I undertaken to speak to the Lord. 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:16.340 Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 00:03:17.420 --> 00:03:21.080 Suppose five of the 50 righteous are lacking. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:25.420 Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five? 00:03:26.140 --> 00:03:30.040 And he said, I will not destroy it if I find 45 there. 00:03:30.920 --> 00:03:35.460 Again, he spoke to him and said, suppose 40 are found here, there. 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:38.180 He answered, for the sake of 40, I will not do it. 00:03:38.180 --> 00:03:43.840 Then he said, oh, let the Lord not be, let, let not the Lord be angry and I will speak. 00:03:44.800 --> 00:03:46.960 Suppose 30 are found there. 00:03:47.640 --> 00:03:51.960 And he answered him, I will not do it if I find 30 there. 00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:55.040 He said, behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. 00:03:55.340 --> 00:03:57.319 Suppose 20 are found there. 00:03:58.180 --> 00:04:00.780 He answered, for the sake of 20, I will not destroy it. 00:04:00.780 --> 00:04:05.979 Then he said, oh, let not the Lord be angry and I will speak again for this once. 00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:14.020 Suppose 10, 10 righteous people are found there. 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:18.860 He answered, for the sake of 10, I will not destroy it. 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:27.800 And the Lord went his way when he had finished speaking to Abraham and Abraham returned to his place. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:36.199 It is the responsibility of every Christian to be like Christ. 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:49.580 And one of the ways we can be most like Christ is when we are engaged in doing something that we not only see Christ do again and again in Scripture, 00:04:50.080 --> 00:04:52.819 but that we now know that he is doing. 00:04:52.819 --> 00:05:03.060 Hebrews chapter 7 verse 25 tells us that Christ, listen to this, lives to make intercession for us. 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:09.620 In other words, we need not worry about the concern that Christ has for us. 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:15.420 So not only do you have a church family that's praying for you when you go through a valley, 00:05:15.420 --> 00:05:22.340 but you have the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, interceding for you daily. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:29.680 Jesus is pleading to God the Father on behalf of the church, on behalf of the world, and on behalf of you 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.439 and the concerns that you have in your life. 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:42.480 It is the first, this passage is the first scene of intercession that we see in Scripture. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:50.259 And it may be one of the best besides John 17 where Christ himself prayed for the church. 00:05:51.220 --> 00:05:56.700 There are areas of Abraham's life and his episodes that he faces that are difficult for us to grasp. 00:05:57.240 --> 00:06:00.319 Hard to understand that scene of the covenant. 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:06.800 Hard to understand how in the past he's went into a foreign country 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:13.199 and called his half-sister who's his wife just his sister in order to protect himself. 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:14.920 He'll do that again. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:16.960 And that's hard for us to understand. 00:06:17.280 --> 00:06:20.500 There's some things that is hard for us to grasp. 00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:24.460 But this is not one of them. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:28.480 This passage truly connects to anyone 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:34.340 that has pleaded to the Lord on behalf of somebody else. 00:06:34.339 --> 00:06:37.000 And don't be mistaken. 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:41.959 God longs to hear the petitions of his people. 00:06:43.039 --> 00:06:47.759 The pleading intercessions of his people not only invites him to show up 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:49.959 and thank God to show out in our life, 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:53.439 but it is evidence of our dependence upon him, 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:57.000 which is a relationship that God strives for us to have. 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:59.419 But there's another side to this as well. 00:06:59.420 --> 00:07:03.240 God wants us to know what he's up to. 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:06.759 God wants us to get in on what he's doing. 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:09.860 He wants us to see how he works. 00:07:10.340 --> 00:07:12.980 And he gets us involved in his work. 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:16.100 I want you to notice in verse 17, it says, 00:07:16.280 --> 00:07:17.379 The Lord said, 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:22.160 Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 00:07:22.160 --> 00:07:26.500 What you see here is a soliloquy of the Lord 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:28.920 where we get to hear his thoughts. 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:33.780 It's almost as if God is speaking to the camera of sorts 00:07:33.780 --> 00:07:37.080 as this plays out before us in Scripture. 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:42.860 He's telling us why he's doing what he's doing with Abraham, 00:07:43.260 --> 00:07:45.379 why they're having this conversation. 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:48.760 And he says in the following verses in 18 and 19, 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:51.199 because Abraham will be used greatly 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:53.719 and will lead his family in the ways of the Lord. 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:56.759 I'm going to let Abraham in on what I am doing. 00:07:57.699 --> 00:08:01.039 That tells me there's a longing in the heart of God 00:08:01.039 --> 00:08:03.019 to tell us his intention. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:07.319 God wants to tell us his will for us. 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:09.899 And we serve a Lord of love, 00:08:10.039 --> 00:08:12.300 and he wants those who serve him faithfully 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:15.099 and those who are committed to live out their faith 00:08:15.099 --> 00:08:16.159 before their family, 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:17.800 to know his nature, 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:19.640 to know his work, 00:08:20.140 --> 00:08:21.160 and to know his will. 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:23.800 Now, you may be like I am. 00:08:24.760 --> 00:08:27.140 You may be like the prophet Amos was, 00:08:27.580 --> 00:08:29.500 who is blown away 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:34.720 that God would share his plan with us. 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.120 Amos said, 00:08:36.220 --> 00:08:38.779 I'm not a prophet nor a prophet's son, 00:08:39.180 --> 00:08:40.320 but I'm a herdsman 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:42.200 and a dresser of sycamore trees. 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:44.600 But if the Lord has spoken to me, 00:08:45.020 --> 00:08:47.540 I'll do what he tells me to do. 00:08:48.180 --> 00:08:48.879 And he says, 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:50.980 in Amos chapter 3 verse 7, 00:08:51.300 --> 00:08:52.800 the Lord does nothing 00:08:52.800 --> 00:08:56.440 without revealing his secrets to his servants. 00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:59.620 Psalm 25 14 tells us 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:02.340 that the secrets and the friendships of the Lord 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:05.700 are shared with those who fear him. 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:09.940 Jesus said in John 15 verse 15, 00:09:10.300 --> 00:09:12.220 no longer do I call you servants, 00:09:12.340 --> 00:09:14.320 for the servant does not know what his master is doing, 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:15.759 but I call you friends, 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:18.060 for all that I've heard from my father 00:09:18.060 --> 00:09:20.420 I have made known to you. 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:22.580 I want you to get this this morning. 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:25.580 Just think that the God that makes this world 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:27.060 and all that is in it 00:09:27.060 --> 00:09:29.840 allows us to get in on what he's doing. 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:32.759 That is the God who made a galaxy 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:36.240 that has millions of suns 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:38.360 that are bigger than ours. 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:41.060 If you could travel at the speed of light 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:45.220 at 186,000 miles a second 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:46.620 and you were to travel 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:49.720 for the 6,000 years of recorded history, 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:53.019 you would not be able to get a tenth of the way 00:09:53.019 --> 00:09:54.360 across our galaxy. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:59.000 Yet, that is one of at least 20 galaxies 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:01.279 in such arc, 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:03.480 in just our corner of the universe. 00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:06.720 Yet, the God who made it all 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:12.480 wants us to know his intentions. 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:18.779 He wants to interact with us. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:22.799 And when God lets Abraham know 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:25.019 that Sodom will be destroyed 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:27.700 if 50 righteous people are not found, 00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:31.120 Abraham begins to boldly approach 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:32.640 the throne of grace. 00:10:33.520 --> 00:10:34.960 And I want you to notice two matters 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:36.440 concerning the cares of this world. 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:38.720 One is, 00:10:39.660 --> 00:10:40.620 God listens 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:43.420 to the cry of the world. 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:46.320 It says there, 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:48.280 I will go down 00:10:48.280 --> 00:10:50.300 and see if it's really 00:10:50.300 --> 00:10:51.480 that bad. 00:10:51.800 --> 00:10:53.259 Now that is what's called 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:55.140 anthropomorphic talk. 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:55.860 Okay? 00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:58.259 And what that means is 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:59.980 that's the way we would talk 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:00.600 about something. 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:02.360 We'd have to see it 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:03.120 with our own eyes. 00:11:03.559 --> 00:11:05.120 But God speaks like this 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.600 so that we can understand him 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:08.980 and understand that God surveys 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:10.340 what's happening in the world. 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:12.259 He's speaking to Abraham 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:13.580 who does not understand 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:15.019 the omnipresence of God, 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:17.319 who that's not been revealed to him 00:11:17.319 --> 00:11:18.519 in the way that we see 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:19.460 in scripture today. 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:22.860 Meaning that God can be all places 00:11:22.860 --> 00:11:23.720 at all times. 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:25.019 And the message is simply this. 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:27.320 When we bring our concerns to him, 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:28.980 God is on it. 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:30.560 Actually, 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:31.759 he's already there 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:34.039 before we bring our concerns. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:35.560 He's already involved. 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:36.580 And if we're praying 00:11:36.580 --> 00:11:37.560 in his will 00:11:37.560 --> 00:11:38.720 and with his nature, 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:40.419 he is the one 00:11:40.419 --> 00:11:42.539 that planted that prayer 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:43.840 within our hearts. 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:45.340 If we're praying 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:46.139 in his will 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:47.139 and in his way, 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:48.259 he's the one 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:49.240 that plants that heart, 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:50.460 that prayer 00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:51.159 within our heart. 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:52.219 He is the one 00:11:52.219 --> 00:11:53.319 that leads us 00:11:53.319 --> 00:11:54.740 to bring it before him. 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.159 God wanted evidence 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:58.299 that it's not too late 00:11:58.299 --> 00:11:59.620 for the mercy of God 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:01.579 to change this city. 00:12:02.459 --> 00:12:03.759 And this God-man, 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:04.639 because I believe 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.240 that it's God 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:06.279 in human form 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:08.919 as in the pre-incarnate Christ, 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.899 he says, 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:12.959 I can hear the cries. 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:13.279 He said, 00:12:13.339 --> 00:12:14.860 I hear the outcry 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:15.639 of the city. 00:12:16.839 --> 00:12:18.120 Now, I want you to know 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.419 from where they were standing 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:20.679 to where that city was, 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:21.620 70 miles. 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:26.439 You and I cannot hear 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:27.439 the happenings of Sodom 00:12:27.439 --> 00:12:28.419 from the Oaks of Mamre. 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:30.079 It's too far. 00:12:30.819 --> 00:12:32.319 It's an hour's drive away. 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:35.219 But God hears 00:12:35.219 --> 00:12:36.279 the inanimate 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:38.779 and the inarticulate things 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:39.479 of the world 00:12:39.479 --> 00:12:40.319 crying out. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.860 When Cain killed Abel, 00:12:42.979 --> 00:12:43.699 God told him, 00:12:43.699 --> 00:12:45.740 the voice of your brother 00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:47.639 is crying out to me 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:49.179 from the ground. 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:51.319 Genesis 4, verse 10. 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:54.000 In James 5, verse 4, 00:12:54.199 --> 00:12:55.519 it tells us that God 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.860 hears the wages 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:57.720 of the workers 00:12:57.720 --> 00:12:59.220 that have been 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:01.019 fraudulently held back 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:02.159 by the rich. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:04.340 The world cries out. 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:07.100 We don't hear that. 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:09.799 God hears that. 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:13.000 God hears the cry 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:15.580 of the aborted baby. 00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:18.879 God hears the cry 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:22.200 of the secretly abused child. 00:13:23.560 --> 00:13:26.560 God hears the midnight cries 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:28.700 of the abandoned wife, 00:13:29.540 --> 00:13:31.780 of the raped student, 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:35.639 of the unjust wage. 00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:38.720 God hears the cries 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:41.520 of the sinful desires 00:13:41.520 --> 00:13:43.040 of our heart. 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:46.039 God hears 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:47.939 all of that. 00:13:49.099 --> 00:13:50.299 And we know 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.839 little to nothing 00:13:51.839 --> 00:13:52.620 about it. 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:54.980 The cries 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:56.399 of this fallen world 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.699 reach the ears 00:13:57.699 --> 00:13:58.679 of the God 00:13:58.679 --> 00:13:59.500 of the universe. 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:01.059 And God sees it 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:03.299 and he knows it. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.120 Not only what 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.259 we're concerned about, 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.339 but things that 00:14:07.339 --> 00:14:08.779 we're not concerned about. 00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:10.439 He knows about things 00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:11.279 that we ought to be 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:12.059 concerned about, 00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:13.039 that we know 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:14.039 nothing about. 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:15.979 That's not all 00:14:15.979 --> 00:14:16.619 he hears though. 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:18.679 Not only does he hear 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:19.339 the cries of the world, 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:20.339 but God hears the cries 00:14:20.339 --> 00:14:21.039 of the intercessor. 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:23.819 I want you to notice 00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:24.879 the way that Abraham 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:25.979 prays here. 00:14:27.019 --> 00:14:28.139 One concession 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:29.019 after another 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:29.899 that God is willing 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:30.819 to hear and to honor 00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:32.119 because one man 00:14:32.119 --> 00:14:32.939 pleads with the Lord 00:14:32.939 --> 00:14:33.399 in prayer. 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.439 Abraham just 00:14:35.439 --> 00:14:37.039 overrated the spiritual 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:37.879 state of Sodom. 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:42.100 He just thought 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:42.740 at least there's 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:43.460 ten there 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:46.439 when in reality 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:48.000 we'll find 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.820 in the coming days 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:49.600 that there was not 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:50.259 ten there. 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:55.019 He had overrated 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.759 the spiritual 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.679 state of Sodom. 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:00.939 Let me tell you church, 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:03.160 I believe we've 00:15:03.160 --> 00:15:04.500 overrated the spiritual 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.540 state of pickings. 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:10.980 Oh, we know of some 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:12.540 that may not know 00:15:12.540 --> 00:15:12.980 the Lord, 00:15:14.260 --> 00:15:15.220 but then there's 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:15.820 some others 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:17.900 who we just think 00:15:17.900 --> 00:15:18.800 are faithful church 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:19.240 attenders, 00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:20.240 but good people, 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:21.020 or excuse me, 00:15:21.140 --> 00:15:22.020 we just think are not 00:15:22.020 --> 00:15:22.640 faithful church 00:15:22.640 --> 00:15:22.920 attenders, 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:23.780 but they're good people. 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:26.100 Are there so many 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:26.980 others that we think 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:27.759 are fine because 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.980 they do attend church 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:31.000 when God knows 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.720 they're lost? 00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:35.139 One of the greatest 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:35.899 burdens I have 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:36.360 as a pastor, 00:15:36.459 --> 00:15:37.000 and something that 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.939 haunts me, 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:40.579 is what if 00:15:40.579 --> 00:15:42.699 somebody faithfully 00:15:42.699 --> 00:15:44.360 comes week after 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:44.799 weeks, 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.120 hears the gospel 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.039 preached, 00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:49.620 and never responds 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:51.059 to obedience 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:53.759 to follow Christ? 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:56.079 that's why every 00:15:56.079 --> 00:15:56.860 time we come in 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:57.220 this room, 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.059 I want us to be 00:15:58.059 --> 00:15:59.039 clear what the 00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.779 gospel is, 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:01.059 the hope that we 00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:01.779 have in Christ, 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:02.559 and to give the 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.879 opportunity for one 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.699 to respond, 00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:07.319 because the God 00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:08.100 of the harvest 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:10.639 is seeking workers 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.779 to labor in the 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.319 fields, 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:13.919 yes, 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:14.740 and in the fields 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.600 of intercession, 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.620 and in the fields 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:18.360 of witness, 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.299 that God chooses 00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:21.799 to use to change 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:23.360 our very community. 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:25.879 we don't hear 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.559 those cries, 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:29.220 but God does. 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.360 We don't know 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:34.519 all the lost folks, 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:36.500 the folks without 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.019 Christ, 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.919 but God does, 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.559 and God seeks 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.919 to involve us 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:44.319 in his plan. 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:48.020 if we are to pray, 00:16:48.400 --> 00:16:49.100 and we are, 00:16:50.160 --> 00:16:51.460 it's good to know 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:52.500 how to do it, 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.440 and so let's 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:55.040 notice the 00:16:55.040 --> 00:16:55.840 faithfulness of 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.860 Abraham's prayer, 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:58.640 and the nature 00:16:58.640 --> 00:16:59.060 of it. 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:00.720 For one, 00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:01.540 it was a proper 00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:02.060 plea. 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.120 It's a proper plea. 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.340 He pleads with God 00:17:05.340 --> 00:17:06.259 on the basis of 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.320 God's nature, 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:09.200 and God's character, 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.820 and God's glory. 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:13.299 Abraham says, 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:13.839 it would be 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:14.579 profane, 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.299 inappropriate 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:17.879 for you to do 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:18.399 this 00:17:18.399 --> 00:17:20.019 to these people. 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.960 This reminds me 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.819 of Moses 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:26.579 pleading for the 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.399 idol makers 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:28.539 at Mount Sinai. 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.799 I want to remind you, 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:33.720 Moses went up 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.399 on the Mount 00:17:34.399 --> 00:17:35.379 of Mount Sinai 00:17:35.379 --> 00:17:36.480 to get the law 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.039 from the Lord. 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:37.779 We know him 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.720 as the Ten Commandments. 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.600 It was much more 00:17:39.600 --> 00:17:41.140 given to him there. 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:41.940 We see that in the 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.500 book of Exodus, 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.360 and we see that in 00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:44.319 the book of Leviticus. 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.200 We see it in the 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:45.980 book of Deuteronomy. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.120 That's what God 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:47.940 revealed to him 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:49.279 on Mount Sinai, 00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:50.380 but it took a long time. 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.259 He was up there 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.920 before the Lord, 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.200 and it took a long time. 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.079 He was gone a long time, 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:55.600 and the people 00:17:55.600 --> 00:17:56.319 at the bottom of the 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.319 mount were idle 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:59.339 for too long. 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.400 They waited too long 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:02.640 on Moses to come down 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.100 with the word 00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:03.680 from the Lord 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:05.120 that would be the law, 00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:06.559 and so they made 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:06.980 an idol, 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:09.539 and God told Moses 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.360 while Moses was 00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:11.079 on top of that mountain, 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:12.299 God told Moses 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:12.980 what was happening 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.700 at the base 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:14.460 of that mountain, 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:16.819 and Moses prayerfully 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.920 interceded for them. 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:19.559 However, 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.539 when Moses went down 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:21.360 and saw the chaos, 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.120 he got angry, 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:23.539 and he confronted him. 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.680 He then went back 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.240 up the mountain, 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:26.920 and he began 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.740 to pray again, 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.279 and I want you 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.099 to listen to his prayer. 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.480 It's in Exodus 32 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.299 and 32, 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.259 and he said this, 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.839 but now 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:38.959 if you will forgive 00:18:38.959 --> 00:18:39.759 their sin, 00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:42.579 but if not, 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:45.259 please blot me 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.679 out of your book 00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:48.779 that you've written. 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:58.000 If you won't forgive them, 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:02.000 let me pay for their sin. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:04.980 blot me out. 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:05.980 What a prayer. 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.880 He leveraged 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:10.180 his own relationship 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:11.019 with God 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:12.420 for their renewed 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.799 relationship with God. 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.640 Can I ask you something? 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.519 Because I have pondered 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.660 on this all week long. 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.960 Can't get it off 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.940 my mind. 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.799 Who are you willing 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.759 to go to hell for? 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:28.839 Who are you willing 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:28.859 to go to hell for? 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:35.839 Who is it 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:36.960 that you want to see 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:39.359 saved by the blood 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:39.900 of the Lamb 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:41.740 so much 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:44.539 that you'd be willing 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.460 to go to hell for them? 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:48.640 Now, 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.440 I am thankful 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:52.359 that you don't have to, 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:55.279 but I want you 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.240 to hear 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:58.420 the pleas 00:19:58.420 --> 00:20:00.380 of Moses' heart. 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:03.560 oh dear God, 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.380 I'll lay everything 00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:07.460 that I am down 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.460 for all of eternity 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:10.560 for you to change 00:20:10.560 --> 00:20:11.020 these people, 00:20:12.360 --> 00:20:12.980 for you to forgive 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.740 their sins, 00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:16.420 pray that God 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.860 will stir hearts 00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:22.060 and allow them 00:20:22.060 --> 00:20:22.660 to open, 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:24.360 that he'll work 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:25.340 and open a door 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:27.039 and let folks 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.539 be able to witness 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.879 what it means 00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:31.659 to give their heart 00:20:31.659 --> 00:20:32.119 and life 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:32.599 to the Lord 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:33.539 Jesus Christ. 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.439 He leverages 00:20:36.439 --> 00:20:37.539 his own relationship 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.199 with God 00:20:38.199 --> 00:20:38.939 for their renewed 00:20:38.939 --> 00:20:39.959 relationship with God. 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:41.679 And you know, 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.539 I couldn't help but think, 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.679 sometimes we don't even 00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:44.240 want to leverage 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.339 our friendship with them 00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.399 to ask them 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.259 about their salvation. 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:50.420 We don't want 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.079 to even leverage 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.819 the little tension 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.759 at the workplace 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:54.819 because we don't want 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.240 to ask them 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.200 an uncomfortable question. 00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.779 We're concerned 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.539 about their salvation 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.259 but only to the 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.019 comfortable point. 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.940 But Moses laid 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.720 it all out there. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.920 Blot me out, 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.180 Lord, 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:09.440 in the book of promises 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.839 that you've given me 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:12.259 for all of life 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.960 and for eternity. 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:14.140 Blot me out 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:15.759 if you'll forgive 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.900 them. 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:17.900 That, 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:20.640 that's intercession. 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.400 Abraham's prayer 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:26.319 reminds me of Joshua 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:28.720 pleading after 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:30.259 the unexpected loss 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.799 of Ai. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.539 They weren't supposed 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:33.319 to lose to Ai. 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:35.140 Ai was small. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.660 They only took 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.359 some of their forces 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.079 but there was sin 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:37.619 in the camp 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.319 and because there was 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:39.019 sin in the camp 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:40.940 they lost that battle. 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:42.839 And afterwards, 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.119 Joshua tore his clothes, 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.000 he fell on the ground 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.720 and he asked God 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:47.440 why did you bring us 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:48.940 this far to watch us fall? 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:50.920 We should have stayed 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.539 in the desert. 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.039 None of them 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:58.360 pleaded 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:59.779 on the basis 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.279 of the character 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.759 of the ones 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:04.100 that they prayed for. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.620 When they prayed, 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.740 they didn't pray 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.299 on the basis 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.960 of who they were 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.720 praying for. 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:14.100 they didn't pray 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:15.460 on the nature 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.259 and the character 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.480 of their own lives. 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.539 They waged 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:21.240 their prayer 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.079 on the basis 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.079 of the nature 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:24.120 and the character 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:25.299 and the glory 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.220 of God. 00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:28.559 Their example 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.440 begs for us 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.299 to ask the question, 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.100 what is the basis 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:33.700 of our pleads 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.720 to God? 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:37.240 because a proper 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.940 place, 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.799 a proper plea, 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.380 excuse me, 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.079 puts God 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:43.299 in his proper place 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.059 in our hearts 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.759 and lives. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.980 And we understand 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:48.120 why we ask 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:49.940 what we ask. 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.420 It was a proper plea. 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.620 It was also 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:53.900 a humble plea. 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.079 He is a 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:58.339 100-year-old man 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:59.339 who has talked 00:22:59.339 --> 00:22:59.799 to God 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:01.019 a long time 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.940 and Abraham 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.440 says, 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.960 I who am 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.799 but dust 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.480 and ashes. 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.079 He's saying, 00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:07.799 I'm not worthy. 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.519 And in verse 30, 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:10.879 he says, 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:11.799 please don't be angry 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.779 if I ask you again. 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:14.799 You know what 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.700 you don't see here? 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.700 You don't see 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.519 some brassy 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.420 name it, 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.200 claim it 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:21.119 type of prayer 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:22.420 that if you'll 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.160 just name it, 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.859 you can command 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:24.500 what you want 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.279 God to do 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.460 and God will do it. 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:28.059 There's a Greek 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.720 word for that. 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.259 It's baloney. 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.160 That ain't the way 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:33.059 we pray, folks. 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:35.099 That ain't the heart 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:35.700 in which we come 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.180 into prayer. 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:37.420 We're not in control. 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.079 We can't order 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.900 heaven around 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.900 and tell him 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.539 what we want. 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:41.859 No, 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.720 a proper plea 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.440 acknowledges 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.079 who he is. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.379 A humble plea 00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:47.180 is what's right. 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.900 But not only that, 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:49.400 but a persistent plea. 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.359 And I want you to get this 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:50.879 and I'll close. 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.559 Abraham just kept on coming. 00:23:53.639 --> 00:23:54.319 He didn't back off. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.920 He was praying 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.500 for a city 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.779 that he don't even like. 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:57.859 Lot. 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.680 Lot went down there. 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.680 He don't even like them. 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:08.480 He only has one relative 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.180 and that's Lot. 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.259 And they have a constrained 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.639 relationship at best. 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.500 They had to split up 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.379 because they couldn't get along. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.660 But yet he pleased 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.740 with persistence. 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.319 And this passage 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.759 does not take us long 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.359 to read. 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:25.160 Seems pretty quick. 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.660 But I'll tell you 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.660 the agony of the prayer 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.860 wasn't near that quick. 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.360 Because Abraham 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:31.340 persisted on. 00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:33.160 Notice the Lord 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.120 did not leave Abraham 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.160 as he interceded. 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.200 It says Abraham 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.880 still stood before the Lord 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.500 in verse 22. 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:40.040 God didn't go anywhere. 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:41.320 God listened to his prayer. 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.700 The angels went down 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.200 to Sodom 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.560 but God heard the cry 00:24:44.560 --> 00:24:45.279 of Abraham. 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.740 And do you notice 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.360 how he prayed? 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.240 He said pray. 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:49.600 God, 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.900 what if there's not 50? 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:52.040 What if there's only 45? 00:24:52.560 --> 00:24:53.600 It sounds like an auction. 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:55.799 It's like I buy something 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:57.039 on Marketplace, you know. 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:57.980 What about 40? 00:24:58.439 --> 00:24:59.359 What about 30? 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:01.119 What about 20? 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.379 What about 10? 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:06.039 And then he stopped. 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.599 Why did he stop at 10? 00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:12.740 Did he stop too soon? 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:16.659 God's mercy on this earth 00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.500 may be for the sake 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.879 of his own people. 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.839 Because the field of the Lord 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:23.039 is made up of wheat 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.240 who are real believers 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:26.720 and they're made up of tares 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:28.599 people who look real 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.659 but they're not. 00:25:30.699 --> 00:25:32.099 That look like they're of God 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.879 but they're not. 00:25:33.919 --> 00:25:36.000 But God does not pull up the tares 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.259 because he does not want 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.559 to uproot the wheat. 00:25:40.919 --> 00:25:42.480 It happens again and again. 00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:44.919 God protects others 00:25:44.919 --> 00:25:46.839 because of his faithful followers. 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:49.819 Laban told Jacob 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:51.879 in Genesis 30 verse 27 00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:52.919 that he knew 00:25:52.919 --> 00:25:54.079 he had been blessed. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:54.959 Why? 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:55.879 Because of Jacob. 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.639 He knew that. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:00.679 When Joseph went to Potiphar's house 00:26:00.679 --> 00:26:02.519 was falsely accused 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.279 and all those things 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.679 but when he was a servant 00:26:04.679 --> 00:26:05.659 in Potiphar's house 00:26:05.659 --> 00:26:07.000 running Potiphar's house 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.240 Potiphar's house 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.019 was saved 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:11.139 because Joseph was there. 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:14.120 Paul was on a ship 00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:16.460 and they got in a storm 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.780 and it began to break up. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.300 They weren't going to make it 00:26:19.300 --> 00:26:20.640 and that ship 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:22.759 that was wrecked 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.600 with Paul on it 00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:25.020 in Acts chapter 27 00:26:25.020 --> 00:26:27.140 made it finally to shore 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:28.340 and all were saved 00:26:28.340 --> 00:26:30.380 because of the apostle Paul 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:31.160 being on that ship. 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.800 In Jeremiah chapter 5 00:26:32.800 --> 00:26:33.900 when God pronounced 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.960 his judgment on Judah 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.259 he states that 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:37.800 he will not bring 00:26:37.800 --> 00:26:38.960 a full end to them 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:40.620 because of the righteous 00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:42.259 among them. 00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:43.680 God 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.539 listen to me 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:46.180 God spares a city 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.860 for his people. 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.420 God spares a nation 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:49.220 for his people. 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:51.740 Sodom did not appreciate that. 00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:55.140 They thought they could 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:56.039 save themselves 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.960 and they couldn't. 00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:58.559 They couldn't. 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.960 It's the prayers 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:02.519 of interceding Christians 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:04.799 that help us 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:06.680 to be the salt 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.600 that flavors 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:09.119 and preserves 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:10.639 our society 00:27:10.639 --> 00:27:12.899 as Christ told us to. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:15.059 Let me tell you something. 00:27:16.879 --> 00:27:17.859 If you're living 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.619 for the Lord 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:20.579 one of the reasons 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.439 why you're able 00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:22.679 to live for the Lord 00:27:22.679 --> 00:27:23.259 today 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.359 is because 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.500 there's been prayers 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.559 that have been mentioned 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.119 for you 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:27.859 from people 00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:29.079 who are already 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:30.219 in glory today 00:27:30.219 --> 00:27:31.719 a long time ago 00:27:31.719 --> 00:27:32.779 and God's still 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.959 working off those prayers. 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.059 prayers. 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.380 It is the prayers 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:39.539 of interceding Christians 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.920 that help us 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:42.240 to shine like beacons 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.160 of light 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.140 in a dark world. 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.299 You don't think 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:47.920 those old time 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.440 preachers 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:50.620 that told me 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.519 when I went into ministry 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.120 man I'm glad 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:52.840 I'm not going in 00:27:52.840 --> 00:27:53.720 the day you're going in 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:55.140 I'm glad I'm getting out 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.380 and I said 00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:55.779 well thank you 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.299 for the encouragement 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:57.000 I appreciate that. 00:27:57.000 --> 00:28:02.480 You don't think 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.319 we ride on the back 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:04.240 of those guys prayers? 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.200 They're already in glory 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:07.559 but they done prayed 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.680 for the coming generation 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:10.119 for God to do 00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:10.539 the work in us. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.420 Let me ask you something. 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:12.880 If the coming generation 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:15.339 is based upon 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:15.859 the prayers 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:17.380 of this generation 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:19.240 what's their status? 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.599 In the convoluted world 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:25.579 in which we live today 00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:27.319 the confusing 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.879 ever changing world 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:30.740 in which we live today 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:33.460 how can our prayers 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.359 affect that? 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.720 I think scripture points 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.819 again and again 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:38.819 to it can powerfully 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:40.059 affect that 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:42.339 and I believe 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.000 it comes 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.659 no other way 00:28:44.659 --> 00:28:48.619 to my understanding 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.879 this is the first 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:51.759 example of intercession 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:53.779 praying on somebody else's 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.579 behalf in scripture 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.480 and I believe 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.179 it's one of the best 00:28:56.179 --> 00:28:56.639 examples 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:59.059 because it tells us 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.619 that God 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:01.480 hears and heeds 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.879 the pleading prayer 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:03.939 of his people. 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.579 My question is 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:10.500 does he hear ours? 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.720 Does he hear mine? 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.799 Does he hear yours? 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:23.500 he won't 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:25.819 unless you pray 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.099 him 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:30.339 but if we're godly 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:32.980 and if we're faithful 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:35.379 to pray 00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:36.819 and to lift it 00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.500 before the Lord 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:40.139 he will hear our prayer 00:29:40.139 --> 00:29:42.480 and he will answer 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:45.139 may we never 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:46.520 be satisfied 00:29:46.520 --> 00:29:48.580 with less 00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:51.520 with every head 00:29:51.520 --> 00:29:52.120 bowed 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:53.020 and every eye 00:29:53.020 --> 00:29:53.620 closed 00:29:53.620 --> 00:30:00.280 I've not been here long 00:30:00.280 --> 00:30:02.700 just a few days 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.560 over a year 00:30:03.560 --> 00:30:06.980 and yet I know 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.580 already 00:30:07.580 --> 00:30:08.720 I knew when I came in 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.480 but I even know 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.560 personally now 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:12.639 about so many 00:30:12.639 --> 00:30:14.339 that I know 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.220 there's a pain 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.259 on every pew 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.299 in this building 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:17.879 some of them I know 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:18.379 about some of them 00:30:18.379 --> 00:30:18.740 I don't 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:21.899 but I know 00:30:21.899 --> 00:30:22.460 there's folks 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.179 that got stuff 00:30:23.179 --> 00:30:23.720 on their hearts 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.319 and minds 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:26.200 weighing on them 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:28.899 struggling with it 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:30.720 and I get that 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:32.919 because when I know 00:30:32.919 --> 00:30:33.240 about it 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.799 I pray along 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.659 right there with you 00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:36.200 and I ask you 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.759 to do the same 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.220 for me 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:39.759 in the indecisiveness 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:41.240 and the clear direction 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:43.440 that I want so bad 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.460 for those I love 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:49.080 I ask you today 00:30:49.080 --> 00:30:50.580 are you taking those 00:30:50.580 --> 00:30:51.540 matters before the Lord 00:30:51.540 --> 00:30:52.480 are you entrusting them 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:52.820 to him 00:30:52.820 --> 00:30:54.779 sometimes we take 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:56.040 our agenda to God 00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:57.660 and ask God to 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.940 do what we want him 00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.380 to do 00:30:59.380 --> 00:31:01.400 and then there's times 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.300 when we just go 00:31:02.300 --> 00:31:03.000 and say God 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:05.900 based on who you are 00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:07.680 I entrust this matter 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.059 to you 00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:09.660 I ask for you 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.460 to move in this way 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.500 but I entrust this matter 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.000 to you 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:14.339 God will you work 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:16.680 and move as only you can 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:19.980 I want you to know 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.660 if you're here today 00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:21.599 and you've never accepted 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.559 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.240 as your personal Lord 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:23.619 and Savior 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.740 or you're unclear 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.339 about that matter 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:25.839 you've already been 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.339 prayed for 00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.319 maybe not by name 00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:27.700 but you've already 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.279 been prayed for 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.500 because I pray 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.420 that God would work 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:31.259 and move in your life 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:31.720 today 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.839 and that you would 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.940 come to a point 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.400 in your life 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:34.779 where you know 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.200 for certain 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:35.940 you have eternal life 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.440 and you'll go to heaven 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:37.000 when you die 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.279 and if you want 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:39.339 any clarity of that 00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:40.000 and want to understand 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.779 that even any better 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.579 I encourage you 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.100 we're going to stand 00:31:42.100 --> 00:31:42.660 and we're going to sing 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.220 in just a moment 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.440 you obey God 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.079 and do exactly 00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:46.039 what he tells you to do 00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:46.839 you just come down 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.380 and say preacher 00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:48.860 I need some guidance 00:31:48.860 --> 00:31:50.799 with where I am in life 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:52.120 let's spend a few moments 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:52.860 talking about that 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:53.720 together afterwards 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:56.539 maybe you're here 00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.500 and you do know that 00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:58.319 but there's things 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:58.860 in your life 00:31:58.860 --> 00:31:59.480 that are not pleasing 00:31:59.480 --> 00:31:59.819 to the Lord 00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.460 and you need to settle 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.039 those matters 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:02.440 not only do you need 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:03.120 to pray for other people 00:32:03.120 --> 00:32:03.980 you need to pray for yourself 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.660 and you need to get 00:32:04.660 --> 00:32:05.400 those things right 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:05.980 before God 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:06.759 because they hinder 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.299 your prayers 00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:08.019 for other people 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.620 as well 00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:12.819 and then I know 00:32:12.819 --> 00:32:15.140 I know that in a room 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.620 this size 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.319 with this many people 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:16.819 there are a lot of 00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.519 burdens in this room 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:17.840 today 00:32:17.840 --> 00:32:20.940 stuff that you've 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:22.240 worried about 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:24.340 stuff that maybe 00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:25.279 you prayed about 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:27.200 stuff that you need 00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:27.799 to give over 00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.619 to the Lord Jesus 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:31.220 and it's been my prayer 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.059 that today 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:33.159 we just hand things 00:32:33.159 --> 00:32:33.919 over to the Lord 00:32:33.919 --> 00:32:35.379 you can do that 00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:35.799 where you are 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.240 you can do it 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:36.700 at this altar 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.240 you can do it 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.960 any way God 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.759 tells you to do it 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.839 but don't ever do 00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.720 less than what God 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.379 tells you to do 00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:43.000 and I'll never ask you 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:43.500 to do more than 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.480 what God tells you to do 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:46.139 just be obedient today 00:32:46.139 --> 00:32:48.240 maybe God's drawing you 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:48.619 to be a part 00:32:48.619 --> 00:32:49.180 of this fellowship 00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:51.059 you know that God's 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:52.000 leading you to be a part 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:52.940 I encourage you to come 00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:54.419 we'd love to guide you 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.160 in that process 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:56.039 and what that means 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:58.340 Lord Jesus I love you 00:32:58.340 --> 00:32:59.039 and I thank you 00:32:59.039 --> 00:32:59.539 for the love 00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:00.400 that you have for us 00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:01.560 guide us right now 00:33:01.560 --> 00:33:03.400 to simply be obedient 00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:04.259 to follow you 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:05.800 as you lead us 00:33:05.800 --> 00:33:06.820 right now 00:33:06.820 --> 00:33:07.600 oh God I pray 00:33:07.600 --> 00:33:09.140 in Jesus precious name 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:09.440 amen 00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:10.360 stand together