WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:24.300 I got some bad news this week. I was at Joe and Vivian's house and they know how much I love this coffee shop just again just over there on Moon Street called Machali. I've told you guys about that right my love for the strawberry. Why are you laughing Gabs stop laughing. Just just it's a manly drink. All right. It's a good drink. It's a masculine drink. My body can't take the coffee. 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:53.840 Yeah that qualifies me for the SWAT team. Terrible devastating news. Vivian was like did you know that Machali is closed. Right. I nearly tore my sackcloth. I nearly just I was like what. I was devastated. It's my favorite place. I quickly messaged my other fellow lovers of Machali and they assured me that it wasn't closed. It's only renovating and they knew how much I cared about it yesterday. They said it's open again. 00:00:53.840 --> 00:01:15.000 And I get upset and angry about those kinds of things. Not knowing just a few minutes walk away from my favorite coffee shop is the red light district. Are these places of pain and oppression that are just down the road. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:24.200 And today we're going to be looking at the scripture that oh as your pastor I'll tell you Genesis 19 is not where it's at. 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:33.620 It's I was like Lord we could do with another typhoon and then we could just skip this week and I'll hope that you guys don't notice and we'll do Genesis 20 instead. 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:39.760 And I'll be sitting in this just this darkness this this this pool of sin that is that is mankind. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:49.880 And so that's why I thought it was appropriate to have Alex come and share because she faces this she sees this all the time and the thing that she just said earlier just that we would have empathy for it. 00:01:49.879 --> 00:01:57.759 That yes there are our favorite coffee shops but just next door are things that are horrible. 00:01:58.979 --> 00:02:00.199 Painful in this city. 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:06.539 And a bit of a warning to you as we sit through this passage of scripture today. 00:02:06.679 --> 00:02:13.180 The reason why we're going to go through it anyway because we truly believe the word of the Lord has something to say to us in any and every circumstance. 00:02:13.180 --> 00:02:19.819 And so we don't shy away from some of the hard topics and I want to be clear here when we read this scripture don't go hey the Bible condones this. 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:21.060 No the Bible does not condone this. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:30.480 The Bible simply is showing you the consequence of sin showing you how we get to where we're at now and that we have not gone from this that we are still in this space. 00:02:31.460 --> 00:02:32.860 So this isn't Psalm 23. 00:02:33.040 --> 00:02:39.100 This isn't Lord is my shepherd I shall not want it's going to be so cool it's going to be green pastures still waters it's going to be so nice by the lake. 00:02:39.099 --> 00:02:41.979 No this is this is what this is the world as it is. 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:47.340 And as I was sitting in there I was like oh my goodness this is such terrible passage. 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:49.719 I don't even know where to go from this. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:53.919 And then I went to I don't even know where mankind should go from here. 00:02:55.180 --> 00:02:59.419 And I felt reminded that actually let's just lean in to these stories. 00:02:59.639 --> 00:03:03.579 Let's lean into what happened here recognizing and acknowledging that these things happen to this day. 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:08.740 And I promise you at the end that I'm going to try and go as quickly as I can because there's a lot to cover. 00:03:09.100 --> 00:03:15.379 I've told Julian around 20 past he's going to come up and start playing the piano just to remind me that we're going to finish here so you can all go for lunch. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:22.260 Is actually when I sat there in this scripture and I was like God why is this even here? 00:03:23.500 --> 00:03:25.100 And I realized it's a reality check. 00:03:25.700 --> 00:03:26.420 It's a mirror. 00:03:27.700 --> 00:03:30.900 It's a mirror to where mankind is at right now. 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:38.480 So before we think oh that was the ancient times and things were so uncivilized things were so twisted back then oh they're twisted now. 00:03:39.379 --> 00:03:41.200 And so we're going to read the word together. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:44.680 And so I'm going to invite actually Anthony and Angel to come up to read to us. 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:47.099 And we're going to read the whole of Genesis chapter 19. 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:49.040 So can I invite you to stand for the word of the Lord. 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:52.319 And maybe I'll quickly pray for us before we read. 00:03:52.319 --> 00:04:01.359 So Lord we don't let those thoughts about injustice and oppression and the consequence of sin. 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:07.099 We intentionally sit in that space today. 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:10.680 As we open up the word would you speak? 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:14.620 We know you have something to say about the darkness that surrounds us. 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:18.019 Holy Spirit speak. 00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:19.159 Your servants are listening. 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:21.259 This is the word of the Lord. 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:23.980 Okay Genesis 19. 00:04:24.699 --> 00:04:25.740 God rescues Lot. 00:04:26.620 --> 00:04:28.959 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening. 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:31.259 And Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. 00:04:31.659 --> 00:04:36.860 When Lot saw them he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said. 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:37.960 My lords. 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:42.540 Please turn aside to your servants house and spend the night and wash your feet. 00:04:43.080 --> 00:04:45.300 Then you may rise up early and go on your way. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:46.520 They said. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:47.280 No. 00:04:47.540 --> 00:04:49.460 We will spend the night in the town square. 00:04:49.960 --> 00:04:51.260 But he pressed them strongly. 00:04:51.780 --> 00:04:54.100 So they turned aside to him and entered the house. 00:04:54.500 --> 00:04:57.140 And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread. 00:04:57.379 --> 00:04:57.900 And they ate. 00:04:58.580 --> 00:04:59.700 But before they lay down. 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:00.980 The men of the city. 00:05:01.320 --> 00:05:02.080 The men of Sodom. 00:05:02.280 --> 00:05:03.040 Both young and old. 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:05.900 All the people till the last man surrounded the house. 00:05:05.899 --> 00:05:07.319 And they called to Lot. 00:05:07.859 --> 00:05:10.000 Where are the men who came to you tonight? 00:05:10.539 --> 00:05:11.399 Bring them to us. 00:05:11.779 --> 00:05:12.739 That we may know them. 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:15.620 Lot went out to the men at the entrance. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:17.359 Shut the door after him and said. 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:18.779 I beg you my brothers. 00:05:19.179 --> 00:05:20.419 Do not act so wickedly. 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:21.419 Behold. 00:05:21.679 --> 00:05:23.799 I have two daughters who have not known any man. 00:05:24.579 --> 00:05:26.299 Let me bring them out to you. 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:28.419 And do to them as you please. 00:05:29.060 --> 00:05:30.459 Only do nothing to these men. 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:33.000 For they have come under the shelter of my roof. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:34.160 But they said. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:34.899 Stand back. 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:35.939 And they said. 00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:37.939 This fellow came to sojourn. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:40.100 And he has become the judge. 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:43.519 Now we will deal with the worse of you than with them. 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:45.860 Then they pressed hard against the man. 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:46.620 Lot. 00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:49.160 And drew near to break the door down. 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:51.300 But the men reached out their hands. 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:53.079 And brought Lot into the house with them. 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:53.839 And shut the door. 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:55.920 And they struck with blindness. 00:05:56.160 --> 00:05:58.379 The men who are at the entrance of the house. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:05:59.420 Both small and great. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:01.420 So that they wore themselves out. 00:06:01.420 --> 00:06:02.199 Groping the door. 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:04.020 Then the men said to Lot. 00:06:04.520 --> 00:06:05.879 Have you anyone else here? 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:07.160 Sons-in-law. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:07.720 Sons. 00:06:07.840 --> 00:06:08.140 Daughters. 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:09.740 Or anyone you have in the city. 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:11.580 Bring them out of the place. 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:15.080 For we are about to destroy this place. 00:06:15.640 --> 00:06:19.379 Because the outcry against the people has become great before the Lord. 00:06:19.700 --> 00:06:21.460 And the Lord has sent us to destroy. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:24.500 So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law. 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:26.660 Who are to marry his daughters. 00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:27.480 Up. 00:06:27.620 --> 00:06:28.500 Get out of this place. 00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:30.319 For the Lord is about to destroy the city. 00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:33.319 But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting. 00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:35.500 As morning dawned. 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:37.199 The angels urged Lot saying. 00:06:37.579 --> 00:06:37.800 Up. 00:06:37.980 --> 00:06:39.319 Take your wife and your two daughters. 00:06:39.779 --> 00:06:40.420 Who are here. 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:43.800 Lest we be swept away in the punishment of the city. 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:45.100 But he lingered. 00:06:45.339 --> 00:06:46.540 So the men seized him. 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:48.519 And his wife and his two daughters by the hand. 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:50.720 The Lord being merciful said to him. 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:52.180 And they brought him out. 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:53.500 And sent him beside the city. 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:55.779 And as they brought them out. 00:06:55.779 --> 00:06:56.319 One said. 00:06:56.579 --> 00:06:57.439 Escape for your life. 00:06:57.679 --> 00:06:59.879 Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:01.259 Escape to the hills. 00:07:01.419 --> 00:07:02.419 Lest you be swept away. 00:07:03.099 --> 00:07:03.939 And Lot said to them. 00:07:04.119 --> 00:07:04.819 Oh no lords. 00:07:05.239 --> 00:07:07.679 Behold your servant has found favor in your sight. 00:07:08.119 --> 00:07:09.759 And you have shown me great kindness. 00:07:10.419 --> 00:07:11.439 In saving my life. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.479 But I cannot escape to the hills. 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:15.799 Lest the disaster overtake me and I die. 00:07:16.479 --> 00:07:19.179 Behold the city is near enough to flee to. 00:07:19.339 --> 00:07:20.519 And it is a little one. 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:21.839 Let me escape there. 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:23.519 Is it not a little one? 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:25.560 And my life will be saved. 00:07:25.979 --> 00:07:26.779 He said to him. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:29.719 Behold I will grant you this favor also. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:32.659 That I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:34.259 Escape there quickly. 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:36.539 For I can do nothing till you arrive there. 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:40.539 Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:42.879 God destroyed Sodom. 00:07:43.339 --> 00:07:45.000 The sun had risen on the earth. 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:47.099 And when Lot came to Zoar. 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:49.839 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:52.519 Sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:54.639 And he overthrew these cities. 00:07:55.099 --> 00:07:55.779 And all the valleys. 00:07:56.259 --> 00:07:58.079 And all the inhabitants of the cities. 00:07:58.500 --> 00:07:59.879 And what grew on the ground. 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:03.079 But Lot's wife behind him looked back. 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:04.639 And she became a pillar of salt. 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:09.699 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. 00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:12.339 And he looked down towards Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:08:12.659 --> 00:08:14.359 And towards all the land of the valley. 00:08:14.659 --> 00:08:15.259 And he looked. 00:08:15.599 --> 00:08:16.159 And behold. 00:08:16.479 --> 00:08:19.639 The smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace. 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:21.159 So it was that. 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:23.620 When God destroyed the cities of the valley. 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:25.560 God remembered Abraham. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:28.560 And sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow. 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:32.240 When he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived. 00:08:33.059 --> 00:08:33.980 Lot and his daughters. 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:37.179 Now Lot went up out of Zoar. 00:08:37.419 --> 00:08:39.799 And lived in the hills with his two daughters. 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:42.220 For he was afraid to live in Zoar. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:44.940 So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:47.259 And the firstborn said to the younger. 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:48.680 Our father is old. 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:51.620 And there is not a man on earth to come unto us. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:53.700 After the manner of all the earth. 00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:56.379 Come let us make our father drink wine. 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:57.980 And we will lie with him. 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:01.720 That we may preserve offspring from our father. 00:09:02.160 --> 00:09:04.740 So they made their father drink wine that night. 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:07.540 And the firstborn went in and lay with her father. 00:09:07.920 --> 00:09:09.720 He did not know when he lay down. 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:11.460 Or when she arose. 00:09:12.160 --> 00:09:14.279 The next day the firstborn said to the younger. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:14.800 Behold. 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:17.160 I lay last night with my father. 00:09:17.540 --> 00:09:19.519 That is make him drink wine tonight also. 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:21.660 Then you go in and lie with him. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:24.740 That we may preserve offspring from our father. 00:09:25.220 --> 00:09:28.060 So they made their father drink wine that night also. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:30.399 And the younger arose and lay with him. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:32.680 And he did not know when she lay down. 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:33.860 Or when she arose. 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:36.399 Thus both the daughters of Lot. 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:38.360 Became pregnant by their father. 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:42.720 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:45.759 He is the father of the Moabites to this day. 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:49.220 The younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ami. 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:52.240 He is the father of Emomites to this day. 00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:55.580 This is the word of the Lord. 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:56.519 Thank you. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:57.360 Take a seat. 00:09:59.279 --> 00:09:59.919 Yeah. 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:00.419 Thank you. 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:06.299 So Lord we approach your word with reverence. 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:09.940 And fear and confusion. 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:17.540 This world is a dark place. 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:21.100 Help us not just understand it. 00:10:21.140 --> 00:10:23.800 But help us understand what our role is in this world. 00:10:26.940 --> 00:10:27.720 Guide us now. 00:10:28.140 --> 00:10:28.920 In your name we pray. 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:29.820 Amen. 00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:32.060 Just a quick disclaimer then. 00:10:32.140 --> 00:10:33.560 So as you've now heard the story. 00:10:33.900 --> 00:10:35.720 If you are here with a minor. 00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:37.300 And you're a parent. 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:39.120 Then I'll encourage you to. 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:41.080 I'll try my best. 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:44.340 To keep this easily digestible. 00:10:44.680 --> 00:10:46.720 But if you need to then explain afterwards. 00:10:47.040 --> 00:10:48.320 I do leave that with you. 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:49.760 But of course don't do it on your own. 00:10:49.800 --> 00:10:51.360 If you're worried then come and talk to me as well. 00:10:51.760 --> 00:10:53.540 And the second is if you are non-Christian. 00:10:53.680 --> 00:10:54.880 Or if this is your first time at church. 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:57.200 Welcome. 00:10:57.620 --> 00:10:58.760 So good to have you. 00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:00.559 We read. 00:11:00.659 --> 00:11:01.980 We believe this thing called the Bible. 00:11:02.439 --> 00:11:03.720 There are really really. 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:06.120 Just encouraging comforting passages in the Bible. 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:07.039 That we just absolutely love. 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:07.799 That give us so much hope. 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:09.720 And then there are other passages here. 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:11.059 That make us really dig deep. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:14.620 And take a sober look at what reality is in this world. 00:11:14.939 --> 00:11:15.860 So we welcome you. 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:17.240 It's not always like this. 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:17.879 I promise you. 00:11:18.939 --> 00:11:20.819 But sadly Genesis is a little bit of a. 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:22.659 You know a dump of kind of. 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:23.740 Messiness. 00:11:24.220 --> 00:11:25.960 So bear with us. 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:27.379 I'm glad that you're here. 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:29.379 Just a quick recap. 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:30.240 Just to rewind your mind. 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:31.039 We're talking about Lot. 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:32.919 And this is the final chapter about Lot. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:33.980 And it's a sorry one right. 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:34.879 It's a really sad one. 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:35.259 And it's like. 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:37.240 Those of you who have prepped messages before. 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.679 I just kind of got your arms crossed now. 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:38.879 I was like. 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:39.779 I wonder what you're going to do. 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:40.939 Try this one James. 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:43.439 So let me just give you a little bit of a recap. 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:43.899 Okay. 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:46.199 So Lot in Genesis 13. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:48.620 He leaves Egypt with Abraham. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:49.779 And they both get rich. 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:51.620 They both have so much in their camp. 00:11:51.699 --> 00:11:52.519 They have to separate. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:53.980 Then Abraham says. 00:11:54.059 --> 00:11:54.600 Hey nephew. 00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:56.500 You choose which way you want to go. 00:11:56.579 --> 00:11:56.779 We've got. 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:57.519 We're too big. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:58.699 Let's just separate now. 00:11:58.959 --> 00:11:59.620 And Abraham says. 00:11:59.620 --> 00:11:59.959 You choose. 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:01.439 And then Lot looks over that way. 00:12:01.439 --> 00:12:02.439 And sees a valley. 00:12:02.699 --> 00:12:03.039 And he says. 00:12:03.199 --> 00:12:03.360 That. 00:12:03.819 --> 00:12:04.860 That's so beautiful. 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:05.399 These valleys. 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:05.980 It's lush. 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:07.000 It's like the Garden of Eden. 00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:08.259 It reminds me of Egypt. 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.639 That is a good place to be. 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:10.259 And then. 00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:10.799 So actually. 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:12.000 Abraham lets him choose. 00:12:12.059 --> 00:12:12.759 And go that way. 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.000 And actually. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:15.559 Lot uses his eyes. 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:17.240 And sees that something is good. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:18.179 Just like. 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:19.779 Eve sees the fruit. 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.699 And thinks that it's good. 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:21.419 And she thinks. 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.039 That's the way. 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:23.199 That's the best way to go. 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.120 The conditions are perfect. 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:24.659 But don't worry. 00:12:24.699 --> 00:12:25.659 I won't get too close. 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:27.120 To that evil city over there. 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:28.919 I'll just be in the valleys nearby. 00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:30.319 So that's the story. 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:30.759 Okay. 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:32.379 Genesis 14. 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:33.960 He actually doesn't stay. 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:35.720 In the valleys nearby. 00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:37.840 He actually ends up in the city. 00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:39.700 And then that's when they get captured. 00:12:40.060 --> 00:12:41.340 And there's a whole battle going on. 00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:41.860 There's a war. 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:42.600 Abraham. 00:12:42.940 --> 00:12:44.519 With his 318 men. 00:12:45.060 --> 00:12:46.080 Act like Spartans. 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.820 And they go and save Lot. 00:12:48.160 --> 00:12:48.860 And then. 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:49.460 You think. 00:12:49.540 --> 00:12:49.680 Okay. 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:51.060 Well where does Lot go from here? 00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:53.120 He goes straight back. 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:53.620 To Sodom. 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:55.500 He gets saved. 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:57.540 From the place that he said he wouldn't really end up. 00:12:58.420 --> 00:12:59.560 But then he ends up going back. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:02.860 And that's where we kind of fast forward a little bit. 00:13:02.900 --> 00:13:03.460 So last week. 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:03.780 Gabe. 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:05.360 When we had our Typhoon. 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:06.500 Zoom service. 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:08.919 He shared this fascinating conversation. 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:10.299 Between Abraham. 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:11.320 And God. 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:14.019 Because Sodom has gotten to this point. 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:16.179 Where it just needs to be eradicated. 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:16.679 It's just. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.019 So evil. 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:19.720 But yeah. 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:21.100 He has this conversation with Abraham. 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:22.639 And where Abraham is trying to see. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:22.879 Well. 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:23.860 What if you. 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.879 What if there's 50 people? 00:13:25.960 --> 00:13:27.039 Would you destroy it then? 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:27.379 And then. 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:28.100 Goes down to 40. 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:28.399 30. 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:29.019 And eventually. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:29.720 What about 10? 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:31.940 And God said. 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:32.120 Okay. 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:32.639 If there's 10. 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:33.639 I'll leave it. 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:34.840 It's worth saving. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.279 We fast forward now. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.519 To Genesis chapter 19. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.139 And we realize. 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:40.060 That there's not even 10. 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:42.379 There's not even 10 people. 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:43.240 So the two angels. 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:43.960 That were with God. 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:45.740 They go to Sodom. 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:47.259 And that's where the story. 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:48.000 Picks up. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.860 And you know what? 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:50.639 It's the slippery slope. 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.399 Of sin. 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:53.059 Where you say. 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:53.879 From afar. 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:54.840 I'm going to be okay. 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:56.199 I'm not going to go all the way there. 00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.299 I'm just going to be here. 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.459 Because this is a good place to be. 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:00.579 And you see. 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.379 Before you know it. 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:01.919 You end up. 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.059 Drunk in a cave. 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.459 Being abused by your daughters. 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:07.199 C.S. Lewis. 00:14:07.319 --> 00:14:07.759 In his book. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:08.639 The Screwtape Letters. 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:09.299 Talks about this. 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:09.539 He says. 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:11.360 The safest road to hell. 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:13.480 Is the gradual one. 00:14:14.319 --> 00:14:15.819 It's the one with a gentle slope. 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.740 And is soft underfoot. 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:20.000 It's the one that you get to. 00:14:20.079 --> 00:14:21.019 Without even knowing. 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.620 Sometimes we're like. 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:22.860 Oh. 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:24.340 If I was face to face. 00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:25.439 Face to face with evil. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.679 I would make the right choice. 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:26.919 Yes. 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.459 But often it's not that obvious. 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:32.319 And as I've been sitting in this passage. 00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:34.600 And you can imagine where I've been. 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:35.079 This week. 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:36.100 Sitting in this passage. 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:37.019 With this weather. 00:14:37.439 --> 00:14:38.199 And I'm just like. 00:14:38.199 --> 00:14:38.799 This world. 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.799 And actually every time. 00:14:41.959 --> 00:14:42.620 I speak to someone. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.620 Who's going through. 00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:44.799 Some kind of trouble. 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:46.819 Some kind of sin. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:47.460 In their lives. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.000 Every time. 00:14:48.199 --> 00:14:48.980 I talk to someone. 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:49.539 Who's struggling. 00:14:49.819 --> 00:14:50.220 With lust. 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:50.399 And. 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.279 My heart sinks. 00:14:53.319 --> 00:14:54.179 My heart sinks. 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:54.679 Because I'm like. 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.379 This is the world that we live in. 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:57.360 This last week. 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:58.159 We've had VBS. 00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.439 At our church. 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.340 And it's been so fun. 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.079 Just watching kids. 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:01.959 Just have so. 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:02.720 So much fun. 00:15:03.179 --> 00:15:04.379 And he put in a great shift. 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.539 That's why he's exhausted. 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.419 And wearing a mask right now. 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:08.639 Being with kids all week. 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:09.759 And I looked. 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:10.779 And I see such joy. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.580 And then my heart just sinks. 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:13.720 Because I'm like. 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.519 The innocence of childhood. 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:19.139 And the world that they're going to be growing up in. 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:23.620 How do we help them make sense of this? 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.899 How do we help them. 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:27.080 Not go down the slippery slope of sin. 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.159 And so it's really interesting. 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:29.419 And we're just going to quickly fly through. 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.679 As quick as I possibly can. 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:31.919 If it's too fast for you. 00:15:31.939 --> 00:15:32.759 I really do apologize. 00:15:32.939 --> 00:15:33.639 We are on Spotify. 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:36.479 You can then re-listen at half the speed. 00:15:36.599 --> 00:15:37.219 If you want to. 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:38.199 But I'm just going to keep flying. 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.019 Because there's so much here. 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:40.639 Chapter 19 verse 1. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:42.039 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening. 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:43.559 And Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. 00:15:43.839 --> 00:15:44.120 Whoa. 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:45.439 He starts off by saying. 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.219 I'm not going to live there. 00:15:46.239 --> 00:15:47.779 I'm just going to live in the outskirts. 00:15:48.219 --> 00:15:49.239 Eventually he ends up living. 00:15:49.359 --> 00:15:50.459 And actually sitting at the gate. 00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:51.419 This is significant. 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.699 Because actually what he's doing. 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:53.979 He's not just living in Sodom. 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:55.259 He's now one of the city leaders. 00:15:55.459 --> 00:15:56.759 Because only the city leaders. 00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:57.919 The elders sat at the gate. 00:15:58.199 --> 00:16:00.319 So actually anything that happens in the city. 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:01.340 Happens at the gate. 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.720 And these elders would sit there. 00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:04.600 To make decisions about these things. 00:16:04.760 --> 00:16:05.460 So this guy. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:08.180 Who said that he was going this way. 00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:09.720 Ends up slipping all the way in the end. 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.640 Where he's actually one of the leaders. 00:16:11.640 --> 00:16:12.760 Of this evil city. 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.600 Isn't that fascinating? 00:16:13.820 --> 00:16:15.379 And so when Lot sees them. 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.200 He rose to meet them. 00:16:16.260 --> 00:16:18.040 And bowed himself with his face to the earth. 00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:19.800 This is where Lot gets really confusing. 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.660 Lot is a tormented soul. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:23.760 Because he knows the God of Abraham. 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:25.040 Because Abraham is his uncle. 00:16:25.400 --> 00:16:27.500 And he knows what should be done. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:29.720 In terms of living a good life. 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:32.040 And yet he decides to go in to live in a city. 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:33.560 And I can imagine him saying this to him. 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.000 You know what? 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.120 I can live in this city. 00:16:35.180 --> 00:16:35.639 I'll be okay. 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.000 This is. 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:38.279 I can try and maintain my own morals. 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:39.279 And live in this city. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:42.139 Or maybe I'll have influence in this city. 00:16:42.160 --> 00:16:43.379 And I can turn the city around. 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:44.899 So he'll tell himself these things. 00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:46.300 And so what you find out is. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:46.940 He ends up. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.660 He's sat at the gate. 00:16:47.660 --> 00:16:48.320 And actually. 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.800 When he sees these two strangers. 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:51.399 He does exactly what his uncle did. 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.320 A couple chapters ago. 00:16:52.540 --> 00:16:53.540 Which is greet them. 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:54.779 He says welcome. 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.340 Come in. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.500 So these two angels go to him. 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:59.200 And then he tries to tell them. 00:16:59.240 --> 00:16:59.360 Hey. 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.820 Come and stay at my house. 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:02.259 Now. 00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:03.560 We now read the chapter. 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:05.500 We know why he's telling them to stay at his house. 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.400 Because it's not safe outside. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.340 He said. 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:08.480 Hey. 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:08.740 Come. 00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:09.740 Come and stay in my house. 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.660 And then the two angels. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:11.600 I kind of said. 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:11.900 Well no. 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.460 Don't worry. 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:12.779 We'll go. 00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:13.160 We'll just. 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.400 We'll stay outside in the court. 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:14.920 He's like. 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.440 I assure you. 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.640 You do not want to stay outside. 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:19.819 Come. 00:17:20.159 --> 00:17:21.159 And stay in my house. 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.500 Where I can protect you. 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.720 And so they agree. 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.359 And so verse three. 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.639 But he pressed them strongly. 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:29.759 Because he knew exactly what was going on. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.559 He knew the danger. 00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:31.779 So they turned aside to him. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.460 And entered his house. 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.419 And he made them a feast. 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.679 And baked and unleavened bread. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.659 And they ate. 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:38.059 And then this is where it starts to get a little bit horrifying. 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:39.980 The men of the city. 00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:41.000 And it says here. 00:17:41.439 --> 00:17:42.119 The men of the city. 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:42.919 The men of Sodom. 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:43.779 Both young and old. 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.599 All the people. 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:45.700 To the last man. 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.679 This is a mob. 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:49.660 The whole group. 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:51.279 The whole population of men in the city. 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.380 Go up to this house. 00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:54.980 Knowing that they've seen two strangers come in. 00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:57.320 Probably likely beautiful strangers. 00:17:57.320 --> 00:17:58.299 Because they're angelic. 00:17:58.320 --> 00:17:58.980 Because they're angels. 00:17:59.360 --> 00:18:00.160 And so they see. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.360 They hear this news about these two foreigners come in. 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.740 Who've gone to the house of Lot. 00:18:03.860 --> 00:18:05.779 And so they all go and charge to his house. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:08.880 And they demand that he brings these two guests out. 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:10.240 Because they would like to abuse them. 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:11.539 They would like to have their way. 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:14.680 The evil. 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:17.240 The wickedness of man is what we're seeing here. 00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:20.019 And so Lot says. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.920 Please don't. 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:22.839 Please protect. 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.960 These two are under my care. 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.680 I need to try and protect them. 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.960 Please go away. 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.879 And they don't. 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.440 They stay. 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:32.159 And so then Lot comes with a compromised solution. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.460 This is how tormented he is. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.920 This is how compromised he is. 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:36.240 He wants to do the right thing. 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.440 And he's kind of doing the right thing. 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:39.759 But his solutions are not really the best solutions either. 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.279 He's saying. 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:40.480 Okay. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.859 You want to take my two guests. 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:42.519 The two strangers. 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.339 And you want to abuse them. 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:44.059 Don't do that. 00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:44.420 Please. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:45.599 It's just. 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.940 I can't let you do that. 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:47.619 But instead. 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:49.160 Why don't you take my two daughters instead. 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.119 Why don't you abuse them. 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.440 And you're sat here going. 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:51.799 What? 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.500 That's it. 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.299 That's your solution. 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.859 But can you see what happens. 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:58.339 When you start on this slippery slope. 00:18:58.879 --> 00:19:00.740 When you start from looking at something from afar. 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.720 And think you're going to be okay. 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:03.200 And then you go into the city. 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:03.440 You're like. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.099 I want to be fine. 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:04.259 Look. 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.579 I'm in charge of this company. 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.460 I'm going to be okay. 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.519 It's going to be a godly company. 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:08.500 That isn't corrupt. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.220 You realize actually. 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.779 You don't even know what's good anymore. 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:14.359 Because you've gotten so far down the slippery slope. 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:16.539 Your thinking is compromised. 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:18.859 And so he thinks he's doing the right thing. 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:21.579 Take my daughters instead. 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.859 Can you just imagine for a second. 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.579 How the daughters feel. 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:24.839 Let's just sit there for just two seconds. 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:26.180 Because that explains later. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.720 What happens in the rest of the story. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.500 And so he says. 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.259 Please do that. 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:33.180 And then they turn on him. 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.599 So the mob looks at him and go. 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.160 Who are you? 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:36.779 Verse nine. 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:37.740 But they said. 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.200 Stand back. 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.740 This fellow came to sojourn. 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.759 And he has become the judge. 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.099 Oh. 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.200 Who are you again? 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.480 Actually. 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.099 So it's interesting. 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:45.220 Because he was very rich. 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.640 He ended up in Sodom. 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.500 And do you remember then. 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.700 They got attacked. 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.599 And then he got kidnapped. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.559 And then. 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.460 Abraham went. 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.240 Or Liam Neeson. 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.960 Saved his nephew. 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.180 And actually. 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:55.940 The king of Sodom. 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.680 Comes to thank him. 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.140 Kind of. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.099 So actually. 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.839 Lot would have had some favor. 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.879 From this king of Sodom. 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.339 Oh. 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:01.539 Okay. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.740 Your uncle saved me. 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:02.920 So. 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:03.279 Hey. 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.960 Continue to have influence and power. 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:05.980 Over this city. 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.680 But the locals would have been like. 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.360 Who is this guy? 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.819 This foreign rich man. 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:12.380 And now he's acting all holy and judgy against us. 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.740 So that's what they're saying. 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.019 They're like. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.500 Who are you? 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.259 You weren't. 00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:16.360 You're not one of us. 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.079 And so. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.620 At this point. 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.519 He doesn't really know what to do. 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.360 He's losing control. 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:22.200 Then they pressed hard against the man. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.420 Lot. 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.380 And drew near to the. 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.059 Break the door down. 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.039 But the angels. 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.299 But the men reached out their hands. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.519 And brought Lot into the house with them. 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.120 And shut the door. 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.120 And they struck with blindness. 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:30.460 With the men who were at the entrance. 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.079 Of the house. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.340 They didn't need a SWAT team. 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.140 They had two angels. 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.680 Who could do. 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.920 Far greater things. 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:36.420 So they strike the whole mob. 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.240 Blind. 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.480 And they pull Lot into the house. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.440 And then they are. 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.160 Protected. 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:43.259 Here. 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:44.120 They then tell Lot. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:44.539 They say. 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:44.740 Hey. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.140 The city's going. 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:47.840 We couldn't even find ten people who are holy. 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:50.000 This city is going to be destroyed. 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:50.840 Is there anyone? 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:53.000 Is there anyone who you think can be saved? 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.779 This is flashes of nowhere. 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.740 Happening all over again. 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.360 Is anyone? 00:20:58.120 --> 00:20:58.779 And it's really funny. 00:20:58.860 --> 00:20:59.079 It says. 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:00.059 Have you anyone else here? 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:00.659 Is sons-in-law. 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.019 Sons. 00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:01.419 Daughters. 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.899 Or anyone you have in the city. 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:04.119 Who might want to be saved. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.720 Do they want to join us? 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:09.440 And then it's really interesting. 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:09.819 Lot. 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.559 Verse 14. 00:21:10.679 --> 00:21:11.279 So Lot went out. 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.419 And said to his sons-in-law. 00:21:13.659 --> 00:21:14.500 Pause for a second. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.960 The sons-in-law. 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.299 Just before it. 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.419 Scripture made it clear. 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.639 That every single man. 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.460 Was part of this mob. 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.519 So the likelihood is. 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.599 The two sons-in-law. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.919 Who were about to be. 00:21:24.919 --> 00:21:26.240 Betrayed to his two daughters. 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.119 Were part of this mob. 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:31.439 Lot goes to the two future sons-in-law. 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:31.619 And said. 00:21:31.719 --> 00:21:31.819 Hey. 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:33.339 Something's going to happen here. 00:21:33.379 --> 00:21:34.419 Something's going to go down. 00:21:34.719 --> 00:21:36.459 Would you like to come and be saved with us? 00:21:37.739 --> 00:21:38.639 What's their response? 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.039 Verse 14. 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.359 But he seemed to his son-in-laws. 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.240 To be jesting. 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:44.500 They're like. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.119 You are mad. 00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:46.420 You must be joking. 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.180 When you've lived a life. 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.200 Of compromise. 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.379 When you have headed down. 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.079 That slippery slope. 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:53.059 When people look at you. 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:54.180 And they see the way you live. 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:55.420 And when you finally turn around. 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:55.619 And say. 00:21:55.659 --> 00:21:55.759 Hey. 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.839 Would you like to come to church with me? 00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:57.279 You won't really? 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.559 You. 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.440 They think he's joking. 00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:01.639 It's like. 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.339 This is confusing. 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:02.960 Because you're. 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.720 You're kind of trying to act holy. 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.579 But you're living with us. 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.740 And you're a leader of this city. 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.180 And you're. 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:08.500 Kind of doing things that aren't right. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:08.920 As well. 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.000 So they don't. 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:11.880 They don't see a track record. 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:13.019 Of someone who's living. 00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:13.900 Completely different. 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:14.960 To the city. 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.279 And so they think. 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.019 He's actually just joking. 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.099 They think he's gone cuckoo. 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.259 They. 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.460 They just don't even know. 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.579 How to respond to him. 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.039 I fear this. 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:22.420 Sometimes. 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:22.579 And. 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:23.960 I try. 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:24.380 And be. 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.059 Nice and friendly. 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.019 To those who don't know Christ. 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.700 And hang out with them. 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.200 And but. 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.759 What if I. 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.880 Cross over the line. 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.259 Where actually. 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.720 They just think. 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.480 That I'm just one of them. 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:34.019 I'm supposed to be different. 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.240 Of course. 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:35.579 There's a. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.680 Perception of what a. 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.359 Pasta looks like. 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.019 A Chinese pastor. 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.420 You've got to be. 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:38.700 You know. 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.559 60 years old. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.660 And no hair. 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.319 And always. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:41.879 You know. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.259 Okay. 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.599 Thank you. 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:43.980 Thank you. 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.160 Gigi. 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.500 So actually. 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.740 A lot of my time. 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.779 I'm trying to convince people. 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.160 Hey actually. 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:49.759 I'm not that different. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.559 I'm actually quite like you. 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.180 I like the same things as you. 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.400 Actually. 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.420 I'm quite cool to hang out with. 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:55.879 And then. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.240 Out of my wanting to. 00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:57.720 Show them. 00:22:57.839 --> 00:22:58.119 That actually. 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:59.339 There isn't just one way. 00:22:59.339 --> 00:22:59.839 Of doing church. 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.859 One way of being a pastor. 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:01.879 Sometimes I wonder. 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.359 Oh actually. 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:02.639 Maybe. 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.420 I get to. 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.859 I'm so successful at doing that. 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.200 That actually. 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:06.299 They think I'm just the same as them. 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.859 And maybe when I tell them. 00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:08.359 Hey repent. 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:10.019 Because what you're doing is wrong. 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.519 They'll be like. 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:10.680 Whoa. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.379 You must be mad. 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:12.940 You must be joking. 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.779 I think that's what's happening. 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:15.220 With a lot here. 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.440 And so his son-in-law. 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.139 I don't think really. 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.759 You want to follow him. 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:18.819 So then. 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.980 He actually has to go. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.079 And as morning dawns. 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.859 The angels urge Lot. 00:23:21.919 --> 00:23:22.079 Saying. 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:22.359 Up. 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:22.859 Take your wife. 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.539 And your two daughters. 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:24.680 So the son-in-law say no. 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:25.980 Who are here. 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.819 Lest you be sucked away. 00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:27.779 In the punishment of the city. 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:29.579 Oh and here comes the big line. 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.440 So we go from the slippery slope of sin. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.279 To my second point. 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:32.759 Which is. 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.759 Lingering Lot. 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.119 But. 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.619 Verse 16 says this. 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.740 But he. 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:38.779 Lingered. 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.740 Don't you and I. 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.440 Do that. 00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:43.759 We know what's right. 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.559 We know what's wrong. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.680 We know we shouldn't be here. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.299 We know there's going to be judgment. 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:48.799 But you know what. 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:49.519 We're just going to linger. 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.220 Just a little bit. 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:52.440 We know we should not be watching the show. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.140 But we're just going to linger. 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.119 Just for a little bit longer. 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:56.039 We know we shouldn't be hanging out. 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:56.579 With this group of people. 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.339 But we're just going to linger. 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:58.059 A little bit longer. 00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:59.279 I want to say here. 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:01.099 When we think of Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.500 We think. 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.299 At least for me. 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:04.119 I'm thinking about just this dark city. 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.099 It's like Gotham. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.939 That's always dark. 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:08.500 There's fire and smoke everywhere. 00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:09.559 But that's not the case. 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:11.659 Remember when Lot looked over towards it. 00:24:11.719 --> 00:24:12.459 In chapter 13. 00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:14.779 He saw it looked like the Garden of Eden. 00:24:15.219 --> 00:24:17.259 It looked like the glorious land of Egypt. 00:24:17.919 --> 00:24:19.239 It looked like Hong Kong. 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.939 It looked like comfort. 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.739 And convenience. 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:22.500 And luxury. 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:23.899 It looked nice. 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.759 And so he lingered. 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.319 He says. 00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:28.619 Oh. 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:30.639 I know I have to go. 00:24:30.719 --> 00:24:31.500 Because something's happening. 00:24:32.659 --> 00:24:34.059 But can I just stay for a little bit? 00:24:35.199 --> 00:24:35.379 Like. 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:37.099 But when I follow you and leave. 00:24:37.219 --> 00:24:39.139 I'm going to lose my favorite coffee job. 00:24:39.179 --> 00:24:39.979 And my favorite restaurant. 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.799 And actually. 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:43.099 I've got a membership at this clubhouse. 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:44.239 That it's. 00:24:44.439 --> 00:24:45.279 I still want to use. 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:47.559 Then we have that. 00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:48.599 God I will follow you. 00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:49.219 But. 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.459 I will follow you. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.659 But can I bring this with me? 00:24:53.580 --> 00:24:54.880 I want to follow you. 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:55.720 Kind of. 00:24:55.820 --> 00:24:57.160 But still follow this way too. 00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:58.380 He lingers. 00:24:59.800 --> 00:25:00.820 Even more interesting. 00:25:01.300 --> 00:25:01.880 Is this. 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.420 As they go. 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:04.279 Oh. 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:04.880 That's just funny. 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:06.700 As they go. 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.019 He says. 00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:07.259 Okay. 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:07.980 I'll go. 00:25:08.340 --> 00:25:09.519 But can I not go to the hills? 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:11.880 I completely empathize with Lot here. 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:13.240 Because he's like. 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.420 Look. 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:15.100 I'm living in luxury here. 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:17.300 And now you're telling me to go to the hills. 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.640 This is how I feel about camping. 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.420 I don't know why people want to go camping. 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:22.620 When you have memory foam. 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:24.019 Pillows and mattresses and Wi-Fi. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.100 And air con at home. 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:28.900 Why would you want to subject yourself to that circumstance for a night? 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.320 He's like. 00:25:30.320 --> 00:25:31.440 I can't live in the hills. 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.200 I'm not. 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.220 I'm a city guy. 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:35.259 I cannot be in the hills. 00:25:35.600 --> 00:25:36.940 And then he negotiates with them. 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.460 Can you imagine? 00:25:37.800 --> 00:25:39.140 He's talking to these supernatural beings. 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:40.840 Who are about to send fire and brimstone. 00:25:41.080 --> 00:25:41.640 Onto the city. 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:41.840 He's like. 00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:42.060 Okay. 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:42.660 I won't. 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.480 I get. 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.500 I get you're angry. 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.600 I will go with you. 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:48.180 But can I not go all the way there? 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:49.180 There's actually a little town. 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:50.160 Just down the road. 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:51.240 Over there. 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.120 It's like. 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.559 It's not the city city. 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.259 But it's. 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.700 It's kind of a way. 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:56.220 So it's kind of. 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.480 It's like. 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:56.960 Turn and tell. 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.140 So it's okay. 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.720 There'll still be some of my foods. 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.539 And maybe I'll just hang out there. 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.079 Is that okay? 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.159 Okay. 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:04.659 Fascinatingly. 00:26:04.699 --> 00:26:05.179 The angel said. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.480 Okay. 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:05.779 Fine. 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:07.619 They said. 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:07.899 Fine. 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.859 You can move to turn. 00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:09.039 Tell. 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.759 I'm destroying the city. 00:26:10.919 --> 00:26:12.159 But you can move to the island. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:14.139 Where you can enjoy those massive fish balls. 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.139 You're lingering. 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.379 And I'm going to be gracious. 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.539 And I'm going to let you do it. 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:19.960 So that. 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.839 They actually let him. 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:22.980 Which I think is just a whole nother topic. 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:23.539 Again. 00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.819 The sun had risen on the earth. 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:26.079 And then of course at that moment. 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:26.700 Verse 24. 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:28.359 The Lord rains on Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:26:28.659 --> 00:26:31.139 Sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:33.059 And it all burns to the ground. 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.619 And then there's the famous passage where. 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:36.319 As they're running away from the city. 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.759 His wife turns around. 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.839 He lingered by the way. 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:41.079 But his wife actually turns back and looks. 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.259 Again with the same thing. 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.619 But what about my plants? 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.500 What about our house? 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:47.539 What about the lives that we've built there? 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.980 She turns back. 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.759 And she joins the city. 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.919 And turns into a pillar of salt. 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:58.179 Meanwhile. 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.460 The movie. 00:26:59.939 --> 00:27:01.439 Flashes over to verse 27. 00:27:01.899 --> 00:27:02.500 And Abraham. 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.779 Who isn't far away. 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:07.179 Abraham's living in. 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:07.740 I don't know. 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.619 Sun guy. 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.159 You're not. 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.039 And he looks. 00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:12.439 Early in the morning. 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.079 And he stands. 00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:14.099 And he looks towards the city. 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:15.639 And he sees it all up in smoke. 00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:19.139 And so it was that. 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:20.779 Interestingly. 00:27:21.419 --> 00:27:21.859 Interestingly. 00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:24.220 Even though Lot went down this slippery slope. 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:26.299 Even though he became lingering Lot. 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:28.920 God still saved him. 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.900 Even though he compromised himself. 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.500 To the point where. 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.019 When people. 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.519 Listen to him. 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.259 Talking about. 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.180 Holiness. 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.519 They thought he was joking. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.480 But yet God still saved him. 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:40.819 Why? 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:43.279 Because of Abraham's prayer. 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.839 That's it. 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.819 Verse 29. 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.659 So it was that. 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:49.159 When God destroyed the cities of the valley. 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.259 God remembered Abraham. 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:52.179 And sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow. 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:54.619 When he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived. 00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:57.500 This is an encouragement to every single person here. 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.399 Who knows people. 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.019 Loved ones. 00:27:59.139 --> 00:27:59.399 Family. 00:27:59.559 --> 00:27:59.859 Friends. 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.319 Colleagues. 00:28:00.439 --> 00:28:01.879 Who do not know Christ yet. 00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:03.319 Or who are refusing to follow Christ. 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.240 Pray for them. 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:05.279 It's what Alex said earlier. 00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:05.980 Pray for them. 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:08.919 Because you don't know how powerful your prayer is. 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:10.740 Have you stopped praying for the people. 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:12.019 Who you want to come to Christ? 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:16.799 James chapter 5 says actually the prayer of the righteous person is a powerful weapon. 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:19.019 Don't stop praying for these people. 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.859 Because it works. 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.859 And you can see it here. 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:22.279 Abraham prayed for Lot. 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:23.740 Lot didn't deserve to be saved. 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:25.900 And yet here he was being saved. 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.180 Why? 00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:27.579 Because someone prayed for him. 00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:28.940 Because his uncle prayed for him. 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:32.460 If you look around Christianity in just the whole world. 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:34.680 Not even just the western world. 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:37.079 Especially actually in Latin America. 00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:40.960 So many of the strong people of faith there are the grandmothers. 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:42.100 And the mothers. 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.340 And you ask them. 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:45.279 You ask their children and their grandchildren. 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.079 Why am I in the faith? 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:48.900 Because I think I had a grandmother who never stopped praying for me. 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:49.799 Right? 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.279 We. 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.559 And I'm standing here. 00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:58.559 And I recognize the irony that I am an English speaking Chinese person talking to you. 00:28:58.900 --> 00:29:03.059 But so often we approach our faith from a western individualistic perspective. 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:07.059 Sin is simply bad behavior that I'm trying to avoid. 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:08.039 And it's all about me. 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:11.460 What Alex shared with us earlier is that that's not what just sin is. 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:13.680 Sin is not just me doing bad things. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:16.859 I was reading this morning on my way to church. 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:19.359 And the author was saying actually sin is way more than that. 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:21.099 Sin is social disharmony. 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:25.399 Sin is when we break down the barriers of trust between us. 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.400 Sin is when we break down the barriers of trust between us. 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:32.900 Why do all those things happen that Eden is facing is because of social disharmony. 00:29:33.040 --> 00:29:39.580 Because of us choosing to not only break our trust with God but break our trust with each other. 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:46.540 So can we pray for God to reconcile some of those barriers that we've put up? 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:50.420 The places where society is broken down can we ask God to heal? 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:53.180 Because healing does actually work. 00:29:53.820 --> 00:29:56.200 And this is where I'll kind of wrap up here. 00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:59.140 And then there's a second part. 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:02.160 And I was like, oh, maybe I can say that I've done chapter 19 and we'll leave it there. 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:04.539 And next week and I'll finish with Jesus somehow. 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:05.759 And then we'll kind of move on. 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:08.859 But there's nine verses that are even more uncomfortable. 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:12.460 Sodom and Gomorrah is now burnt to the ground. 00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:14.079 His wife is gone. 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:19.000 He goes to Zor, the place that the little Changjiao village that he negotiated. 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.900 But then he's terrified. 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:22.099 He doesn't want to even go there. 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:27.259 It says, now Lot went up out of Zor and lived in the hills with his two daughters for he was afraid to live in Zor. 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:31.420 Lot is, when you are a tormented soul, when you're trying to live a compromised life, 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:34.660 when you're trying to straddle between two worlds, you are just living out fear. 00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:39.140 And so he doesn't even dare go into the city that he said, the village that he wanted to go into. 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:42.720 So he finally, he actually goes into the hills and now his wife's gone. 00:30:43.320 --> 00:30:45.900 And now all his possessions are gone. 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:47.420 And now it's just him and his two daughters. 00:30:48.080 --> 00:30:52.440 The same two daughters who he'd offered up to be abused by the mob. 00:30:53.860 --> 00:30:59.980 And you have this terrifying, disturbing, twisted account of how his life ends. 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:04.640 Not only is he afraid, so afraid that this person who was once rich and powerful, 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:11.600 sat at the city gate, is now drunk and alone and desperate in a cave with his two daughters. 00:31:12.360 --> 00:31:14.660 And that fear he's passed on to his daughters. 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.160 Because they're afraid. 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.960 They're like, hey, it's just us and dad. 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.240 How are we going to live? 00:31:19.340 --> 00:31:21.720 How are we going to keep multiplying our family? 00:31:21.800 --> 00:31:23.000 There's no way to doing this. 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:26.920 And so they take matters into their own hands. 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:31.559 And they end up both pregnant. 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.680 And then the story ends. 00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:37.960 Reminds me a little bit of Noah. 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:42.759 Noah, who did those crazy things and built an ark for a hundred years. 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:45.740 And then he finishes drunk in his garden. 00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:48.660 And then the sons kind of make fun of him. 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.519 And that's kind of it. 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:53.720 And so I finished reading this chapter this week. 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:57.960 And I'm just like sat here going, that's it. 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:00.460 That's what we can expect. 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.900 When we choose the slippery slope of sin. 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:05.880 When we linger in the decisions that we make. 00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:08.740 This is where we end up. 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:09.740 What's the hope? 00:32:09.800 --> 00:32:10.400 There is no hope. 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.180 I want to finish with this. 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.960 You don't actually have to come up, Julian. 00:32:14.060 --> 00:32:15.880 I'm going to be, I promise I'll finish on time. 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:20.860 Second Peter, chapter two, verse seven. 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:24.120 If you're interested, I encourage you to turn to it. 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:27.720 Peter's talking many years later. 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.940 He's talking about Lot. 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:33.759 And he says this, chapter two, verse six. 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:36.340 If by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.700 he condemned them to extinction, 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:40.460 making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly. 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:42.600 And if he rescued righteous Lot, 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:45.080 greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked. 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:48.220 For as that righteous man lived among them day after day, 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:52.559 he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard. 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:55.880 Wait, I thought he was lingering Lot. 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:59.080 I thought he was compromised Lot. 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:01.700 I thought he was tormented so a lot. 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:05.080 How on earth did somehow he end up being righteous Lot? 00:33:06.300 --> 00:33:08.040 We've just read Genesis 19. 00:33:08.560 --> 00:33:09.900 Does anyone think he's righteous? 00:33:10.800 --> 00:33:11.360 No. 00:33:12.820 --> 00:33:13.800 Then why? 00:33:14.840 --> 00:33:16.800 Verse nine in second Peter. 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:20.160 Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials. 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:25.680 I think this story can give us hope because Lot was not righteous. 00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:26.759 He was foolish. 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:27.840 He was compromised. 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.259 He was tormented. 00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:32.600 He was trapped and attracted by the things of this world. 00:33:32.820 --> 00:33:33.320 He lingered. 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:34.000 He stayed. 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.480 But what happened when he stayed? 00:33:35.560 --> 00:33:36.800 If we go back to that Genesis 19, 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:40.400 the angels actually grab him by the hand and pull him away. 00:33:41.080 --> 00:33:43.759 That, brothers and sisters, is the picture of salvation. 00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:44.700 We still linger. 00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:46.700 We still want to be in our sin. 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:49.559 And yet God comes and grabs us by the hand and says, 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:53.100 you are coming with me because I love you and I want to save you. 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.660 And you see this story. 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:57.700 Yes, there is judgment. 00:33:57.860 --> 00:33:59.220 There is fire and brimstone happening. 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:00.840 And there is judgment that's coming on the world. 00:34:01.100 --> 00:34:04.539 You and I, if we ever walked into Myanmar or these brothels, 00:34:04.600 --> 00:34:05.420 we're going to look, we're going to go, 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:07.340 Lord, send judgment on these people now. 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:09.760 Free these people and destroy the wicked. 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.980 We're going to feel that way. 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:13.220 But the problem is none of us is really safe. 00:34:13.219 --> 00:34:16.699 Because if we keep peeling back those things, 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:19.159 every time I talk to brothers, 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:21.459 especially who are struggling with sin, 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.619 struggling with lust, 00:34:22.779 --> 00:34:25.119 and they know exactly what they're feeding into. 00:34:25.279 --> 00:34:26.139 We know exactly. 00:34:26.359 --> 00:34:28.339 This isn't just us and our bad behavior. 00:34:28.339 --> 00:34:29.919 This is a social disharmony. 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:32.399 We are empowering and enabling this machine 00:34:32.399 --> 00:34:35.239 that manipulates and oppresses people. 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:38.659 And yet we have a God in our lingering 00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:40.419 will come and grab us by the hand and saying, 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.319 I'm saving you. 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:45.539 And by doing so, 00:34:45.640 --> 00:34:48.360 lingering lot becomes righteous lot. 00:34:50.620 --> 00:34:52.100 There's a few quotes I want to read you. 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:54.960 G.K. Chesterton, who's an apologist from England, 00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:56.640 who was asked by a newspaper, 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:57.980 what is wrong with the world? 00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.880 Don't we ask that question? 00:35:00.160 --> 00:35:01.240 What is wrong with the world? 00:35:01.600 --> 00:35:02.880 And his answer was very short. 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:03.720 It says, dear sirs, 00:35:04.180 --> 00:35:06.420 I am sincerely yours. 00:35:07.059 --> 00:35:07.780 G.K. Chesterton. 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:10.380 So before we look a lot, 00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:11.640 and before we look at the mob, 00:35:12.140 --> 00:35:13.140 we look at ourselves and go, 00:35:13.200 --> 00:35:13.680 oh my goodness. 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:15.980 If you keep peeling back, 00:35:16.080 --> 00:35:17.440 we're not that far different. 00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:19.640 We are all sinners. 00:35:19.760 --> 00:35:21.700 We all fall short of the glory of God. 00:35:22.280 --> 00:35:25.940 There's a Russian author who writes this. 00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:27.260 If only it were all so simple. 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:30.519 If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, 00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:34.400 and it was necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. 00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:39.079 But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. 00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:42.039 That's why we all need saving. 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:47.960 That's why we should be willing to sit in the sin and the darkness that the world surrounds us with, 00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:50.280 is because we are very much part of that. 00:35:50.280 --> 00:35:52.880 If we read a story like Genesis 19, 00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:53.760 and we're deeply uncomfortable, 00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:54.160 and we're like, 00:35:54.180 --> 00:35:54.460 you know what? 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.120 Can we just move on? 00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:56.360 Let's go back to Psalm 23. 00:35:56.540 --> 00:35:57.680 Then we've missed the point. 00:35:58.240 --> 00:36:04.200 The point is Genesis 19 is here because it's a mirror showing us that we are those very people. 00:36:06.100 --> 00:36:07.880 That we have chosen the slippery slope. 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:10.180 That we have lingered. 00:36:12.100 --> 00:36:12.940 Final, final thing, 00:36:12.980 --> 00:36:13.320 I promise. 00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:17.320 Those two daughters who took matters into their own hands. 00:36:18.740 --> 00:36:21.059 They ended up having two sons. 00:36:21.780 --> 00:36:25.420 The problem is those two sons ended up being the fathers of the Moabites and the Ammonites. 00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:27.160 And if you grew up in Sunday school, 00:36:27.320 --> 00:36:28.860 and you're kind of familiar with the Old Testament, 00:36:28.980 --> 00:36:32.960 you'll know that the Moabites and the Ammonites end up being such pains in the backside to the Israelites. 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:35.960 They end up being enemy nations. 00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:39.260 And so you can see the consequence of sin. 00:36:39.260 --> 00:36:47.000 You can see how we end up over the destiny of decay that we have. 00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:50.760 Yet, yet, 00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:55.340 there soon comes one Moabite. 00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:56.120 Her name is Ruth, 00:36:56.680 --> 00:37:01.860 who decides to step out of the darkness of her people and chooses to follow a holy God. 00:37:03.300 --> 00:37:07.460 She ends up being the great grandmother of a king who's called David. 00:37:09.260 --> 00:37:11.140 You keep following that lineage. 00:37:11.520 --> 00:37:12.840 You get into Matthew chapter one. 00:37:13.200 --> 00:37:18.320 You'll see that there is a boy who is born of Moabite blood. 00:37:21.200 --> 00:37:23.260 The Bible is so defiant in saying, 00:37:23.600 --> 00:37:25.180 even if you choose sin, 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:27.580 even when the enemy means something for evil, 00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:29.160 God will turn it for good. 00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:30.720 From that Moabite line, 00:37:30.820 --> 00:37:31.860 there will be a savior. 00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:36.360 There will be a prince of heaven who will be born into a sinful world. 00:37:36.360 --> 00:37:38.059 And yet he will save. 00:37:38.740 --> 00:37:42.559 He will grab humanity by the hand and he will pull them out himself. 00:37:44.720 --> 00:37:46.340 Straight from the line of Moabites. 00:37:47.280 --> 00:37:48.840 Straight from the lineage of Lot. 00:37:49.680 --> 00:37:50.980 Straight from the evil, 00:37:51.280 --> 00:37:52.720 desperate acts of his daughters. 00:37:53.260 --> 00:37:55.940 We see a savior who is born into sin, 00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:56.820 but of purity. 00:37:58.320 --> 00:37:59.220 Jesus himself. 00:37:59.219 --> 00:38:01.939 That is what makes Lot righteous. 00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:06.699 Because he was chosen to be part of this greater salvation plan. 00:38:07.019 --> 00:38:08.119 That he is righteous, 00:38:08.219 --> 00:38:09.919 not because of what he did or what he does, 00:38:09.959 --> 00:38:10.579 because he's not, 00:38:10.779 --> 00:38:11.579 he is trash. 00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:15.599 And yet he becomes righteous because of Jesus. 00:38:17.319 --> 00:38:18.339 Doesn't that give you hope? 00:38:19.519 --> 00:38:20.599 That gives me comfort. 00:38:22.519 --> 00:38:24.959 Would we choose to follow him? 00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:29.820 Would we recognize that even though we go down this slippery slope of sin, 00:38:30.240 --> 00:38:32.659 Jesus himself comes running down that slope, 00:38:32.760 --> 00:38:33.960 chasing after us. 00:38:34.599 --> 00:38:35.960 And once he grabs us, 00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:40.639 he then climbs the hill of Calvary and climbs onto the cross. 00:38:41.920 --> 00:38:44.199 To take what was supposed to be ours. 00:38:47.119 --> 00:38:48.440 So in that darkness, 00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:49.980 in that pit, 00:38:50.500 --> 00:38:51.980 there is hope and there is light. 00:38:51.980 --> 00:38:56.159 I'm just going to finish now and ask Julian to just, 00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:59.539 and the team to come up to lead us as we take communion. 00:39:03.320 --> 00:39:05.659 I encourage us to sit in that space for a little bit. 00:39:06.740 --> 00:39:07.320 First of all, 00:39:07.340 --> 00:39:10.280 to sit in that sin that we struggle with. 00:39:12.679 --> 00:39:16.840 This world that is broken and this brokenness that starts from us. 00:39:19.519 --> 00:39:20.780 John Stott says this, 00:39:21.980 --> 00:39:25.300 before we can see the cross as something done for us, 00:39:25.579 --> 00:39:29.320 we have to see it as something done by us. 00:39:30.719 --> 00:39:35.679 It is only when we stand before the cross that we see both the appalling reality of human evil 00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:39.559 and the unspeakable depth of God's love. 00:39:40.400 --> 00:39:41.980 Only when we see 00:39:41.980 --> 00:39:47.300 the appalling reality of human evil 00:39:47.300 --> 00:39:49.360 and the unspeakable depth of God's love. 00:39:50.039 --> 00:39:51.500 Do we appreciate the cross? 00:39:52.059 --> 00:39:53.460 Not something that is done 00:39:53.460 --> 00:39:55.559 for us, 00:39:55.639 --> 00:39:57.099 but something done by us. 00:39:57.099 --> 00:40:02.759 I invite you just to spend a moment now. 00:40:03.599 --> 00:40:05.539 Let's bow our heads and close our eyes 00:40:05.539 --> 00:40:07.980 and ask, 00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:08.179 Lord, 00:40:08.219 --> 00:40:09.500 is there any sin in us? 00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:13.199 Any decisions that we have made 00:40:13.199 --> 00:40:16.199 that has allowed 00:40:16.199 --> 00:40:19.759 and enabled human evil to continue? 00:40:19.760 --> 00:40:24.380 We look at a story like Genesis 19 00:40:24.380 --> 00:40:25.140 and we scoff 00:40:25.140 --> 00:40:26.820 and we say we would never do that 00:40:26.820 --> 00:40:29.300 and yet we are still trapped in sin 00:40:29.300 --> 00:40:31.580 ourselves enabling machines 00:40:31.580 --> 00:40:33.320 that oppress and manipulate 00:40:33.320 --> 00:40:34.080 and traffic 00:40:34.080 --> 00:40:35.960 fellow human beings. 00:40:35.960 --> 00:40:40.599 Have we contributed 00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:42.360 to the social disharmony 00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:43.679 of this world? 00:40:44.960 --> 00:40:46.519 And whether we recognize it or not, 00:40:46.579 --> 00:40:48.500 we are all intricately linked. 00:40:48.639 --> 00:40:49.519 One suffers, 00:40:50.079 --> 00:40:51.340 everyone suffers. 00:40:54.860 --> 00:40:56.240 So by all means, 00:40:56.639 --> 00:40:59.260 be outraged with me 00:40:59.260 --> 00:41:01.840 that sometimes our favorite coffee shops 00:41:01.840 --> 00:41:04.139 close for a little bit. 00:41:05.960 --> 00:41:08.079 but also be reminded 00:41:08.079 --> 00:41:09.000 just like I was 00:41:09.000 --> 00:41:10.659 that there is so, 00:41:11.260 --> 00:41:12.740 so much more happening 00:41:12.740 --> 00:41:13.300 in this world. 00:41:15.920 --> 00:41:17.079 Jesus, knowing this, 00:41:18.800 --> 00:41:20.880 sits around a table 00:41:20.880 --> 00:41:21.679 with his family, 00:41:21.860 --> 00:41:22.320 his friends 00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:26.039 and he took the bread 00:41:26.039 --> 00:41:28.920 and he said, 00:41:28.920 --> 00:41:31.139 this is my body 00:41:31.139 --> 00:41:36.019 broken for the worst of these, 00:41:36.519 --> 00:41:37.779 for the mob, 00:41:38.319 --> 00:41:39.019 for Lot, 00:41:39.659 --> 00:41:40.759 for his daughters, 00:41:41.759 --> 00:41:44.460 for the Moabites, 00:41:44.599 --> 00:41:45.480 for the Ammonites, 00:41:46.319 --> 00:41:48.980 for Jackie, 00:41:49.679 --> 00:41:50.400 for Agnes, 00:41:51.199 --> 00:41:51.799 for Joseph, 00:41:52.199 --> 00:41:53.199 for Mervyn, 00:41:54.900 --> 00:41:55.579 for Vanita. 00:41:55.579 --> 00:41:58.539 this is my body. 00:42:00.960 --> 00:42:02.219 Broken for all those 00:42:02.219 --> 00:42:03.340 who have broken 00:42:03.340 --> 00:42:04.139 their relationships 00:42:04.139 --> 00:42:04.920 with me 00:42:04.920 --> 00:42:05.719 and with each other.