WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.059 Just so I can say it, if you get really hot and sleepy, please feel free to get up, get 00:00:16.059 --> 00:00:19.059 a drink of water at the water fountain or the pitchers back there. 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:23.179 If you need to move, get up and move to feel the fan, do it now. 00:00:23.800 --> 00:00:25.080 Might as well make yourself comfortable. 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:25.900 We'll be here for a while. 00:00:25.900 --> 00:00:26.440 No, I'm kidding. 00:00:28.379 --> 00:00:29.080 I'm kidding. 00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:34.600 We're, um, tonight we're going to continue in our series in the book of Genesis. 00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:37.399 If you want to look there, we're in Genesis 18. 00:00:38.439 --> 00:00:53.039 Um, so before we look at the passage, I want to ask you a question. 00:00:53.039 --> 00:01:01.560 Have you ever run into a situation where you've wondered if God is doing the right thing? 00:01:01.560 --> 00:01:06.240 If you wonder if God is right in what he does? 00:01:06.239 --> 00:01:14.640 I will share with you the place in my own life where I have wrestled with that the most. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:31.859 Uh, 16 years ago, uh, 16 years ago, my father, who was a good father, a good provider, and a, uh, church-going man, but one who never professed any faith in Christ or in God at all. 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:41.379 Uh, my father was at home and, uh, my father was at home and, uh, my father was at home and had a heart attack and went into a coma and, uh, died a number of days later. 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:48.619 Um, and I remember sitting by him while he was off any life support. 00:01:49.019 --> 00:01:52.439 His body was still, still, still beating. 00:01:53.079 --> 00:02:06.759 I remember pleading with God, asking God to revive him and to save him, uh, his life, uh, because I didn't know what God would do with his soul. 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:11.240 There was no hope or no profession of faith for him. 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:14.740 And these questions rose, God, is this right? 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:16.140 God, is this good? 00:02:16.360 --> 00:02:17.759 Are you going to be good? 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:18.960 Will you be just? 00:02:19.740 --> 00:02:22.240 Will you be, do right by my father? 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:30.840 Maybe you all have, um, wrestled with those questions for various reasons in your own life. 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:37.879 Today, we read in Genesis 18 about a story where God invites us into his inner counsel. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:45.719 Invites us in as covenant partners with him to understand his inner working a little bit more. 00:02:46.640 --> 00:02:49.240 And, uh, remember the context we've seen. 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:57.159 This whole series has been partly about, uh, God establishing his covenant with his people so that he might, 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:01.699 um, so that he might call a people to be his own people. 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:02.859 He called Abraham. 00:03:03.099 --> 00:03:04.359 You see it in chapter 12. 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:06.019 You see it again in chapter 15. 00:03:06.419 --> 00:03:08.000 You see it again in chapter 17. 00:03:08.139 --> 00:03:11.120 This affirmation of, I will be your God. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:14.259 And I will, will come and I will bless you. 00:03:14.419 --> 00:03:17.919 This man, Abraham, I will make you the father of a great nation. 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:19.500 Of many nations, in fact. 00:03:19.819 --> 00:03:23.719 And I will bless you so that you can be a blessing to the earth, to the world. 00:03:23.719 --> 00:03:30.120 Um, I'm going to give you a land for you to live so that you can display my glory in how you live. 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:36.620 Um, and, uh, as we heard last week from Pastor Nick, as we get to chapter 18, 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:44.659 God comes and visits, uh, Abraham and Sarah after waiting 25 years from the initial encounter with God. 00:03:44.860 --> 00:03:50.139 25 years without hearing, without seeing the fruit of a child, 00:03:50.139 --> 00:03:54.519 which seems pretty inherent to the, if I'm going to be the father of many nations, 00:03:54.519 --> 00:03:55.939 I need to start with one. 00:03:56.379 --> 00:04:01.099 And so they've been waiting for 25 years and God finally comes and says, 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:02.819 okay, now I'm going to do this. 00:04:03.019 --> 00:04:07.779 Now that you're old and no one, and everyone can see that this had to be miraculous. 00:04:07.779 --> 00:04:10.599 That this had to be from God because it wouldn't be natural. 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:15.799 Now I'm going to give you this child so that you'll know that it is I who am doing this. 00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:21.379 Um, and it's in the context of this that then we come to our passage. 00:04:22.460 --> 00:04:25.120 Um, Genesis chapter 18. 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:30.360 And as we look at, at this, we'll see, um, they're still waiting for the coming child. 00:04:30.460 --> 00:04:33.939 That doesn't come till chapter 21, but they've now heard this promise. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:34.720 It's going to happen. 00:04:35.139 --> 00:04:37.220 You're not, you're going to be pregnant now here. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:38.560 Here, it's going to really happen. 00:04:38.939 --> 00:04:42.560 Um, so Genesis 18, we're going to start in verse 16. 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:47.819 This is one of those places where we didn't quite agree with the ESV about how to split 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:49.759 up our sections and that's okay. 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:51.660 So, cause they're not inspired. 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:58.160 Um, so Genesis 18, 16, we're going to read to the end of the chapter. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:00.079 So let's read together and then pray. 00:05:02.899 --> 00:05:07.680 Then the Lord, then the men, these men had come to visit Abraham and bring this message. 00:05:07.800 --> 00:05:08.920 And there were actually three of them. 00:05:08.920 --> 00:05:13.640 And they came and they visited, uh, they visited Abraham and Sarah and came and brought this 00:05:13.640 --> 00:05:17.040 message of, I'm going to fulfill this promise and you're going to be pregnant and have the 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:18.100 child you've been waiting for. 00:05:18.819 --> 00:05:24.879 Uh, then the men set out from there and they looked towards Sodom and Abraham went with them 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:26.100 to set them on their way. 00:05:26.900 --> 00:05:30.720 And the Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham? 00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:33.480 What am I about, what I am about to do? 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:39.960 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation and all the nations of the 00:05:39.960 --> 00:05:41.400 earth shall be blessed in him. 00:05:41.840 --> 00:05:46.740 For I've chosen him that he may command his children and his household after him to keep 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:52.580 the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice so that the Lord may bring to Abraham 00:05:52.580 --> 00:05:54.120 what he has promised him. 00:05:54.120 --> 00:06:01.879 Then the Lord said, because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:02.639 very grave. 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:08.340 I will go down to see what, whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that 00:06:08.340 --> 00:06:09.180 has come to me. 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:10.980 And if not, I will know. 00:06:11.800 --> 00:06:15.980 So the men turned from there and went to Sodom. 00:06:15.980 --> 00:06:21.460 But Abraham stood still, still stood before the Lord. 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:30.200 Then Abraham drew near and said, will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:33.560 Suppose there are 50 righteous within the city. 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:38.900 Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the 50 righteous who are in it? 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:45.620 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked so 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:48.100 that the righteous fare as the wicked. 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:55.259 Far be that from you shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just. 00:06:56.420 --> 00:07:04.240 And the Lord said, if I find at Sodom 50 righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:04.860 their sake. 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:10.780 Abraham answered and said, behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. 00:07:10.899 --> 00:07:12.579 I who am but dust and ashes. 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:16.039 Suppose five of the 50 righteous are lacking. 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:19.079 Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five? 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:23.639 And he said, I will not destroy it if I find 45 there. 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:28.759 Again, he spoke to him and said, suppose 40 are found there. 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:32.299 He answered, for the sake of 40, I will not do it. 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:36.459 Then he said, oh, let not the Lord be angry and I will speak. 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:39.579 Suppose 30 are found there. 00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:44.219 He answered, I will not do it if I find 30 there. 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:48.120 He said, behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:49.959 Suppose 20 are found there. 00:07:50.159 --> 00:07:54.159 And he answered, for the sake of 20, I will not destroy it. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:59.419 Then he said, oh, let not the Lord be angry and I will speak again. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:03.279 But this once, suppose 10 are found there. 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:07.299 And he answered, for the sake of 10, I will not destroy it. 00:08:07.599 --> 00:08:14.359 And the Lord went his way when he had finished speaking to Abraham and Abraham returned to his place. 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:15.679 Let's pray. 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:18.239 Ask the Lord for help as we understand this together. 00:08:18.839 --> 00:08:24.779 Lord, we ask for you now by your spirit, Lord, to help us understand this passage rightly. 00:08:24.779 --> 00:08:32.600 Lord, help us understand what it is that we are to know about you and ourselves and what it means to be your covenant people. 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:41.839 Lord, help us, we pray, Lord, to learn not only with our heads, but with our hearts and with our hands and feet. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:45.419 For your glory, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:46.399 Amen. 00:08:47.439 --> 00:08:47.919 Amen. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:48.079 Amen. 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:55.879 As we look at this story, I'm going to break it down into two very simple questions. 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:57.980 The first half is, what is God up to? 00:08:58.540 --> 00:08:59.940 Which is what we see in the first section. 00:09:00.020 --> 00:09:01.920 Then the second half is, what is Abraham up to? 00:09:02.440 --> 00:09:04.240 We just want to know, what are they doing? 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:07.980 In this covenant relationship, what are they doing in each of these things? 00:09:08.340 --> 00:09:13.580 So the first section, verses 16 through 22, God comes. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:14.720 And it's fascinating, right? 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:17.180 Because it begins with God talking to himself. 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:21.120 And this is one of the very few places in scripture where we actually see this. 00:09:21.319 --> 00:09:24.839 God seems to be thinking, hmm, what do you think, yourself? 00:09:25.559 --> 00:09:27.759 You know, he's a trinity, so we can have this conversation. 00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:29.819 God, what do we think about this? 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:32.179 Should we let Abraham in or not? 00:09:32.719 --> 00:09:34.019 Shall I include him? 00:09:34.319 --> 00:09:37.620 And he goes on to rehearse some of the reasons why he might or might not. 00:09:37.699 --> 00:09:40.559 He's saying, this is the man who I have chosen. 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:45.099 This is the man who I have called to play this essential role. 00:09:45.100 --> 00:09:53.940 He is the beginning of my great redemptive work, whereby through my blessing to him, he will be a blessing to the whole world. 00:09:54.659 --> 00:10:04.820 And I've called him to come out from the world, to be set apart, to live for me in a covenant relationship with me that's going to be different from those people around me. 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:06.120 Because he knows me. 00:10:06.660 --> 00:10:09.060 These are the basic things that he's saying. 00:10:09.760 --> 00:10:16.460 Saying, because this man that I have covenanted with is so essential. 00:10:16.800 --> 00:10:22.700 Then it seems God is asking himself the question, should I let him in on what I'm about to do? 00:10:22.700 --> 00:10:28.080 And it's very clear as you keep going, Abraham knows exactly what God is going to do. 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:30.560 God knows exactly what God is going to do. 00:10:30.640 --> 00:10:36.440 And that is, he is planning to bring judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sinfulness. 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:37.740 Okay? 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:43.240 And so, but it's not clear at this point if Abraham has all this. 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:45.960 These visitors have just come and they've promised this blessing. 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:53.879 And so, so it seems then that God is saying, should I let him in on my counsel or should I not? 00:10:55.940 --> 00:11:12.639 And I think the reason why the answer to that question is yes, is because God wants Abraham to be fully confident that the God that he is covenanted with will be just. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:17.460 That is, what he will do is the right thing in every circumstance. 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:25.379 I believe that as God ponders with himself here and then says, should I let him in on what I'm going to do or not? 00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:36.139 The purpose is so that Abraham's faith will be deepened and his confidence will be established that God is a just God. 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:43.259 He's saying, I'm going to demonstrate my justice in judgment against Sodom. 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:46.319 But I want Abraham to know what I'm doing. 00:11:47.179 --> 00:11:49.759 And he even says, so I'm going to go and see in person. 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:52.779 It's not like God doesn't know what's going on in Sodom already. 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:55.100 But he's going to send his representatives. 00:11:55.279 --> 00:12:00.639 He's going to make sure that what he knows was actually true. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:08.120 He's going to doubly make sure by actually seeing what's going on in Sodom. 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:11.460 And so that's part of what these men who are with him go and do. 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:16.759 And it's very clear that the outcry is very great, right? 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:18.259 There's a public reputation. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.720 We've already seen it. 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:26.720 If you went back to chapter 13, when Lot chose to go that way, it said, and Sodom was a very wicked city. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.519 We knew that already. 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:38.000 But the outcry, just like as we live in our world today and we hear these stories, we hear stories of famine in East Africa. 00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:42.299 We hear stories of genocide in other parts of the world. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:45.600 We hear stories of totalitarian governments. 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:50.919 And we hear this outcry of the public against that which is wrong in the world. 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:56.179 So similarly, in Sodom, there was that kind of outcry, it seems. 00:12:56.179 --> 00:13:00.799 It was publicly known what a wicked place it was. 00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:09.179 And God says, Abraham, I want you to know that what I'm doing is right. 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:20.500 He invites him in to be a part of this covenant people and to say, because you're the father of this, I want you to understand what I'm doing. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.659 I want you to be a part of it. 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:29.980 And so what we see is God having deliberated then in the verses 20 through 22. 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:33.879 He goes and explains to Abraham, this is what I'm going to do. 00:13:34.059 --> 00:13:37.279 I'm going to go down and I'm going to do this, right? 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:43.080 And so this is what God is up to, trying to build Abraham's confidence. 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:44.520 All right? 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:48.000 So it's an interesting question for us. 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:51.980 How do we build confidence in God's character? 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:57.700 How do we know that God is truly good? 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:02.560 How do we, in circumstances like what I described in the beginning, 00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:06.240 how do we begin to wrap our minds around, 00:14:06.920 --> 00:14:09.860 will God do right in this circumstance? 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:14.759 You know, it's not always an easy thing to do. 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:22.379 And God doesn't always let us in on all the specifics of what we're facing. 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:28.200 But there are some very clear places where we see that God, 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:30.759 as he invites us in to be his covenant people, 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:32.860 he wants us to know his character. 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:37.259 So you go to places like Ephesians 2, 1 through 8, 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:40.580 where if you've been here all year, you remember when we preached through this. 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:46.000 Ephesians 2, 1 through 8, it talks about all of us being under sin, 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:48.899 that we are dead in our sins and transgressions, 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:52.720 that all of us deserve, are actually enemies of God, 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.899 and deserving of his wrath. 00:14:55.819 --> 00:14:56.899 Then it goes on and it says, 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:59.199 But God, who is rich in mercy, 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:03.360 with the great love with which he has loved us, 00:15:03.959 --> 00:15:07.720 raised us up and made us alive with Christ, 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.539 and seated us with him. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:14.620 And so Paul, in Ephesians 2, 1 through 8, 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:18.399 reminds us that this is the kind of God we have, 00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:20.240 that when we deserve judgment, 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:23.699 when we deserved something terrible, 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:27.080 what God brought to us was mercy and grace 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:29.580 through the work of Jesus Christ. 00:15:30.520 --> 00:15:33.480 And he reminds us this is the kind of God that we serve, 00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:37.800 that at the cross we see it is a place where sinners like us 00:15:37.800 --> 00:15:39.560 are pardoned and redeemed 00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:45.640 at the very same time that our sin is judged and taken away 00:15:45.640 --> 00:15:47.120 and bears our wrath. 00:15:47.280 --> 00:15:49.200 And this is the thing about it, right? 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:52.540 That we think God who is rich in mercy, 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:54.180 who loved us with this great love, 00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:57.200 and yet did he do that by overlooking our sin? 00:15:57.340 --> 00:16:01.320 No, he did that by bearing our sin. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:05.920 And so if we want to know whether God is just, 00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:08.140 we look at the cross. 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:11.240 And if we want to know whether God is merciful, 00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:12.780 we look at the cross, 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:16.159 and we see both of them married together 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:18.879 in this one amazing act 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:20.759 that only God could imagine 00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:24.659 and only God could carry out for us. 00:16:28.459 --> 00:16:30.720 The other thing that Abraham learns 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:33.259 and that we can learn about this 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.259 is that we recognize, 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.120 it's fascinating, 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:36.159 when you look in verses, 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:38.539 verse 19 in particular, 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.699 part of what you see is that 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:42.640 as God is calling Abraham 00:16:42.640 --> 00:16:44.259 into this covenant relationship, 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:44.960 he's saying, 00:16:45.400 --> 00:16:47.280 I want you to live differently, right? 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:48.460 What are the words he says? 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:50.620 To keep the way of the Lord 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:53.500 by doing righteousness and justice 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:57.340 so that the Lord may bring the covenant promises. 00:16:58.940 --> 00:16:59.379 And friends, 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:01.520 is this not true for us as well? 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:03.780 Again, in the book of Ephesians, 00:17:03.900 --> 00:17:05.019 there's this beautiful move 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:06.500 where the first three chapters 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:08.860 talk about what God has done for us to save us, 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.899 and then he starts with chapter four. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:13.079 Do you remember the words in chapter four? 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:14.319 He says, 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:16.279 brothers and sisters, 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:19.359 I urge you by the mercies 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:22.959 to live a life worthy of the calling 00:17:22.959 --> 00:17:24.319 that you have received. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.599 Now that I have called you 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:28.539 to be in this covenant relationship 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:30.659 where you have received salvation for me, 00:17:30.719 --> 00:17:32.619 now I call you to live that out, 00:17:33.179 --> 00:17:34.339 live a life worthy 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:36.139 of what you have received for me. 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:38.399 And then he spends the next three chapters 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.360 living that out. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.880 That has to be with unity. 00:17:41.060 --> 00:17:42.620 It has to do with worship. 00:17:42.780 --> 00:17:43.960 It has to do with love. 00:17:44.060 --> 00:17:45.240 It has to do with humility. 00:17:45.600 --> 00:17:48.040 It has to do with words that don't hurt, 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:49.080 but that build up. 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:50.560 It has to do with anger 00:17:50.560 --> 00:17:52.060 that doesn't consume us. 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:54.140 It has to do with not being lazy, 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.080 but working hard. 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.519 It has to do with all sorts of ways 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:58.280 that we live lives 00:17:58.280 --> 00:18:00.019 that are in the way of the Lord. 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:00.180 Lord, 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:06.119 it's not self-righteous living 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:08.500 so that God will be pleased with us 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.900 and think greatly of us, 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:12.839 but it's God-centered living 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:15.259 that we would live for him 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.900 so that he would be pleased with us, 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:18.420 not for our favor, 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:20.259 but because we so desire 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:22.700 to bless him with a life 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.059 that is worthy of the calling 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:26.059 that we have received from him. 00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:32.460 So what God is up to 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:33.919 is reminding Abraham 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:35.859 and bringing him in 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:37.220 and helping him 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.419 to begin to wrestle 00:18:38.419 --> 00:18:39.480 with this question of 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.700 can you trust me 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:42.419 as my covenant partner? 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:44.579 And as we on this side of the cross 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:46.440 have even more greater confidence 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:48.259 to be brought into that relationship 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:50.619 and to see the confidence we can have, 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:52.440 then we come to the second half 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.200 of the passage, 00:18:53.619 --> 00:18:55.220 starting in verse 21. 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.180 21, right? 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.299 22 is a, 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:57.839 or 22. 00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:58.720 It's a fascinating, 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:01.259 in case you wondered this, 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.720 and Nick mentioned this last time, 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:04.180 but these three men showed up 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:06.039 at Abraham's tent 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:07.579 at the beginning of chapter 18, 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:07.880 right? 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.380 And he just, 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:10.460 and somehow Abraham knew 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.400 from the very start 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:12.620 these were not normal men, 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:12.839 right? 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:14.200 He ran out to them, 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.819 he like rushed into the kitchen 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:16.200 and said, 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.460 pull out the best food, 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.860 we've got to honor 00:19:18.860 --> 00:19:20.180 these very special gifts. 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:22.319 He knew that they were from God 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.640 in a very unique way. 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:25.580 But here we see in verse 22 00:19:25.580 --> 00:19:26.600 something fascinating. 00:19:27.020 --> 00:19:27.840 There were three of them, 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:28.880 two of the men, 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:31.080 then went down to the city of Sodom, 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:33.400 went on to do the exploration, 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:35.120 and next week we'll see 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:36.180 what happens to them, 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:36.680 right? 00:19:36.800 --> 00:19:38.120 And in their exploration 00:19:38.120 --> 00:19:39.520 of the wickedness of the city. 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:41.160 But the third person, 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.140 who was it? 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.040 Well, interestingly, 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.420 it was the Lord himself, 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:46.220 right? 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.980 Because suddenly, 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.259 the two men go off 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:50.140 and Abraham's there, 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.460 and who does he have next to him? 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.559 The Lord himself. 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:54.200 And he has this conversation 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.779 with them, 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:55.640 right? 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.460 The men depart, 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.140 and God, 00:19:58.620 --> 00:20:00.700 in 23 through 25, 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:02.480 he asks the question 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.680 that I think is at the heart 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.539 of this passage. 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.500 Verse 25 is this, 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:08.120 shall not the judge 00:20:08.120 --> 00:20:09.100 of all the earth 00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:10.460 do what is just? 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.920 And he's basically saying, 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:15.380 you've called me 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:16.600 to be your covenant partner 00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:17.640 and to be a blessing 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:19.319 to this world, 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.379 right? 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:22.659 And by the way, 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.299 my cousin, 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.399 no, my nephew, 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.599 my nephew Lot, 00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:26.659 he lives there. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:28.079 He lives in that city. 00:20:29.399 --> 00:20:30.879 And there's got to be 00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:31.539 some other people 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.240 in that city. 00:20:32.939 --> 00:20:33.980 Can it really be 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.579 that wicked? 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:36.399 What if there are 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.359 some righteous there? 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:39.039 Can you really punish 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.619 the righteous 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.559 with the wicked? 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.859 Is that really 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:43.319 what you're going to do? 00:20:44.159 --> 00:20:44.919 And remember 00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:45.519 that Abraham 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.659 was already invested. 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.819 Abraham had already 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.759 blessed Lot 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.480 by giving him 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.059 the preference 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.660 of the land. 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.480 And Abraham 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:53.160 had already rescued Lot 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:54.259 in chapter 14 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:56.180 when other kings 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:56.559 had come 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.319 and tried to take 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.099 over the land. 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.299 So he was, 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.379 so Abraham 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:01.379 was already positioned 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.240 to be a channel 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.700 of blessing 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.720 and in particular 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.500 with Lot 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.379 and with his family 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.779 although it was 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.680 a greater scope 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.500 of the question. 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.960 And so he comes 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.900 with this question, 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:12.539 God, 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.200 are you really 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.140 going to do this? 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:15.900 But I want you 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.980 to see the tone 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:18.059 that he asks 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.039 because I think 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.980 it's very important 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:21.400 because we often 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:22.440 come to God 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.660 in these moments 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.319 of questioning 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:24.960 and moments 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.640 of doubting 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.720 and we come 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.660 to him and say, 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.900 I don't agree 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:30.559 with you, God. 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.920 I think I know 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.620 better than you. 00:21:32.860 --> 00:21:33.960 How could you do this? 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.960 That's not how 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:38.000 Abraham comes. 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.299 Do you see 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:39.880 how he comes? 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.700 Look at the words 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.420 that he uses. 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:46.380 verse 25. 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.560 Far be it from you 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:50.140 to do such a thing 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:51.200 to put the righteous 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:52.019 to death 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.720 with the wicked 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:54.160 so that the righteous 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:55.740 fare as the wicked. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.180 It's basically saying, 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:57.920 God, 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.800 you're the one 00:21:58.800 --> 00:21:59.660 who said 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:01.279 justice is so important. 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.180 You're the one 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.080 who defines 00:22:03.080 --> 00:22:04.360 what justice is. 00:22:05.320 --> 00:22:05.860 How could you? 00:22:06.060 --> 00:22:07.220 So on the basis 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.279 of what you say 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.000 you are, 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.500 don't do this. 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.880 How could you do this? 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.619 What if there are 50? 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:14.680 Right? 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.779 And then he bargains 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:17.299 and it's a fascinating 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.119 back and forth 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:18.960 and again, 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.759 you see Abraham's humility. 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.779 Far be it from me, Lord. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.440 Please don't be angry with me 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.759 but can I press you 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.900 just a little bit more 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.420 on this? 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:29.440 How many righteous people 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:31.160 will it take for you 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:33.019 to withhold your judgment 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:34.680 from the city? 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.200 And he gets all the way 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.799 down to 10 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:38.180 and then the conversation's over. 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.039 Right? 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.079 Right? 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.619 This appeal 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:45.899 is based in God's character. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.299 It's not based 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:50.059 on what we think is right, 00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:51.220 what we think is good 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:52.180 but it's based on 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:53.259 what God has already 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.359 said about himself. 00:22:55.159 --> 00:22:56.079 And fascinatingly, 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:56.899 we see this 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:58.000 throughout scripture. 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.299 This is exactly 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.500 what Moses did 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:02.379 in Exodus 32 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:04.799 is after the golden calf incident, 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.259 God says, 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:06.799 all right, 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:07.659 I'm done with you. 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:09.660 You obviously didn't get this. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.540 I'm up on the mountain 00:23:10.540 --> 00:23:11.680 giving you my law 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.920 and you're down at the bottom 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:14.500 worshiping an idol? 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.540 Forget it. 00:23:15.580 --> 00:23:16.560 I'm going to wipe you all out. 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.420 I'm going to start again. 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:17.779 Moses, 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.920 I'm going to give you a new wife 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.880 and we're going to start over. 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:21.660 And Moses says, 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:22.720 Lord, 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:25.100 how can you do this 00:23:25.100 --> 00:23:25.820 to your people 00:23:25.820 --> 00:23:27.340 whom you have brought 00:23:27.340 --> 00:23:28.440 out of the land of Egypt 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.480 with great power 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.800 and with a mighty hand? 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:32.819 Why should the Egyptians say 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.899 with evil intent 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.480 did he, 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.259 that is God, 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.240 bring them out 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.460 to kill them on the mountain 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.399 and consume them 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:39.440 in the face of the earth? 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:42.039 Turn from your burning anger 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:44.539 and relent from this disaster 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.919 against your people. 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:46.859 And then listen to this. 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:48.440 Remember Abraham 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:49.279 and Isaac 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.039 and Israel, 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.299 your servants 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.980 to whom you swore 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.779 by your own self 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.839 and said to them, 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.700 I will multiply your offspring 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.899 as the stars of heaven 00:23:58.900 --> 00:24:00.220 and all this land 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:00.800 I've promised 00:24:00.800 --> 00:24:01.920 I will give to your offspring 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:03.519 and they shall inherit it forever. 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:06.680 Moses appealed to God 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.540 on the basis 00:24:07.540 --> 00:24:09.180 of what God had already said 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.920 and what God had already done. 00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:13.259 And we see it all over. 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:14.500 If you read the Psalms, 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.480 this spring, 00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:16.220 my small group 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.920 did a section, 00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:18.920 did book three 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.880 of the Psalms, 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:21.300 which kind of takes you 00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:23.160 through like the 70s 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.080 to the 90s, 00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:24.740 something like that. 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.340 I can't remember 00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:26.240 exactly the scope. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.360 But it's fascinating 00:24:27.360 --> 00:24:28.100 how many times 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:29.119 we saw this. 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:30.799 It was in the midst of, 00:24:31.199 --> 00:24:31.480 God, 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.599 your hand of judgment 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.980 is heavy on your people. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:37.639 But here's Psalm 79, 8. 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:39.419 Do not remember against, 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:41.859 do not remember against us 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:43.659 our former iniquities. 00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:45.119 Let your compassion 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:46.619 come speedily to meet us, 00:24:46.719 --> 00:24:48.179 for we are brought very low. 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:48.879 Help us, 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:50.119 O God of our salvation, 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:52.039 for the glory of your name. 00:24:52.439 --> 00:24:53.199 Deliver us 00:24:53.199 --> 00:24:54.599 and atone for our sins. 00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:56.459 For your name's sake, 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:58.140 why should the nation say, 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.880 where is their God? 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.880 Let the avenging 00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:02.980 of the outpoured blood 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.680 of your servants 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:05.180 be known among the nations 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:06.680 before our eyes. 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:08.480 So the Psalmist is saying, 00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:09.779 God, redeem us, 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:11.299 not because we deserve it, 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:12.539 we know we've sinned, 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:14.700 but do this for your name's sake. 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.660 Do this for your glory. 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:21.660 So we see this appeal 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:23.320 and God agrees. 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.519 God relents. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.019 He says, 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.460 yes, 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:27.060 if there are only 10, 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.200 I will save them. 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.000 Now, 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.740 you've got to come back next week 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.740 to find out what happens. 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.040 Spoiler alert. 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.560 Sodom and Gomorrah, 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.200 well, 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:38.600 everyone knows what happened to it, 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:38.840 right? 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:40.800 God brought judgment on it. 00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:41.320 You know why? 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.320 There are only three. 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:44.019 There are only three 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:45.040 who were saved. 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:47.139 Only three who came out 00:25:47.139 --> 00:25:47.899 of the city. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.460 And it's not good. 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:56.039 So what do we make of this? 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.720 What does this have to teach us? 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:59.200 Do we get to bargain with God 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.420 about who gets to be saved 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:01.119 and who doesn't 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.500 or that sort of thing? 00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:03.019 No, 00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:04.000 I don't think so. 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.539 Don't think that's the point. 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:07.079 I think instead 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:08.279 it's the point 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:10.440 that Abraham is pushing God 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:12.019 so that he would have 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:13.220 greater confidence 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.839 that God would be 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.339 unjust, 00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:17.079 that God would not 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:18.099 do wrong 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:19.839 in his act of judgment 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.720 against sin. 00:26:22.199 --> 00:26:23.899 Abraham isn't questioning 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:24.679 whether God 00:26:24.679 --> 00:26:26.480 would really do something 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:26.879 unjust, 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:28.259 but he's pressing, 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:29.259 he's exploring 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.480 what is the extent, 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.819 what is the commitment 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.759 that you have, 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:33.439 God, 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.439 to your justice. 00:26:35.159 --> 00:26:35.919 And the commitment 00:26:35.919 --> 00:26:36.759 is great. 00:26:37.399 --> 00:26:38.519 It's so amazing. 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:41.779 So what are some 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:43.039 of the things we see from 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:44.019 one of the things 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.759 that we do see 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:46.440 is that it seems 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.579 that the presence 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:49.079 of righteous people 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:49.819 are a blessing 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:51.019 to a fallen world. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.119 Because here 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:53.420 in this passage 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.259 the presence 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.579 of ten righteous people 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.539 would have withhold 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:58.000 at least for a time 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.940 the judgment. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.059 And we see this 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:02.119 as a greater theme 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.900 throughout scripture 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:04.019 that the presence 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:05.319 of righteous people 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:06.639 brings good 00:27:06.639 --> 00:27:08.419 even in evil circumstances. 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:11.240 There's a great, 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:13.559 great story, 00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:14.079 a guy named 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:14.919 Ernest Gordon 00:27:14.919 --> 00:27:15.480 who was, 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:17.439 who was a World War II 00:27:17.439 --> 00:27:18.740 Brit 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.559 who was captured 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:21.259 and was in a 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.179 internment camp 00:27:22.179 --> 00:27:23.200 in Southeast Asia, 00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:25.079 one of the Japanese-run 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:26.559 internment camps. 00:27:27.419 --> 00:27:28.819 And he knew the Lord. 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.759 And when he showed up 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:32.240 he was praying, 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:32.720 God, 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.859 will you help me 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:35.319 in the midst of this 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.479 completely, 00:27:36.939 --> 00:27:39.139 unbelievably horrific situation? 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.259 Will you help me 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.019 to bring light 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:42.159 and life to this? 00:27:42.459 --> 00:27:43.359 And you know what? 00:27:43.679 --> 00:27:44.319 He did. 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.979 By his kindness, 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.859 by his faithfulness, 00:27:47.899 --> 00:27:48.759 and not him alone, 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.579 there were others 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.579 that he found, 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:52.439 other followers of Jesus 00:27:52.439 --> 00:27:53.419 in this camp 00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:54.439 that he found 00:27:54.439 --> 00:27:56.399 and by their faith in God 00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:58.379 and by their clinging to him, 00:27:58.659 --> 00:27:59.819 they practiced 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:02.439 basic Christian character 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.519 of kindness 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.740 and goodness 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:06.620 and not selfishness. 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:09.360 And it transformed 00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:11.480 first the prisoners 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:13.860 and then some of the guards 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:15.500 and the whole way the camp, 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:17.039 the camp was known 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.380 by the end of the war 00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:19.660 as one of the least 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:20.700 violent camps. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:21.340 Now, 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:22.000 don't get me wrong, 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.920 it was still horrific. 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.420 It was still terrible. 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:26.019 But there was an impact 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.700 that happened 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.759 because of that. 00:28:28.340 --> 00:28:29.320 And I think that God 00:28:29.320 --> 00:28:30.059 can do that. 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:31.440 And I think we need to see 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.859 that this is part of what, 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.379 this is part of why 00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:35.259 even when God 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:36.039 sends his people 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:36.919 into exile, 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:39.159 in Jeremiah 29, 7, 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.779 he says, 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.700 go and live in the place 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.819 that I'm planting you 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:44.619 and seek the welfare 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:45.299 of the city 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.279 that you're living in. 00:28:46.419 --> 00:28:47.899 Because I have an intention 00:28:47.899 --> 00:28:49.419 for my covenant people 00:28:49.419 --> 00:28:50.299 to be a blessing 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.099 where they are. 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.159 And where they are, 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:53.619 they will bring good 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.659 into it. 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:58.279 not in a righteousness 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.420 that lords it over 00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:00.100 and looks down 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:01.340 on all those terrible people 00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:01.680 and thinks, 00:29:01.800 --> 00:29:02.060 gosh, 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:03.440 if we only could get rid 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.519 of all those sinful people 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:04.920 in the world, 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:06.540 we'd be doing so much better. 00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:08.060 No, 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:09.560 that's not the attitude at all. 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.540 But it truly 00:29:10.540 --> 00:29:11.340 to be a blessing. 00:29:11.540 --> 00:29:12.620 God has blessed me 00:29:12.620 --> 00:29:14.440 and I want to bless you 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:15.200 with the blessing 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:17.140 that God has given me. 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.779 The second thing 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.400 that we see 00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:21.300 in application 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:23.940 is that Abraham 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:24.680 does, 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.399 in a sense, 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.359 intercede 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.099 for the people 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:28.700 of Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.500 He is standing 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.200 between them 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:32.579 and as God invited him 00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:33.319 into the council, 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.240 he's saying, 00:29:34.659 --> 00:29:34.879 God, 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:37.460 would you be clear? 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.539 Will you rescue 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.500 the righteous ones 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.480 who are amongst them? 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:42.039 Will you do this? 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:42.740 And God said, 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.079 yes, 00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:43.720 I will. 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:45.099 Even if that means 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:46.279 I withhold my judgment, 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:48.460 I will rescue 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:50.099 the righteous ones. 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:51.740 Now, 00:29:51.939 --> 00:29:52.740 we know 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:54.139 as we look 00:29:54.139 --> 00:29:55.279 into the New Testament 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.319 that there is no one 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:56.619 righteous, 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.299 not one. 00:29:57.939 --> 00:29:58.339 And so, 00:29:58.439 --> 00:29:59.480 we can't plead 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.939 for God's, 00:30:01.179 --> 00:30:03.799 on the behalf 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.359 of sinners 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.719 that God would simply 00:30:05.719 --> 00:30:07.659 treat them 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.579 as righteous people. 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:10.059 But what we can do 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.939 is we can plead 00:30:10.939 --> 00:30:12.559 that God would save them, 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.659 that God would be 00:30:13.659 --> 00:30:14.759 merciful to them 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.799 in the same way 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.740 that he has been 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:17.919 merciful to us. 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:20.640 And so, 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.539 we are called 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:23.039 to a life of prayer, 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:24.060 not only to a life 00:30:24.060 --> 00:30:25.460 of doing good 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.320 and blessing to others, 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:27.580 but a life of prayer 00:30:27.580 --> 00:30:30.400 that God might do 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.580 his saving work 00:30:31.580 --> 00:30:32.860 in the life of others 00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.960 as well. 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.740 But friends, 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.440 I tell you this, 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.460 we will only live 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:40.240 these lives 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.340 if we have worked 00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.220 through the question 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:43.180 that Abraham 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.259 had to work through 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:44.680 in this, 00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:45.640 which is, 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.259 God, 00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:47.660 can I really trust you? 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.300 Can I trust 00:30:49.300 --> 00:30:50.100 your justice? 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.600 One of the commentators 00:30:52.600 --> 00:30:53.360 that I read on this 00:30:53.360 --> 00:30:54.060 said one of the, 00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:55.640 one of the greatest dangers 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:57.000 in the human soul 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:58.460 and in the sinful spirit 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.540 is the, 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:01.160 the thought process 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:01.740 that we have 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.320 when we say, 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:02.540 well, 00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:03.880 if I were God, 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:04.580 dot, 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:04.820 dot, 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:05.160 dot, 00:31:05.300 --> 00:31:06.440 if I were God, 00:31:06.560 --> 00:31:07.780 this is how it should work. 00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:08.900 If I were God, 00:31:08.900 --> 00:31:10.320 this is how it should be. 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.440 If I were God, 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.960 I would do it this way. 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:16.660 Because when it comes down to it, 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:18.680 we don't tend to trust 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.980 God's rightness 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:21.579 in judging people. 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:23.819 We tend to think 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:25.819 well of people 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.740 that we don't know. 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:28.539 There are people far away 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.340 that we've never met 00:31:29.340 --> 00:31:29.759 and we think, 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:29.860 well, 00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:31.140 they can't be that bad. 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:35.779 We think of unborn babies 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.220 and we think, 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:36.380 well, 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:36.940 God, 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.920 you couldn't ever 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:39.279 think about judging them. 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:40.779 That's a complicated 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.799 theological question. 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:43.019 Don't get hung up on that. 00:31:43.399 --> 00:31:44.659 But it's a question. 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:45.279 We just think, 00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.539 there are people we don't know 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:47.740 and we think well of them 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.419 and we think, 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:48.559 well, 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:49.039 God, 00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:50.180 they don't deserve judgment. 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.720 And then we think 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.379 about our neighbors 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.180 and we think, 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:54.680 well, 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:57.339 they don't deserve judgment either. 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:57.659 I mean, 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.099 they're not, 00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:58.940 they're not the, 00:31:59.079 --> 00:32:01.359 they're not the perfect people 00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:02.460 but they're pretty good. 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.000 Like, 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:04.639 we want to see this. 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:06.000 We have this instinct 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:07.099 to see the good 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:08.379 in others. 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.079 And in fact, 00:32:10.139 --> 00:32:11.000 it's the same instinct 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.799 that we tend to have 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.519 with ourselves. 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:14.160 I know I'm bad 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:16.140 but I'm not that bad, 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:16.500 am I? 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.400 Like, 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.859 do I really deserve judgment? 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:21.279 Do I really deserve condemnation? 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:23.519 Is my sin really worth? 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:28.140 So the cross 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:30.059 comes to us 00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:30.680 and it says, 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.019 yes, 00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:31.579 it is. 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:36.220 Romans 3 says this, 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.720 there is no distinction 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.680 for all 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:40.880 have sinned 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.579 and fall short 00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:42.720 of the glory of God. 00:32:43.860 --> 00:32:45.039 But then it goes on 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.579 to say, 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:46.880 and are justified 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:48.039 by His grace 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.779 as a gift 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:50.079 through the redemption 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:51.559 that is in Christ Jesus 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:53.360 who God put forward 00:32:53.360 --> 00:32:54.600 as a propitiation. 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.740 A propitiation 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.740 is something 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.480 that is given 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.900 to satisfy 00:32:58.900 --> 00:32:59.839 or to appease 00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.579 the wrath, 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.740 the right wrath 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:03.059 of an authority. 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:04.700 the propitiation 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.659 by His blood 00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:06.759 to be received 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.519 by faith. 00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:09.139 This was to show 00:33:09.139 --> 00:33:10.039 God's righteousness 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:12.099 because in His divine 00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:12.799 forbearance 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:13.940 He had passed over 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:15.019 former sins. 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.599 It was to show 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:17.259 His righteousness 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.539 at the present time 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:20.200 so that He might be 00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:20.839 just 00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:22.480 and the justifier 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.539 of the one 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:24.599 who has faith 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.339 in Jesus. 00:33:27.419 --> 00:33:28.299 I'd love to preach 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:29.019 a whole other sermon 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.659 on that verse 00:33:29.659 --> 00:33:31.139 but it's really cool. 00:33:31.140 --> 00:33:32.460 what He's saying is 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:34.320 in the divine courtroom 00:33:34.320 --> 00:33:35.380 in some way 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:36.520 God withheld 00:33:36.520 --> 00:33:37.680 His judgment 00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:39.300 on any sins 00:33:39.300 --> 00:33:41.280 for people 00:33:41.280 --> 00:33:42.120 who had lived 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:43.360 before Christ 00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:44.900 that God would redeem 00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:47.400 because those sins 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:48.220 would be judged 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:49.320 on the cross 00:33:49.320 --> 00:33:50.960 in the person of Christ. 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:53.320 Just like all the sins 00:33:53.320 --> 00:33:53.980 of all of us 00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:54.480 who have lived 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.520 after Christ 00:33:55.520 --> 00:33:57.860 and have trusted in Him 00:33:57.860 --> 00:33:58.720 and have put our faith 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.140 in Him 00:33:59.140 --> 00:34:00.060 and are brought 00:34:00.060 --> 00:34:01.120 to new life in Him 00:34:01.119 --> 00:34:03.419 that is where 00:34:03.419 --> 00:34:04.319 our sins 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:05.159 deserve 00:34:05.159 --> 00:34:07.000 their just justice. 00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:09.179 We don't deserve 00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:10.119 anything better 00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:11.579 than Sodom and Gomorrah do 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:14.179 because of our sinfulness 00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:15.940 and yet 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:17.139 God 00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:18.299 who is rich in mercy 00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:20.420 because of the great love 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:21.880 with which He has loved us 00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:23.420 has saved us 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:25.119 because of what God 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:26.519 because He has offered 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.559 Jesus in our place. 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:29.139 Jesus takes the sin 00:34:29.139 --> 00:34:31.159 and He then gives us 00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:31.920 the forgiveness 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:33.759 of that sin 00:34:33.759 --> 00:34:35.179 so that God 00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:36.059 is both just 00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:37.259 in punishing sin 00:34:37.259 --> 00:34:38.519 and just 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.799 in forgiving us 00:34:39.799 --> 00:34:40.319 our sin. 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:42.019 And it's one of the most 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:43.000 amazing things 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.719 about the gospel 00:34:43.719 --> 00:34:47.059 and it gives us confidence 00:34:47.059 --> 00:34:50.360 and this is where I want 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:50.799 to end 00:34:50.799 --> 00:34:52.480 because as I wrestled 00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:53.139 with God 00:34:53.139 --> 00:34:55.219 sitting by the bedside 00:34:55.219 --> 00:34:55.940 of my father 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.679 as He died 00:34:56.679 --> 00:34:58.340 I came to the end 00:34:58.340 --> 00:34:58.860 of myself 00:34:58.860 --> 00:34:59.299 and I said 00:34:59.299 --> 00:35:00.099 God I don't know 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:01.380 how this is going to work out 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:02.340 I don't know 00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:03.199 my father's heart 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.820 I don't 00:35:03.820 --> 00:35:05.019 you are the one 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.880 who is the judge 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:06.500 of the earth 00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:08.340 but I will trust you 00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.599 I will trust you 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.559 that you will not 00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:11.360 do wrong 00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:12.559 by my father 00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:13.759 but that you will do 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:14.540 right 00:35:14.540 --> 00:35:16.000 that you will do 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:17.060 you will do 00:35:17.060 --> 00:35:18.080 the right thing 00:35:18.080 --> 00:35:19.700 by Him 00:35:19.700 --> 00:35:20.660 and I'm going to 00:35:20.660 --> 00:35:21.720 leave Him at your feet 00:35:21.720 --> 00:35:23.120 and trust that you 00:35:23.120 --> 00:35:24.260 who know everything 00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:25.580 will judge better 00:35:25.580 --> 00:35:26.900 than I who don't. 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:30.340 And that hasn't 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:31.220 always been easy 00:35:31.220 --> 00:35:32.040 to hold on to 00:35:32.040 --> 00:35:35.840 but I believe 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:36.760 that because of 00:35:36.760 --> 00:35:37.400 what God has done 00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:37.960 in Christ 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:39.460 I have seen 00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:40.120 the foundation 00:35:40.120 --> 00:35:40.860 and I have been able 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.940 to have that confidence 00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:43.400 this is the God 00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:44.079 of the Bible 00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:45.000 who has done 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:46.179 such an amazing work 00:35:46.179 --> 00:35:47.039 to save me 00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:48.480 and I can trust Him. 00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:51.880 Let's pray together. 00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.619 Lord we 00:35:56.619 --> 00:36:00.139 we are humbled 00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:01.320 by this text 00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:04.420 but Lord we are 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.940 ultimately captivated 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:06.900 by your glory. 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:08.980 Lord that you are God 00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:10.079 who is so committed 00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:11.420 to righteousness 00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:12.860 and justice 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:14.300 and love 00:36:14.300 --> 00:36:14.960 and mercy 00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:17.000 that you at the cross 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:17.619 would do this 00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.760 incredible work 00:36:18.760 --> 00:36:20.680 of saving us 00:36:20.680 --> 00:36:21.180 in a way 00:36:21.180 --> 00:36:22.340 that you have 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:23.260 not just 00:36:23.260 --> 00:36:24.880 overrun your justice 00:36:24.880 --> 00:36:25.200 Lord 00:36:25.200 --> 00:36:26.280 but you have satisfied 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:27.019 your justice 00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:28.559 and saved 00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:29.440 unworthy people 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:30.079 like us. 00:36:30.539 --> 00:36:31.380 What an amazing 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:32.260 God you are. 00:36:32.619 --> 00:36:33.340 What an amazing 00:36:33.340 --> 00:36:34.280 Savior we have 00:36:34.280 --> 00:36:34.760 in Jesus. 00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:36.360 Lord we pray 00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:37.280 that we might be 00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:37.780 those 00:36:37.780 --> 00:36:39.659 who live 00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:40.720 trusting in you 00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:41.399 and that out of 00:36:41.399 --> 00:36:42.319 that trust in you 00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:43.319 we would live 00:36:43.319 --> 00:36:44.319 righteous lives 00:36:44.319 --> 00:36:45.000 that would seek 00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:46.119 to bless others 00:36:46.119 --> 00:36:46.939 around us 00:36:46.939 --> 00:36:48.399 and Lord that we 00:36:48.399 --> 00:36:48.939 would be men 00:36:48.939 --> 00:36:49.859 and women of prayer 00:36:49.859 --> 00:36:51.459 who would plead 00:36:51.459 --> 00:36:52.980 for your gracious 00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:54.059 work in the lives 00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:54.859 of both 00:36:54.859 --> 00:36:55.699 ourselves 00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:57.139 and those around us 00:36:57.139 --> 00:36:58.459 for your glory. 00:36:59.179 --> 00:36:59.799 We pray this 00:36:59.799 --> 00:37:00.559 in Jesus name. 00:37:01.239 --> 00:37:01.539 Amen. 00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:01.679 Amen. 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:01.699 Amen. 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:01.719 Amen. 00:37:01.719 --> 00:37:01.739 Amen. 00:37:01.739 --> 00:37:01.759 Amen. 00:37:01.759 --> 00:37:01.779 Amen. 00:37:01.779 --> 00:37:01.799 Amen. 00:37:01.799 --> 00:37:03.759 Amen. 00:37:03.759 --> 00:37:03.779 Amen. 00:37:03.779 --> 00:37:03.799 Amen. 00:37:03.799 --> 00:37:05.739 Amen. 00:37:05.739 --> 00:37:05.759 Amen. 00:37:05.759 --> 00:37:05.799 Amen. 00:37:05.799 --> 00:37:05.819 Amen.