WEBVTT

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 There's a fictional comic book character in the British comic strip called Judge Dredd.

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 And I have not read it myself, and I would not endorse its contents,

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 but it is a well-known cultural reference point.

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 And he is a law enforcement officer in some kind of dystopian future, sometime in the 22nd century.

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 And he's invested with the power to not only police, but also to arrest, convict, sentence, and execute criminals.

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 So in himself, he is both the jury, the judge, and the executioner.

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 And normally, people should be wary of investing so much power, concentrating it in one person.

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 But this is Judge Dredd we're talking about. He's a superhero, right?

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 So he is known for his unflinching execution of justice and known for his incorruptible integrity.

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 He never bends the law for anyone, and he follows the law impeccably.

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 And so his catchphrase is, I am the law, right?

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 And his multipurpose pistol is called the lawgiver.

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 And his motorcycle is named the lawmaster.

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 I mean, it's a comic book we're talking about, right?

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 So he's not a conventional hero. He's kind of an antihero, really.

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 But there is something about him that is still heroic and awe-inspiring.

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 Why is that?

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 It's because as much as people, we desire and admire mercy and compassion in people,

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 we also desire and admire justice.

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 It is right to protect the innocent and punish the wrongdoer.

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 And people are outraged for this reason when they see the evildoers go free,

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 when they see the innocent unprotected.

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 And in Genesis 18 to 19, we see God's judgment, his rightful and holy judgment

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 and punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah.

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 And his judgment is infallible, and his punishment is exacting.

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 But that's not all we see.

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 God's so much more than a cosmic judge read, right?

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 He's also merciful, compassionate.

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 We see his grace and favor.

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 And seeing the wrath of God on the one hand

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 and the grace of God on the other simultaneously

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 is what helps us properly both to fear him and love him as God.

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 And that's the main point of this passage.

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 We are to fear and love God because he is the judge of all the earth

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 who punishes justly and saves graciously.

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 And so my first point is going to be that he punishes justly.

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 And my second point will be that he saves graciously.

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 And the first point is going to take most of the sermon,

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 so don't despair if I say second point after 40 minutes.

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 Now, the first point is that God punishes justly,

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 and we see this in chapter 15.

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 A little bit of chapter 19.

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 But before we get a glimpse of his punishment,

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 we see as kind of a contrast to the wickedness of the Sodomites,

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 Abraham and Sarai.

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 We get another glimpse into their life.

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 And Abraham is portrayed as kind of this righteous person,

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 and we see this in his hospitality toward the guests he receives.

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 Verse 1, it says,

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 The Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre

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 as Abraham sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.

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 Now, but this is from the narrator's perspective.

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 It's different from Abraham's perspective,

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 because he says in verse 2,

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 When Abraham sees the Lord, he lifted up his eyes and looked,

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 and behold, three men were standing in front of him.

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 When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them

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 and bowed himself to the earth.

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 So the narrator tells us that the Lord came to Abraham,

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 and Abraham says he sees three men, right?

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 So it's not the same.

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 So Abraham has a little bit,

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 he has no idea who he's truly encountering here.

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 And this is impossible to ascertain for sure

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 whether this is representative of the persons of the Trinity or not,

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 but it may be a hint of that,

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 because it's three men, the three persons.

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 For example, there's in verse 9 of chapter 18,

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 it says,

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 They said to Abraham,

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 so third person plural pronoun,

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 but then later it says,

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 It's the Lord said.

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 So it kind of goes back and forth

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 between the third person plural pronoun

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 and the third person singular pronoun.

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 And then not only that,

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 it says that the men set out from there in 1816

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 while the Lord was still speaking to Abraham.

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 So it seemed that the Lord stayed,

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 and then his two angels or represented perhaps went to Sodom.

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 And that's what it seems in the beginning

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 when it says in chapter 19, verse 13,

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 the visitors say,

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 We are about to destroy this place

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 because the Lord has sent us to destroy it.

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 But then later in verse 24,

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 it says that the Lord destroyed Sodom.

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 And Lot entreats the Lord, not the men.

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 So there's a consistent kind of conflation

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 of the identity of the Lord

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 and the identity of the three people,

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 three men were the angelic visitors.

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 So there's two main possibilities,

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 either that they represent persons of the triune God,

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 the Father, Son, Holy Spirit,

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 or it's the Lord himself

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 and his two angelic representatives,

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 but the angels are so closely identified with God

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 and represent him

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 that they're almost addressed as the Lord himself.

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 But either way,

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 we're supposed to understand these to be divine figures

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 or divine representatives at the very least.

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 But Abraham doesn't realize this.

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 But even though Abraham doesn't realize this,

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 he unwittingly treats these visitors

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 as if they were God.

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 So we see his piety in that,

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 even though he is himself unaware of it.

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 So first, he runs to greet the guests.

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 It was considered unbecoming of the gentleman

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 of that time to run.

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 Yet he runs,

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 which is what people do in Genesis,

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 only when they're running toward a long-lost relative.

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 And he bows himself down to the ground,

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 which is also a gesture of great honor and respect.

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 You bow down to someone who is high and mighty,

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 not to someone who is lowly.

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 And in these,

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 there's a lot of double meaning in play of words.

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 The word bow down is the same word

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 for prostrating yourself in worship.

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 Now, and he refers to God as Lord,

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 even though that can simply be translated as sir.

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 It also was used before

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 to refer to God as the Lord,

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 the sovereign Lord, right?

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 So there's this, again, play on words.

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 So Abraham is treating these visitors

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 better than he himself knows.

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 And he promises just a morsel of bread,

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 but in reality,

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 he prepares the veritable feast when they come.

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 He says he brought cakes out,

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 and not just with any type of flour,

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 but with fine flour,

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 and with three seahs of fine flour,

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 which is about 90 cups of flour.

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 How many of you guys bake?

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 So that's enough bread to feed 100 people.

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 Well, that's not just a morsel.

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 And not only that he kills a calf,

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 a small goat or a lamb would have sufficed

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 for three guests,

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 but he kills a calf.

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 And it's not just any cow,

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 it's tender and good.

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 So in all of these actions,

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 Abraham's not only showing,

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 displaying his hospitality and generosity,

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 but his piety,

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 because all of this points to the later code,

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 the law of God that Moses institutes.

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 Because according to the Pentateuch,

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 the first five books of the Bible,

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 only fine flour is supposed to be used

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 in the grain offerings offered to God,

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 Leviticus 2.1.

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 And for making the bread of the tabernacle,

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 in Leviticus 24.5.

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 And then also,

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 you're supposed to offer fine calf,

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 not just any kind of animal,

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 but a calf that's selected,

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 afford sacrifice offering.

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 And after all of this,

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 you would think that Abraham would sit down

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 with his guests and eat,

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 but he says that he sets the food before them

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 and stands by them while they eat,

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 like a servant waiting on his master.

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 Right?

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 So all of this shows Abraham's piety,

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 his righteousness toward God.

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 And then we begin to see the true identity

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 of these guests in verse 9.

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 Where is Sarah your wife?

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 Now, at first,

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 that seems like a totally normal question.

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 Yeah, where's your wife, Sarah?

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 But if you think about it,

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 this is a very unusual question,

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 because if you remember,

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 these are perfect strangers to Abraham

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 by this point.

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 So first of all,

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 how do you even know I'm married?

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 And secondly,

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 how do you know that her name is Sarah?

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 And remember,

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 God came right earlier in chapter 17

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 and then gave her that new name, Sarah.

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 And so this guest knows her new name.

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 So Sarah,

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 where is your wife, Sarah?

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 So at this point,

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 Abraham's probably a little bit bewildered.

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 He said,

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 well, she's in the tent.

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 But before he could say anything,

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 God says,

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 the Lord says,

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 I will surely return to you

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 about this time next year,

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 and Sarah,

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 your wife,

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 shall have a son.

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 Now, this was a promise

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 that was given before,

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 but this is the most specific

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 it has ever gotten up to this point.

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 He says,

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 this time next year,

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 they know now

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 when this son

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 is going to finally come.

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 And Abraham,

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 when he first heard this

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 in chapter 17,

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 verse 17,

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 he laughed.

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 And again,

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 here it says,

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 Sarah also laughs

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 to herself,

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 saying,

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 after I am worn out

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 and my Lord is old,

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 that's his word to Abraham,

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 shall I have pleasure.

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 But lest we prematurely,

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 you know,

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 criticize,

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 castigate Sarah

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 for her lack of faith,

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 the narrator tells us

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 why Sarah

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 has such a hard time believing.

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 Verse 11,

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 now Abraham and Sarah

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 were old,

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 advanced in years.

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 the way of woman

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 had ceased

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 to be with Sarah.

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 Abraham was by this point

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 99 years old,

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 Sarah is 89 years old,

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 and she is menopausal.

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 So that means

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 it's a biological impossibility

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 for her to conceive,

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 let alone give birth.

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 And so this laughter

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 is not one of arrogant mockery,

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 but of cynical,

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 wary disbelief

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 conditioned by

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 years and years and years

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 of disappointment.

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 And she would have

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 had every right

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 to doubt

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 and to be skeptical

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 of these guests

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 if these were just

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 ordinary guests.

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 But they're not, right?

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 These are divine guests.

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 So verse 13, 15,

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 it continues,

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 the Lord said to Abraham,

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 why did Sarah laugh

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 and say,

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 shall I indeed bear a child

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 now that I am old?

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 Is anything too hard

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 for the Lord?

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 At the appointed time

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 I will return to you

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 about this time next year,

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 and Sarah shall have a son.

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 But Sarah denied it,

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 saying,

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 I did not laugh,

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 for she was afraid.

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 He said,

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 no, but you did laugh.

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 So even though Sarah

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 was eavesdropping

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 behind the door,

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 somehow the Lord knows

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 Sarah was laughing

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 to herself

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 and then confronts her,

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 and then he says explicitly,

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 is anything too hard

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 for the Lord?

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 So from this encounter

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 with the Lord,

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 we see that he is

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 not only all-knowing,

00:10:45.359 --> 00:10:46.819
 but he's also all-powerful.

00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:47.839
 Nothing is too hard

00:10:47.839 --> 00:10:48.919
 for the Lord.

00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:50.479
 And thus,

00:10:50.599 --> 00:10:51.179
 in saying this,

00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:51.959
 the visitor confirms

00:10:51.959 --> 00:10:52.939
 that he is not just

00:10:52.939 --> 00:10:54.039
 the ordinary guest,

00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:55.860
 but he is the Lord himself.

00:10:56.719 --> 00:10:58.539
 And even in Sarah's laughter,

00:10:58.679 --> 00:11:00.179
 she confirms the promise of God

00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:01.439
 because the name Isaac,

00:11:01.579 --> 00:11:02.159
 which will be the name

00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:02.799
 of their son,

00:11:03.199 --> 00:11:04.459
 means I laughed.

00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.240
 So in Abraham's laughter,

00:11:06.339 --> 00:11:07.339
 in Sarah's laughter,

00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:08.360
 God's promise

00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:09.419
 is confirmed to them.

00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:09.740
 Yes,

00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:10.559
 you doubt,

00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:11.339
 you're skeptical,

00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:13.339
 but even through that,

00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:14.799
 God's will will prevail.

00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:17.599
 So with this optimistic note

00:11:17.599 --> 00:11:18.740
 of God's promise of Isaac,

00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.240
 the narrative starts to turn

00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:21.359
 in verse 16

00:11:21.359 --> 00:11:23.439
 and becomes a little more foreboding

00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:26.099
 because God has chosen Abraham

00:11:26.099 --> 00:11:26.719
 to bless him

00:11:26.719 --> 00:11:27.819
 and make him a great nation

00:11:27.819 --> 00:11:28.819
 and through him

00:11:28.819 --> 00:11:29.939
 to bless the nations

00:11:29.939 --> 00:11:31.579
 and for him to be a bastion

00:11:31.579 --> 00:11:33.039
 of righteousness in the earth.

00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:35.439
 But Sodom and Gomorrah,

00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:36.439
 in contrast,

00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:38.099
 has exceeding wickedness

00:11:38.099 --> 00:11:39.120
 and has reached to the heavens.

00:11:39.799 --> 00:11:40.819
 And so God has come

00:11:40.819 --> 00:11:42.039
 to render judgment.

00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:43.579
 And so when the Lord

00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:45.920
 confides this to Abraham,

00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:47.300
 this purpose to Abraham,

00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:49.040
 Abraham begins to intercede

00:11:49.040 --> 00:11:50.660
 on behalf of the righteous

00:11:50.660 --> 00:11:52.420
 in Sodom and Gomorrah

00:11:52.420 --> 00:11:53.320
 or the righteous

00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:54.040
 that may be there.

00:11:54.460 --> 00:11:55.740
 Verses 23 to 25,

00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.580
 follow along with me

00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:57.200
 as I read that.

00:11:58.080 --> 00:11:59.920
 Will you indeed sweep away

00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:00.580
 the righteous

00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:01.900
 with the wicked?

00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.639
 Suppose there are 50 righteous

00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.160
 who are in it.

00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:06.700
 Far be from you

00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:07.780
 to do such a thing,

00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:09.540
 to put the righteous to death

00:12:09.540 --> 00:12:10.680
 with the wicked

00:12:10.680 --> 00:12:12.280
 so the righteous fare

00:12:12.280 --> 00:12:12.960
 as the wicked.

00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:14.400
 Far be that from you.

00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:15.620
 Shall not the judge

00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.680
 of all the earth

00:12:16.680 --> 00:12:18.580
 do what is just?

00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:20.080
 So this,

00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:21.700
 the whole Old Testament

00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:23.740
 attests to the reality,

00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:24.139
 the truth,

00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:25.080
 that the Lord loves

00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:25.700
 the righteous,

00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:27.180
 but the way of the wicked

00:12:27.180 --> 00:12:28.160
 he brings to ruin.

00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:28.660
 That's what he says

00:12:28.660 --> 00:12:29.680
 in Psalm 146,

00:12:29.700 --> 00:12:30.139
 8 to 9.

00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:31.660
 And that's the principle

00:12:31.660 --> 00:12:32.940
 upon which Abraham

00:12:32.940 --> 00:12:34.560
 builds his defensive case.

00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.100
 If there's any righteous,

00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:36.740
 if there's righteous

00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.360
 in the city,

00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.519
 how can you possibly,

00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:39.480
 if you are just,

00:12:39.680 --> 00:12:40.240
 if you're righteous,

00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:42.259
 destroy the righteous

00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.060
 along with the wicked?

00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:45.080
 And the Lord apparently

00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:46.580
 agrees with Abraham's logic

00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:48.220
 because Abraham begins

00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:49.259
 to bargain with God

00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:51.080
 and God keeps assenting

00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:51.980
 to his suggestions.

00:12:52.180 --> 00:12:53.180
 So verse 32,

00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:54.340
 and he bargains

00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:54.919
 all the way down

00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:55.980
 from 50 to 10.

00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:57.080
 So God answers

00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:57.639
 in verse 32,

00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:59.019
 for the sake of 10,

00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:00.620
 I will not destroy

00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.560
 Sodom and Gomorrah.

00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:02.700
 Now,

00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:03.840
 some people wonder

00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:05.299
 why Abraham didn't,

00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:05.500
 you know,

00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:06.379
 take this to its

00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:07.259
 logical conclusion.

00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:07.879
 Say,

00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:08.799
 why don't you just go

00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:09.700
 all the way to one,

00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:10.080
 right?

00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:11.019
 Why didn't you say that?

00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:12.279
 But I think the principle

00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.379
 is already established

00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:14.139
 by this point

00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:15.439
 because God is saying,

00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:15.600
 no,

00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:17.019
 I will not destroy

00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:17.720
 the righteous

00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:18.659
 along with the wicked.

00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:19.419
 That's what he's saying

00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:19.860
 to Abraham.

00:13:20.299 --> 00:13:22.240
 So the bargaining

00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.059
 stops there

00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:24.860
 and even though,

00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:25.919
 and the whole point

00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:26.580
 of this bargaining

00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:27.419
 is that we will see

00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:27.980
 this clearly

00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:29.139
 in the next chapter,

00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.399
 but there is no

00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:31.139
 righteous person

00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:31.860
 in Sodom and Gomorrah

00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:32.440
 at all.

00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:34.139
 So even if there were one,

00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.159
 God would have saved

00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:36.059
 the city

00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:36.679
 for the sake

00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:37.320
 of that righteous,

00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:38.780
 but there is not one.

00:13:39.280 --> 00:13:39.820
 And Lot,

00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:40.980
 who is the lone,

00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:41.879
 relatively speaking,

00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:42.820
 righteous person,

00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.640
 is not a citizen.

00:13:44.800 --> 00:13:45.580
 He's a sojourner.

00:13:45.680 --> 00:13:46.400
 He's described

00:13:46.400 --> 00:13:47.080
 as a guest

00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:47.800
 in that town.

00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:49.120
 So now,

00:13:49.180 --> 00:13:50.400
 let's turn to Lot

00:13:50.400 --> 00:13:51.540
 as we go

00:13:51.540 --> 00:13:52.660
 and in chapter 19,

00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:53.560
 verses 1 to 3.

00:13:54.040 --> 00:13:54.460
 And here,

00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:55.900
 we see Lot's hospitality

00:13:55.900 --> 00:13:57.580
 to the angelic visitors

00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.480
 just as we saw

00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.900
 Abraham's hospitality

00:13:59.900 --> 00:14:01.640
 to the angelic visitors.

00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.660
 And there's a lot

00:14:02.660 --> 00:14:03.640
 of verbal parallels

00:14:03.640 --> 00:14:04.720
 to highlight

00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.720
 that Lot,

00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:06.580
 like Abraham,

00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:07.560
 though not as righteous,

00:14:07.680 --> 00:14:09.000
 is also relatively righteous.

00:14:09.420 --> 00:14:10.639
 Read verses 1 to 3

00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:11.759
 of chapter 19 with me.

00:14:12.540 --> 00:14:12.860
 Now,

00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:13.700
 the two angels

00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:14.500
 came to Sodom

00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:14.980
 in the evening,

00:14:15.300 --> 00:14:16.340
 and Lot was sitting

00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:17.340
 in the gate of Sodom.

00:14:17.680 --> 00:14:19.020
 When Lot saw them,

00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:20.400
 he rose to meet them

00:14:20.400 --> 00:14:21.420
 and bowed himself

00:14:21.420 --> 00:14:22.100
 with his face

00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:22.580
 to the earth

00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:22.960
 and said,

00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:23.900
 My lords,

00:14:24.040 --> 00:14:24.980
 please turn aside

00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:25.820
 to your servant's house

00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:26.520
 and spend the night

00:14:26.520 --> 00:14:27.259
 and wash your feet.

00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:29.060
 Then you may rise up early

00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:29.840
 and go on your way.

00:14:30.160 --> 00:14:30.660
 They said,

00:14:30.780 --> 00:14:31.020
 No,

00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:32.600
 we will spend the night

00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.280
 in the town square.

00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:35.399
 But he pressed them strongly,

00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.639
 so they turned aside

00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:37.039
 to him

00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:38.199
 and entered his house.

00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.199
 And he made them

00:14:39.199 --> 00:14:39.720
 a feast

00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:40.899
 and baked unleavened bread

00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:41.839
 and they ate.

00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:43.039
 You see the similarity?

00:14:43.299 --> 00:14:43.579
 So he,

00:14:44.199 --> 00:14:44.379
 Lot,

00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.120
 like Abraham,

00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.299
 calls them lords.

00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:47.220
 And Lot,

00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:48.019
 like Abraham,

00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:49.559
 prepares them a feast.

00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.319
 And Lot,

00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:51.100
 like Abraham,

00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:51.899
 bows himself

00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:52.480
 to the face,

00:14:52.839 --> 00:14:54.319
 his face to the earth.

00:14:54.839 --> 00:14:55.699
 And so in all of this,

00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:56.839
 Lot is also hospitable.

00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:58.740
 But we see kind of something

00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:00.000
 a little bit,

00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.420
 that makes us a little bit uneasy

00:15:03.420 --> 00:15:04.259
 about their interactions

00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:07.759
 because it was taken for granted

00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:09.060
 in the ancient Near East.

00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:10.920
 You offer hospitality to visitors

00:15:10.920 --> 00:15:11.560
 who are in your town,

00:15:11.680 --> 00:15:11.920
 foreigners.

00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:14.639
 But it was the height of,

00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:15.060
 you know,

00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.100
 dishonor

00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:18.500
 and to refuse that offer.

00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:20.220
 You always accept that,

00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:20.840
 so you don't refuse that.

00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.759
 But here the angels

00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.180
 are reluctant to stay

00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:24.540
 in Sodom and Gomorrah.

00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:26.080
 So they refuse the offer

00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:27.660
 so that he has to almost

00:15:27.660 --> 00:15:28.360
 twist their arms

00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.420
 to bring them into their house.

00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.879
 So something is going on here.

00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:31.940
 Why are they so reluctant?

00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:33.379
 And then when they get

00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.080
 to Lot's house,

00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:35.060
 the bread that they serve

00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:36.020
 is unleavened.

00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.379
 So that suggests

00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.360
 that it was prepared

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.960
 in a hurry.

00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:40.440
 And this seems to be

00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:40.920
 an allusion

00:15:40.920 --> 00:15:42.440
 to the later Exodus,

00:15:42.920 --> 00:15:43.060
 right,

00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:45.020
 when Israel has to leave Egypt

00:15:45.020 --> 00:15:46.440
 and they're leaving in a hurry

00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:48.160
 to have to eat unleavened bread.

00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:49.020
 And remember

00:15:49.020 --> 00:15:50.120
 from a couple chapters ago

00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.420
 that Sodom was described

00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:52.860
 a land like Egypt,

00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:53.400
 right?

00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:54.140
 So now here,

00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:55.000
 just like Israel

00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.020
 has to leave Egypt,

00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.360
 now here Lot's going

00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.780
 to have to leave Sodom.

00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.400
 So it's already,

00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.840
 we're seeing a foreshadowing

00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:01.240
 of that.

00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:02.460
 Now,

00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.200
 and that's,

00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:04.660
 there's another key difference here

00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:05.940
 and is that Abraham,

00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:06.800
 when he was preparing,

00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.960
 he had help.

00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:08.940
 His wife,

00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:09.580
 Sarah,

00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:10.379
 was helping him

00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.320
 prepare the meal

00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:11.840
 for the guests.

00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:12.759
 But here,

00:16:12.920 --> 00:16:13.740
 interestingly enough,

00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.280
 even though that would

00:16:15.280 --> 00:16:15.960
 have been traditionally

00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.740
 what their wives

00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:17.660
 would have helped them do,

00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:19.100
 Lot here seems to prepare

00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.980
 the meal alone.

00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:21.379
 He doesn't have help.

00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.320
 It seems,

00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:24.280
 it's kind of this passage,

00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:27.659
 is kind of portraying

00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:29.459
 Lot as this solitary,

00:16:29.839 --> 00:16:30.539
 righteous person.

00:16:30.819 --> 00:16:31.919
 He doesn't have any help.

00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:34.159
 He's alone in this foreigner's land.

00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.299
 Even his wife

00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:36.959
 is not really on his side.

00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:38.179
 And we see this later.

00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.459
 His wife is actually,

00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.620
 as she is leaving

00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.519
 with Lot,

00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.360
 turns around

00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.419
 because she can't

00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.439
 let go of Sodom

00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:45.419
 and then she turns

00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:46.959
 into pillar of salt.

00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:48.340
 Now,

00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:51.040
 so Lot is the solitary,

00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.240
 righteous person

00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.280
 who is a sojourner

00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:54.200
 in Sodom.

00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.620
 And then we learn

00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.840
 in verses 4 to 11

00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:58.540
 the full extent

00:16:58.540 --> 00:17:00.100
 of the Sodomite wickedness.

00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:02.060
 This is just appalling

00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:02.639
 as you read it.

00:17:02.660 --> 00:17:03.220
 Read with me.

00:17:03.400 --> 00:17:04.039
 4 to 11.

00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:06.240
 But before they lay down,

00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:07.100
 the men of the city,

00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.079
 the men of Sodom,

00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.400
 both young and old,

00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:10.460
 all the people

00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.740
 to the last man

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:13.120
 surrounded the house.

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.579
 And they called to Lot,

00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:15.980
 where are the men

00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:17.059
 who came to you tonight?

00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:18.720
 Bring them out to us

00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:20.419
 that we may know them.

00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:23.220
 Lot went out to the men

00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:23.819
 at the entrance,

00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:24.960
 shut the door after him

00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.299
 and said,

00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.759
 I beg you, my brothers,

00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:28.019
 do not act so wickedly.

00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.460
 Behold,

00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.720
 I have two daughters

00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:31.039
 who have not known any man.

00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:32.639
 Let me bring them out to you

00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:34.099
 and do to them as you please.

00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.839
 Only do nothing to these men

00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:36.899
 for they have come

00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:38.039
 under the shelter

00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:39.079
 of my roof.

00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.059
 But they said,

00:17:40.139 --> 00:17:40.859
 Stand back.

00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:41.939
 And they said,

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:43.819
 This fellow came to sojourn

00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:45.500
 and he has become the judge.

00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:47.159
 Now we will deal worse

00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:48.480
 with you than with them.

00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:50.119
 Then they pressed hard

00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:51.099
 against the man Lot

00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:51.939
 and drew near

00:17:51.939 --> 00:17:53.240
 to break the door down.

00:17:53.399 --> 00:17:54.460
 But the man reached out

00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:54.899
 their hands

00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:55.579
 and brought Lot

00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:56.720
 into the house with them

00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.679
 and shut the door.

00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:59.279
 And they struck with blindness

00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:00.220
 the men who were

00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.539
 at the entrance of the house,

00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:03.359
 both small and great,

00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:05.099
 so that they wore themselves out,

00:18:05.179 --> 00:18:06.359
 groping for the door.

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:09.220
 Wow, so much sin

00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:11.419
 in a span of a few verses.

00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:13.560
 And the narrator's intention

00:18:13.560 --> 00:18:14.440
 in describing this

00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:16.019
 is that we are thoroughly repulsed

00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:17.279
 by the wickedness of Sodom.

00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.539
 There's many things.

00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.160
 So first,

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.680
 these men of Sodom came

00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:22.680
 before they laid down.

00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.480
 So meaning,

00:18:23.820 --> 00:18:24.039
 remember,

00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.039
 the guests came

00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.340
 in the evening already.

00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:28.220
 So not much time has passed

00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.519
 since these guests came.

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.740
 But instead of talking about

00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:33.519
 how they can be hospitable

00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.160
 to these guests,

00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:35.480
 they've been conspiring

00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.400
 a gang rape

00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.519
 is what they've been doing.

00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:39.420
 So they didn't lose much time

00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:40.779
 before they laid down.

00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.980
 They already were at the door.

00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:42.660
 Second,

00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.740
 these are described

00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:45.379
 as the men of the city,

00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.879
 the men of Sodom.

00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:48.240
 And recall that,

00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:49.319
 according to 18.2,

00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.299
 these angelic visitors

00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.480
 came as men

00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.460
 in the form of men.

00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.839
 So what these men

00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:54.500
 are clamoring for

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:56.519
 is homosexual gang rape, right?

00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.740
 And this is where

00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.960
 we get the word sodomy

00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:00.220
 from the word Sodom.

00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.039
 Now, Genesis 2.24

00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:03.460
 prescribed God's intention

00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.480
 for sexual relations

00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.240
 among humanity.

00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.759
 Therefore,

00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.099
 a man shall leave

00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:09.160
 his father and his mother

00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:10.200
 and hold fast

00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.000
 to his wife

00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.400
 and they shall become

00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.640
 one flesh, right?

00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:15.480
 So sex is supposed to be

00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.460
 within the confines

00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.200
 of marriage.

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.779
 And marriage is supposed

00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.440
 to be between

00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:21.019
 a man and a woman

00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:22.640
 and not any other

00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.700
 combination of genders.

00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:24.920
 And marriage is supposed

00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.460
 to be between

00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.279
 one man

00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:27.800
 and one woman.

00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:28.680
 Now,

00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:30.400
 what the Sodomite men

00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:31.360
 are trying to do here

00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:32.100
 transgresses

00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:33.120
 every single

00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:34.800
 one of those categories.

00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.560
 Do you guys see that?

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:37.399
 It's a homosexual

00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:38.339
 gang rape.

00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:39.700
 And I want to be

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.639
 sensitive to people

00:19:40.639 --> 00:19:42.440
 who perhaps might struggle

00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:44.000
 with same-sex attraction

00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.879
 because it's common,

00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.379
 especially nowadays.

00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:48.200
 And if that's you

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.500
 and you are tempted

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:51.159
 and if you are...

00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:52.079
 But I want to make

00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.539
 a distinction

00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.519
 between succumbing

00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.759
 to temptation

00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.940
 and to impulses

00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:57.059
 and sinning.

00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:59.259
 Being tempted

00:19:59.259 --> 00:19:59.940
 and succumbing

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.619
 to the temptation

00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:01.960
 are two different things.

00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:04.319
 Hebrews 4.15

00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:04.539
 says,

00:20:04.659 --> 00:20:05.319
 We do not have

00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:05.980
 a high priest

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.799
 who is unable

00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.740
 to sympathize

00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.579
 with our weaknesses

00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.879
 but one who

00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.879
 in every respect

00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.559
 has been tempted

00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.179
 as we are

00:20:12.179 --> 00:20:13.960
 yet without sin.

00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.200
 Jesus was tempted.

00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:17.000
 He was tempted,

00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:17.339
 it says,

00:20:17.399 --> 00:20:18.159
 in every way

00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:19.500
 yet he was without sin.

00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.279
 So it's possible

00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.200
 to be tempted

00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.879
 yet not sin.

00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.359
 And so Jesus

00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.359
 is able to empathize

00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.819
 with even your weaknesses.

00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:27.819
 Weaknesses

00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.399
 that you don't think

00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.039
 anyone else

00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:29.879
 can understand

00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:30.819
 or relate to.

00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.939
 He can understand.

00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:33.000
 He empathizes

00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.819
 with you.

00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.480
 And while I personally

00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.339
 don't know

00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:36.859
 what it's like

00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.240
 to struggle

00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.139
 with that kind

00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:38.639
 of temptation,

00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:39.859
 I do know

00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.359
 what it's like

00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:40.740
 to struggle

00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.519
 with temptations.

00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.960
 Every single Christian,

00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.000
 every day,

00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:47.579
 daily,

00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:48.679
 we wrestle

00:20:48.679 --> 00:20:49.980
 with dozens

00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.740
 of impulses

00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.460
 and desires

00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.539
 that are contrary

00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.539
 to the will of God.

00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:55.099
 And that's what it means

00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.759
 to be a Christian

00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.619
 is to every day

00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:57.359
 put to death

00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:57.960
 the misdeeds

00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.639
 of the flesh

00:20:58.639 --> 00:20:59.559
 and to follow

00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.099
 the Spirit.

00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.799
 That's the Christian calling.

00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.539
 That's what we do.

00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.859
 And we have hope in this.

00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.980
 We are not alone in this.

00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:08.700
 2 Peter 2, 6-9

00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.299
 It says,

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.519
 If by turning

00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.740
 the cities of Sodom

00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.460
 and Gomorrah

00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.079
 to ashes,

00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.460
 God condemned them

00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.119
 to extinction,

00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.460
 making them an example

00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.079
 of what is going

00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:17.500
 to happen

00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.500
 to the ungodly,

00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:20.879
 and if he rescued Lot,

00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.799
 the righteous Lot,

00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:23.019
 greatly distressed

00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.159
 by the sensual conduct

00:21:24.159 --> 00:21:24.680
 of the wicked,

00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:26.000
 for as that righteous man

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.759
 lived among them

00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.379
 day after day,

00:21:27.419 --> 00:21:28.200
 he was tormenting

00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:28.940
 his righteous soul

00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.919
 over their lawless deeds

00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:31.440
 that he saw and heard,

00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.819
 then the Lord knows

00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.599
 how to rescue

00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:35.319
 the godly from trials.

00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.079
 Did you hear that?

00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:38.539
 The Lord knows

00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.460
 how to rescue

00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:41.179
 the godly from trials.

00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.619
 That's what he did

00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.179
 for Lot,

00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:44.720
 and that's what he can do

00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.359
 for you,

00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.240
 for us.

00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.319
 So do you wrestle,

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:47.599
 then,

00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:48.819
 with fear and anxiety?

00:21:49.939 --> 00:21:51.059
 Do you struggle

00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:52.419
 with grumbling

00:21:52.419 --> 00:21:53.379
 and discontent?

00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:55.419
 Are you weighed

00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:56.720
 down by guilt?

00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.619
 Are you harried

00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.399
 by lust?

00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.759
 Are you overcome

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.460
 by anger?

00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:03.460
 We can persevere

00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.120
 in righteousness

00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:06.960
 with the Lord's help.

00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:08.259
 So turn to him

00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.340
 in your struggles,

00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.220
 in your temptations,

00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.880
 no matter what stripes

00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.980
 it comes in.

00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.480
 So now,

00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:16.000
 returning to the text,

00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.180
 I mentioned two things

00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:17.700
 that highlight

00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.680
 Sodom's wickedness.

00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.740
 It's the third thing

00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.160
 that highlights

00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.819
 their wickedness.

00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:21.720
 Verse 4,

00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:23.640
 both young and old,

00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.680
 and all the people

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.900
 to the last man

00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:27.519
 surrounded the house.

00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.880
 Later in verse 11,

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.779
 it reiterates

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.460
 the same point,

00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.579
 both small and great,

00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:31.940
 it says,

00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:32.259
 came.

00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.420
 So this is trying

00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.059
 to point out,

00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:34.279
 like,

00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:35.259
 so the dilemma,

00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.360
 the discussion

00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:37.079
 between Abram

00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:37.960
 and the Lord earlier,

00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.279
 is there any righteous

00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.180
 person in Sodom?

00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:41.039
 The answer,

00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.019
 according to this text,

00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.539
 is no.

00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.539
 Everyone,

00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.900
 from small to the great,

00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:46.259
 to the last man came.

00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.000
 All the men

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.340
 of Sodom came.

00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.660
 They were all participating

00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.620
 in this wickedness.

00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:51.840
 And then,

00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.579
 fourth,

00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:54.000
 remember that these visitors

00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:55.600
 are not just ordinary men,

00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.920
 but either divine persons

00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.799
 or angelic beings.

00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.740
 And so then,

00:22:58.779 --> 00:22:59.519
 what these men

00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.360
 are proposing to do,

00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.059
 even though they might not

00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:02.579
 know the full extent of it,

00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:04.439
 is unwittingly the same sin

00:23:04.439 --> 00:23:05.519
 that led to God's judgment

00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.459
 in the flood

00:23:06.459 --> 00:23:07.299
 during Noah's time.

00:23:07.979 --> 00:23:08.979
 So sons of God

00:23:08.979 --> 00:23:10.019
 marry,

00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.539
 intermarrying

00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.519
 with the daughters of men.

00:23:11.659 --> 00:23:12.539
 It's the angelic beings

00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:14.259
 having sexual relations

00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.240
 with humans.

00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.279
 So just to,

00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.699
 and there's actually

00:23:18.699 --> 00:23:19.879
 a lot of verbal perils

00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:20.679
 between Noah's,

00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.799
 the judgment of the flood,

00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:22.659
 and this judgment

00:23:22.659 --> 00:23:23.559
 in Sodom and Gomorrah.

00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:25.179
 both use the language

00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:25.839
 of reigning,

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.460
 right?

00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.460
 In this case,

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.240
 it's fire and sulfur,

00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:29.019
 but the language

00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.740
 of reigning is used.

00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:31.119
 Both talk about destroying,

00:23:31.679 --> 00:23:34.220
 and both are concluded

00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:36.259
 with the refrain

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.639
 that God remembered Noah,

00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:39.179
 and here God remembered Abraham.

00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.079
 And in,

00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:40.940
 after the judgment,

00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:42.039
 in both cases,

00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:42.779
 Noah,

00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.960
 earlier in chapter 6

00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.579
 and 7,

00:23:45.659 --> 00:23:46.799
 and here in this case,

00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:47.139
 Lot,

00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:47.559
 are dishonored

00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.720
 by some kind of

00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:51.200
 sexually indecent act

00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.419
 by his own children.

00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.619
 So there's a lot of parallels

00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.559
 between the two stories,

00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.700
 and it's to show

00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.659
 that this is a type.

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.579
 It's following the type

00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.299
 of God's judgment

00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:59.460
 in the flood.

00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.379
 And of course,

00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.019
 the main difference

00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:02.259
 is that God doesn't destroy

00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.960
 the whole earth

00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:04.159
 because God promised Noah

00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:04.700
 after the flood

00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.740
 that he'd never do that again.

00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:06.779
 Now,

00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:07.879
 Lot,

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.500
 we see his righteousness,

00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.539
 the fact that he tries

00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.700
 to protect his visitors,

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.440
 but it's a relative righteousness

00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.240
 as you will see.

00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.039
 He is brave.

00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:16.819
 He goes out

00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.679
 by himself,

00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:19.139
 closes the door behind him.

00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:19.519
 He doesn't know

00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.439
 what these men

00:24:20.439 --> 00:24:21.159
 are going to do to him,

00:24:21.439 --> 00:24:22.659
 trying to protect his guests.

00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:23.839
 And then,

00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:25.539
 he offers the sexual favors

00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.559
 of his two daughters

00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:28.139
 who have not known any men.

00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.399
 I mean,

00:24:28.439 --> 00:24:29.939
 this is a really embarrassing detail

00:24:29.939 --> 00:24:30.519
 about Lot

00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.960
 in this chapter.

00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:32.579
 So,

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:34.579
 they have not known any men.

00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.779
 That's to know

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:37.139
 is a euphemism

00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:38.119
 for sexual relations.

00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.019
 So they're saying

00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.240
 that these are virgin daughters

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.240
 that he is dangling

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.740
 in front of these wicked men.

00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.700
 And now,

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.619
 this is a completely

00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:46.099
 inexcusable thing to do

00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:47.519
 and a horrendous thing to do.

00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:49.419
 But according to the ancient

00:24:49.419 --> 00:24:50.719
 Near Eastern Code of Conduct,

00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.299
 they held

00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:52.759
 the highest regard

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:54.000
 the need to protect

00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.500
 the visitors

00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.719
 that came under their roof

00:24:55.719 --> 00:24:56.539
 because they were

00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.299
 especially aware

00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:57.859
 that they may be

00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:58.699
 angelic visitors.

00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.639
 So,

00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:01.059
 that's what he's trying to do.

00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.539
 But he does get

00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.719
 some kind of poetic justice

00:25:03.719 --> 00:25:05.679
 later in verses 30 to 38

00:25:05.679 --> 00:25:07.219
 because Lot dishonors

00:25:07.219 --> 00:25:08.139
 his two daughters here

00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:09.019
 by using them

00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:10.459
 as a bargaining chip

00:25:10.459 --> 00:25:12.000
 with these wicked men.

00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:12.959
 And then later,

00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.860
 he will himself

00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:14.740
 be dishonored

00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:16.079
 by his two daughters

00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.420
 and he will himself

00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.380
 become the means

00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.500
 by which they lose

00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.160
 their virginity

00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:21.120
 and are impregnated.

00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:21.559
 Right?

00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:22.039
 You see that.

00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:22.860
 There's kind of a

00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:23.779
 Lot does.

00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:25.120
 That's how we know

00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:25.700
 the narrator

00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:27.100
 doesn't condone this act

00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:28.100
 because Lot's punished

00:25:28.100 --> 00:25:29.700
 later in what happens

00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.779
 to him by his daughters.

00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.940
 But the angels,

00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.400
 it's a really tragic story,

00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.940
 but the angels intervene

00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:37.240
 and they urge Lot

00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.200
 to grab the rest

00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.700
 of his family

00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.740
 and leave.

00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:41.319
 But the night passes

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.380
 and the morning dawns

00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.740
 and Lot still there

00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.440
 in Sodom.

00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.220
 And so,

00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:45.920
 verse 16,

00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.240
 it says,

00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:47.779
 But he lingered.

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.160
 So,

00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.480
 the men seized him.

00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.740
 These are the angelic visitors.

00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.620
 They seized him

00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.160
 and his wife

00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.019
 and his two daughters

00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.900
 by the hand

00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.720
 and then the Lord

00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.900
 being merciful to him

00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:58.180
 and they brought him out

00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:59.579
 and set him outside

00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.359
 the city.

00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.359
 So,

00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.019
 Lot,

00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:02.779
 it seems,

00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.900
 had grown accustomed

00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:05.220
 to city living,

00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:05.980
 the luxuries

00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.759
 of urban living.

00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.200
 It seems that Lot

00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:10.360
 has become too attached

00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:11.819
 to things of this world.

00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:13.640
 It seems that Lot

00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.500
 is too fond

00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:16.220
 of his other family members

00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:18.000
 that he can't follow

00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:20.220
 God's direct command.

00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:22.799
 And so,

00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.940
 the angel sees Lot,

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.360
 his wife,

00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:24.740
 and two daughters

00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.460
 and bring them

00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.940
 outside of the city.

00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.559
 And as Lot

00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.100
 and his family

00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:30.120
 escape to Zoar,

00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:31.539
 God punishes Sodom

00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.059
 and Gomorrah.

00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.299
 See this in verses

00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.539
 24 to 26.

00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:35.700
 Then the Lord

00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.819
 rained on Sodom

00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.360
 and Gomorrah

00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:37.860
 sulfur,

00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.839
 and fire

00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:39.500
 from the Lord

00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.159
 out of heaven.

00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:42.059
 And he overthrew

00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:42.579
 those cities

00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.439
 and all the valley

00:26:43.439 --> 00:26:44.359
 and all the inhabitants

00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.079
 of the cities

00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.879
 and what grew

00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:46.459
 on the ground.

00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:47.719
 But Lot's wife

00:26:47.719 --> 00:26:48.299
 behind him

00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:48.899
 looked back

00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.579
 and she became

00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.919
 a pillar of salt.

00:26:51.699 --> 00:26:51.879
 So,

00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.939
 our best guess

00:26:53.939 --> 00:26:55.039
 for where Sodom

00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.699
 and Gomorrah

00:26:55.699 --> 00:26:56.179
 might have been

00:26:56.179 --> 00:26:57.659
 is roughly

00:26:57.659 --> 00:27:00.199
 the southern,

00:27:00.439 --> 00:27:01.439
 southeastern

00:27:01.439 --> 00:27:02.599
 end

00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:04.159
 of the Dead Sea.

00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.439
 So,

00:27:04.479 --> 00:27:05.159
 just to the south

00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:05.899
 and east of that.

00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:07.180
 just outside

00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.080
 of the promised land.

00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:10.259
 And it's

00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.920
 a desolate area.

00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.400
 It's a desert.

00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.660
 But according

00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.060
 to the Bible,

00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:14.880
 it used to be

00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:15.660
 green,

00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:15.980
 you know,

00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.980
 the verdant land

00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.740
 like the Garden

00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.160
 of Eden.

00:27:18.560 --> 00:27:19.320
 And it's because

00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:20.040
 of this judgment

00:27:20.040 --> 00:27:21.120
 on Sodom and Gomorrah.

00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:21.980
 And the area

00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:23.160
 actually still reeks

00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:24.460
 of sulfurous fumes.

00:27:25.340 --> 00:27:27.040
 And asphalt deposits

00:27:27.040 --> 00:27:28.019
 which have a very high

00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.900
 sulfur content

00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.700
 are found there

00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.180
 regularly.

00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.480
 So,

00:27:30.600 --> 00:27:31.360
 all of this

00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:32.900
 characterizes the land

00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.740
 even to this day.

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:35.600
 And so,

00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.600
 the story is,

00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:38.560
 this is obviously

00:27:38.560 --> 00:27:39.960
 a total judgment.

00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.180
 And stories of

00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.900
 God's judgment

00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.340
 like this

00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:43.180
 often make people

00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:43.779
 uncomfortable.

00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:46.299
 And especially

00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:47.140
 if you're not

00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.840
 a follower of Jesus

00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:48.820
 and you don't know

00:27:48.820 --> 00:27:49.880
 the character of God,

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.799
 then it makes us

00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.840
 all the more uneasy.

00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.460
 We like a God of love.

00:27:54.100 --> 00:27:54.640
 We don't like

00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.400
 a God of judgment.

00:27:56.060 --> 00:27:57.140
 But the reality is

00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:58.180
 we actually all do

00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:59.180
 like a God of judgment.

00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.360
 We actually do

00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:01.600
 all like justice.

00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:02.980
 We submit to the rule

00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.779
 of law in this country

00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.220
 and the courts

00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.940
 render judgments

00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.880
 day in and day out.

00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.900
 And even the people

00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:08.539
 who clamor for mercy

00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.340
 and leniency,

00:28:09.820 --> 00:28:10.980
 they are rarely

00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:12.420
 consistent in their outlook

00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.320
 and they like

00:28:13.320 --> 00:28:14.000
 the punishments

00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.460
 just as much as we do

00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.539
 when it has to do

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.180
 with the causes

00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:17.779
 that they are

00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.640
 passionate about.

00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.500
 To illustrate,

00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.380
 last year,

00:28:22.060 --> 00:28:23.120
 a college student

00:28:23.120 --> 00:28:24.299
 from California

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:26.320
 raped a woman

00:28:26.320 --> 00:28:27.700
 while she was

00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.240
 unconscious

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.200
 and was sentenced

00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.259
 to six months

00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.700
 of jail time

00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.519
 followed by three years

00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:32.940
 of probation.

00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:35.259
 So six months in jail,

00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.400
 not six years,

00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.099
 which is what

00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.940
 the prosecution

00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.259
 was pressing for.

00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:41.180
 And under California's

00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:43.920
 peculiar legal formulas,

00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.380
 his jail term

00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:46.500
 was actually reduced

00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:46.880
 by half.

00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.779
 So he was only in jail

00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.700
 for three months

00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:50.299
 after raping a woman

00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.079
 who was unconscious.

00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:53.599
 So this decision

00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.220
 by the judge

00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:55.500
 was widely decried.

00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.699
 There was a lot

00:28:56.699 --> 00:28:58.299
 of backlash

00:28:58.299 --> 00:29:00.879
 and there was a campaign

00:29:00.879 --> 00:29:01.859
 to recall the judge

00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.839
 and the judge himself

00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.619
 personally vowed

00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:04.319
 never to take up

00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.359
 another criminal case

00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.699
 even though he tried

00:29:06.699 --> 00:29:08.379
 to defend his judge verdict.

00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.299
 And not only that,

00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.099
 a new legislation

00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:11.059
 was approved in California

00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:12.319
 as a result of this case

00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.119
 to make sure

00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:15.899
 that certain cases

00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:16.559
 of sexual assault

00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.319
 always result

00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:18.079
 in prison time.

00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:20.519
 And so this verdict,

00:29:20.679 --> 00:29:21.259
 the judge's verdict

00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.159
 was based on the fact

00:29:22.159 --> 00:29:24.259
 that too harsh

00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:24.839
 of a punishment

00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:26.240
 would have had

00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:27.359
 a severe impact,

00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:27.839
 quote unquote,

00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.899
 on this man.

00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:31.059
 And the woman

00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.579
 who was raped

00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:33.159
 wrote a heart-wrenching letter

00:29:33.159 --> 00:29:34.139
 which she read

00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:35.039
 at the sentencing

00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:36.179
 and in it she wrote

00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:36.939
 that the rape

00:29:36.939 --> 00:29:38.059
 had already had

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:39.299
 a severe impact

00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.079
 on her

00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:41.579
 even though the judge

00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.179
 is worried about it

00:29:42.179 --> 00:29:43.000
 having a severe impact

00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.539
 on this man.

00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:45.059
 Her letter went viral

00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:46.099
 with people all across

00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.480
 the country

00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.539
 bewailing the leniency

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.180
 of the judge.

00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.859
 And whether you agree

00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.819
 with the judge's verdict

00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.279
 or not,

00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:52.579
 and there are people

00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.379
 on both sides

00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:53.839
 of the issue,

00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.200
 we all can agree

00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.940
 that there was

00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:57.079
 widespread outrage

00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:58.319
 about this verdict.

00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.639
 And why was there

00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:00.559
 such an outrage?

00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:01.960
 It's not because

00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:03.240
 people are masochistic,

00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:03.819
 right,

00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.700
 and they derive

00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.319
 sick pleasure

00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:06.539
 from seeing a young man

00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.240
 rot in pleasure.

00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.059
 That's not why.

00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.920
 It's because they felt

00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:10.579
 that there was

00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.259
 an injustice.

00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.859
 It's because they felt

00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.539
 that the outrage

00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.379
 stems from the fact

00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:15.119
 that the severity

00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:15.700
 of the punishment

00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.279
 doesn't match

00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:16.759
 the severity

00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.379
 of the crime.

00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.799
 They feel that the woman

00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.920
 who deserved to be cared

00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:20.799
 for and affirmed

00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.500
 and upheld

00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.399
 in her worth

00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:23.019
 and dignity

00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.220
 was not given

00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:25.119
 the due value

00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:26.299
 and worth and dignity.

00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.159
 That's why people

00:30:27.159 --> 00:30:27.799
 are outraged.

00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.220
 And so we see in this

00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.420
 two sides of justice.

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.480
 On one side,

00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:32.359
 justice punishes

00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:33.079
 the wrongdoer,

00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.259
 but on the other side,

00:30:34.379 --> 00:30:35.379
 justice affirms

00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:36.119
 and upholds

00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:37.000
 the value and dignity

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.460
 of the people

00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:38.099
 who are suffering,

00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:38.980
 the victims.

00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:40.559
 There's two sides.

00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:41.680
 And so if you think

00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.460
 about it that way,

00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.180
 in the same way,

00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.180
 God's judgment

00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:45.640
 and his punishment

00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.900
 of those who rejected him

00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:48.700
 affirms the supreme

00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:50.000
 and indeed eternal

00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:51.340
 worth and dignity

00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:52.060
 of the God

00:30:52.060 --> 00:30:52.779
 who was offended.

00:30:54.620 --> 00:30:55.440
 We've been seeing

00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.680
 a lot of ants

00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.480
 in our house lately.

00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:58.880
 That's the time of the year.

00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:01.539
 And I kill them every day

00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:02.200
 when they come back.

00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.519
 And I kill them

00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.220
 because they get

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.860
 into our food.

00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:05.720
 I mean,

00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.840
 I'm fine with them

00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:07.600
 living anywhere else.

00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:07.860
 I mean,

00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.500
 if they're starting

00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.480
 to get into our stuff,

00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.259
 then I'm going to

00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.060
 take care of them, right?

00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.740
 They could also

00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.460
 bite my children.

00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.440
 But no one's going

00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:16.159
 to give me a hard time

00:31:16.159 --> 00:31:16.599
 about that.

00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.539
 I hope not, right?

00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.399
 And no one's going

00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:19.480
 to try to call the police

00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.779
 on me for killing ants, right?

00:31:21.919 --> 00:31:22.940
 But imagine

00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:24.119
 if one of us

00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:24.659
 is abusive

00:31:24.659 --> 00:31:25.679
 to our pet dog.

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.200
 Cruelty to dogs

00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.259
 is punishable.

00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.960
 It's a punishable misdemeanor

00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:32.220
 with fines up to $1,000

00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:34.159
 or imprisonment

00:31:34.159 --> 00:31:34.740
 up to a year.

00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.919
 And then imagine

00:31:36.919 --> 00:31:38.559
 if even more seriously,

00:31:39.399 --> 00:31:40.740
 if there was a case

00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:41.859
 of domestic abuse

00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:43.039
 if we harmed

00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:44.539
 one of our own spouses.

00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:46.980
 Now, that is a crime

00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.799
 punishable by up to

00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.740
 a lifetime in prison

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.660
 in certain states.

00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:51.440
 Why the difference

00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:52.640
 in the level of punishment?

00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:54.880
 Because the people involved,

00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.640
 the victims,

00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:56.819
 are more valuable,

00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:57.980
 more worthy.

00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.579
 Now, imagine

00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:02.200
 the offense committed

00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:03.500
 against an eternal,

00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:05.240
 benevolent God.

00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.299
 We commit treason

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:06.900
 against Him.

00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:08.279
 We are ungrateful.

00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:10.200
 We violate His covenant.

00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:11.519
 We are unfaithful

00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.220
 adulterers

00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.319
 to a faithful God.

00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:16.819
 Only an eternal punishment.

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.700
 That doesn't suffice.

00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.819
 Eternal punishment,

00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.700
 separation from Him,

00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:21.759
 is word,

00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:22.539
 is sufficient

00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.440
 to affirm

00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:23.940
 and uphold

00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:25.059
 the worth and dignity

00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:25.920
 of God.

00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:28.440
 And if that's the case,

00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.519
 this should strike us

00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.819
 with a healthy fear

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.279
 of God.

00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:32.319
 right?

00:32:32.899 --> 00:32:34.819
 We speak of petty crimes,

00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.220
 right?

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.779
 There's no such thing

00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:37.819
 as a petty sin

00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:39.879
 because every sin

00:32:39.879 --> 00:32:41.000
 is committed against

00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.700
 eternal,

00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:43.299
 holy God.

00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:44.980
 Now, the fact that

00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:46.019
 we're supposed to fear God

00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.859
 doesn't mean we have

00:32:46.859 --> 00:32:48.420
 to be terrified of God.

00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:50.839
 That's not how the Bible

00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:52.079
 uses the word fear.

00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:53.720
 So, there's an example

00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.539
 in Exodus 20,

00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:54.879
 20,

00:32:54.939 --> 00:32:56.179
 where Moses says to Israel,

00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:57.299
 Do not fear,

00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:58.919
 for God has come

00:32:58.919 --> 00:32:59.500
 to test you

00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:01.379
 that the fear of Him

00:33:01.379 --> 00:33:02.519
 may be with you

00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.879
 that you may not sin.

00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:04.799
 Did you guys catch that?

00:33:05.159 --> 00:33:05.759
 The two words,

00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.259
 fear,

00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.500
 it's the exact same

00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.119
 Hebrew word,

00:33:08.419 --> 00:33:08.759
 but it says,

00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:09.579
 God came,

00:33:09.819 --> 00:33:11.000
 and God came to Him

00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.179
 so that they may have fear,

00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:13.559
 but then He doesn't want

00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:14.460
 them to be fearful.

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:15.899
 So, what's going on here

00:33:15.899 --> 00:33:16.559
 is that He doesn't want

00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:17.339
 them to be terrified

00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:17.939
 that God's going

00:33:17.939 --> 00:33:18.779
 to destroy them,

00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:20.420
 but God does want them

00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.680
 to have a healthy fear

00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:22.599
 of reverence,

00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:23.420
 a sense of awe

00:33:23.420 --> 00:33:24.720
 of living in His presence,

00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:25.539
 presence of a holy,

00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:27.359
 internal God.

00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:28.579
 I mean, you could think

00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:29.839
 about it this way.

00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.619
 I mean, I don't know

00:33:30.619 --> 00:33:31.440
 who's the most

00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.720
 so-called important

00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.359
 or VIP

00:33:33.359 --> 00:33:35.079
 that you have ever

00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:36.079
 interacted with,

00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.319
 but imagine that

00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:37.960
 you are dining

00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.559
 with someone

00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.579
 of great power,

00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.819
 a powerful personage,

00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:41.440
 right?

00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:43.920
 You are not going

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:45.279
 to have wandering eyes.

00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:48.200
 You are going to watch

00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:49.580
 to make sure

00:33:49.580 --> 00:33:50.259
 that you're not chewing

00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:51.160
 with your mouth open,

00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:52.000
 right?

00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:52.759
 You're not going

00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.819
 to be checking your phone

00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:55.039
 and distracted.

00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:55.819
 No, you're going

00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:56.799
 to be honed in

00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.740
 and attentive

00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.840
 and careful

00:33:58.840 --> 00:33:59.980
 of watching your manners.

00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:00.940
 Are you not?

00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:01.840
 Right?

00:34:02.600 --> 00:34:05.200
 But imagine living daily,

00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:06.420
 every second of our life,

00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:08.440
 before the very face

00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.599
 of the living God.

00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:11.619
 That's the fear of God,

00:34:12.280 --> 00:34:13.619
 to live in awe

00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.360
 and reverence

00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:15.340
 and to imagine

00:34:15.340 --> 00:34:16.500
 how that will change

00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.500
 our posture

00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.880
 in our corporate worship.

00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.300
 Imagine how that would

00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:21.340
 change our posture

00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:22.159
 and attitude

00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:22.840
 and behavior

00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:24.019
 in the privacy

00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:24.739
 of our homes.

00:34:25.619 --> 00:34:26.820
 To live before

00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.579
 the face of God,

00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:29.079
 that's fear of God.

00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:31.019
 And you see this

00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:32.159
 everywhere in Abram

00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:33.019
 and Lot's interactions

00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.719
 with him.

00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:34.860
 They call him Lord.

00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:36.260
 We use it so much,

00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:37.539
 it loses force

00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.559
 of meaning in our minds,

00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:39.480
 but that's Master.

00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:40.679
 Master.

00:34:41.880 --> 00:34:42.360
 Master,

00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.380
 I am at your service.

00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:43.900
 Master,

00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.840
 I'm here to do

00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.280
 your bidding.

00:34:47.740 --> 00:34:49.039
 They bow to him

00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:49.780
 and Abram

00:34:49.780 --> 00:34:51.119
 is so tentative

00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:52.160
 as he approaches God.

00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:52.820
 Oh,

00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:54.460
 I undertake

00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:54.960
 him to speak

00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:55.360
 to the Lord.

00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:56.420
 I'm just dust and ashes.

00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:58.240
 Oh,

00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:58.940
 let not the Lord

00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.420
 be angry

00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:00.119
 and I'll speak.

00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:00.599
 Oh,

00:35:00.700 --> 00:35:01.220
 let not the Lord

00:35:01.220 --> 00:35:01.539
 be angry

00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:02.180
 and I'll speak again

00:35:02.180 --> 00:35:03.119
 just one more time.

00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:03.400
 Right?

00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:04.940
 This kind of fear

00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:05.340
 of God

00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:06.160
 is the normal

00:35:06.160 --> 00:35:07.139
 and natural

00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:08.559
 response of humanity

00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:09.519
 that relates to God

00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:10.039
 because God

00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:11.680
 punishes justly

00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:12.319
 and that is

00:35:12.319 --> 00:35:13.179
 God's rightful

00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:13.839
 prerogative.

00:35:14.799 --> 00:35:15.899
 And we are mistaken

00:35:15.899 --> 00:35:16.460
 when we think

00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:17.319
 that God's wrath

00:35:17.319 --> 00:35:17.940
 and punishment

00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:18.799
 of evildoers

00:35:18.799 --> 00:35:19.399
 is shocking

00:35:19.399 --> 00:35:20.299
 and scandalous.

00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:22.139
 It's not shocking.

00:35:22.399 --> 00:35:23.259
 It's not scandalous

00:35:23.259 --> 00:35:23.699
 for God

00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:24.719
 to punish the wicked.

00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:26.460
 What's shocking

00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:26.940
 and scandalous

00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:28.299
 is not God's wrath,

00:35:28.419 --> 00:35:29.579
 but it's God's grace,

00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:30.879
 His mercy

00:35:30.879 --> 00:35:31.639
 that's shocking

00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:32.819
 and scandalous.

00:35:33.199 --> 00:35:33.879
 And that's precisely

00:35:33.879 --> 00:35:35.059
 the point that theologian

00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:35.639
 D.A. Carson

00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:37.500
 makes in his wonderful book,

00:35:37.899 --> 00:35:39.299
 The Difficult Doctrine

00:35:39.299 --> 00:35:40.419
 of the Love of God.

00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:42.519
 Why does God

00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:43.380
 love sinners?

00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.940
 Why is God

00:35:44.940 --> 00:35:45.980
 gracious and merciful

00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:46.680
 toward people

00:35:46.680 --> 00:35:47.260
 who deserve

00:35:47.260 --> 00:35:48.180
 eternal punishment?

00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.500
 That is shocking

00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:51.139
 and that's scandalous.

00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:52.680
 And that leads us

00:35:52.680 --> 00:35:53.519
 to our second point.

00:35:53.820 --> 00:35:55.700
 God saves graciously

00:35:55.700 --> 00:35:56.659
 and we see this

00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:57.720
 in his remembrance

00:35:57.720 --> 00:35:58.280
 of Abram

00:35:58.280 --> 00:35:58.920
 and deliverance

00:35:58.920 --> 00:35:59.400
 of Lot.

00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:01.500
 After coming out

00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:01.940
 of the city,

00:36:02.300 --> 00:36:02.800
 one of the angels

00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:03.360
 said to Job,

00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.360
 Escape to the hills

00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:05.360
 lest you be swept away.

00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:06.800
 But Lot objects

00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:08.180
 in verses 18 to 20.

00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:08.820
 Read with me.

00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:10.340
 18 to 20 of chapter 19.

00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:12.440
 Oh no, my lords.

00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.039
 Behold,

00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:14.000
 your servant

00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:14.920
 has found favor

00:36:14.920 --> 00:36:15.480
 in your sight

00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.579
 and you have shown me

00:36:16.579 --> 00:36:17.280
 great kindness

00:36:17.280 --> 00:36:18.300
 in saving my life.

00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:19.539
 But I cannot escape

00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:20.059
 to the hills

00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:21.159
 lest the disaster

00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:22.019
 overtake me

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.619
 and I die.

00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:23.340
 Behold,

00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:24.400
 the city is near enough

00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:24.940
 to flee to

00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:25.720
 and is a little one.

00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:26.659
 Let me escape there.

00:36:26.700 --> 00:36:27.680
 Is it not a little one?

00:36:27.980 --> 00:36:28.880
 And my life

00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:30.420
 will be saved.

00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:32.280
 Now this scene

00:36:32.280 --> 00:36:32.880
 parallels

00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:34.400
 Abraham's intercession

00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:35.840
 on behalf of the righteous

00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:36.559
 in the Sodom.

00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:37.380
 There's a lot

00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:38.619
 of verbal parallels there.

00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:39.339
 Sweep away,

00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:39.799
 die,

00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:40.339
 spare,

00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:40.799
 granted.

00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:42.159
 They're all same words.

00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:43.960
 And in this,

00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:44.960
 but this parallel

00:36:44.960 --> 00:36:46.519
 exposes the main difference

00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:47.539
 because Abraham

00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.819
 is fending

00:36:48.819 --> 00:36:49.739
 for the righteous

00:36:49.739 --> 00:36:50.299
 in the city.

00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.179
 He's concerned

00:36:51.179 --> 00:36:53.699
 for God's righteousness

00:36:53.699 --> 00:36:54.619
 being vindicated.

00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:56.639
 But Lot is just concerned

00:36:56.639 --> 00:36:57.460
 for his own safety.

00:36:58.079 --> 00:36:58.739
 And you see this

00:36:58.739 --> 00:37:00.420
 because the word escape

00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:01.579
 occurs five times

00:37:01.579 --> 00:37:02.679
 and the word escape

00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:04.199
 rhymes with the name Lot.

00:37:04.400 --> 00:37:05.099
 And it sounds

00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:06.000
 like the name Lot.

00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:06.480
 So it's like

00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.460
 he just wants Lot,

00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:07.779
 Lot,

00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:08.619
 Lot to escape,

00:37:08.719 --> 00:37:09.339
 Lot to escape,

00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:09.960
 Lot to escape.

00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.860
 That's all he wants

00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:11.799
 in this passage.

00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:12.559
 So he says,

00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.559
 I cannot escape

00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:14.039
 to the hills

00:37:14.039 --> 00:37:14.880
 lest the disaster

00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:16.019
 overtake me and die.

00:37:16.759 --> 00:37:17.980
 So his basis

00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:19.059
 for appealing God

00:37:19.059 --> 00:37:19.799
 is just his own

00:37:19.799 --> 00:37:20.860
 weakness and convenience.

00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:22.559
 And so Lot's

00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.420
 certainly righteous,

00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:24.219
 relatively speaking,

00:37:24.319 --> 00:37:25.279
 compared to the Sodomites,

00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:26.500
 but he's no Abraham.

00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:28.440
 His is a relative righteousness,

00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:29.519
 not an absolute one.

00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:31.279
 And if you consider that,

00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:31.860
 Lot himself

00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:33.259
 certainly doesn't deserve

00:37:33.260 --> 00:37:34.160
 God's salvation.

00:37:34.560 --> 00:37:35.520
 Yet God grants

00:37:35.520 --> 00:37:36.880
 even this request

00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:37.900
 and why?

00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:39.700
 We see the answer

00:37:39.700 --> 00:37:41.140
 to that in chapter 19,

00:37:41.260 --> 00:37:42.840
 verse 19 and verse 21.

00:37:43.720 --> 00:37:44.380
 The Lord says,

00:37:44.580 --> 00:37:44.880
 behold,

00:37:45.240 --> 00:37:45.560
 well,

00:37:45.840 --> 00:37:46.940
 Lot says to the Lord,

00:37:47.040 --> 00:37:47.400
 behold,

00:37:47.700 --> 00:37:48.340
 your servant

00:37:48.340 --> 00:37:49.460
 has found favor

00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:50.200
 in your sight.

00:37:51.300 --> 00:37:52.040
 In verse 21,

00:37:52.140 --> 00:37:52.780
 the Lord replies,

00:37:52.900 --> 00:37:53.260
 behold,

00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:54.320
 I grant you

00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:56.100
 this favor also.

00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:58.080
 The word favor

00:37:58.080 --> 00:37:58.780
 is elsewhere

00:37:58.780 --> 00:38:00.120
 translated grace.

00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:02.380
 It's the same word

00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:03.220
 that Abraham used

00:38:03.220 --> 00:38:04.119
 in 18.3

00:38:04.119 --> 00:38:04.619
 when he said,

00:38:04.700 --> 00:38:04.900
 oh Lord,

00:38:04.940 --> 00:38:06.000
 if I have found favor

00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:06.539
 in your sight.

00:38:06.760 --> 00:38:07.340
 It's the same word

00:38:07.340 --> 00:38:07.720
 that was used

00:38:07.720 --> 00:38:08.640
 in Genesis 6.8

00:38:08.640 --> 00:38:08.980
 when it said,

00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:10.280
 Noah found favor

00:38:10.280 --> 00:38:11.059
 in the eyes of the Lord.

00:38:11.260 --> 00:38:12.119
 It's referring to

00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:13.880
 God's saving grace.

00:38:14.180 --> 00:38:15.500
 And grace is a gift,

00:38:15.800 --> 00:38:16.740
 something that we receive,

00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:17.980
 not because we earned it

00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:18.820
 or merited it,

00:38:18.860 --> 00:38:19.500
 but freely

00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:21.720
 out of God's sovereign grace.

00:38:21.960 --> 00:38:22.900
 That's what this is.

00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:23.800
 That's the favor.

00:38:24.079 --> 00:38:24.860
 That's the reason

00:38:24.860 --> 00:38:26.180
 why Lot is delivered,

00:38:26.180 --> 00:38:27.180
 not because of

00:38:27.180 --> 00:38:28.260
 his righteousness.

00:38:28.940 --> 00:38:30.280
 That's why in verse 29

00:38:30.280 --> 00:38:31.119
 of chapter 19,

00:38:31.119 --> 00:38:32.159
 after the destruction

00:38:32.159 --> 00:38:33.059
 of Sodom and Gomorrah,

00:38:33.460 --> 00:38:34.299
 it says that God

00:38:34.299 --> 00:38:35.940
 remembered Abraham

00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:37.579
 and sent Lot

00:38:37.579 --> 00:38:38.500
 out of the midst

00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.239
 of the overthrow.

00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.579
 It doesn't say

00:38:40.579 --> 00:38:42.159
 God remembered Lot.

00:38:43.400 --> 00:38:44.480
 It's because God

00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:45.539
 remembered Abraham

00:38:45.539 --> 00:38:46.420
 and the covenant

00:38:46.420 --> 00:38:47.279
 he made with him.

00:38:47.539 --> 00:38:48.519
 That's why Lot

00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.139
 is spared,

00:38:49.639 --> 00:38:50.380
 not because

00:38:50.380 --> 00:38:52.159
 of his own righteousness.

00:38:53.119 --> 00:38:54.139
 And Abraham, too,

00:38:54.179 --> 00:38:54.719
 is not saved

00:38:54.719 --> 00:38:55.880
 because of his own righteousness,

00:38:56.199 --> 00:38:57.400
 but because his faith

00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:58.299
 was counted to him

00:38:58.300 --> 00:38:58.740
 as righteous,

00:38:58.860 --> 00:38:59.160
 as it says

00:38:59.160 --> 00:39:00.000
 in chapter 15,

00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:01.640
 verse 6.

00:39:04.080 --> 00:39:04.560
 So,

00:39:05.080 --> 00:39:05.980
 then how can God

00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:07.780
 justify this grace?

00:39:08.160 --> 00:39:10.120
 How can he satisfy

00:39:10.120 --> 00:39:11.140
 his justice?

00:39:12.440 --> 00:39:14.260
 It's because of Jesus Christ,

00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:15.060
 the Son of God,

00:39:15.120 --> 00:39:16.120
 and what he did

00:39:16.120 --> 00:39:17.640
 in dying for our sins

00:39:17.640 --> 00:39:18.660
 on the cross.

00:39:19.260 --> 00:39:20.400
 God never lowers

00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:20.980
 his standards.

00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:22.320
 That's not what he's doing

00:39:22.320 --> 00:39:22.960
 here for Lot.

00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:24.760
 God is exacting

00:39:24.760 --> 00:39:25.480
 in his judgments,

00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:26.579
 and for that reason,

00:39:26.639 --> 00:39:27.440
 we can never hope

00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:28.460
 to attain salvation

00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.159
 for ourselves.

00:39:29.320 --> 00:39:30.659
 We'll always fall short.

00:39:31.219 --> 00:39:32.240
 But Jesus lived

00:39:32.240 --> 00:39:33.099
 the perfect life

00:39:33.099 --> 00:39:33.639
 of righteousness.

00:39:34.119 --> 00:39:35.019
 He merited,

00:39:35.240 --> 00:39:36.179
 earned salvation

00:39:36.179 --> 00:39:37.719
 on behalf of his people

00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:38.639
 and he died

00:39:38.639 --> 00:39:40.179
 so that his righteousness

00:39:40.179 --> 00:39:41.320
 can be counted

00:39:41.320 --> 00:39:42.360
 to us,

00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:43.300
 to our credit.

00:39:44.340 --> 00:39:45.500
 That's our source

00:39:45.500 --> 00:39:45.980
 of righteousness.

00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:46.940
 That's our source

00:39:46.940 --> 00:39:47.599
 of salvation.

00:39:48.599 --> 00:39:48.900
 You see,

00:39:48.980 --> 00:39:50.320
 Abraham was interceding

00:39:50.320 --> 00:39:51.199
 on behalf of Sodom,

00:39:51.260 --> 00:39:52.059
 but he failed.

00:39:52.320 --> 00:39:52.599
 Why?

00:39:52.599 --> 00:39:55.159
 Because there was not

00:39:55.159 --> 00:39:56.900
 a single righteous person

00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:57.460
 in Sodom

00:39:57.460 --> 00:39:58.440
 on whose account

00:39:58.440 --> 00:39:59.659
 God could spare the city.

00:40:00.440 --> 00:40:02.059
 But Jesus succeeds

00:40:02.059 --> 00:40:03.719
 in his intercession

00:40:03.719 --> 00:40:05.139
 on behalf of sinners

00:40:05.139 --> 00:40:07.099
 because he is himself

00:40:07.099 --> 00:40:09.000
 that one righteous person

00:40:09.000 --> 00:40:10.199
 on whose account

00:40:10.199 --> 00:40:12.000
 God can spare sinners

00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:13.539
 and still satisfy

00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:14.599
 his justice.

00:40:16.059 --> 00:40:17.579
 And what a glorious

00:40:17.579 --> 00:40:18.460
 privilege this is

00:40:18.460 --> 00:40:19.739
 because the Old Testament

00:40:19.739 --> 00:40:21.139
 saints always were

00:40:21.139 --> 00:40:22.980
 tentative and fearful

00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:24.099
 and apprehensive

00:40:24.099 --> 00:40:24.699
 in their approach

00:40:24.699 --> 00:40:25.179
 to God

00:40:25.179 --> 00:40:26.239
 because Jesus

00:40:26.239 --> 00:40:27.219
 had not yet come.

00:40:27.619 --> 00:40:28.059
 But he says

00:40:28.059 --> 00:40:29.000
 in Ephesians 3.12

00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:29.500
 for us,

00:40:29.779 --> 00:40:30.759
 in Christ we have

00:40:30.759 --> 00:40:32.219
 boldness and access

00:40:32.219 --> 00:40:32.980
 with confidence

00:40:32.980 --> 00:40:34.000
 through our faith in him.

00:40:34.379 --> 00:40:35.940
 It says in Hebrews 4.16,

00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:37.319
 let us then with confidence

00:40:37.319 --> 00:40:38.699
 draw near to the throne

00:40:38.699 --> 00:40:39.219
 of grace

00:40:39.219 --> 00:40:40.559
 that we may receive mercy

00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:41.539
 and find grace

00:40:41.539 --> 00:40:43.279
 to help in time of need.

00:40:43.980 --> 00:40:45.099
 So if you think

00:40:45.099 --> 00:40:45.519
 of yourself

00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:46.339
 as approaching God

00:40:46.339 --> 00:40:46.900
 when we approach

00:40:46.900 --> 00:40:47.619
 God's quarters,

00:40:48.219 --> 00:40:48.359
 you know,

00:40:48.400 --> 00:40:49.460
 don't come with this

00:40:49.460 --> 00:40:50.139
 tentative,

00:40:50.599 --> 00:40:51.519
 barely audible

00:40:51.519 --> 00:40:52.440
 knock on the door.

00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:53.679
 No,

00:40:53.800 --> 00:40:55.059
 barge in with the key

00:40:55.059 --> 00:40:56.059
 because we have the key

00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:56.880
 in Jesus Christ

00:40:56.880 --> 00:40:57.940
 because we're his adopted

00:40:57.940 --> 00:40:59.179
 sons and daughters

00:40:59.179 --> 00:41:00.159
 and have confidence

00:41:00.159 --> 00:41:01.400
 that you can be

00:41:01.400 --> 00:41:02.460
 in the presence of God.

00:41:03.679 --> 00:41:04.920
 When you feel

00:41:04.920 --> 00:41:06.720
 crestfallen with guilt,

00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:07.559
 when you feel

00:41:07.559 --> 00:41:09.240
 downtrodden by sorrow

00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:09.960
 and worry,

00:41:10.960 --> 00:41:12.159
 think on this

00:41:12.159 --> 00:41:13.400
 and let your heart

00:41:13.400 --> 00:41:14.480
 fill with the joy

00:41:14.480 --> 00:41:15.139
 and gratitude

00:41:15.139 --> 00:41:15.900
 that comes

00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.720
 from knowing

00:41:16.719 --> 00:41:18.239
 this great salvation.

00:41:19.559 --> 00:41:20.699
 This is what leads us

00:41:20.699 --> 00:41:22.000
 not just to fear God

00:41:22.000 --> 00:41:23.199
 but also to love him.

00:41:25.279 --> 00:41:26.259
 And let me speak

00:41:26.259 --> 00:41:27.500
 briefly to those of you

00:41:27.500 --> 00:41:28.459
 who have not yet trusted

00:41:28.459 --> 00:41:29.759
 in Jesus Christ

00:41:29.759 --> 00:41:30.480
 for salvation

00:41:30.480 --> 00:41:32.259
 because this salvation

00:41:32.259 --> 00:41:33.319
 is not yet yours

00:41:33.319 --> 00:41:35.079
 but it can be.

00:41:36.219 --> 00:41:37.299
 So I want to entreat you

00:41:37.299 --> 00:41:37.980
 today,

00:41:38.099 --> 00:41:38.739
 turn with me

00:41:38.739 --> 00:41:39.879
 just one last time

00:41:39.879 --> 00:41:42.480
 to chapter 19,

00:41:42.579 --> 00:41:43.139
 verse 28.

00:41:43.619 --> 00:41:44.500
 After God's judgment

00:41:44.500 --> 00:41:44.940
 of Sodom,

00:41:45.000 --> 00:41:45.260
 it says,

00:41:45.800 --> 00:41:46.300
 Behold,

00:41:46.539 --> 00:41:47.980
 the smoke of the land

00:41:47.980 --> 00:41:49.039
 went up like

00:41:49.039 --> 00:41:51.179
 the smoke of a furnace.

00:41:52.760 --> 00:41:53.719
 Does that remind you

00:41:53.719 --> 00:41:54.460
 of anything we've seen

00:41:54.460 --> 00:41:55.159
 so far in Genesis?

00:41:58.099 --> 00:41:59.960
 Remember chapter 15,

00:42:00.059 --> 00:42:00.719
 verse 17,

00:42:00.920 --> 00:42:02.280
 when God appeared

00:42:02.280 --> 00:42:03.280
 in the covenant-making

00:42:03.280 --> 00:42:04.920
 oath sign with Abram?

00:42:05.440 --> 00:42:05.719
 It says,

00:42:05.780 --> 00:42:07.039
 When the sun had gone down

00:42:07.039 --> 00:42:07.500
 and it was dark,

00:42:07.559 --> 00:42:07.840
 behold,

00:42:07.920 --> 00:42:09.539
 a smoking fire pot

00:42:09.539 --> 00:42:11.619
 and a flaming torch

00:42:11.619 --> 00:42:12.719
 passed between

00:42:12.719 --> 00:42:14.219
 these pieces.

00:42:14.980 --> 00:42:15.759
 Those are not

00:42:15.759 --> 00:42:17.179
 the exact same Hebrew words

00:42:17.179 --> 00:42:18.339
 but the image it invokes

00:42:18.339 --> 00:42:19.159
 is the same.

00:42:19.859 --> 00:42:21.099
 A smoke coming out

00:42:21.099 --> 00:42:21.679
 of a furnace,

00:42:21.859 --> 00:42:22.339
 a kiln,

00:42:22.699 --> 00:42:23.119
 a kiln.

00:42:23.299 --> 00:42:24.980
 And that's the language used,

00:42:25.199 --> 00:42:25.980
 exact same language

00:42:25.980 --> 00:42:26.579
 that's used here

00:42:26.579 --> 00:42:27.239
 in this chapter

00:42:27.239 --> 00:42:28.139
 is used later

00:42:28.139 --> 00:42:28.959
 in Exodus 19,

00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:29.959
 18 to refer to

00:42:29.959 --> 00:42:30.599
 God's presence

00:42:30.599 --> 00:42:31.659
 on Mount Sinai.

00:42:33.299 --> 00:42:34.679
 So what's going on here?

00:42:34.839 --> 00:42:35.799
 So God's presence

00:42:35.799 --> 00:42:37.019
 is marked by fire

00:42:37.019 --> 00:42:37.879
 and smoke

00:42:37.879 --> 00:42:39.239
 and your fate

00:42:39.239 --> 00:42:39.859
 is determined

00:42:39.859 --> 00:42:40.739
 by whether or not

00:42:40.739 --> 00:42:42.299
 you're in proper relationship

00:42:42.300 --> 00:42:43.380
 to that fire.

00:42:44.840 --> 00:42:46.480
 God is a consuming fire

00:42:46.480 --> 00:42:47.320
 it says Hebrews 12,

00:42:47.400 --> 00:42:48.300
 28 to 29.

00:42:48.560 --> 00:42:50.320
 Now if he's a consuming fire

00:42:50.320 --> 00:42:51.120
 and if you are

00:42:51.120 --> 00:42:52.060
 in right relationship

00:42:52.060 --> 00:42:52.680
 with God

00:42:52.680 --> 00:42:54.260
 in faith and obedience

00:42:54.260 --> 00:42:55.260
 then that's when

00:42:55.260 --> 00:42:55.860
 you experience

00:42:55.860 --> 00:42:56.400
 the warmth

00:42:56.400 --> 00:42:58.120
 and light of the fire

00:42:58.120 --> 00:42:59.660
 and get to live by it.

00:43:00.800 --> 00:43:01.580
 But if you are

00:43:01.580 --> 00:43:02.800
 in wrong relationship

00:43:02.800 --> 00:43:03.380
 with him

00:43:03.380 --> 00:43:04.039
 of sin

00:43:04.039 --> 00:43:05.180
 and unbelief

00:43:05.180 --> 00:43:05.820
 and rebellion

00:43:05.820 --> 00:43:07.260
 then you experience

00:43:07.260 --> 00:43:08.820
 the incinerating flames

00:43:08.820 --> 00:43:09.780
 of his jealousy.

00:43:09.780 --> 00:43:11.380
 it depends on

00:43:11.380 --> 00:43:12.180
 what relationship

00:43:12.180 --> 00:43:12.860
 you are in

00:43:12.860 --> 00:43:14.019
 with this consuming fire.

00:43:16.019 --> 00:43:17.019
 Jesus warned

00:43:17.019 --> 00:43:18.640
 in Matthew 10, 15

00:43:18.640 --> 00:43:19.740
 that it would be

00:43:19.740 --> 00:43:20.620
 more bearable

00:43:20.620 --> 00:43:21.380
 for people

00:43:21.380 --> 00:43:23.600
 who are in Sodom and Gomorrah

00:43:23.600 --> 00:43:25.060
 than for those people

00:43:25.060 --> 00:43:25.600
 who reject

00:43:25.600 --> 00:43:26.700
 his messengers today.

00:43:26.699 --> 00:43:32.159
 Jesus warns in Luke 17,

00:43:32.239 --> 00:43:32.939
 28 to 30

00:43:32.939 --> 00:43:34.359
 just as

00:43:34.359 --> 00:43:35.960
 it was in the days

00:43:35.960 --> 00:43:36.399
 of Lot

00:43:36.399 --> 00:43:36.960
 they were eating

00:43:36.960 --> 00:43:37.599
 and drinking

00:43:37.599 --> 00:43:38.539
 buying and selling

00:43:38.539 --> 00:43:39.619
 planting and building

00:43:39.619 --> 00:43:40.519
 but on the day

00:43:40.519 --> 00:43:41.319
 when Lot went out

00:43:41.319 --> 00:43:41.859
 from Sodom

00:43:41.859 --> 00:43:42.919
 fire and sulfur

00:43:42.919 --> 00:43:44.059
 rained from heaven

00:43:44.059 --> 00:43:45.019
 and destroyed them all

00:43:45.019 --> 00:43:46.079
 so it will be

00:43:46.079 --> 00:43:46.599
 on the day

00:43:46.599 --> 00:43:47.419
 when the Son of Man

00:43:47.419 --> 00:43:48.119
 is revealed.

00:43:48.679 --> 00:43:49.739
 Don't go about

00:43:49.739 --> 00:43:50.859
 your daily business

00:43:50.859 --> 00:43:51.819
 oblivious

00:43:51.819 --> 00:43:53.460
 to the return

00:43:53.460 --> 00:43:54.359
 of the Son of God

00:43:54.360 --> 00:43:56.039
 because the King

00:43:56.039 --> 00:43:56.840
 will return

00:43:56.840 --> 00:43:57.559
 the first time

00:43:57.559 --> 00:43:58.559
 he came to save

00:43:58.559 --> 00:43:59.880
 the second time

00:43:59.880 --> 00:44:00.400
 he will come

00:44:00.400 --> 00:44:01.300
 to judge the earth.

00:44:04.059 --> 00:44:05.420
 We are to fear

00:44:05.420 --> 00:44:07.120
 and love God

00:44:07.120 --> 00:44:08.000
 because he is

00:44:08.000 --> 00:44:08.620
 the judge

00:44:08.620 --> 00:44:09.980
 of all the earth

00:44:09.980 --> 00:44:11.039
 who punishes

00:44:11.039 --> 00:44:11.599
 justly

00:44:11.599 --> 00:44:12.760
 and saves

00:44:12.760 --> 00:44:13.660
 graciously.

00:44:13.660 --> 00:44:14.599
 Let's pray together.

00:44:14.599 --> 00:44:21.259
 God, we want to

00:44:21.259 --> 00:44:22.299
 live

00:44:22.299 --> 00:44:23.880
 according to the truth

00:44:23.880 --> 00:44:25.139
 of your word

00:44:25.139 --> 00:44:25.539
 here

00:44:25.539 --> 00:44:26.480
 in Genesis

00:44:26.480 --> 00:44:28.839
 18 and 19.

00:44:30.199 --> 00:44:30.839
 Lord, we don't want

00:44:30.839 --> 00:44:31.420
 to live

00:44:31.420 --> 00:44:33.239
 in our own righteousness.

00:44:33.839 --> 00:44:34.779
 We don't want to live

00:44:34.779 --> 00:44:36.239
 in our own confidence

00:44:36.239 --> 00:44:39.159
 bluffing our way

00:44:39.159 --> 00:44:39.900
 through this life.

00:44:39.900 --> 00:44:43.220
 help us

00:44:43.220 --> 00:44:44.200
 as a church

00:44:44.200 --> 00:44:45.039
 to be wholly

00:44:45.039 --> 00:44:45.920
 dependent on you

00:44:45.920 --> 00:44:49.019
 so that we may

00:44:49.019 --> 00:44:49.880
 live in light

00:44:49.880 --> 00:44:50.180
 of the

00:44:50.180 --> 00:44:52.180
 light and warmth

00:44:52.180 --> 00:44:53.519
 of the consuming fire

00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:55.460
 captured by

00:44:55.460 --> 00:44:56.660
 the love of the Father

00:44:56.660 --> 00:45:00.340
 in the grace

00:45:00.340 --> 00:45:01.440
 of the Lord Jesus Christ

00:45:01.440 --> 00:45:02.900
 and the presence

00:45:02.900 --> 00:45:03.619
 and the fellowship

00:45:03.619 --> 00:45:04.240
 of the Spirit.

00:45:05.200 --> 00:45:06.260
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:45:06.820 --> 00:45:07.079
 Amen.