WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.759 We're back in the book of Genesis this week, continuing on Abraham, and we've been talking about the theme of waiting in faith. 00:00:08.259 --> 00:00:13.740 And actually talking to all of you guys, it's been great hearing your reflections on this topic. 00:00:13.740 --> 00:00:22.580 I think we can all relate to the topic of waiting, to the anxiety, the disappointment that comes with it, or the itch to do it ourselves when we're waiting. 00:00:23.500 --> 00:00:27.519 We left off midway through Genesis chapter 18 last week. 00:00:28.219 --> 00:00:39.420 And there, in the middle of their waiting, God finally gave Abraham and Sarah a timeline, that he will return this time next year, and Sarah will have a son. 00:00:39.420 --> 00:00:45.780 That's where we left off. And James shared last week this quote, that waiting time is not wasting time. 00:00:46.119 --> 00:00:48.519 That waiting time is not wasting time. 00:00:48.520 --> 00:00:55.480 And because it's in those 24 years, Abraham, in his waiting, he grew in intimacy with God. 00:00:55.540 --> 00:00:57.460 He grew to know God in the waiting. 00:00:58.180 --> 00:01:04.620 And that intimacy, the relationship and access to God that we have, that's what we're going to focus on today. 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:08.560 The access, relationship, intimacy we have with God. 00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:14.939 Now, when I was in university, I did an internship at this tech company in California. 00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:24.939 And every now and then, we'd have like a big all-hands company meeting where the CEO would come up and say a few words, show his face, and just generic corporate things. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:27.280 So one time, the CEO said this. 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:30.840 He said, you know, my door is always open to you. 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:32.859 If you knock, my door is open. 00:01:32.939 --> 00:01:33.820 I'm always available. 00:01:33.819 --> 00:01:35.699 But I was skeptical. 00:01:35.839 --> 00:01:39.299 I was sitting with some other interns and we thought, no way. 00:01:39.419 --> 00:01:40.679 He's just saying this. 00:01:40.739 --> 00:01:41.959 That's just corporate speak. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:44.879 You know, they always say these things, but they never mean it. 00:01:45.259 --> 00:01:49.439 So I won't believe it unless I go and test this. 00:01:49.819 --> 00:01:50.679 Let's test him. 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:58.560 So a bunch of us interns, we decided on the last day of our internship, because we were scared like if anything went wrong, 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:07.340 we were just going to go to the CEO's door and knock and see if he stands by his word that if we knock, his door is open. 00:02:08.159 --> 00:02:14.780 So we snuck upstairs to his office and then we stood outside the door and we're like, so who's going to knock? 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:15.920 You knock. 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:16.900 No, you knock. 00:02:16.960 --> 00:02:20.039 Because we were all checking him out a bit because we're interns. 00:02:20.159 --> 00:02:20.740 He's the CEO. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:21.340 He's busy. 00:02:21.539 --> 00:02:22.680 He's got lots of things to do. 00:02:22.740 --> 00:02:23.960 He doesn't care about us. 00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:32.300 But anyways, when we finally got courage to do that, to knock on his door, we were surprised that he was actually quite friendly. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:37.280 He invited us into his office and we had this pleasant, it was just a short 10 minute chat with him. 00:02:37.760 --> 00:02:43.580 He was pretty surprised that we actually came to find him, but he was actually pretty friendly and he stood by his word. 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:53.180 But I realized that we often treat God the same way that maybe my friends and I, our interns, we treated that CEO. 00:02:53.180 --> 00:03:00.300 We know that God's door is always open, but maybe we think that he's got all these 8 billion people to care about. 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:03.560 He's got galaxies to spin, planets that he needs to keep in orbit. 00:03:03.760 --> 00:03:07.180 He's too high up to care about my problems. 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:08.280 Will he listen to me? 00:03:08.740 --> 00:03:15.180 Because what right does someone like me have to go and stand before God? 00:03:16.600 --> 00:03:20.379 Unlike the story I shared, our access to God is even better. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:23.040 We don't have to be afraid to approach God. 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:31.519 We can boldly go to him, not just as an intern going to CEO, but as a child going to a father, as a friend going to a friend. 00:03:32.079 --> 00:03:34.159 And we see this in the second half of Genesis 18. 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:40.079 Here, God has some pretty difficult news to share with Abraham. 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:47.340 It's some pretty heavy news that he will go and destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:51.640 God is going to rain down fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:03:52.319 --> 00:04:02.199 But we see in this, Abraham has the privilege to pray boldly, to go to God, stand between God and Sodom and intercede on their behalf. 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:03.800 Pray to God for mercy. 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:12.040 Because Abraham is someone known by God, in relationship with God, he has the ability to plead with God to spare the two cities. 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:13.880 And we'll see that's the same for us. 00:04:14.020 --> 00:04:23.199 We, as friends of God, have the privilege to pray to him, the righteous judge of all the earth, because we also have a perfect intercessor. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:25.399 We have that privilege to go to him. 00:04:26.159 --> 00:04:31.259 And so we'll read from Genesis 18, verses 16 to 33. 00:04:31.879 --> 00:04:34.959 We normally stand, but I won't ask you to do that because we're on Zoom. 00:04:35.399 --> 00:04:40.620 You can if you want to, but I'll read for us from Genesis 18, verses 16 to 33. 00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:46.000 Then the men set out from there, and they looked down towards Sodom. 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:49.220 And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:53.300 The Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 00:04:53.740 --> 00:05:00.060 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:08.280 For I have chosen him that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:11.979 so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised to him. 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:18.059 Then the Lord said, Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is very grave, 00:05:18.299 --> 00:05:23.359 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. 00:05:23.719 --> 00:05:25.419 And if not, I will know. 00:05:26.179 --> 00:05:28.619 So the men turned from there and went towards Sodom. 00:05:28.779 --> 00:05:31.319 But Abraham still stood before the Lord. 00:05:31.619 --> 00:05:37.599 Then Abraham drew near and said, Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:40.719 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. 00:05:41.239 --> 00:05:46.299 Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 00:05:47.059 --> 00:05:51.599 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:53.739 so that the righteous fare as the wicked. 00:05:54.299 --> 00:05:55.419 Far be that from you. 00:05:56.019 --> 00:05:59.619 Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just? 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:06.540 And the Lord said, If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:12.000 Abraham answered and said, Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. 00:06:12.340 --> 00:06:17.879 I who am but dust and ashes, suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. 00:06:18.459 --> 00:06:20.860 Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five? 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:24.879 And he said, I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there. 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:28.860 Again he spoke to him and said, Suppose forty are found there. 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:31.740 He answered, For the sake of forty I will not do it. 00:06:32.319 --> 00:06:35.360 Then he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak. 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:37.340 Suppose thirty are found there. 00:06:37.860 --> 00:06:40.600 He answered, I will not do it if I find thirty there. 00:06:41.300 --> 00:06:44.220 He said, Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:46.040 Suppose twenty are found there. 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:49.660 He answered, For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it. 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:55.280 Then he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak again but this once. 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:57.480 Suppose ten are found there. 00:06:58.220 --> 00:07:01.480 He answered, For the sake of ten I will not destroy it. 00:07:01.940 --> 00:07:04.960 And the Lord went his way when he had finished speaking to Abraham. 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:07.560 And Abraham returned to his place. 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:09.820 This is the word of the Lord. 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:21.159 Yeah, so first thing we see here in this passage is that we have access to God in relation to God as friends of God. 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:23.819 We'll pick up from verse 16 here. 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:28.639 It says, Then the men set out from there and they looked down towards Sodom. 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:31.279 And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. 00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:32.620 Now who are these men? 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:42.740 We heard last week that the Lord, that's the personal name for God, Yahweh, the Lord, personally visited Abraham and shared a meal with him. 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:46.639 We talked about Abraham's hospitality last week to his guests. 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:51.740 Abraham prepared bread, yogurt, slaughtered a calf, had beef for his visitors. 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:55.040 And when you meet up with your friends, what do you normally say? 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:57.600 We ask them, Let's grab lunch. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:07:58.420 Let's get dinner. 00:07:58.519 --> 00:07:59.300 Let's get coffee. 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:01.860 Because food brings people together. 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:04.620 And we can't do it today, unfortunately. 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:07.139 But that's why we normally go to the 14th floor. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:09.460 We bring our takeout up there and share a meal. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:12.540 We share a meal together after service every week. 00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:15.340 Abraham shared a meal with the Lord. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:17.019 That's the relationship they had. 00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:20.420 And that brings us to the next verse, verse 17 also. 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:25.520 So the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:28.360 Now notice how God phrases this. 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:31.640 He doesn't say, Shall I tell Abraham? 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:33.740 Shall I tell him what I'm about to do? 00:08:33.820 --> 00:08:35.060 He says it differently. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:36.860 Shall I hide from Abraham? 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:41.820 It's as if Abraham had this right to know what God was about to do. 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:43.100 And shall I hide it from him? 00:08:43.100 --> 00:08:49.180 So for example, today, Jojo, my wife, is in Thailand with her brother-in-law. 00:08:49.560 --> 00:08:51.180 With her brother, my brother-in-law. 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:54.159 So I'm sharing this with you guys. 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:55.460 She could share this with you guys. 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:59.820 But she wouldn't go and say, Shall I hide from the church that I'm going to Thailand? 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:04.200 Because, you know, as much as we're one family, we want to get to know one another. 00:09:04.660 --> 00:09:08.320 There's no expectation that we share every detail with your life. 00:09:08.379 --> 00:09:09.540 We might choose to do that. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:17.620 But if she went to Thailand and didn't tell me that one day I just woke up and she was gone in Thailand, I'd be pretty surprised. 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:23.480 And we have that relationship, that closeness and intimacy where that default is to share. 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:27.519 And so then the question is, Shall I hide what I'm about to do? 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:31.899 And Abraham had that closeness, intimacy with God. 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:40.379 And that's why in the Bible, for example, James chapter 2, verse 23, Abraham is called a friend of God. 00:09:40.580 --> 00:09:41.919 He's a friend of God. 00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:49.519 And that closeness, that friendship, relationship exists because God chose to make a covenant with Abraham. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:53.819 God said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I'm about to do? 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:56.860 And in verse 19, For I have chosen him. 00:09:57.139 --> 00:10:02.439 I've chosen to make him a great nation, make his descendants more numerous than the stars. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:03.639 I've chosen him. 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:09.740 That closeness comes from the fact that God chose to make a covenant with Abraham. 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:14.500 And that word chosen in verse 19 also carries that sense of being known. 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:18.580 Being known, there's this footnote in your Bibles about that. 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:20.899 The Lord is saying, I know Abraham. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:22.759 I've chosen him personally. 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:24.759 Shall I hide this from him? 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:27.580 That's the closeness they have. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:32.379 And for us, if we know Christ, if we know Jesus, the same is true for us. 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:34.200 We have this relationship with God. 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:40.740 In John chapter 15, Jesus says, No longer do I call you servants, but I have called you friends. 00:10:41.180 --> 00:10:45.620 For all that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:48.900 You did not choose me, but I chose you. 00:10:49.560 --> 00:10:54.520 We are friends of God, adopted as children of God, because we're chosen by him. 00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:58.740 We're known by him and have a close and intimate relationship with him. 00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:04.440 The CEO, when I knocked on his door, I mentioned he was friendly for a 10-minute chat. 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:07.919 He was willing to entertain us that one time. 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:14.340 But I bet you, if we tried to pull that off the second time, third time, fourth time, he'd tell us to knock it off. 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:18.500 At some point, he'd say, Stop wasting my time because you have nothing important to say to me. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:20.960 But God isn't like that. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:24.799 He's not just our boss who's way high up. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:26.159 He knows our name. 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:28.440 He's happy when we come to him. 00:11:29.020 --> 00:11:31.600 And he doesn't just slot us in for a quick 10-minute meeting. 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:33.040 He invites us. 00:11:33.140 --> 00:11:35.660 He wants us there with him for all eternity. 00:11:36.260 --> 00:11:37.620 He wants us to know him. 00:11:38.160 --> 00:11:39.720 That's the access we have to God. 00:11:39.800 --> 00:11:42.440 We are friends of God and children of God. 00:11:43.520 --> 00:11:47.100 But God brings some heavy news to his friend. 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:53.000 That judgment is coming to Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:11:53.560 --> 00:11:57.340 See, the Lord is a personal, intimate, friendly God. 00:11:57.340 --> 00:12:02.860 But at the same time, he is also the holy, righteous judge of all the earth. 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:05.700 Sometimes God promises us blessing. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:08.340 He says to Abraham, You will have a child next year. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:10.300 Throughout this time next year, I will return. 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:11.860 Sarah will have a son. 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:14.840 Also, God discloses punishment. 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:19.580 He will destroy Sodom on account of their grievous sin. 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:23.200 And we won't get into the weeds of what Sodom's sin is today. 00:12:23.400 --> 00:12:25.240 It's more clear in the next chapter. 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:28.860 But today, we will just see that God deals with sin. 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:31.900 And when he does, his punishment is just. 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:40.059 In verse 20, the Lord says that he will go down and see if Sodom's sin is as bad as the outcry that comes to him. 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:45.139 It's strange that God says that because we know that God knows everything. 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:46.340 He is omniscient. 00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:49.100 He already knows what's going on in Sodom. 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:50.379 He knows what's going on. 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:52.519 He's also omnipresent. 00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:53.539 He is everywhere. 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:58.039 He doesn't need to take a stroll down to Sodom to take a look. 00:12:58.659 --> 00:13:01.079 He already knows what's going on in Sodom. 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:04.700 But God says he will go down and see. 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:10.460 God says this to show to Abraham that his justice is careful. 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:12.080 It's not arbitrary. 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:16.540 It's not by just an emotional decision. 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:19.820 His judgment doesn't come based on a whim. 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:24.480 God is, when it comes to justice, he's measured and deliberate. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:26.879 Even reluctant to bring punishment. 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:30.620 Punishes sin, but he drags his feet to do it. 00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:36.160 He's a God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:43.399 And just as there's judgment for Sodom, that God warns Abraham judgment is coming for Sodom. 00:13:43.719 --> 00:13:48.539 The Bible also says that a day is coming when Jesus will return and judge the world. 00:13:48.719 --> 00:13:56.419 And 2 Thessalonians were warned that a day is coming when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels and flaming fire, 00:13:56.419 --> 00:14:02.959 inflicting vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 00:14:02.959 --> 00:14:10.539 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:14.659 This is the heavy truth. 00:14:15.939 --> 00:14:17.319 But this is the word of God. 00:14:18.219 --> 00:14:19.699 And we have a choice to make. 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:25.219 We can hear this and choose to walk away and say, I will never worship a God like that. 00:14:25.299 --> 00:14:29.379 I can't wrap my head around how a God like that can love us. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:34.179 I encourage us to follow instead in Abraham's footsteps. 00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:36.279 He doesn't fully understand. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:39.139 He doesn't see the full picture, but he trusts his friend. 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:42.379 He trusts the God that he's walked with for 24 years. 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:44.439 And he holds on to God's goodness. 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:46.299 We see that in verse 25. 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:47.059 He trusts. 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:50.919 Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just? 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:54.820 Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just? 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:56.420 That's what Abraham believes. 00:14:57.260 --> 00:15:05.700 God's justice move Abraham, not to turn away from God, but to run towards God and pray and intercede for Sodom. 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:08.700 Abraham doesn't doubt God's goodness. 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:11.300 Instead, he appeals to it. 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.879 He appeals to God's heart. 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:16.660 And for that reason, Abraham begins to pray. 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:21.740 He prays to intercede for Sodom, to plead for mercy for Sodom. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:28.379 And that's what we see next, that we have access to God in prayer, to the righteous judge in prayer. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.200 Look at verse 24. 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:31.000 It says, 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:36.759 So the man turned from there and went towards Sodom, but Abraham stood still before the Lord. 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:39.259 Then Abraham drew near. 00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:40.700 He drew near. 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:45.519 That's essentially what prayer is, to draw near to God and speak with him. 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:51.000 And like Abraham, we have that privilege to draw near, to approach God and pray. 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:54.860 Abraham demonstrates for us here a good posture for prayer. 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:59.740 He prays with bold reverence, with bold reverence. 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:01.679 He's both reverent and he's bold. 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:02.980 He's reverent. 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:05.460 He has this healthy fear of God. 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:06.539 He respects God. 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:09.039 He knows who God is and who he is. 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.620 He says in verse 27, 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:13.560 Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:16.039 I who am but dust and ashes. 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.759 God is the creator. 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:19.299 We are his creation. 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:23.539 We're sinful human beings standing before a holy creator. 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:29.620 The gap between us and God is like the gap between an intern and a CEO, but infinitely greater than that. 00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:35.080 And so what right does Abraham have to make any demands from God? 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:38.720 Abraham approaches with reverence. 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:42.320 At the same time, Abraham is bold. 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:48.639 He's bold because of the relationship and friendship, that intimacy he has with God. 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:51.439 He knows that he has a way to God. 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:55.139 The door is open to his father and friend. 00:16:56.039 --> 00:17:01.299 And so Abraham, he draws near to God to intercede for Sodom and plead for mercy on their behalf. 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:04.299 In verse 23, Abraham asks God, 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:07.819 Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:10.680 Suppose there are 50 righteous in the city. 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:15.579 Will you sweep away the place and not spare it for the 50 righteous who are in it? 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:18.240 Abraham approaches God boldly. 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:24.319 He asks, if there are 50 people, 50 righteous people, can you have mercy on the city? 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.139 But he goes further than that. 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.339 He doesn't just stop at 50. 00:17:27.919 --> 00:17:30.299 And when we hear this, it almost sounds like a negotiation. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:33.220 It sounds like Abraham is haggling on carousel. 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:34.799 He's trying to negotiate the price down. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:38.740 You know, 50 down to 45, 40, 30, 20, 10. 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:44.259 And at the end, God agrees to spare this whole city of Sodom, this wicked city, 00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:48.599 if he can find just 10 righteous people in it. 00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:51.700 If there are 10 righteous people, he will spare the city. 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:56.099 That's the result of Abraham boldly going to God in prayer. 00:17:56.099 --> 00:18:04.339 However, on carousel, the difference is when you're haggling, we compromise to meet in the middle. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:05.519 Right? 00:18:05.719 --> 00:18:09.159 If you want to sell something for 50, I ought to buy for 40. 00:18:09.419 --> 00:18:12.039 We might split the difference and sell for 45. 00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:12.839 We'll meet in the middle. 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:17.819 But every time Abraham asks God, look what God says. 00:18:17.879 --> 00:18:19.299 He just grants the request. 00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:21.419 There's no pushback. 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.619 There's no counteroffer. 00:18:22.679 --> 00:18:24.079 It's just yes. 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:26.879 So here, this isn't a negotiation. 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:29.799 This is different from what we do on carousel. 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:38.740 God is allowing Abraham, God is inviting Abraham to come to him and ask him for what's on God's heart. 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:46.480 He's inviting Abraham to intercede, not to twist God's will to do something God doesn't want him to do. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.279 God doesn't want to do. 00:18:48.619 --> 00:18:55.000 He's inviting Abraham to come to know the great mercy, the depths of the mercy in God's heart, 00:18:55.000 --> 00:19:00.759 God's compassion for the city of Sodom and to intercede and pray in line with God's heart. 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:08.680 Abraham is able to pray with boldness because he's praying on the basis of God's character. 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:10.079 He's a friend of God. 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:13.039 He knows who God is and appeals to his heart. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:15.299 Abraham knows God is just. 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.660 In verse 25, it says, 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:21.099 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked. 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:25.480 Far be that from you shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just. 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:28.179 Abraham knows God is just. 00:19:28.459 --> 00:19:29.579 He talks about justice. 00:19:29.939 --> 00:19:34.899 But notice also he's appealing to God's mercy, not just justice, but mercy. 00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:41.319 Because even if there were just 10 righteous people in the city, God could do something else. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:47.119 He could just take them out of the city and destroy everything else. 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:49.619 He could save the righteous, destroy the wicked. 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:51.119 God would be just to do that. 00:19:51.679 --> 00:19:55.259 But we see that God's justice and mercy are wrapped together. 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:58.379 God is merciful in his judgment. 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.000 That's God's heart. 00:20:00.919 --> 00:20:05.099 His heart is one that is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and mercy. 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:08.819 Abraham knows who God is, so he can pray boldly. 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:13.399 And for us, the question is then, do we know the heart of God? 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:24.600 Do we have such intimacy with him, closeness with him, that his heart becomes our heart and that we're moved to pray for the things that he cares about? 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:27.500 Do we care for the lost? 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:33.620 Do we have the same compassion that drove the father to send Christ to die for us? 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:35.759 For those who are lost? 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:39.659 Do we care about those who have no hope without the cross of Christ? 00:20:40.459 --> 00:20:43.239 Are we concerned for the poor and oppressed? 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:52.859 And actually part of Sodom's sin, it says in Ezekiel 16, is that they had pride, excess of food, prosperous seas, but did not aid the poor and needy. 00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:55.319 It's fitting that we just talked about KFCC. 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:58.179 There's things that we can do to care for those in need. 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:01.579 Do we care for those who are marginalized and mistreated? 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:11.959 If we find our prayer lives weak and stale, I wonder if it's because we're drifting away from the heart of God. 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:16.639 If our prayers are only things like, God, help me with this exam. 00:21:16.719 --> 00:21:17.539 Give me good grades. 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:20.339 Help me to have that promotion so that I can make more money. 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:21.039 Take it easy. 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:22.079 Enjoy life. 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:25.699 It's understandable why we might not be so bold to pray. 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:40.960 But we can pray with conviction when we know that what's on our heart, what we ask for, what's the deepest desire of our hearts aligns with what God wants, what his promises are, and are backed by his revelation about himself. 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:50.359 And one way to do that is to root our prayers in scripture, in what God says about himself, about his heart, and what he promises us. 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:53.979 We know God desires all to be saved. 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:56.599 It's all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:59.460 That everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:01.480 He does not delight in the death of the wicked. 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:05.759 And so we can pray for our family, for our friends who don't know God. 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:18.000 I had the privilege to experience this at Young Life Camp two weeks ago or the last week where I can share so many stories. 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:24.440 We'll save that for another time of how God showed up, of how half the camp were unchurched kids. 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:29.799 But maybe two-thirds of them stood up on the last day and said, I experienced God in some way. 00:22:30.600 --> 00:22:34.700 Or 20 students came to the front and said, I've decided to follow Jesus. 00:22:34.820 --> 00:22:36.059 I want to commit my life to Jesus. 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:39.920 We see the fruit of what God is doing at the camp. 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:55.820 But behind the scenes, on the third night, after the gospel is preached, I also had the privilege, along with all the camp leaders, all the adults, to go outside and intercede, pray to God on behalf of these kids. 00:22:57.100 --> 00:23:01.900 Open their eyes, shine light into their dark hearts, help them to see Jesus. 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:09.700 I have the privilege to pray according to God's heart, knowing that God loves these children, and then see him bring the fruit. 00:23:09.800 --> 00:23:15.880 It is a privilege to pray to God, knowing his heart, and to see him work and fulfill his promises. 00:23:17.040 --> 00:23:20.519 And we know also, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:23.019 Every tribe, nation, and tongue will worship him. 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:28.340 We can pray for his gospel to reach the ends of the earth, knowing that he will fulfill his promise. 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:35.859 We can have boldness to pray when we're praying in line with God's will and what's on his heart. 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:39.299 That's the privilege and access we have to God in prayer. 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:42.339 And we can learn from Abraham's example. 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:46.659 He did what was right in his prayer. 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.039 He was bold. 00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:50.079 He interceded for Sodom. 00:23:50.679 --> 00:23:51.619 Abraham did well. 00:23:51.679 --> 00:23:52.399 He did what he could. 00:23:53.179 --> 00:23:56.079 But we'll also see next week, it wasn't enough. 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:58.399 Because we know how the story ends. 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:04.839 God agreed to everything Abraham asked for, but he couldn't even find 10 righteous people in Sodom. 00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:10.359 And so, what happens is God destroyed the city. 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:15.960 He rained down fire from heaven and destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:22.299 Abraham was a friend of God, chosen by God, known by God, but his prayers weren't enough. 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:24.259 His intercession wasn't enough. 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:33.400 And if Abraham couldn't do it, this man of faith, the prototypical example of faith, then what hope do we have? 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:37.879 What hope is there for sinners who have transgressed a holy God? 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:42.019 What hope is there for us knowing that a day of judgment is coming? 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:56.180 And we see in Genesis that if it depends on us to pray, if it depends on the strength of our faith, if it depends on our righteousness, that God can find 10 righteous people in this world, then we are completely lost and hopeless. 00:24:56.180 --> 00:25:03.560 Our only hope is that we have someone better than Abraham who is interceding for us. 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:13.920 Our only hope is that we have a perfect intercessor whose name is Jesus, who is not only a friend of God, but also the one and only son of God. 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:17.980 And he intercedes and pleads to God on our behalf. 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:20.980 Abraham went down to 10 people. 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:24.620 He asked God, for the sake of 10 righteous people, do not destroy them. 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.900 Why did Abraham stop at 10? 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.980 I'm not totally sure. 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:33.620 There are some answers I could give, but Jesus doesn't stop at 10. 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:39.220 Jesus doesn't stop at 10 because he knows there aren't 10 righteous people in this world. 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:41.380 Jesus is more bold than Abraham. 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:45.860 Abraham, he intercedes and brings God all the way down to zero. 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:49.600 Jesus looks at us and knows that none is righteous. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.620 No, not one. 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:53.980 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:55.580 And he pleads with the father. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.120 Do not destroy them. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:59.900 Not for the sake of 10, but do not destroy them. 00:26:00.020 --> 00:26:02.460 Have mercy for the sake of none. 00:26:03.080 --> 00:26:03.560 For zero. 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:11.659 Jesus says, do not destroy them, not for their sake, but for the sake of the one person standing before you. 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:13.460 Your perfect righteous son. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:19.480 He stands in the middle between a holy God and us sinful people to intercede for us. 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:23.539 Abraham asked God to spare the righteous. 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:29.879 But Jesus asked God to spare the guilty by covering them in his righteousness. 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:33.120 Abraham asked God to hold back his wrath. 00:26:33.560 --> 00:26:34.480 Don't destroy them. 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:39.360 But Jesus says, actually, let your wrath fall on me. 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:41.400 Let the fire fall on me instead. 00:26:42.040 --> 00:26:46.160 He took our place and let that fault punishment land on himself. 00:26:46.800 --> 00:26:49.740 On the cross, he was able to say, forgive them, father. 00:26:50.280 --> 00:26:53.240 Only because he also said, it is finished. 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:55.160 And then breathed his last breath. 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.780 And there's one more difference. 00:26:57.779 --> 00:27:03.339 Even if Abraham could intercede for Sodom, one day Abraham died. 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:08.539 Even if Abraham's prayers went off, Abraham died. 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:10.139 He said he's but dust to ashes. 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:12.099 And he returned to dust and ashes. 00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:14.599 One day Abraham's prayers would stop. 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:19.759 But after dying on the cross, Jesus was raised from the dead. 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:21.139 God raised him from the dead. 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.299 Death could not hold him. 00:27:22.399 --> 00:27:24.119 It is impossible for death to hold him. 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:30.339 And Hebrews 7 says, because Jesus lives forever, he is the guarantor of a better covenant. 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:39.000 And Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:42.019 Jesus didn't just die, but he rose from the dead. 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:46.660 And right now, he is pleading with God on our behalf. 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:52.119 When we sin, when we fail, when we forget to pray, Jesus is our perfect intercessor. 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:56.900 And because he lives, we're fully reconciled to God and have access to God forever. 00:27:56.900 --> 00:28:01.280 And so, we have this access to God. 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:10.019 It's not like we don't have to approach God like interns timidly, nervously knocking on the CEO's door, thinking he's busy. 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:11.060 He won't listen to us. 00:28:11.560 --> 00:28:13.259 That's not the case between us and God. 00:28:14.060 --> 00:28:16.500 Through Jesus, that door has been thrown wide open. 00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:18.300 The veil is torn for all eternity. 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:27.339 By his blood, we have that privilege to draw near to God Almighty as friends, as children of God, adopted as sons, as co-heirs with Christ. 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:32.399 We are known by him, chosen by him, and we can walk directly into the arms of our father. 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:35.500 And so, why don't we make use of that privilege? 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:39.940 Let's draw near to God and pray, knowing God's heart. 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:44.379 The outcome might not always be what we expect, like with Sodom. 00:28:44.659 --> 00:28:47.740 But we can have confidence that God is good. 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:49.039 He is for us. 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:50.160 He hears us. 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:57.559 We can anchor our prayers in his character and pray with bold faith that God wants people to know Jesus. 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.359 He has compassion on the sick. 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:01.059 He's merciful to the poor. 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:03.299 He cares for the persecuted church. 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:05.980 He wants the gospel to reach the ends of the earth. 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:12.620 And we can pray with boldness and access through confidence, access with confidence through our faith in Jesus. 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:19.059 And when we feel this condemnation, when we feel like we fail to pray, we don't have motivation to pray. 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:21.659 We have hope because it doesn't depend on us. 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:24.019 Jesus Christ is the one who died. 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:30.339 More than that, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:38.099 Even when we fail to measure up, when we fail to pray and intercede, we have this perfect intercessor at the right hand of God. 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:39.859 He is our hope. 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.079 And so let's pray. 00:29:42.459 --> 00:29:43.179 Let's pray together. 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:53.740 God, thank you that we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Jesus. 00:29:55.000 --> 00:30:01.420 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:09.140 According to the riches of his glory, he may grant us to be strengthened with power through his spirit in our inner being. 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:16.660 That Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, that we being rooted and grounded in love may have strength to comprehend with all the saints. 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:22.160 What is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. 00:30:22.280 --> 00:30:24.940 That we may be filled with all the fullness of God. 00:30:26.060 --> 00:30:30.259 And now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:36.960 According to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus. 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:39.700 For all generations, forever and ever. 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:40.640 Amen.