Abraham's Prayer Over Sodom

Genesis 18 v. 16 - 33 Abraham's prayer over Sodom

James 5 v. 16 "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

1. ABRAHAM WAS A PRACTIAL MAN

(a) His Haste v. 1 & 2 "And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,"

(b) His Humility "bowed himself toward the ground,"

Note:-

(1) The Reality of his Humility

(2) The Reason for his Humility i.e. he was nothing

Ivor Powell - Abraham and a bunch of rouges -

v. 27 "And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:"

Job - Job 40 v. 4 "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth."

David - Psalm 51 v. 5 "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

Ezra - Ezra 9 v. 6 "And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens."

Isaiah - Isaiah 6 v. 5 "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

Simon Peter - Luke 5 v. 8 "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord."

The Centurion - Luke 7 v. 6 "Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:"

Paul - 1 Timothy 1 v. 15 "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."

(a) Abraham had seen God, (b) Abraham had seen himself

(c) Abraham had seen his sin, (d) Abraham had seen his salvation

"Boasting excluded, pride I abase, I'm only a sinner saved by grace

(3) The Result of his Humility - v. 5 "And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said."

It was a positive response, a prompt response and a profitable response

(c) His Hospitality v. 6 - 8 "And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat." i.e.

Abraham was quick to see the opportunity, quick to seize the opportunity, and quick to serve it in contrast to Lot

in ch 19 v. 16 "And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city."

2. ABRAHAM WAS A PRIVILEGED MAN v. 9 - 15 Note:- He enjoyed:-

(a) The Lord's Presence - Lord turned aside to eat with him

(b) The Lord's Promise - v. 10 "And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him."

(c) The Lord's Purpose - Note -

God's plan is specific - v. 10 "Sarah thy wife shall have a son"

God's power is sufficient - v. 14 "Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."

God's purpose is sure - "Sarah shall have a son"

3. ABRAHAM WAS A PROVEN MAN - v. 16 - 22

v. 19 "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." Known by his:-