First Church of God in Harvey
Sunday Morning – October 28th, 2012
Let us Pray
Welcome..
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the Lord's Day, a good day to be alive, and so we will rejoice and be glad in it.
In our Bible Class last Wednesday night we were told that “one of the most foremost rules of warfare is: know your enemy.,” and we were reminded that Satan is our enemy, and he is around as a roaring lion with the intent to steal, kill and to destroy. We were told that he is deceptive, powerful, secretive, and can act swiftly if given an opportunity to attack. We were told to be on our guard, because he does not care who we are, or who we think we are, he will try his attack, and so we have to keep our minds focus on the Lord. As a child of God, do not forget it, Satan does not like you, he does not care about you, and he will try to destroy you.
As we come here today, let us allow the Word of God to speak to our hearts, and as God speaks let us leave here today challenged to be the best we can for the Lord. Our text today is one that we might have heard many times, but it is good to know that God’s Word never grows old.
Our scripture reading for today will be taken from Genesis 18 verses 23 through 33.
My to-pic for today is, “Somebody prayed for you. ”In the midst of a darkened world. In the midst of a world of sin and destruction. Somebody took the time and prayed for you. I remember as a young boy in Jamaica, at night time, I would hear my mother praying for me. My mother spent a long time on her knees praying for her children, and I am so glad that my mother took the time and prayed for me. My father was not saved, but my mother took the time and prayed for me. I believe most of you here can say, that somebody prayed for you. It might have been your mother, or father, or brother, or sister, pastor or a friend, but somehow, somewhere somebody prayed for you.
In our text for today, we find God’s man praying, interceding with God for an ungodly nation. The nation was about to be destroyed because of their wickedness, and Abraham took the time and intercede for them. Jesus took the time and prayed for us, the saints. In St. John 17 verse 11 we can hear Jesus praying, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”
I am here today because of the mercy of God. I am here today because of the goodness of God. I am here today because somebody took the time and prayed for me. You are here today not because you are so good, but because of God’s goodness. The Bible says in Isaiah 64 verse 6a, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags..”
Can God count on you? Can God depend on you? Can God trust you? "God is looking for people to stand before Him to intercede for the sins of the nation." In Ezekiel 22 verse 30 we read these words, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." "Ezekiel 22 has a sad ending. God was searching for an intercessor to stand before Him but found none.. So God's judgment was poured out because there was no intercessor." It is said that an intercessor has the ability to delay or stop the judgment of God when he stands in the gap.
Abraham was a friend of God, and one who God could count on. In our text for today we find Abraham going before God, pleading with God; negotiating with God in "the first solemn prayer upon record in the Bible; and it is a prayer for the sparing of Sodom." Abraham, a friend of God, prayed earnestly that Sodom would be spared, if a few righteous persons were found it it. Abraham had a heart of compassion for sinners, the same compassion we should have, and earnestly pray for them. Our prayers does make a difference, and the Word of God does say in James 5 verse 16b, The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (that includes a righteous woman, a righteous boy, a righteous girl) that prayer avails much. That is why I am constantly asking God’s people to pray, because prayer does make a difference. So often we look at statistics to make a point, but prayer will change statistics. Based on statistics some of you should not be here, but because of prayer you are here, thank God, somebody prayed for you.
Can God count on you and on me to start praying for the lost around us? Can God count on you and on me to be a witness for him? So often we get confused as to what our chief purpose is as a Christian. Our purpose is to glorify God and to be a witness for Him. The Great Commission is given for us to go preach and teach the Word of God. As we preach and teach, let us preach the message of repentance as Peter and the apostles in the early church did, and as a result God added to the church.......
In Genesis 18 verse 22, we find the death angels were on their way to Sodom to destroy the city In Genesis 18 verses 20 and 21 we read, "And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous. I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not I will know." Death and destruction was awaiting the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the midst of all this, there was a man called Abraham who stood before the Lord to intercede. Abraham was a friend of God, and he knew about the mercy of God. Abraham and his wife Sarah the Bible says were both old and stricken in years, but God had mercy on them, and in Genesis 18 verse 9 Abraham was told by the angels that Sarah shall have a son. So, Abraham had no doubt as to what God can do.
So here we find in our text, Abraham a man of faith, and a man who knew about the mercy of God starts to negotiate or bargain with God. Abraham knew God's character. He knew God would not destroy the righteous with the wicked. And so like a good business man, he negotiates for God's mercy as he starts to ask a series of questions. By the way Lord, would you destroy the righteous with the wicked? Just supposed there were fifty righteous people in the city would you destroy the city?
I believe with all my heart that because there are some saints who knows how to intercede before God, that God is showing his mercy to America. Yes our nation has turned away from God. Yes our nation is going contrary to God's will, but thanks be to God for intercessors who are seeking God's face. Can God count on you and on me to intercede for our nation? Can God count on you and on me to intercede for the city of Harvey? Can God count on you and on me to intercede for the lost? Can God count on you and on me to make a difference.........?..
Abraham went on to intercede with God, surely Lord you would not want to destroy the godly with the wicked.? Surely you would not do that! Should not the judge of all the earth be fair? Abraham the friend of God understood "that God was a righteous God and will do right.." Abraham understood the grace and mercy of the Lord. God listened to Abraham and gave him an answer to his prayer.
Aren't you glad that the God whom we serve not only hears, but he also answers our prayers? Aren't you glad that you can talk to God for yourself, and that he will hear and answer you? Aren't you glad that God never sleeps or slumbers, but he is always watching over you? ......
God answered Abraham, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes." God was willing to spare a city from destruction if he could find 50 who were righteous; 50 who were living right, but God could not find 50 who were living right. It is not mentioned what the population of Sodom and Gomorrah was, but there could not be found 50 righteous people in Sodom. ............
Abraham the friend of God continues to negotiate with God. Well Lord, 50 righteous people could not be found, but there might be 45 righteous found in the city. Would you destroy the city if 45 righteous were found? God had passed judgment upon the city, but Abraham continues to intercede, he continues to stand in the gap. Sometimes in life the situation might seem hopeless, sometimes it might appear there is no way out, in these times can God count on you to continue to pray in the midst of an impossible situation.. Maybe we have gone out to witness to the lost in Harvey. Maybe we have gone out passing out flyers. Maybe we have invited others to our service, but no response. Can God count on you and on me to continue reaching out to the loss? ........ .maybe you have become discouraged........
As I read Abraham's intercessory prayer, I came to realize that his prayer was being answered, but was not fulfilled, because the requirements were missing., the required righteous could not be found. Abraham had prayed, his prayer was answered, but he had to continue praying. Fifty righteous could not be found, now the number has dropped to 45, and God said he would not destroy the city if 45 righteous were found. Again his prayer was answered, but 45 righteous could not be found.
God was faithful to Abraham, he had called upon God, his prayer was answered, but he had to continue praying for the fulfillment. Maybe you have been praying to God on a certain matter; maybe your prayer have been answered, but you have not yet seen the fulfillment, and so all you have to do is continue to pray. Maybe what I am saying does not make sense to you, but it does make sense.. It might seem foolish, but in 1 Corinthians 1 verse 27 it says, "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise..." I want to encourage somebody here today, don't stop praying. Maybe somebody is saying why pray, you are just wasting your time, don't stop praying. Keep on praying for that son who is lost. Keep on praying for that daughter who is going the wrong way. Keep on praying for that wife or that husband who could not care less. Keep on praying for that boss or co-worker who does not care about you, just pray, pray, pray. Pray if they care about you. Pray if they don't care about you. Pray if things are going good. Pray if things are not going so good, just pray, pray, pray. Pray if men revile you. Pray if they persecute you. Pray if they falsely say all manner of evil against you, just pray, pray, pray, and do not forget that somebody prayed for you..........
Abraham did not give up. he had some more praying to do. He was concerned about the loss, he was concerned about the wicked and the righteous being destroyed together, and so he cannot stop praying now. Can God count on you? Can God count on me to keep on praying? There is a song we used to sing, it goes like this, Just keep on praying till light breaks through. The Lord will answer...will answer you. God keeps his promise...His word is true .Just keep on praying, till light breaks through.
Someone did you wrong, don't fuss, just pray. Someone has made you mad, don't fuss, just pray. Somebody is driving you crazy, don't fuss, just pray. Someone you are finding it hard to get along with, don't fuss, just pray. Someone is causing you to want to run, don't run, just pray. Someone is talking about you, before talking back, just pray. Can God count on you; can God count on me to pray? Pray then believing, God on his throne, Looks with compassion true, Unto His children, Cares for his own, Pray till the light breaks through, and do not forget that somebody prayed for you.
Brother Abraham tell me some more, what happened? Again Abraham interceded. Lord you are willing to save the city if 45 righteous are found, but since you can't find 45, what about 40? Just imagine, Abraham could have said, Lord I know you are a merciful God. I know you are not willing for anyone to perish. I know your mercy endures forever. I know of your great faithfulness , and God answered, yes Abraham, if 40 righteous are found in Sodom, I will not destroy the city. Again Abraham prayer was answered, but 40 righteous could not be found in Sodom. Abraham had prayed to God three times, his prayers were answered all three times, but could not be fulfilled because the required righteous were not found, and so Sodom had to be destroyed.
It is good to have a good friend, and truly Abraham was a friend of God. Again Abraham went before God and interceded once more. Just think for awhile. Do you spend time praying for those who are loss? Do you carry a deep burden for those who are unsaved? Do you tell others about Jesus? Lord, do not be angry, don't be offended, maybe thirty righteous can be found in Sodom. The prayer of Abraham was again answered, the city of Sodom would not be destroyed if 30 righteous were found in Sodom, but thirty righteous could not be found, and so Sodom must be destroyed. What a sad condition, Sodom would be spared if there were 30 righteous people.
Abraham was concerned about the possible destruction of Sodom, and so he went calling upon God for mercy. It seems to me that Abraham was desperate, and he did not want to see any lives being lost. One of the meaning for the word desperate is extremely intense. How desperate are we to see the lost being won for Christ? Again Abraham called upon the Lord, peradventure, there might be a chance of 20 righteous found in Sodom. Abraham had pleaded with God, he had interceded with God from 50 righteous down to 20 righteous, and again God answered his prayer. Sodom will not be destroyed if 20 righteous people are found in the city, but 20 righteous could not be found.
Twenty righteous people could not be found in Sodom, and so Sodom must be destroyed. As bad as Sodom was, in Abraham's mind he thought there were several good people there. Abraham a man of faith, and a friend of God went pleading to God on behalf of a wicked nation, and as God answered his pleading he continue to ask for more. So for the last time Abraham once again approached God, and in verse 32 of our text he says, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once. Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. Ten righteous could not be found in Sodom, and so Sodom must be destroyed.
The question is, why did Abraham stop at ten? As long as Abraham was praying, God was answering. Abraham stopped pleading with God, he stopped praying, and when he stopped praying the Lord went his way. In verse 33 of our text it says, “And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.”
I wonder if some of us have missed our blessing because we did not persevere in prayer? Ten people could not be found in Sodom who were considered righteous, but maybe there were five. There was Lot and his wife; their two daughters, and their two sons in law who decided to remain in Sodom. We will never know the answer, but God being a merciful God I am sure would have shown his mercy. One might wonder, did Abraham came to the conclusion that Sodom deserved to be destroyed because ten righteous could not be found? Did Abraham felt that he had interceded with God enough, and now it was time to stop? What if that person had stopped praying for you?
Many of us might have written off that son or daughter, and have stopped praying. You might have written off that love one and have stopped praying. You might have written off your boss and stopped praying, but do not forget somebody prayed for you. I want to encourage somebody here today, do not stop praying. Pray for your son, pray for your daughter, pray for your wayward husband or wife, pray for your household, pray for the city, pray for our nation, pray for our leaders, and do not forget that somebody prayed for you.
Let me close with this song written by Dorothy Norwood, a song that our choir sings quite often,
“Somebody prayed for me, had me on their mind, they took the time and prayed for me. I ‘m so glad they prayed, I’m so glad they prayed, I’m so glad they prayed for me.
My mother prayed for me had me on her mind, she took the time and prayed for me, I’m so glad she prayed, I’m so glad she prayed, I’m so glad she prayed for me.
The preacher prayed for me, had me on his mind, he took the time and prayed for me, I’m so glad he prayed, I’m so glad he prayed, I’m so glad he prayed for me.”
We all know somebody that we can pray for, and so the altar is now open to come and pray.
Let us stand
Call to discipleship
Closing song/prayer
