Let’s Make A Deal
Genesis 18:16-33 (NLT)
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Intro: A man fell into a pit and couldn’t get himself out.
A subjective person came along and said, "I feel for you down there."
An objective person walked by and said, "It’s logical that someone would fall down there."
A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into pits."
A mathematician calculated how deep the pit was.
A news reporter wanted the exclusive story on the pit.
An IRS agent asked if he was paying taxes on the pit.
A self-pitying person said, "You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen my pit."
A fire-and-brimstone preacher said, "You deserve your pit."
A Christian Scientist observed, "The pit is just in your mind."
A psychologist noted, "Your mother and father are to blame for your being in that pit."
A self-esteem therapist said, "Believe in yourself and you can get out of that pit."
An optimist said, "Things could be worse."
A pessimist claimed, "Things will get worse."
"Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit."
.Compassion, many people have it don’t they?
. Did you know that there are two different compassions?
. There is worldly compassion and there is Christian compassion.
. Worldly compassion is caring for people. For their health and welfare. Their needs physically and psychologically.
. Christian compassion is all of that plus the concern for their souls. Christians are called to be worldly compassionate people who also care for people’s souls and their eternity.
. The church has fallen into the model of worldly compassionate people. We strive to meet the physical needs of people while many times neglecting the spiritual needs.
. We make the statement that people don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.
. That is a true statement but many times we stop right there. We show compassion for their needs but never address their spiritual needs.
. Folks we are called to be compassionate, to love others unconditionally. That’s what God’s love is. An unconditional love. It seems that many have confined this love to a physical concept and neglected the spiritual.
. Not only must we have a heart for people, we must have a heart for peoples souls.
. We are back in Genesis this morning and we are still learning about Abraham and his relationship to and with God.
. It has been about a month since we have looked at Abraham and Sarah so let me bring us up to date here in chapter 18.
. The Lord and two angels have visited Abraham and Sarah and have again confirmed the covenant that God had made with Abraham that he would be the father of a mighty nation.
. That nation will become known as the Jewish nation.
. They have dined with Abraham and had fellowshipped together and they Lord is about to leave and we get to our scripture.
. Many times when we explore this scripture we see it as God’s righteous judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
. If we look a little closer though, we also see a man with a heart for souls. A man with a missionary heart.
. We will see a man who cared about people that nobody else would care about.
. A man who was looking for any way he could to save the people.
. A man with a heart for souls.
. Folks, we need to model our Christian life and heart by how Abraham deals with the Lord.
. The first thing we see is the relationship that Abraham had with God.
. In order to have a heart for souls, we must first have:
. A Relationship With God.
Look at 18:16-23
16Then the men got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As they left, Abraham went with them to send them on their way.
17“Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the LORD asked.
18“For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him.
19I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
20So the LORD told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant.
21I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”
22The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham.
23Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?
. When you have a relationship with God, He can speak honestly with you and you can speak honestly with Him.
. You see, that’s what relationships are built upon. Honest communication.
. We establish our relationship with God when we place our faith and trust in Him.
. When we do that, we learn to listen to God and we have confidence that God is listening to us.
. God wanted Abraham to know that He was honest and truthful with him. There is no deception when it comes to our relationship with God.
. God said let me be totally honest with you Abraham. There are some bad people living in Sodom and Gomorrah. Godless people whose wickedness has been seen and heard from Heaven and I am here to check it out.
. God has always been honest with his creation. He will not tolerate their sin forever.
. Then because of his relationship with God, Abraham was able to approach God.
. That’s how we must all approach God, through our relationship with Him.
. Abraham was the recipient of God’s covenant and that relationship was built through that covenant. The ability to approach God and ask Him questions and converse with Him.
. Today we can do the same through the covenant that Jesus made with us through His blood on the cross.
. Abraham approached the Lord and said Lord, let’s see if we can make a deal here.
. You see, Abraham lived close to Sodom and Gomorrah. Remember back when he and his nephew Lot separated because the land could not support their herds all in the same place.
. Scripture tell us that Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. Abraham was very familiar with what was going on in the area and his heart went out to them.
. He didn’t want to see all those people destroyed. He thought to himself , what can I do to save these people.
. You see, when you have a heart for souls, you realize this:
. The Lost Can Be Saved Even With Just A Few.
.Lets look at parts of this conversation with the Lord.
. Look at verses 23&24
23Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?
24Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes?
. Abraham said Lord There must be at least 50 righteous people down there, surely you’re not going to destroy them too.
. Surely you wouldn’t do that Lord.
. Look at what God says.
. 26And the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”
. Abraham was bolstered with this conversation so he decided to push the envelope a little bit.
. Look at verses 27&28
27Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes.
28Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”
And the LORD said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.”
. This really bolstered Abraham’s confidence so he figured why not go for broke.
. He said Lord, don’t get mad at me but what about maybe 30.
. The Lord said alright thirty will save the cities.
. Lord I really don’t want to get under your skin but what about twenty.
. God said alright twenty.
. Abraham said Lord I really don’t want to make you mad but what about 10?
. Look at verse 32.
32Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”
And the LORD replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
. I’m sure Abraham felt pretty good about this. I’m sure that he felt with cities the size of Sodom and Gomorrah that surely there would be ten righteous people who could save the cities.
. Next time we are in Genesis we will see if there were ten people who could save the cities.
. What can we glean from this conversation that Abraham had with God.
. First, you must have a relationship with God before you can approach God.
. The biggest thing we see is that it doesn’t take a lot of people to make a difference.
. Abraham had a heart for the people. He wanted them to be saved from destruction.
. Folks. Our focus must be on people. We must have a heart for people who need salvation.
. There is a world out there filled with people who are on a path to destruction. They are going to spend an eternity separated from God.
. We must have compassion for their souls, not just their physical needs.
. You see, what Abraham figured out in this conversation with God is that they can still be saved, even by just a few.
. You may think that you can’t make a difference. You can. Just a few can save many if they have a heart for their souls.
. One of the saddest passages of scripture in the Bible is found in Luke 19:41-44.
. It’s what we call Palm Sunday and Jesus is riding on the Donkey coming into Jerusalem for the last time. They crowds are crying out “blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” and are throwing Palm branches on the ground before him and laying their cloaks down in front of him.
. All of this is going on and then Luke records this:
41But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.
42“How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.
43Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side.
44They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.”
. Jesus was the most compassionate man to ever walk this earth. He healed people, provided for the poor, taught that we were to be compassionate people but He “wept” for their souls.
. He teaches us to yes be compassionate and help and care for people but weep for their souls.
. That’s what matters more than anything. Their souls.
. Folks we must have more than a worldly compassion for people. We must have a Christian compassion for them.
. A Christ like compassion that weeps for their souls.
. We are not helping them if we stop with nothing but their physical needs.
. Abrahams compassion for the people shows us that even a few can save thousands. You just must be willing to do what it takes.
. First and foremost you must have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
. Then you are called to have compassion for their souls. For their salvation not just their physical needs.
. We must weep for people and be concerned for their souls.
. They can still be saved with just a few righteous people.
. Do you have that relationship with God this morning?
. Invitation
*** To my Christian brothers and sisters, thank you for taking the time to read this sermon. I ask that you take another second and score this for me. I am always open to feedback so that I can continue to grow in the proclamation of God’s word.
May God bless you as you continue to strive to walk worthy of His calling.
Sources: The Holy Bible, NLT
Opening illustration from sermon central
