A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 18:1-33
1. A couple of months. How long between the two appearances of God (Christophony) to Abraham (17:1 and 18:1).
2. High in the mountains. Where was Abraham living? "The Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre" (18:1). A high mountain plateau where "scrub" oaks grow, where water is located.
3. Two angels and Jesus. Who came to see Abraham? "Lo, three men stood by him" (18:2). "The Lord (Jesus) said to Abraham . . ." (18:13). "And the (two) men turned their faces . . . and went toward Sodom" (18:22).
4. What three things about Abraham made God share a secret with him?
a. Abraham was His friend. "For I know him" (18:19); (Isa. 41:8, II Chron. 20:7; James 2:23). Friends don’t keep secrets.
b. Abraham will become great. (18:18).
c. Abraham’s children will obey. (18:19).
5. Give two reasons why God judged Sodom.
a. Their sin. "Their sin is very grievous" (18:20).
b. Harming innocent. "See whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know" (18:21).
B. PRACTICAL LESSONS TO TAKE AWAY
1. Communion leads to intercession. What is the first step before you intercede? "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do" (18:17).
"The soul that draws near to God in the assurance of faith, having a heart and conscience perfectly at rest with God . . . that soul will be able and willing to intercede for others." C.H. McIntosh
2. To make us understand. Why does God ask questions about us? He knows us. "Why did Sarah laugh?" (18:13 ELT).
3. To communicate Himself. Why does God ask questions about Himself? "Is anything too hard (wonderful, verb form) for the Lord?" (18:14).
4. Because of His friendship to us. Why does God ask questions about our relationship to Him? "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?" (18:17). "I call you not servants . . . but I have called you friends" (John 15:15).
5. Lack of faith. Why is God concerned about Sarah’s unbelief? Because some people focus more on the problems than they focus on God’s solution. "And shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe . . . he shall have" (Mark 11:23).
6. Bless those who need blessing. Why was God concerned with Sarah when she doubted Him? "Sarah shall have a son" (18:14).
7. Unbelief makes us cowards. Why did Sarah lie to God, denying that she laughed? "I laughed not" (18:15).
8. God warns against sin. Why did God tell Abraham what He was about to do to Sodom? God warns us through (1) Nature, Romans 1:18-26. (2) Conscience, Romans 2:14-16. (3) Our judgmental nature, Romans 2:1-2.
9. The approachability of God. What can we learn from the fact that God waited on Abraham? "Abraham stood yet before the Lord" (18:22).
10. Abraham was both a physical Savior and spiritual intercessor. What two things did Abraham do for Sodom?
11. True love for sinners comes from fellowship with God. Why did Abraham pour out his soul by interceeding for the filthy sinners of Sodom?
12. __________________________. For what one person will you intercede for in the next 7 days?
13. The limitations of human prayers. What can we learn from Abraham’s lack of success in intercession? Abraham stopped praying before God stopped answering.
14. Abraham had a better understanding of Sodom. Who has the best understanding of sin - the separated believer or the worldly believer?
a. Lot was blinded to its temptation.
b. Abraham saw sin through God’s eyes.
15. Why did Abraham quit praying? "The Lord went His way, as soon as He left communing with Abraham" (18:33).
a. Abraham thought there were 10 in Lot’s family.
b. Assumption, that there were 10 because of Sodom’s size.
c. Got too close to his credit limit.
d. City didn’t deserve saving if only 10.
e. The shock that there were only 10 righteous.
16. Would God have saved it for one? "The Lord . . . is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). Abraham was one! Will you be one?
"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 22:30).
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If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at etowns@elmertowns.com and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
To get Dr. Towns’ Home Page for books, www.elmertowns.com.
