Ezekiel 16:49-50 The Real Sin of Sodom (2)

Intro

We are continuing our series entitled, “Around the Fire”

Goal: Look at how fire is used throughout scripture in powerful and incredibly revealing ways.

Looking Beyond the Narrative:

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

We are going to look a little deeper into the REAL REASON why God judged Sodom with fire from heaven.

As we studied the REAL JESUS from the gospel of Mark, we see that:

God doesn’t always view sinners like we do.

Levi the tax collector and prostitutes were loved and given grace and mercy.

God doesn’t view “righteous” church people they same way we view them.

God sees the heart and the intentions.

So, it would make sense that when we look at Sodom being destroyed with fire from God, we should:

revisit the motives of God

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. being destroyed with fire from God, maybe we should revisit our conclusions about the motives of God and the sins of it’s inhabitants.

the sins of its inhabitants

Quick Recap of the Story

Remember Abraham?

Nephew named Lot. Lot travelled with him.

They had to part ways.

Lot chose the land next to Sodom.

Why?

(NKJV)

10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

We find that Sodom was prosperous, beautiful, prime real estate.

The men were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord, but we aren’t given other details.

The 2 angels enter Sodom to observe the wickedness firsthand. Stay with Lot. Mob gathers.

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. enter Sodom to observe the wickedness firsthand. Stay with Lot. Mob gathers.

God destroys the city

So, how does it come to this?

(NIV)

How do things get this bad?

This is what sin is like. We don’t wake up one day and seek to commit detestable sins.

Let’s look at Sodom before judgement.

(NIV)

49 “ ‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

Ezekiel 16:49–50 NKJV

Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.

What is shocking to me is that some of this is me every single day.

Last week, Phil mention how the devil tries to get us to doubt the intentions of God.

What did Eve do?

Minimizes the blessings

Maximizes the repercussions

God is 100% for you. God loves you. God cherishes you.

Sodom lived out the desires of the flesh completely.

Sodom committed 6 sins that led to her DESTRUCTION.

God reaches out His hand to save us from impending doom.

God is 100% for you. God loves you. God cherishes you.

Sodom had been blessed abundantly!

They had extra, more than they needed, more than they could consume.

Quick Context

They didn’t have to work too hard to get what they had.

God is 100% for you. God loves you. God cherishes you.

Our objective tonight is to focus on the opposite of what brought judgement upon a wicked people.

Tonight we choose a better way that leads to LIFE!!

6 Choices that will result in

This better way that ultimately leads to Salvation!!

God’s ways are always better than any other.

1. Fight for Humility

1. Fight for Humility

There are no good people, only a good Lord.

David gets it.

Psalm 25:8–11 NKJV

Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

There are no good people, only a good Lord.

Pride:

The people Sodom were full of PRIDE.

Pride: Unreasonable and inordinate level of self esteem.

Thinking too highly of yourself

Taking credit for God’s blessings

Arrogance

This word “Pride” is also translated “Arrogance”

Pride is destructive:

(NKJV)

18 Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before a fall.

They started to believe that they earned it. That they were responsible for their success and wealth and power.

Pride will infect your speech, the way you look at people, the way you carry yourself.

1. Fight For Humility

I pray for humility. Keep me here at all costs. Even when it hurts and it's the last thing I want, keep me humble. This is where You are and I want to dwell in Your presence.

Pray for humility.

Humility:

I pray that God would keep me here at all costs. Even when it hurts and it's the last thing I want, keep me humble.

God dwells with the humble

I pray for humility. Keep me here at all costs. Even when it hurts and it's the last thing I want, keep me humble. This is where You are and I want to dwell in Your presence.

This is where God is and I want to dwell in His presence.

Psalm 25:8–11 NKJV

Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Peter Got it: I will never forsake you…rooster crows.

(NKJV)

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

(NKJV)

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

James Got it: My brother is crazy!

(NKJV)

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Jesus taught it

(NKJV)

11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus lived it

(NKJV)

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(NKJV)

Philippians 2:8–11 NKJV

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

The humble receive blessings:

God gives Grace

Proverbs 3:34 NKJV

Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.

2.

A better Way

God gives Riches, honor, and life

Utter humility

Proverbs 22:4 NKJV

By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.

God gives Salvation

John 10:10 NKJV

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

No boasting in Salvation

8-9 (NKJV)

By Grace Through Faith

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

2. Be Content

Fullness of food or Overfed or excess of food vs. Satisfaction/Contentment/Fulfilled

Stop looking to other things to make you happy!

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

(NKJV)

15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

1 Timothy 6:6–10 NKJV

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Never satisfied, Greedy, selfish,

Parable: tore down barn to build new one.

3. Passionately Pursue God

Abundance of idleness or careless ease vs. Diligence

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Live the life of faith God has called you to live!

Matthew 5:6 NKJV

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Pursue God with passion and diligence. Live the abundant and exciting life God has put before you to live.

4. Look outward

Neglected the poor and needy (Greed) vs. Compassion

Proverbs 21:13 NKJV

Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

Proverbs 21:13 NKJV

Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

Greed numbs you to the pain and needs of others. You are only concerned with you.

Love people like Jesus did

Matthew 9:35–38 NKJV

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Greed numbs you to the pain and needs of others. You are only concerned with you.

Proverbs 22:9 NKJV

He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.

5. Embrace Freedom

Haughty:

Lifted up, exalted above others.

Fake, tiring, burdensome

Why live like that?

Jesus invites us to do the opposite.

Matthew 11:28–30 NKJV

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Proverbs 21:13 NKJV

Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

What is burdening people?

The constant pressure of being good enough

trying to exalt or lift up themselves so other people can look at them as sufficient.

trying to exalt or lift up themselves so other people can look at them as sufficient.

Living up to what you think other people and even God expects of you.

Be Free in Christ.

Role off your burdens on Him.

He truly cares for you

Lastly...

6. Choose Grace and Love over Sin

(NKJV)

(NKJV)

Living Before God Our Father

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Understanding grace helps you sin less.

1 John 5:15–17 NKJV

And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

1 John 2:15–17 NKJV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

2

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Understanding the Love of the God helps you to love sin less.

Choose grace and love over sin every day. Your life will change. Your actions will change.

(NKJV)

Lot’s first view of Sodom:

Genesis 13:10 NKJV

And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.

Gen. 1

Well watered, like a garden of the LORD

Like the land of Egypt

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Spiritual description of Sodom:

Conclusion:

Genesis 13:13 NKJV

But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

God’s ways are better

(NKJV)

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

1. Fight For Humility

2. Be Content

3. Passionately Pursue God

4. Look outward

5. Embrace Freedom

6. Choose Grace and Love over sin