18 16-33 How Many Righteous Does It Take To Save The World
liberty bible church 11/11/07 P.M.
By Tom Zobrist
“How Many righteous does it take to save the world?”
Genesis 18:16-33
introduction
Illus. of light bulb jokes. A dark room and changing a light bulb may be funny, but the thought of people entering the darkness of an eternity separated from God is not. But will God really do that? Will He condemn people to hell who are trying their best to be good people?
OPEN to passage.
Prop. In this passage, we see why interceding for the unsaved is important.
Open in PRAYER.
PREVIEW the passage. Back in chapter 14, Abram had the opportunity to rescue the city of Sodom while rescuing his nephew Lot. Cf. Gen. 14:11-12; 15-17; 21-24 Now, in chapter 18, he has the opportunity to save Sodom again after his encounter with Lord and the news that soon he and Sarah would have a son. But, Sodom is bigger trouble this time from more than just a few rogue nations. And this time Abraham has to deal with something different than before. He has to deal with the justice of God. We learn some truths about the justice of God here. First…
i. the justice of god is not impulsive vs. 16-21
Illus. of parents that discipline or punish in anger. God doesn’t do this. His discipline is perfect and just and is never impulsive or heavy handed. Everything He meets out is fair.
a. the benefits of The justice of god
V 16 1. The three special visitors, one of which was the Lord, perhaps a Theophany, were now to be on their way. They had just given a special message to Sarah and Abraham and now turned toward Sodom. There visit to the earth was not yet finished. As Abraham escorts them to the edge of his camp, there is one more message that he is going to receive from the Lord.
V 17 2. God is going to tell Abraham what his next activity will entail, which we know now to be the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. But, in these next few verses, God reveals why He is telling Abraham His plans. In this motivation we see the benefits of God’s justice.
V 18 a. All the nations of the earth will be blessed by Abraham, but not Sodom. Sodom will be destroyed before they have the opportunity to be blessed by Abraham, even though they had already received one blessing when Abraham rescued them. But, now their time had come.
V 19 b. God is revealing this to Abraham so that he can teach his children after him about righteousness and justice and that in order for them to have the full blessings of God, they must be obedient to Him. Even in today’s age of grace, we must obey God by trusting in Christ or we will have no way of discerning true righteousness and justice. Illus. of girls getting drunk and putting it on the internet…for fun. Our culture doesn’t know what is righteous anymore. Now…
b. the perfection of the justice of god
V 20 1. Many people had complained to God about the great evil of this city. Their sin is “grave.” It can’t get much worse.
V 21 2. God is coming to see if these things He has heard is true. Of course, in His omniscience, He already knew the plan. But, He was showing Abraham His justice. He was not going to act in judgment presumptuously or impulsively, as we might. God’s justice is perfect and right. Abraham was about to learn that.
Trans. The first fact about the justice of God is that THE JUSTICE OF GOD IS NOT IMPULSIVE. Second…
ii. the justice of god is impartial vs. 22-33
Illus. of you’ve heard about the harsh policeman… “He’d give a ticket to his own grandmother.” That’s God’s impartiality.
a. abraham appeals to god’s justice
V 22 1. The two angels go on ahead, but the Lord stayed behind with Abraham.
V 23 2. Being a just man, Abraham is convinced there are righteous people in Sodom, besides Lot, that need to be spared. He had rescued many of these people and hoped that his efforts were not for naught.
V 24 3. Abraham’s gracious character is revealed in His appeal to God here. He did not pray that just the wicked be
destroyed. He prayed that all would be spared for the sake of the fifty righteous.
V 25 4. Abraham knew the righteous, gracious character of God and He appeals to this grace.
b. god responds with mercy and grace
V 26 1. God answers affirmatively. If He finds the 50 righteous, all would be spared. But, were there fifty? Abraham doubts it.
V 27 2. Although this section makes Abraham look like a whining beggar, note that he is humble throughout this entire conversation. He realizes his mortality in comparison to the eternal God.
V 28- 3. There is a progression here that reveals the remarkable patience and mercy of a God in judgment mode. Our
30 God is not angry or impulsive, but He does mean what He says and will do what He promises.
V 31- 4. Most people were grow very impatient with such a line of questioning and so Abraham here begs the Lord to
32 not be angry with him. Each time, God answers with grace and kindness, but with resolve.
V 33 5. God will do what He says if it is promised. God promises to judge evil and we see that no matter the prayers of the people, His judgment cannot be stopped.
conclusion
Two facts about God’s justice; THE JUSTICE OF GOD IS NOT IMPULSIVE and THE JUSTICE OF GOD IS IMPARTIAL. How can we use these truths in the age of grace?
1. It only takes one righteous person to save the world. GOSPEL
2. The righteous should instruct on righteousness and justice and judgment.
3. The righteous can intercede for just judgment to preserve righteousness. Rom. 13
4. Pray for righteousness to prevail in our culture. Cf. Prov. 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.”
5. Righteous people preserve society. Matt. 5:13 says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
Illus. of more light bulb jokes.
Remember, one righteous Man saves the world, and the church is His voice right now. We are the intercessors, the messengers. Soon, when the righteous are taken, it will be too late for the rest. Now is the time to intercede and evangelize for soon the righteous justice of God will judge the world of sin.
pray
liberty bible church 11/11/07 P.M.
By Tom Zobrist
“How Many righteous does it take to save the world?”
Genesis 18:16-33
introduction
Will God condemn people to hell who are trying their best to be good people?
i. the justice of god is not vs. 16-21
a. the _________________________ of The justice of god
b. the __________________________ of the justice of god
ii. the justice of god is vs. 22-33
a. abraham appeals to god’s ___________________________________
b. god responds with ______________________ and ___________________________
conclusion
How can we use these truths in the age of grace?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cf. Prov. 14:34
5.
Cf. Matt. 5:13
How Many Light Bulbs...Light bulb jokes have been around probably since Thomas Edison. We hope we've listed some of your favorites. Enjoy! |
| How many mothers-in-law does it take to change a light bulb?
None - "It's fine, I'll sit here in the dark, I'll be ok, don't worry about me...."Thanks for the above to:
Yvonne Gilmore
Energy Analyst
Christchurch (New Zealand) City Council
How many consultants does it take to change a light bulb?
I'll have an estimate for you a week from Monday.
Mr. Spock. How many Vulcans does it take to change a light bulb?
Exactly 1.0000000000.
How many economists does it take to change a light bulb?
Two. One to assume the ladder and one to change the bulb.
How many folk singers does it take to change a light bulb?
Two. One to change the bulb, and one to write a song about how good the old light bulb was.
How many gorillas does it take to change a light bulb?
Just one, but it takes a lot of light bulbs.
How many students does it take to change a light bulb?
None. They are smart enough to use compact fluorescent bulbs that almost never need changing.
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Here are some additional light bulb jokes from www.funny2.com
How many administrative assistants does it take to change a light bulb? None. It won't be changed until you fill out form #3422V - the light bulb change request form.
How many advertising executives does it take to change a light bulb? Interesting question, what do YOU think?
How many antelopes does it take to change a light bulb? None, they are hardy animals that migrate between tundra and wide open plains and therefore have no need for an artificial light source.
How many Apple Computer employees does it take to screw in a light bulb? Seven, one to screw it in and six to design the T-shirts.
How many art students does it take to change a light bulb? One, but he gets two credits.
How many babysitters does it take to change a light bulb? None, Pampers don't come in a size that small.
How many beer makers does it take to change a light bulb? About one third less than for a regular bulb.
How many beta testers does it take to change a light bulb? None. They just find the problems, they don't fix them.
How many bluegrass musicians does it take to screw in a light bulb? Four. One to change it, and three to complain that it's electric.
How many board meetings does it take to get a light bulb changed? This topic was resumed from last week's discussion, but is incomplete, pending resolution of some action items. It will be continued next week.
How many chiropractors does it take to change a light bulb? One, but it takes them three visits.
How many Communists does it take to screw in a light bulb? The light bulb contains the seeds of its own revolution.
How many conservative economists does it take to change a light bulb? None, the darkness will cause the light bulb to change by itself.
How many dull people does it take to change a light bulb? One.
How many dyslexics does it change to take a light bulb? Eno.
How many evolutionists does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but it takes eight million years.
How many Federal employees does it take to screw in a light bulb? Sorry, that item has been cut from the budget.
How many feminists does it take to change a light bulb? Sixteen. One to change it, and fifteen to form a support group.
How many firemen does it take to change a light bulb? Four, one to change the bulb and three to cut a hole in the roof.
How many Florida residents does it take to change a light bulb? Nobody knows, they're still counting.
How many frat guys does it take to screw in a light bulb? Three, one to screw it in, and two to help him down off the keg.
How many goths does it take to change a light bulb? None. They prefer everything dark.
How many grad students does it take to change a light bulb? One, but it takes ten years.
How many ice skaters does it take to screw in a light bulb? Two, one to screw in the bulb, one to hire a hit man to club the other skater on the knee.
How many IRS agents does it take to screw in a light bulb? Only one, but it really gets screwed.
How many jugglers does it take to change a light bulb? One, but it takes three bulbs.
How many Microsoft engineers does it take to change a light bulb? It burned out? You must be using a non-standard socket.
How many Microsoft engineers does it take to change a light bulb? None, they merely change the standard to darkness and then they upgrade the customers.
How many mutants does it take to screw in a light bulb? Two-thirds.
How many mystery writers does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to screw the bulb almost all the way in, and one to give a surprising twist at the end.
How many narcissists does it take to change a light bulb? One. He holds the bulb while the world revolves around him.
How many optimists does it take to screw in a light bulb? None, they're convinced that the power will come back on soon.
How many paranoids does it take to change a light bulb? WHO WANTS TO KNOW?
How many Pentium owners does it take to change a light bulb? 0.99987, but that's close enough for most applications.
How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb? 1,000,001. One to change the bulb, and 1,000,000 to rebuild civilization to the point where they need light bulbs again.
How many procrastinators does it take to screw in a light bulb? One, but he has to wait until the light is better.
How many programmers does it take to change a light bulb? None, that's a hardware problem.
How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? One, but only if the light bulb really wants to change.
How many 'real' programmers does it take to change a light bulb? None. 'Real' programmers prefer LEDs.
How many reference librarians does it take to change a light bulb? I don't know, I'll have to check on that and get back to you.
How many safety inspectors does it take to change a light bulb? Four. One to change it, and three to hold the ladder.
How many science fiction writers does it take to change a light bulb? Two, but it's actually the same person doing it. He went back in time and met himself in the doorway and then the first one sat on the other one's shoulder so that they were able to reach it. Then a major time paradox occurred and the entire room, light bulb, changer and all was blown out of existence.
How many social scientists does it take to screw in a light bulb? None, they do not change light bulbs; they search for the root cause as to why the last one went out.
How many software engineers does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One always leaves in the middle of the project.
How many stockbrokers does it take to change a light bulb? Oh, no! The bulb's out! Sell my GE stock NOW!!
How many surrealists does it take to change a light bulb? The bicycle's broken.
How many surrealists does it take to change a light bulb? To get to the other side.
How many surrealists does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to hold the giraffe, and one to put the clocks in the bathtub.
How many Taoists does it take to change a light bulb? You cannot change a light bulb. By nature, it will go out again.
How many telemarketers does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but they have to do it while you're eating dinner.
How many Valley Girls does it take to change a light bulb? Oh my GOD! Like, manual labor? Gag me with a spoon! For sure.
How many Valley Girls does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to get an Evian, and one to call Daddy.
How many visitors to an art gallery does it take to screw in a light bulb? Two, one to do it and one to say "Huh! My four-year old could've done that!"
How many Zen masters does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to change it, and one not to change it. |