Message Notes

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 19 June 2021

Call to Worship Pastor Charles Tan

Opening Prayer

Scripture Text: Genesis 18:16-33

Message: “Abraham still stood before the LORD”

Speaker: Pastor Charles Tan

Closing Prayer

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 19 June 2021

Scripture Text: Genesis 18:16-33

Message: “Abraham still stood before the LORD” Pastor Charles Tan

INTRODUCTION

1. Two Purposes of the LORD

a) To visit with Abraham and Sarah Genesis 18:1-15

b) To visit Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 18:16-33

2. The First Purpose was fulfilled
The LORD paid a special visit to Abraham and Sarah

a) Fellowship with Abraham and Sarah

b) Faith encouraged and strengthened

SAYING FAREWELL TO THE HEAVENLY VISITORS

1. Abraham walks with the Heavenly Visitors

2. Their face was towards Sodom (and Gomorrah) Genesis 18:16

A PARTING WORD TO ABRAHAM

1. Meaningful sharing

a) “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?” Genesis 18:17

b) God shares what He is planning to do

2. Commendation of Abraham

a) “Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation” Genesis 18:18a

b) “And all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him” Genesis 18:18b

3. An Important Explanation why God had related so much to Abraham

a) One reason why God knew (related to) Abraham
“For I have known him, in order that he may command his children
and his household after him” Genesis 18:19a

b) God’s knowledge that Abraham would instruct his children

i) “That they keep the way of the LORD” Genesis 18:19b

ii) “To do righteousness and justice” Genesis 18:19c

c) Fulfilment of God’s Promise to Abraham

i) “That the LORD may bring to Abraham” Genesis 18:19d

ii) “What He has spoken to him” Genesis 18:19e

REASON FOR GOING TO SODOM AND GOMORRAH

1. Outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah

a) “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah
is great” Genesis 18:20a

b) “Their sin is very grave” Genesis 18:20b

2. Personally checking it out

a) “I will go down now and see” Genesis 18:21a

b) “I will know” Genesis 18:21b

THE DEPARTURE OF THE TWO COMPANIONS

1. They made their way to Sodom Genesis 18:22a

2. The LORD had not moved

ABRAHAM STILL STOOD BEFORE THE LORD

1. Abraham feared that Judgment would come to Sodom and Gomorrah

a) This may not be expressly stated

b) But he had gathered that this was why the LORD had come

2. Abraham’s Approach to the LORD

a) “He stood before the LORD” Genesis 18:22b

b) “He came near”(to the LORD) Genesis 18:23a

THE INTERCESSORY PRAYERS OF ABRAHAM

1. A basic premise must first be established

a) A rhetorical question raised
“Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” Genesis 18:23b

b) The expected answer
No! God would not destroy the righteous with the wicked!

2. The First Intercessory Prayer of Abraham for fifty righteous people
Genesis 18:24-26

a) “Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city” Genesis 18:24a

b) “Would You also destroy the place and not spare it
for the fifty righteous that were in it?” Genesis 18:24b

c) “Far be it from You to do such a thing as this” Genesis 18:25a

d) “To slay the righteous with the wicked” Genesis 18:25b

e) “Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge
of all the earth do right?” Genesis 18:25c

3. God’s Gracious Response to this First Plea

a) “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city” Genesis 18:26a

b) “Then I will spare all the place for their sakes” Genesis 18:26b

4. The Second Intercessory Prayer of Abraham for forty-five righteous people
Genesis 18:27-28

a) Consciousness of being a mere mortal
“Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes
Have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord” Genesis 18:27a

b) “Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous;
would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?” Genesis 18:28a

5. God’s Gracious Response to this Second Plea
“If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it” Genesis 18:28b

a) Much grace shown

b) Much mercy also promised

6. The Third Intercessory Prayer of Abraham for forty righteous people
And Answer from the LORD
Genesis 18:29

a) Question
“Suppose there should be forty found there?” Genesis 18:29a

b) Answer
“I will not do it for the sake of forty” Genesis 18:29b

7. The Fourth Intercessory Prayer of Abraham for thirty righteous people
And Answer from the LORD
Genesis 18:30

a) Question
“Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak:
Suppose thirty should be found there?” Genesis 18:30a

b) Answer
“I will not do it if I find thirty there” Genesis 18:30b

8. The Fifth Intercessory Prayer of Abraham for twenty righteous people
And Answer from the LORD
Genesis 18:31

a) Question
“Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord:
Suppose twenty should be found there?” Genesis 18:31a

b) Answer
“I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty” Genesis 18:31b

9. The Sixth Intercessory Prayer of Abraham for ten righteous people
And Answer from the LORD
Genesis 18:32

a) Question
“Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more:
Suppose ten should be found there?” Genesis 18:32a

b) Answer
“I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” Genesis 18:32b

END OF THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE LORD AND ABRAHAM

1. The LORD went His way

2. Abraham returned to his place

VITAL LESSONS

1. Abraham’s Example of Prayer

a) Praying for others whole-heartedly

b) Perseverance

c) Personal faith and humility

2. God’s Response

a) Patience

b) Kindness

c) Grace and Mercy

3. Our Challenge

a) To have a deeper faith

b) To have a heart of compassion

c) To persevere in prayer

d) To have appropriate humility