The message was brought by Rev. Rodger Castle.
Have you ever tried to bargain with God saying “if you’ll do so and so I’ll do so and so?” or “God I know you’re going to do this and so I think this would be a good way to do it.” Abraham was in the Ur of Chaldees and God called him out. He was on in years, beyond childbearing for both him and Sarah, but God told him he would make of him a great nation. Sarah laughed when God said she’d have a son. Have you ever laughed at what God says? Two angels and the Lord himself came to Abraham’s tent.
Genesis 18: 23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: 28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake. 30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. 32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. 33 And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
The Lord was tired of the wickedness and it was time to do something. The wickedness of America won’t be forgotten. A new president is not the answer. Children raised in Christian homes won’t even come to church. They are more in tune to the world than we are. The city of Sodom was going to be destroyed because of the wickedness. Sodom was a large city. Remember that a while before this Abraham and Lot parted ways so their herdsmen wouldn’t have contention among each other. Lot chose the plains of Sodom. He liked how it looked. Abraham went the other way. Lot went to the city and set up a table at the gate. His heart was vexed by the wickedness yet he did nothing about it. We do that. We don’t want to offend anyone so we say nothing. If something is wrong, it is wrong.
The angels went toward Sodom. Abraham had bargained with the Lord to save the city. He went from finding 50 all the way to 10 righteous people asking God not to destroy it. There was not that many even in that large city. Lot had not even had an impact on his sons-in-law in winning them to God. We all can witness. The concern is being at the judgment when the lost are before the Lord. We’ll know many of them. They may point a finger at us and ask why we didn’t say anything. We will be in tears as people are put into hell. People brush the Lord aside and refuse heaven. They only place left to go when a person refuses heaven is hell. While we are enjoying heaven forever in a glorified body, there will be billions crying and weeping in hell.
How can we stop it? Abraham tried to bargain with God thinking 10 righteous would be there. God already knew. It’s important to know your name is written in heaven. In a large city not even 10 were right with God. There was a survey a few years ago showing large number on our church pews are going to hell. We’re too unconcerned. I’m told that 5,000 die worldwide every hour. If only 10% of those are saved that means over 4,000 go to hell.
Have you been bargaining with God? Abraham thought 10 would be righteous. We get comfortable with what’s going on around us not realizing what the real truth is. What are we doing to put ourselves in the hands of a holy God? When someone stands over your body you’ll already be where you’re going, either in heaven or hell. In hell there is darkness, fire and misery. Are you really ready to meet God or are you still trying to bargain with him? We are told in the Bible to present ourselves to God for his service. Are you willing to go, do and be what God wants of you?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 