Theme: Judgment

Topic: The Consequence of Sin - The Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah

Text: Genesis 13:12-13, Genesis 18:16-33, and Genesis 19:1-26

Memory Verse: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived.  Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 6: 9-10

This study will help you understand:

1.     Why the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.

2.     The consequences of sin.

3.     The role of an intercessor, and

4.     The result of partial obedience and an unequal yoke.

INTRODUCTION

Sodom and Gomorrah had a lot of things in common with the society in which we live today. They looked so good from the outside that when Lot looked up and saw all the plain of Jordan (includes Sodom and Gomorrah), that it was well watered like the garden of the Lord, he chose to pitch his tent in front of it (Genesis 18:8-10). In chapter 14:1-12, it seemed like God was working in their favor. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah went to war, were defeated and Lot was captured - along with other possessions -, God made it possible for Abraham to rescue Lot and recover the lost possessions.

Although Sodom and Gomorrah looked good, and had good things happening to them, the Bible records in Genesis 13:13 that the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.(2 Pet 3:9). There therefore came a time when the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was too much that there was an outcry to the Lord. God then sent His angels to see how bad it was (Gen 18:20-22).

God announced to Abram that he was going to destroy Sodom and its neighboring cities and, upon Abram’s persistent pleading, agreed to save the city if He found ten righteous people. Lot’s family turned out to be the only one found righteous, but even at that, not everyone in Lot’s family was saved. Lot’s sons-in-law refused to heed their father-in-law’s warning when he told them to prepare to escape from the wrath of God. Lot’s wife also disobeyed the instruction she was given, and was turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back.

Why the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed

1.     Sin and Wickedness

a.     Homosexuality and lesbianism: Gen. 19:4-9, Rom 1:21-32, 1Cor. 6:9-11

b.    Sexual Immorality: The Lord says-

-  ‘Have nothing to do with a brother that is sexually immoral’ 1Cor.5:11

-  ‘Flee from sexual immorality’ 1Cor 5:9, 1Cor 6:18

-  ‘The body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord’ 1Cor.

6:13

Discuss sexual sin in Sodom and Gomorrah and compare it with sexual activities that occur in our society today. If you are a victim, today is the day of repentance.

2.     The consequence of sin is death (Rom 3:23)

a.     Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed - Gen 19:23-26

b.    There is a final judgment for all sinners - Rev 21:8

c.     Sickness, poverty, failure and suffering - Mtt 9:1-8

d.    If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us - 1 Jn 1:9

3.     The role of an intercessor in God’s plan of salvation

a.     Prayer as was demonstrated by Abraham - Gen 18:23-33

b.    Watchmen for the city/campus/family. Gen 19:1 - Lot sat at the gateway of the city (NIV). All campuses need to have someone sitting at the gateway - an intercessor. BCF needs to have men who are praying for the campuses and watching and observing the spiritual atmosphere to know what God is saying.

c.     The annihilation was a judgment, and just as it happened in Sodom, it is going to happen again soon…Key Question: Are we ready?  Luke 17: 28-35, Jude 3-7

4.     The result of partial obedience and unequal yoke

a.   Partial obedience (Gen. 19:26) is as good as no obedience. Many Christians today are showing only partial obedience to God and continue to hold fast to certain secret sins. Lot’s wife was not ready to give up life in Sodom and Gomorrah totally and perished as a result. (Discuss).

b.   What will become of Christians and their unbelieving spouses or friends is evident in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen 19:14; 16-17. The unbelievers have no place in God’s salvation except they repent. Lot’s sons-in-law did not make it to freedom with their wives because of unbelief. They thought Lot was kidding. It is the same today. Many, including some of our intimate friends, think that the Bible is a joke. What are we doing about it?

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