[ ] 3/22/2015 #1098
FIRE AND BRIMSTONE FROM HEAVEN
Genesis 19:1-16
INTRODUCTION: Biblical archaeologist, Ron Wyatt discovered the ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah southeast of the Dead Sea in 1989. Millions of partially incinerated sulfur balls and tons of ash were found. Evidence of heat exceeding 4000 degrees Fahrenheit can be seen in the rock and strata. The Bible teaches that God rained fire and brimstone upon these cities. Why would the Lord bring such judgment on these cities and what is the lesson for us today?
I. VISITORS OF SODOM
A. IDENTITY OF THE VISITORS. (Gen. 18:1-2)
In chapter 18, the Lord and the two angels appeared to Abraham. This is another presentation of Jesus in human form before His incarnation. In chapter 19, the angels appeared to Lot as men.
B. INTENTION OF THE VISITORS. (Gen. 18:10, 20-22)
The Lord told Abraham the intention of His visit. Abraham and Sarah would have a child (v. 10) and Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed (v. 17, 20).
C. INTERCESSION OF ABRAHAM. (Gen. 18:17-33)
Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah by asking that the Lord would be merciful on the people. Abraham would have known the wickedness of these cities. He prayed the cites would be spared if the Lord found 10 righteous people living in them.
II. VILENESS OF SODOM
A. WICKEDNESS OF THE CITY.
The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were debased and deviant. They had fallen so deep into their depravity that any sin was permissible.
These people were guilty of homosexuality, but they were guilty of other sins as well. Their sins brought forth God's judgment. Sodom’s sins consisted of pride, prosperity, abundance of idleness, greed and other sins. (Ezekiel 16:49)
In Genesis 13:12-13, the Word of God states: "Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly." (Genesis 13:12-13 KJV)
The Lord said of the cities: "the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous." (Gen. 18:20)
In the book of Jude, we read that Sodom and Gomorrah had given themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh. (Jude 1:7)
There are those who maintain that Jude condemned the men of Sodom, not for their homosexuality, but because they sought to have sexual relations with angels. They base this claim on the use of the expression “strange flesh.”
God calls homosexuality anabomination. (Lev. 18:22). Sodom and Gomorrah were known for their sexual perversion.
Many homosexuals say that the sin of Sodom was their lack of hospitality to the visitors. Others say that the story of Sodom recounts an instance of an attempted gang rape by an entire community of male citizens against the two angels within their gates. Their sin was rape and not homosexuality.
Some say that the men didn’t want to have sex with the visitors, only that they wanted to interrogate them.
In reference to Sodom, some homosexuals teach that the Bible makes no mention of their sin being homosexuality. Some homosexuals say that Sodom is used as a symbol of evil in dozens of places in the Bible, but not in a single instance is the sin of the Sodomites specified as homosexuality.
B. WARNING TO LOT.
God warned Lot of the coming destruction of Sodom. Lot was to get his family out of the city before the fiery judgment.
C. WILLFUL ACTS OF HOMOSEXUALS.
1. Their immoral behavior.
Homosexuals are known for their promiscuity. Many homosexuals have numerous partners.
"Bell and Weinberg reported evidence of widespread sexual compulsion among homosexual men.83% of the homosexual men surveyed estimated they had had sex with 50 or more partners in their lifetime, 43% estimated they had sex with 500 or more partners; 28% with 1,000 or more partners. “
"The survey showed 79% of the respondents saying that over half of their sexual partners were strangers.” Bell and Weinberg p 308." (exodusglobalalliance.org/ishomosexualityhealthyp60.php)
2. Their Indoctrination of culture.
Bear Bergman is a Canadian activist who promotes the gay agenda. He owns a Toronto publishing company. He said: "I am here to tell you: All that time I said I wasn't indoctrinating anyone with my beliefs about gay and lesbian and bi and trans and queer people? That was a lie," he wrotein an article forHuffington Postcalled: "I Have Come to Indoctrinate Your Children into My LGBTQ Agenda (And I'm Not a Bit Sorry)."
Bergman went on to say, "I want kids to know even if their parents' or community's interpretation of their religious tenets is that we're awful. I would be happy -- delighted, overjoyed I tell you -- to cause those children to disagree with their families on the subject of LGBTQ people."
"'Teenagers at a California high school were publicly shamed for disagreeing with speakers allowed to push an LGBT agenda during an English class, according to several upset parents.
The Queer Straight Alliance at Acalanes High School, in Lafayette, lectured students in several ninth-grade English classes on Jan. 29 about LGBT issues, according to Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, which is representing the parents.
During the class, the students, ages 15 and 16 were instructed to stand in a circle. Then, they were grilled about their personal beliefs and their parents’ beliefs on homosexuality, PJI alleges.
"The OSA had students step forward to demonstrate whether they believed that being gay was a choice and whether their parents would be accepting if they came out as gay," PJI attorney Matthew McReynolds said. "Students who did not step forward were ridiculed and humiliated."'
3. Their interpretation of the Bible.
Homosexuals have their own new edition of the King James Bible. It is called the Queen James Bible. The editors of this new Bible rewrote eight key verses that speak in opposition to homosexual practice.
The editors stated that, "We edited those eight verses in a way that makes homophobic interpretations impossible."
The Bible is full of verses that bear witness to heterosexual marriage and the family as God's plan but not homosexual marriages or gay sex. (Genesis 2:21-25)
God warns those who add to or take away from His Word. (Rev. 22:18-19) The person who does will be removed from the book of life.
4. Their intimidation of Christians.
a) Barronelle Stutzman, a Washington State florist declined to provide flowers for a gay wedding. She may lose everything she owns. Barronelle is a 70-year-old Southern Baptist grandmother who is fighting for her religious beliefs.
b) Oregon couple Aaron and Melissa Klein was forced to close their bakery after declining to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian marriage ceremony and are now facing the threat of having to pay $150,000 in damages.
c) Kelvin Cochran, the Atlanta fire chief was fired after publishing a religious book tied to his Christian faith that included biblical views of homosexuality.
d) The city of Houston issued subpoenas demanding a group of pastors to turn over any sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity or Annise Parker, the city’s first openly lesbian mayor.
She later withdrew the subpoenas against five pastors who have spoken out against the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, an LGBT city ordinance that some opponents claim would allow men to use women's public restrooms.
e) Chaplain Wes Modder is a highly decorated, greatly respected and deeply praised officer serving in the Navy's Chaplain Corps. His 19-year career has spanned honored assignments such as serving as chaplain of the Navy SEALs.
In 2014, Wes Modder's assistant, a "married" homosexual, covertly searched through Chaplain Modder’s confidential counseling files and then forwarded pirated copies of them to the Equal Opportunity reps as evidence of "discrimination." In those private counseling sessions, Modder had called homosexuality "sin."
As a result, the base commanding officer at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Captain J.R. Fahs, removed him from his unit, told him to clean out his desk and forbade him to minister to the spiritual needs of military personnel.
f. Courtney Schmackers is a videographer, the owner of Next Door Stories. She received an email from a couple who wanted to schedule an appointment to talk with her about filming their upcoming same-sex "wedding. Courtney politely responded by saying: "Thank you for reaching out about wedding videographer... Unfortunately at this time, I do not offer services for same-sex weddings, but thank you for your inquiry!"
Instead of respecting the owners' beliefs and finding another videographer, the women went to the press to exact revenge. Inan interview with CNN, the couple kick-started their campaign to put Next Door Studios out of business.
Senator Ted Cruz said in an interview that pastors being hauled off to jail by the government for preaching against homosexuality are a “real risk” in the future.
III. VERDICT ON SODOM
A. DESTRUCTION OF SODOM (Gen. 19:24-25)
Someone has said there are at least 23 verses in the Bible that allude to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God had a reason to have the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah recorded in the Bible.
In Second Peter 2:6, we learn that God made them an example "unto those that after should live ungodly."
B. DELIVERANCE OF LOT.
The angels led Lot, his wife and two daughters out of Sodom. The cities were all destroyed by fire and brimstone that rained down "from the LORD out of heaven.” (v. 24)
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. The Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness.
2. The lesson for us is that God will judge the ungodly, even America.
3. The descent into moral corruption may be slow but judgment is swift.
4. Every individual will be judged by God. Jesus is the only one who can save you from the eternal fires of hell. Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?