May 27, 2001 am

Abraham's Intercessory Prayer
TEXT: Gen. 18:23-33

INTRODUCTION:

A. Rom. 15:4, MUCH TO BE LEARNED FROM THIS STORY

B. HERE ABRAHAM INTERCEDES ON BEHALF OF SODOM.

C. TWO IMPORTANT LESSONS SUGGESTED BY THIS STORY.

I. THE FIRST CONCERNS THE WICKEDNESS OF SODOM.

A. GOD'S DECISION TO DESTROY REFLECTS THEIR WICKEDNESS ( Gen. 13:13; Gen. 18:20; Ez. 16:49-50; Deut. 23:17-18 ).

B. RIGHTEOUS LOT WAS VEXED BECAUSE OF SODOM( 2 Pet. 2:6-8 ).

C. WE SEE HERE BOTH GOD'S GOODNESS AND SEVERITY( Rom. 11:22 ).

1. God gives everyone opportunity( 2 Pet. 3:9 ).

2. But not everyone accepts( Matt. 7:13-14 ).

3. All are going to be judged( John 5:28-29 ).

4. All will reap what they have sown( Gal. 6:8-9 ).

D. NOW IS THE TIME TO CEASE BEING LIKE SODOM( 2 Cor. 6:2 ).

II. THE SECOND HAS TO DO WITH ABRAHAM'S PRAYER.

A. ABRAHAM'S PRAYER WAS INTERCESSORY IN NATURE.

1. An intercessor is a go between. Abraham was praying for someone else.

2. We are to pray for others, also.

a. for the spiritually sick( James 5:16; l John. 5:16 ).

b. for prosperity and physical health( 3 John. 2 ).

c. for boldness in the preaching of the gospel( Eph. 6:18-20 ).

d. for all saints( Phil. 1:9-11 ).

e. for even our enemies( Matt. 5:44 ).

B. ABRAHAM'S PRAYER DEMONSTRATES HIS CONCERN FOR THE LOST.

1. What did these ever do for him?

2. We also ought to be concerned for the lost( Matt. 9:36-38 ).

3. Prayer is a means of approaching this problem.

C. WHAT MAKES PRAYER ACCEPTABLE?

l. Content is important.

a. The right motive( Jas. 4:3; Matt. 6:5ff. ).

b. Pray with a grateful attitude( Col. 3:15 ).

c. Our prayers must be in accord with his will( 1 John 5:14; Jas. 4:15 ).

2. Attitude is important, also.

a. Faith must be had( James 1:5-8; Matt. 21:22 ).

b. We must be in the right condition spiritually( John. 15:7; Psa. 66:18; Prov. 28:9 ).

D. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD PRAYER MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN OUR LIVES.

l. We are to pray all of our lives( 1 Thess. 5:17 ).

2. We shouldn't be discouraged because we can pray( Luke 18:l; Phil. 4:6-7 ).

E. OUR PRAYERS WILL BE ANSWERED.

1. Abraham's was.

2. Ours will be also( Matt. 7:7-11; Luke 18:1-8 ).

- If we ask according to his will( 1 John. 5:14 ).

CONCLUSION:

A. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF CHRIST, THEN YOU ARE NOT IN THE RIGHT CONDITION SPIRITUALLY( John 14:6; 15:6 ).

B. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE CHRIST, EVEN YOUR PRAYERS ARE UNACCEPTABLE BUT( John. 15:7 ).

C. HOW DO WE GAIN ENTRANCE INTO CHRIST( Gal. 3:27 ).