1. The Last Laugh (18.1-15): A Memorable Meal
God invites his people to consider his power and to trust in him.
Verse 14: Is anything too hard for the LORD?
Have you ever laughed at God's Word? Ever inferred that God is a liar?
Have you ever doubted God's power? His goodness?
Ever been angry or disappointed with God?
How will this story affect your answers in the future?
Have you ever thought about communion in the way we looked at it Sunday?
2. The Just Judge (18.16-33): A Candid Conversation Between Two Friends
God invites his people to consider his justice and his mercy and to trust him.
Verse 25b: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?
We have a better intercessor than Abraham!
1 John 2.1-2
Romans 9.34
Hebrews 7.25
Philippians 1.6
Can you trust God with your life and your salvation? With the salvation of others?
How does this story speak to "eternal security" or the biblical concept of assurance?
3. Judgment and Mercy (19.1-29): God Judges Sin
God invites his people to consider his judgment of sin and sinners and to trust in his faithful mercy towards those who have imperfect faith.
Verses 15-16: As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city." But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.
Righteousness matters. Righteousness before God and humanity. Righteousness as defined by God.
What is the difference between justification and sanctification? Between being declared righteous by faith and doing works of righteousness?
How should this affect the way we relate to God? To others?
How should this affect the way we feel about our good works? Our weaknesses? Our sins?
4. Sin Again (19.30-38): God Uses Sin Sinlessly
God invites his people to consider the consequences of not doing - and not teaching - righteousness.
Verse 37: The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. (and check out Ruth 4.17 and Matthew 1.2,5-6)
Do our actions (and omissions) have consequences? Can they affect others?
How does this story affect your perspective of your past sins and failures?
How does this story bring fresh motivation and fresh hope for the future?
