Message: "SERVICE - God's Mercy and Judgement" from Zach Schlegel

Zach Schlegel - February 5, 2023

SERVICE - God's Mercy and Judgement

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Genesis 19:1-38

Introduction

Jesus taught us that there are two ways to live. There is a narrow path and a wide path. (Matthew 7:13-14) Trusting God as Ruler is the narrow path and deciding for ourselves what is good and bad, right and wrong is the wide path. Choosing the narrow path will have its difficulties, but it leads to life. Yet when we look over and see the wide path we may wonder sometimes “Is it that bad?” It looks like they are having a good time.

As we look at Genesis 19, we should remember Genesis 13. Abraham and Lot were living together, and it got crowded. They decided to separate, and Lot was given the first choice of a place to go. He saw Sodom. He knew that the men of Sodom were wicked, but he saw the land. He saw the potential. First, he moved near Sodom. Time goes on. Then in Genesis 14, Lot moves into the city. Would Sodom deliver the promise of the good life that Lot was looking for? Can we, today, keep one foot on the narrow path and the other on the wide and easy path for the best of both worlds? No; you cannot serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24)

Genesis 19 is a hard, dark chapter, but from it we can see a merciful warning from a God who wants to bless us.

Big Idea: Avoid the world's seductive promise of the good life because it ends in death.

Sermon Outline

1. Scene One: The evil deeds in darkness (vs. 1-14)
2. Scene Two: God’s righteousness in the light of day (vs. 15-29)
3. Scene Three: The tragic end of compromise (Vs. 30-38)

Scripture References: Genesis 19:1-38