Genesis 18:16-33
Abraham the Intercessor

Why does God even inform Abraham?

1. He was his friend.

2 Chron 20:7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

Isa 41:8 "But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.

2. To stir him to action
V.20-21

The idea of justice comes from God

•Punishing sin is right.
•Moral crimes ought to be punished?
•All those without Christ will be condemned

Does that stir us to action?

Intercession- To mediate or go before someone in place of another

I. The Heart of an Intercessor

Why should Abraham even care about the people of Sodom and Gomorrah?

Gen 13:13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.

“Greatly”- me`od (meh-ode'); vehemently, diligently, exceeding, mightily.

“I don’t care.”

1. Jonah
Jonah 1:1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." 3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Jonah 3:10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. 4:1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. 2 He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.
2. The Prodigal’s brother
Luke 15:25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31 "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

What is God’s heart toward the sinner?

Ezek 33:11As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.

Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The heart of an intercessor desires to see sinners turn to God through Christ

II. The Priority of an Intercessor
V.22
“I don’t have time.”

Mike Macintosh, Falling in love with Prayer,"In all reality, we don't have time not to pray. In my life, I have found that time for prayer is a top priority, an absolute must. Without it, I am lost and do not have a sharp edge in my ministry, family relationships, or friendships. Prayer keeps me focused on who I am in respect to who God is. Prayer keeps me keenly aware that I am a servant of the King, and that he has given me everything I have. Any recognition I may receive for community service or effective ministry is due entirely to the fact that I am his servant." (P48-49)

III. The Confidence of an Intercessor
V.23

Approaching a friend

John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

We have become friends with God through faith in Christ

Heb 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.