Righteousness and Judgment: Lessons from Abraham's Intercession

Today’s focus is on the profound questions Abraham asks God as he intercedes for Sodom: How does God preserve the righteous when judgment falls on the wicked, and will God spare the wicked for the sake of the righteous among them? These questions are not just ancient curiosities but are deeply relevant for us as we consider the nature of God’s justice, mercy, and the role of righteousness in a decaying world.

Abraham’s dialogue with God reveals the heart of intercession and the seriousness with which God regards both sin and righteousness. God’s willingness to spare an entire city for the sake of a few righteous people shows the preserving power of righteousness in a community. Yet, the story also makes clear that there comes a point when wickedness is so pervasive that judgment is inevitable, and only the righteous are preserved—not because of their own merit, but because of God’s grace and provision.

The imagery of fruit and salt helps us understand our role in the world. Just as salt preserves meat for a time, the presence of God’s people preserves the world, holding back decay and giving space for repentance and new life. But there is a limit; when righteousness no longer has an effect, judgment comes. This is not arbitrary or capricious, but the outworking of God’s justice and patience.

Righteousness, as seen in Abraham and ultimately in Jesus, is both a state of being—made right with God through faith—and a way of living—acting justly and doing what is right in God’s eyes. Justice is not just a divine attribute but a calling for God’s people: to discern rightly, to correct what is wrong, and to reflect God’s heart in a broken world.

The account of Sodom and Gomorrah is a sobering reminder of the depth of human depravity apart from God, but also of the hope and escape provided through the one truly righteous man, Jesus Christ. Just as Lot and his family were rescued on account of righteousness, so too are we offered salvation through Christ. The call is clear: repent, trust in the righteousness of Jesus, and live as those who preserve and point others to the hope of God’s coming kingdom.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s judgment is both just and patient, responding not only to offenses against Himself but also to the cries of victims and the weight of human injustice. He does not rush to judgment but investigates, discerns, and acts at the right time, ensuring that His verdict is true and righteous. This challenges us to trust His timing and to reflect His discernment in our own judgments. [76:37]
• 2. Righteousness is not merely a status we receive by faith but a calling to live rightly and justly in the world. True righteousness is evidenced by a life that seeks to do what is right in God’s eyes, repenting of sin and pursuing justice for others. The world is preserved, in part, by the presence and actions of the righteous, who serve as salt and light amid decay. [62:54]
• 3. The preservation of the world is temporary and purposeful: God withholds final judgment as long as righteousness is being produced and the gospel is bearing fruit. When the harvest is complete and no more are coming to faith, judgment will fall. This reality should stir urgency in our witness and perseverance in our faith, knowing that our presence matters in God’s redemptive plan. [89:22]
• 4. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah exposes the depths of human depravity and the danger of a society that loses all fear of God. Yet, even in the darkest places, God sees and preserves the righteous, providing a way of escape. Our hope is not in our own ability to stand apart, but in the righteousness of Christ, who alone can save us from judgment. [94:33]
• 5. God’s final judgment will be universal, thorough, and perfectly just, separating the righteous from the wicked. Our assurance is not in our own works, but in the finished work of Jesus, the one righteous man who secures our salvation. The call is to repent, trust in Him, and live in the hope and holiness that comes from being made right with God. [98:59]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [43:36] - Prayer for Children and Kids Church
• [44:54] - Announcements: The Hub, Marriage Course, and Bible Studies
• [48:45] - Church Family Camp Details
• [49:21] - Offering and Thanksgiving
• [51:18] - Scripture Reading: Genesis 18:16-33
• [54:26] - Reflective Prayer from Psalm 1
• [57:13] - Introduction: Righteous Preservation
• [58:18] - Abraham’s Questions on Judgment
• [59:35] - Fruit and Salt: The Role of the Righteous
• [62:17] - Righteousness, Justice, and Sin Defined
• [66:08] - The Depravity of Sodom and the Necessity of Judgment
• [68:00] - God Reveals Judgment to Abraham
• [74:08] - God’s Just Judgment and Discernment
• [81:18] - Abraham’s Intercession and God’s Response
• [85:44] - The Preserving Power of Righteousness
• [91:12] - The Sins of Sodom and the Rescue of Lot
• [95:49] - Jesus: The Righteous One and Our Escape
• [98:59] - The Final Judgment and the Call to Repentance
• [100:53] - Closing Prayer and Worship Song

Bible Reading

Genesis 18:16-33 (ESV) — > Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”
>
> So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

2 Peter 2:7-9 (ESV) — > ...and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment...

Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 18:16-33, what are the two main questions Abraham asks God about judgment and righteousness? ([58:18])
2. How does God respond to Abraham’s repeated requests to spare Sodom for the sake of the righteous? What does this reveal about God’s character? ([53:14])
3. According to 2 Peter 2:7-9, what is said about Lot’s experience in Sodom and God’s ability to rescue the righteous? ([01:34:33])
4. What reasons does God give for revealing His plans of judgment to Abraham? ([01:09:20])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Abraham feel bold enough to question God about His justice, and what does this teach us about the nature of intercession? ([58:18])
2. The sermon describes God as both just and patient, investigating before acting. How does this challenge or affirm your understanding of God’s judgment? ([01:16:37])
3. The imagery of salt and fruit was used to describe the role of the righteous in the world. What does it mean for believers to be “preserving” in their communities, and what are the limits of this preservation? ([59:35])
4. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is described as both a warning and a sign of hope. How does the rescue of Lot point forward to the salvation offered in Jesus? ([01:35:49])

Application Questions

1. Abraham’s intercession for Sodom was persistent and bold, yet humble. When was the last time you prayed persistently for someone or a situation in your community? What would it look like to intercede with both boldness and humility this week? ([58:18])
2. The sermon emphasized that righteousness is not just a status but a way of living—acting justly and doing what is right in God’s eyes. Can you identify a specific area in your life or community where you are being called to “do what is right” this month? What step could you take? ([01:02:54])
3. The presence of the righteous is said to “preserve” the world, like salt. Who in your life or neighborhood do you think is being impacted by your faith, even if you don’t see immediate results? How can you be more intentional in being “salt” this week? ([59:35])
4. The sermon warns that there is a limit to God’s patience and that judgment will eventually come. Does this reality create any sense of urgency in your witness or relationships? Is there someone you feel prompted to share the hope of Christ with? ([01:29:22])
5. Lot was described as “tormented” by the lawless deeds around him, yet he remained righteous. Are there situations or environments where you feel pressure to compromise your faith? How can you stand firm and seek God’s help in those moments? ([01:34:33])
6. The sermon called us to trust in the righteousness of Jesus, not our own works. Are there areas where you are tempted to rely on your own goodness rather than Christ’s finished work? How can you remind yourself of the gospel this week? ([01:38:59])
7. God’s justice responds to the cries of victims and the weight of human injustice. Is there a specific injustice or need in your community that you feel burdened by? What is one practical way you could respond or get involved? ([01:16:37])