9th December 2018 - Will We Choose Zoar? - Ajay Chakravarthy
9th December 2018 - Will We Choose Zoar? - Ajay Chakravarthy
Summary
The sermon uses the biblical account of Lot's family escaping Sodom and Gomorrah to illustrate a choice: whether the congregation will choose to follow God's path or remain in the doomed city. The central message urges the listeners to heed God's call and choose the way of righteousness, drawing parallels to drawing near to the throne of grace through faith.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Opening worship songsThe congregation stands to sing hymns of praise to the Lord God Almighty.
Singing about the greatness of GodThe songs celebrate that God's love is greater than anything we can express with words.
A prayer of thanks for God's presenceThe speaker leads a prayer acknowledging that God has been beside us through every trial and has led us through difficult times.
A longing for God's presenceDrawing from the Psalms, the speaker describes a deep thirst and joy found in seeking God's presence and praising Him despite difficult circumstances.
The reality of being unworthy servantsReflecting on Luke 17:10, the speaker suggests that our true motives for serving God are often tested and revealed during unguarded moments.
The hidden intentions of the older brotherThrough the story of the older son in Luke 15, the speaker illustrates how a person can serve for years out of a desire for recognition rather than pure devotion.
The landscape of the plainsThe speaker describes the five cities of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah, noting that Lot initially saw the valley as a well-watered, beautiful land like Eden.
Lot's hesitation to obeyDespite the angels urging Lot to flee the sinful city to save his life, Lot hesitated and struggled to follow God's direct command.Genesis 19:15
The consequence of leanness of soulThe speaker concludes that by getting exactly what they pleaded for, Lot and the Israelites experienced a 'leanness of soul,' possessing an outward form of godliness while lacking true power and obedience.Psalm 106:15
Learning obedience through sufferingUnlike Lot, Jesus and Abraham did not avoid hardship; Jesus learned obedience specifically through the things He suffered.Hebrews 5:8
Drinking the cup provided by the FatherJesus accepted the cross not as a burden to avoid, but as a 'cup' given by His Father that He must drink.John 18:11
The danger of discouraging the righteousUsing Ezekiel as an example, the speaker warns against those who falsely encourage the wicked and discourage the righteous from following God's path.Ezekiel 13:22
God brings us out of sin to present us with a choiceJust as God brought people out of the city, He brings us out of our old lives to give us the opportunity to choose between trusting Him or continuing in disobedience.
The danger of living like the days of Noah and LotUsing Jesus' words in Luke, the speaker explains that just as destruction came suddenly to those focused only on worldly activities, we must not be caught unprepared.
A call to commit and not look backThe message concludes with a prayerful dedication to follow Jesus completely, asking for the strength to endure without looking back at the world.
