The Depravity of Humanity- Gen. 19
Genesis • Sermon • Submitted
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· 20 viewsA sermon examining the people and sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, with accompanying comments about human depravity
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When we study the Scriptures, and in particular theology, we can, at times, be guilty of separating theology (i.e., doctrinal truths) from every day life. In other words, substitutionary atonement (of which we spoke about in Sunday’s sermon) is disconnected from Tuesday afternoon. This is not only a shame, but it is also harmful to our lives as Christians. Doctrine is inherently practical. We are speaking of an incredible practical doctrine this evening as presented through the account of Genesis 19.
Our subject is The Depravity of Humanity. We are familiar enough with the term depraved. The term is associated with sexual sins and murder often in the news. “Depraved man found guilty...” or “Maine mother of five indicted for depraved indifference murder in death...”
While the news agencies understand the term depraved, they do not understand it fully because they have separated it from its theological, or biblical, context. Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley offer a helpful definition that I want to provide for you in your sermons notes.
“‘Total’ does not refer to the intensity of sin, as if everyone were as bad as they possibly could be, but to the extent of corruption, for sin corrupts every part of the human person and stains everything that we do.”—Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley
What we are looking at tonight is both the extent of human depravity and the essence of human depravity. There are, as there always has been, two groups of people: believers and unbelievers (or, sheep and goat). Unbelievers, the Scriptures teach us, are depraved. They cannot serve God, they cannot submit to God, they fight against God. Believers, as the Scriptures teach us, are new creations. They long for the Word and for submission to God. Yet, they are still beset by sin. God is in the process of purifying us (i.e., sanctification, transformation). We will see both displayed in chapter 19 this evening. My hope is that at the end, not only will we be better armed to fight our own depravity, but that our gratitude and appreciation for the grace of God would be renewed.
I. The Depravity of New Humanity- 19:1-8, 12-22, 30-38
I. The Depravity of New Humanity- 19:1-8, 12-22, 30-38
We start with “new humanity,” or a believer (i.e., Lot) because that is where our account begins. We need only consult 2 Pet. 2:7-8 to establish this truth. However, we are going to stay focused on Genesis 19 for the moment. Lot is a believer, a follower of Yahweh through His relationship with Lot’s uncle, Abraham. Lot displayed a great faith in leaving his family behind in Ur and traveling with his uncle.
We left Lot dwelling in the cities of the plains and pitching his tent as far as Sodom in 13:12. Lot then moved into Sodom in 14:12, where he was captured in the battle of the nine kings and eventually delivered by Abraham. And for four chapters, the Scriptures are silent about the nephew of Abraham. Now, however, he reappears, providing us with an example of depravity in new humanity.
A. There are good deeds in new humanity- 19:1-8
A. There are good deeds in new humanity- 19:1-8
Lot, following the example of his uncle and the expectation of God (see 17:1), is a wonderful host. He takes care of the two men (the angels unaware, cf. Heb. 13:2) and is a gracious host. He insists that the men stay with him (revealing his knowledge of Sodom, 19:8).
He gives them a feast, and provides for the needs and wants generously. Good deeds are common in new humanity, though still tainted by depravity. And this is a familiar experience. We do right on the one hand and then wrong on the other. Our experiences are like that of Paul’s in Rom. 7:14-20. When we speak of depravity, we must keep this in mind, particularly in reference to believers. We are works in progress.
B. There are vestiges of evil in new humanity- 19:12-22
B. There are vestiges of evil in new humanity- 19:12-22
While the Lord is working in and through us, we also see that there are still vestiges of evil in new humanity. The Baptist Confession describes it like this, “This sanctification is throughout, in the whole of man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part...” (2LCF 13.2)
When warning his sons-in-law about the coming destruction, they thought Lot was joking. And we must not miss the significance of this statement. How many Christians have lived lives not different from the world, and when moved to speak out seem to be joking? Let this be a warning to us.
There is also the vestige of failing to listen to the Word of the Lord. In verse 17 the angels warn, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.” Lot’s wife ignores this command not to look and dies as a result (19:26). We must listen carefully to the Word of God. By the way, the command to hear or obey or keep or listen all convey the same idea. Do not let God’s Word fly by your hearing and understanding. To do so is dangerous for your life, both here and in the future.
And Lot, ignoring the warning given by the angels, sought to live in a nearby city. The angels had to drag him out of the city (19:16). Lot flirted with the depravity of Sodom because it benefited him personally. And do we not do the same? We accept certain shortcomings and failures and such to enjoy privileges and benefits.
C. There is flawed thinking in new humanity- 19:30-38
C. There is flawed thinking in new humanity- 19:30-38
The end of the chapter reveals further indictment against the depravity of new humanity in the flawed thinking. While his daughters started this, Lot was not willing to stop it. Twice in verses 33 and 35 Lot is described as being so drunk that he was not even aware of what happened with his two daughters. Perhaps he was depressed about the destruction of the cities. His daughters seemed to think the world had been destroyed. But this horrific and depraved story reveals the wickedness of flawed thinking that remains even in new humanity.
This is why the New Testament speaks frequently of renewing the mind or of having our understanding changed.
II. The Depravity of Old Humanity- 19:4-5, 9-11
II. The Depravity of Old Humanity- 19:4-5, 9-11
The next point is not nearly as fun because we are looking at unregenerate humanity, humanity that is not in the process of being renewed into the image of God.
A. Old humanity is wicked to the core- 19:4-5, 9-11
A. Old humanity is wicked to the core- 19:4-5, 9-11
All the people, Moses notes for us, sought to rape these men. And that is what this is. Jude reveals as much in his small epistle in verse 7. The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the surrounding areas, sought to commit wicked and horrific sexual deviances. All the people, young and old, had these desires. They were wicked to the core.
That is what depravity is. We noted at the beginning of our time that this in no way implies that we will express that wickedness in quite the same way in every circumstance. It means that there is not one part that is untouched by our depravity.
These individuals of Sodom were wicked to the core. We see this in their rampant wickedness displayed through sexual sins. But this was not all they did.
B. Old humanity does not care for the unprotected- 19:4-5, 9-11
B. Old humanity does not care for the unprotected- 19:4-5, 9-11
I say the unprotected, we could easily interject the defenseless, or the outcasts, and even broaden it out to include all image bearers of God. Lot was under social obligation (not to mention biblical morality) to protect these two men. But the way of old humanity, or unbelievers, is not to care for others. We see this thought elaborated upon by Paul in the NT (see Rom. 1:28-32). Unbelievers, though in various ways and in diverse intensities, are void of care for human beings in general and the unprotected in particular. Sin is so infectious it seeps into the soul and causes hatred where love should exist (see 2 Tim. 3:1-5).
III. The Results of Depravity—God’s Grace and God’s Judgment- 19:27-29
III. The Results of Depravity—God’s Grace and God’s Judgment- 19:27-29
We end our time this evening by looking at God’s response to human depravity. There are two options, both stemming from God’s justice.
A. New humanity is not deserving of God’s grace—yet receives it anyway
A. New humanity is not deserving of God’s grace—yet receives it anyway
Briefly note Lot’s response and salvation. He is saved from the destruction of Sodom. It is by grace. Lot does not deserve it. And we fully agree with that statement. Judging from his actions here in chapter 19, we would include that Lot deserves the judgment. He offered up his daughters to a sex-crazed group of Sodom, after all.
If we are not careful, though, the sin of pride can creep into our hearts, blinding us to our own sinfulness because it is not outright like Lot’s. But the truth is, we are as equally sinful as Lot. We are as equally underserving of mercy—yet we receive it anyway.
God the Father, the perfect and righteous judge, judges all sin. However, for those in Christ, our sins were judged in Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21, Rom. 3:21-26). We deserve judgment, but through Christ we receive mercy. Like Lot who is dragged out of the city, we are often dragged out of the world and its sinfulness by our merciful God. Praise the Lord for His mercy!
B. Old humanity is not deserving of God’s grace—yet receives God’s justice
B. Old humanity is not deserving of God’s grace—yet receives God’s justice
But God always judges sins. And for those sins not atoned for by Christ, those individuals will face God’s righteous wrath. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities were completely and utterly destroyed.
The truth of Scripture is that God judges sin, righteously so. There is no escape. This should be a warning to us, to check our own hearts for the deceitfulness of sin.
Humans, divided into believers and unbelievers, are depraved. Believers, through the constant work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, are becoming more like Jesus. We should, then, strive for more victories. Unbelievers, enslaved by sin and led by Satan, dive deeper into depravity. Believers response is to live and preach the Gospel, praying that God will grant repentance where He deems fit.