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EZEKIEL 16: 49

"THE SIN OF SODOM"

Intro: Our minds recall the two angels who came to Lot - the actions of
       the men of the city and the subsequent judgment of God. The word
       "sodomy" stems from this.

I. SODOMY WAS NOT THE BASIC SIN.
        A. It was the final manifestation that justified the judgment.
        B. It was the fruit of deeper roots.

II. WHAT THEN WAS THE TRUE SIN OF SODOM.
        A. Pride - an inflated or exalted opinion of oneself.
                1. "Let no man think more highly of himself."
                2. "Each esteeming others better than himself."
                3. Don't we need a certain amount of pride?
                        a. "Think soberly, remembering that whatever you
                           have you have received..."
                                1. "I have with my wisdom amassed this
                                   wealth."  Where did wisdom come from?
                4. Shouldn't we have national pride?
                        a. As long as we give credit where credit is due.
                                1. "America, America, God shed His grace
                                   on thee."
                                2. Men take pride in our system and
                                   credit-free enterprise for our
                                   prosperity. "It is God who has
                                   prospered us," and free enterprise is
                                   fast becoming a historic word.
                                3. Men credit our Constitution which is
                                   being so grossly misinterpreted by our
                                   courts.
                                        a. You can teach the Bible in
                                           school as a book of literature
                                           or myths or superstitions, but
                                           not as the Word of God.
                                        b. You can use the name Jesus
                                           Christ as an oath, but not in
                                           reverence or worship. You can
                                           teach about Him as the Son of
                                           Man but not Son of God.
                                        c. You can use the school
                                           facilities for clubs studying
                                           the benefits and rewards of gay
                                           life, but not to study the
                                           Bible.
                                4. Men credit our military superiority
                                   which is rapidly deteriorating.
                                5. Still others speak of our diplomacy.
        B. "Fullness of bread".
                1. A nation young and struggling is strong.
                2. When it gets prosperous and fat, it is weakened.
        C. "Abundance of idleness."
                1. It used to be common for a six day work week.
                        a. Five is now average.
                        b. Strong move to four.
                2. What are they doing with idle time?
                        a. Indulging their flesh.
        D. "Neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."

III. FROM THESE ROOTS SPRANG AGGRESSIVE SODOMY.
        A. The weakened moral atmosphere encouraged the aggressive
           behavior.
                1. No more sense of shame.
                2. They began to publicly flaunt their sin.
        B. God was left at this point - they must be judged.
        C. Looking at our nation today - it's attitudes and laxness - the
           time of judgment has come.