The REAL Reason God Destroyed Sodom
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, ESV)
Mini Devotional
A mini message to take with you this week to help you in your devotion to God.
THE REAL REASON GOD DESTROYED SODOM
Devotional by: Elijah Bell
We often say that God destroyed Sodom because of their rampant sexual sins. But when reading the book of Ezekiel, we see God getting to the real heart of their sin.
“Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.” (Ezekiel 16:49–50, ESV)
You see, the thing we often think Sodom was destroyed for (sexual immorality) was simply a symptom of a much more deeply-rooted problem: PRIDE. We see a couple of Sodom’s symptomatic sins that both stemmed from pride in this passage: lack of helping the needy, and haughtiness.
When we are prideful, and when we are more important than anyone and everything else in our own eyes, the door is opened for all other sins to come creeping in. We will begin worshipping the creature instead of the Creator, and we saw how that turned out for Sodom.
But what really stood out to me is that God didn’t even mention their sexual sin here. Instead, He choose to call them out for not caring for the needy, even though they were capable of doing so. This seems to indicate that lack of care for the weak and needy is among the most egregious things we can do in the sight of God.
This falls in line with what Jesus says in Matthew 25 when He describes the final judgment. In this particular passage in Matthew, Jesus mentions caring for others as the main criteria for entrance into heaven.
“Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’” (Matthew 25:44–45, ESV).
So, we may not be committing rampant sexual sin like Sodom, but are we prideful? Are we blessed with many physical possessions but yet shut up our hearts to the weak and needy? God seems to indicate this is a far worse scenario.
It’s time to stop dealing with individual symptomatic sins, and start getting to the HEART of why we continue to sin in the first place: PRIDE.
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For September
Equip (3 completions) — Ask a church member to hold you accountable to the Mission Control challenges going forward.
Teach (0 completions) — Make a list of non-church members that you know, then share with one of them something Jesus has done for you.
Serve (5 completions) — Consider your gifts, and use them to perform an unexpected kindness for someone you don’t know very well.
*Be on the lookout for weekly training videos on our Facebook and YouTube pages, published each Sunday, to help you complete the challenges.
*As you complete each challenge, drop one of the pom-pom balls into the corresponding jar at the Mission Control Center in the lobby so we can see how many people are completing each challenge. One completion per person, per challenge, per month.
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
R.E.A.L. Ladies postponed by one week due to conflicting dates
The R.E.A.L. Ladies group was supposed to meet on Monday, September 19th, but that’s going to be the night for the area wide youth event, so the R.E.A.L. Ladies will meet the following Monday night, Monday, September 26th instead. Please remember to sign-up in the lobby. Check the “Upcoming Events” section below for details on the event.
New Mission Control Challenges This Month
Please review the Missions for the month of September above, and stop by the Mission Control center in the lobby to pick up a mission pamphlet. We’re also asking that you sign up for the Mission Launch Team (please check the section on ways you can serve below for more information).
Please send Sonia Roach the address of your College Student
If they are going to college local please send me their name. Please include what year they are in. We like to send cards and care packages. They need to know they are prayed for, missed and loved. If you have any questions or ideas please reach out to me.
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
Bob Tankersly
David Fair (Asks for prayers for marriage and family situation)
Larry Clarke
Phil Wilkins
Robin Ibershoff
Inez Chatham
Samantha Horn
Janis Friend
God’s will for the the Tom Roach family
Upcoming Events
Here are some events that are coming up that you need to make space on your calendar for.
This Sunday, September 18th, 6pm — Singing Night
The service will be dedicated to singing and encouraging each other, with a short devotional.
Monday, September 19th, 7pm — Area-Wide Youth Event
September 19th (Monday) Holly Hill will host the Area Wide Youth Rally starting at 7:00pm. We will provide a meal after the singing and devo for about 60-75 people, so please check out the sign up sheet on the bulletin board. If you have any questions, Joue or Bruce will be your point of contact.
Monday, September 26th at 6pm — R.E.A.L. Ladies Devo And Fellowship
Will be in the fellowship hall at the church building
Theme: Tea Party
Please feel free to dress up if you like
Please bring your favorite finger food
Robin Mayes teaching
Please sign-up in the lobby, or let Katie Bell know that you’re coming
Friday, September 30th at 7pm — Trivia Night
From Robert: Carol and I are excited to host a Trivia Night for the congregation. The event will be on September 30th, from approximately 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM. It will be held in the auditorium. Some of the key things to know are below:1. Team size is up to 6 people.
2. Sign-up online or on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.
3. There will be 8 rounds. Two of the rounds will be Bible and one round each of geography, entertainment, history, art and literature, science and nature, and sports and leisure.
4. 10 Questions per round, 30 seconds per question, no repeats, intermission after four sessions, dessert and drinks served in the basement.
5. Each team may purchase mulligans. They can buy up to 16 at $5 per mulligan. Mulligan money goes toward Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund.
6. After each category answers are collected.
7. You cannot use phones or any other devices.
If you plan to attend the Trivia Night, please use the sign-up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F49A4AC2CA1FD0-holly
Thursday, October 6th — Potters Pick-Up
The folks from Potters will be here on this date to pick up the items the church has donated for the Tuesday’s Treasures thrift store. Please have all donations in by this day, and feel free to stop by to help load the truck. They usually arrive around 10am, but call to make sure.
Saturday, October 8th — Hay Ride & Fall Festival
Games, activities, food, 4pm to 6pm. Hay ride at 6pm. The event will be held at the Bowman residence. Check Facebook for your invitation. If you are not on Facebook, please let Bowmans know if you are planning to come.
How You Can Serve
There are a lot of ways you can get involved and do the work of God in our community!
For more information or for help signing up for any of these ministries, please call the church office at: (502) 227-7796.
Limited-Time Opportunities:
September Mission Control Challenges
We have 3 new challenges for the month of September that we need your help on. Please see the section above entitled “Missions” for more information.
Donate To Potters Home, Tuesday’s Treasures Thrift Shop (By Oct. 6th)
To support the Potters Children’s Home, the church is gathering items to donate to their thrift store, Tuesday’s Treasures, in Bowling Green. We’re looking for gently used household items, clothing, toys, furniture, etc. This is not an opportunity to get rid of broken junk, but to generously donate to help a good cause. Please donate items that are in a condition that you would want to use. Items can be dropped off at the church building.
Long-Term Opportunities:
Mission Launch Team
We are needing individuals to sign up for the Mission Launch Team. People on this team commit to working on the Mission Control challenges each month, and they also commit to encouraging at least one other person to work on the missions as well. We need you to sign up for this ministry so we can grow the Mission Control program organically from person to person. Sign up for the Mission Launch Team at the Mission Control Center in the lobby.
Tech Team Support — The Holly Hill Tech Team needs help. We would love to have a few more people trained and available to set up the livestreams and audio equipment. It’s a fairly simple task and you’ll be well trained before being thrown into the seat alone. If you’re interested, see Nick, David, or Brad.
Greeter Ministry — We’re looking for people who are friendly and outgoing to welcome our guests and members each Sunday morning. If you are interested, contact Tom Owens.
Card Ministry — Every Sunday there are cards spread out on a table in the lobby that will be sent out to various church members and guests who need encouragement. You can help serve and encourage by making sure to sign these cards each week.
Casey Blessing Box — The Caseys are collecting items to give away to those in need in their Blessing Box. Currently, they are accepting donations of: Can goods of fruit and vegetables. Crackers, or cereal.
Shriners Children’s Hospital — Donna White is collecting soda can tabs to donate to the children’s hospital. Please leave your donations in the lobby.
Holly Hill Church of Christ
1020 Holly Hill Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
Web: www.hollyhillcoc.org
Phone: (502) 227-7796
Email: hollyhillcoc@gmail.com
Service Times:
Sunday Bible Class: 10am
Sunday Morning Worship, 11am
Sunday Evening Worship, 6pm
Wednesday Evening Bible class: 6:30pm