Don't Look Back: Lingering in Destruction
Genesis 19:1-8, 11-29
I. Introduction
-The difficulty of the Christian life is the allurement w/ things of this world.
1. Call it distractions.
2. Call it temptations.
-A Worldly Allurement
1. insidious infection
2. Plague in the church today
-A cancerous growth w/ only one solution- cleansing of the Holy Spirit.
-Resist temptation
1. It will come.
2. It destroys.
-No victory w/out resistance.
-Learn from others, like Lot...
II. Scripture
III. Sodom
-Infamous city (w/ Gomorrah)
-A city wiped out of existence
-Root of our word: sodomite
1. Known for it's perverse sexual sin
2. known for it's intense wickedness
-Query: Why was Lot able to settle in Sodom?
IV. Our World
-Our world will be destroyed too.
-God's grace & mercy move/transition to His truth & judgement.
-Don't think God will ignore sin forever.
-There will be a day of judgement.
-This world is headed for destruction... don't be on that train!
-No one wants to, but some may find themselves on that path...
V. Appeasement
-It begins with a policy of appeasement.
-Ill. Lot's appeasement...
1. Men of Sodom surround house.
2. Lot offers daughters instead of rape of male visitors.
3. Appease sodomites & God!?
-A mixed morality
1. The world might accept some of God's morality.
2. As Christians we are to accept all of God's morality.
-You cannot be a Christian & practice appeasement.
1. Jesus says: You cannot serve two masters.
2. Elijah: "Choose this day whom you will serve."
-The church embraces God's Word... it is the standard for truth, morality, and living!
1. We accept nothing less.
2. We cannot choose a partial obedience.
VI. Lingering
-v. 16 "But he lingered."
-Too many Christians are lingering in destructive ways.
-God has provided a way out.
1. ...a way of redemption.
2. ...a way of salvation.
3. And all out of his mercy!
-Take God's way!
-Ill. Eve & Serpent
1. Her defeat came not when she bit into the fruit.
2. Defeat came when she debated w/ the devil.
-The angels grabbed Lot's hand and ran them out of the city.
-Problem of Lot wanting Zoar
1. Lot didn't want to leave!
2. There was still a love of Sodom in his heart!
-Zoar means ‘little' in Hebrew.
1. It's the little things that destroy us.
2. The little habits that the world encourages.
3. The little things we say, do, or think.
-Song of Solomon 2:15 "Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom."
VII. Our Defeat
-Too many Christians lead defeated lives today, not b/c they are murderers or rapists.
1. But b/c their hearts are still in love w/ this present age.
2. Their affections are tied up in the temporary.
-What is so valuable in this world that you are willing to pay w/ your soul?
-What worldly possession, attitude, or action has merit enough to equate to eternity?
-Some of you think b/c the preacher doesn't know about your sin that God doesn't know.
-Don't take my ignorance to be blindness on God's part.
1. He does know!
2. God is aware of your lingering in Sodom.
3. He is aware of your appeasement.
VIII. Abraham & Lot
-Lot's uncle was Abraham
-There are some similarities between the two.
-But they are not the same!
-Note the difference...
-The promise, possibility, & lingering.
-Lot never had a direct encounter w/ God.
1. The blessings he enjoyed were only b/c of his association w/ Abraham.
-Many in the church today enjoy the blessings of being a part of a Spirit filled church... but have never known it personally.
IX. Looking Back
-v. 26
-Jesus said: "No man who puts His hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God."
-Revelation 2:4 "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."
-Sodom is calling.
1. You have left Sodom.
2. But there is something that still entices you about that place.
-And now you find yourself looking back.
-Ill. Ppl go to the altar.
1. First thing they do is tell God what they won't give him.
2. Get up and declare they've given everything to God, but...
-We expect a great revival & movement of the Holy Spirit w/out being fully committed to Him.
1. God won't work miracles in your life if you are lingering in Sodom.
2. You won't know all He could do if you are abiding in little sins.
3. You'll never see what God has in store for you if you are looking back!
X. Conclusion
-"Run and never look back."
1. Don't stop. Don't hesitate.
2. Don't look back!
-Make a decision today that your life is wholly dependant upon God's will.
-Commit all to Him.
-Resolve to bring all of your life under His Lordship.
-Determine to correct anything in your life that does not promote the Holiness of God to dwell in your richly!
-Will you make up your mind to serve Christ with all this morning?
Response: "I Am Resolved"
