Don't Look Back: Lingering in Destruction

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"

Another Mountain

Genesis 22:1-5

Another Mountain: Pass the Test?

I. Introduction
-How far along are you?
-Where are you spiritually?

II. Scripture

III. Background on Abraham
-v. 1a "After these things..."
-Abraham's journey from Ur to Haran.
1. Haran was halfway between Ur and his destination.
2. Half-way is a dangerous place to be, especially if it is comfortable.
3. Ill. People call out to the Lord until things get a little better.
4. Ill. Ppl passionate about following Christ, until shortly after revival.
5. Ill. Go to church when times are tough. (They aren't seeking God, they're seeking an easy fix.)
6. You have to finish the race!
7. Something to: perseverance!
8. See your faith through.
-Ill. God doesn't give details, just directions.
1. God does not run mapquest.com!
2. Details negate faith.
3. Simply walking in obedience is walking by faith.
-Don't settle for halfway.
-In Egypt Abraham lied about his relationship w/ his wife.
1. Egyptian ruler cursed though unaware.
2. He had to clean up that mess.
-Abraham tried to fulfill the promise of God himself.
1. Through Ishmael.
2. Don't try to "help" God.
3. No sense in defending Him.
4. Apologetics are for sincere believers benefit.

IV. In the Rearview Mirror
-v.1a "After these things..."
1. He had to deal with Ishmael.
2. He had to clean up the mess with the Pharaoh & his wife.
3. He had to rescue lot.
4. He had to submit to God's plan.
-And now, in Ch. 22, he finally ‘arrives.'
1. He finally feels like he is on top!
2. "I've reached the place where everything is all right."
-But God says there is one more mountain you have to climb.
-Ever felt like you've arrived and then God shows you one more mountain.
-Ill. Older saints still seeking the Lord.
1. Bro. Costa, 92 years old, used the altar.
2. Sis Whittaker, 88 years old, uses the altar.
3. Saints seek the Lord.
-God's not through with you.
1. We want to Plateau!
2. We get tired of being molded.
3. We grow weary in well doing.
4. Refining fire wants to get out the small blemishes and impurities.
5. Too spiritual for God?

IV. Time & Purpose
-v. 4 "On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar."
-Took three days to get where they were going.
1. Three days can seem like 1000 years!
2. Three days can seem like three seconds!
-v. 5a "Then Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey...'"
-There will be some times when you have to go on alone.
1. Some things you have to go through by yourself.
2. No one can accompany you.
3. It's not that you have been abandoned.
-Alone...
1. Ill. Interview @ Tasty Freeze in Nancy, KY.
2. Ill. Marriage vows.
3. Ill. Chronic Illness.
4. Ill. Deepest pit of loneliness
5. Ill. First day at college.
-But through any of those things, the Spirit of the Living God will be there with you!
-Point: Some need to be babied!
1. We care for people (& want to help).
2. But we can't carry you into heaven!
3. Preacher cannot hold your hand at the judgement.
4. You are going to have to rely on Christ.
5. Ill. Drop out of church b/c the pastor comes/goes.
6. You aren't serving the pastor!
-Note: Some people haven't made the journey up the last mountain b/c they aren't willing to go on by themselves!
1. New Parents: don't allow babies to hinder you spiritually.
2. Parents of teens: don't allow busy schedules to dictate your god.
3. Married couples: don't allow love for one another to eclipse love of God.
4. You cannot love your family until God is first!
-If something is holding you back, leave it at the base of the mountain.
1. Friend, job, hobby, sport...
2. Debt, reputation, etc...

V. Sacrifice or Worship?
-Let me get to the main point of my message today...
-Abraham is suppose to offer up his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering to the Lord.
-That sounds like a sacrifice to me!
-Look at v. 5 "Then Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.'"
-Christians today view a walk w/ God as a sacrifice.
1. Everything is a sacrifice.
2. I read a few verses from the Bible... what a sacrifice.
3. I prayed for ten minutes... what a sacrifice.
4. I went to church... what a sacrifice.
5. I loved my neighbor... what a sacrifice.
6. I gave a few bucks in the offering... what a sacrifice.
-Church, we need our view to change from sacrificing to worshiping.
-Ill. Cain & Abel & offerings.
1. Abel gave God what God wanted.
2. Cain gave God what Cain wanted God to have.
-Sometimes it is hard to do.
1. It's not what we want, but allowing God to have what He wants.
2. And loving Him enough to trust Him with that.
-Ill. Awarding saints of the Lord.
1. We talk about all their sacrifices.
2. They talk about
3. "Dog eat dog" world.
4. Death, despair, heartache.
-Personal struggle and trial...
1. I don't enjoy being attacked.
2. I don't like being slandered.
3. I don't get a thrill from being gossiped about around town.
4. I don't like being rejected.
5. I don't like going through hardship.
6. I don't like enduring sickness.
7. I don't like wading through the darkness of this world.
-BUT, I love the Lord enough to endure, by grace, everything the Devil could ever attack me with.
-You may see sacrifices, I only have worship to Him!
-Psalm 96

VI. Love for God
-Point: You can serve the Lord, but not love Him; but you cannot love the Lord, and not serve Him.
-You will never understand about giving to the Lord.
1. Tithing out of love & worship.
2. It ceases to be a sacrifice.
3. I've never regretted anything I've given to God... only that I haven't given more.
-Ill. My testimony.
1. All I could see were the sacrifices!
2. I was the son of a preacher!
3. I knew part of what it entailed!
4. I didn't want that for my life, my family, my spouse!
5. Sacrifice or Worship?
6. Surrender & Obedience are the most beautiful forms of worship.

VII. Conclusion
-You know the rest of the story...
1. Isaac was spared.
2. There was a sacrifice provided.
-Christ made the sacrifice... not you!
-Jesus paid it all for you.
-Wouldn't you rather worship the Lord from a heart of love?

Response