Pitching One’s Tent Toward Sodom

2001019

Subject: worldliness; sin

Introduction:

A. Need to do more preaching out of the OT. Don’t seem to have many sermons from this part of the Bible – so much to learn!

1. Rom. 15:4 – written for our learning…

2. Paul’s writing in 1 Cor. 10:6

B. Sometimes: a negative example of a person who has ruined his life helps others to avoid same pitfalls.

1. Testimonials of those who have “been there/done that” advising people not to go there can be effective.

2. Judges sometimes sentence offenders to talk w/young people – warning them the dangers of a particular lifestyle.

C. Lot someone who “ruined his life.”

1. First introduced to Lot in Gen. 11:27-28 – son of Haran.

a) Nephew of Abram.

b) 11:31 – Lot = son of Haran.

c) Traveled w/Terah (Abraham’s father) from Ur to Haran

2. Continued w/Abram traveling to Egypt and back w/Abram.

3. Stayed together until their flocks became so large they were forced to separate.

4. Lot’s decision on where to live after this situation ultimately led to his life being ruined.

D. We should look at his life & consider the decisions he made as a warning.

E. What lessons can we learn from the example of Lot?

I. Lot had a lot going for him.

A. Influence of godly relatives:

1. Consider Abram – Gen. 12:4 – tremendous faith.

a) Imagine the respect that Abram commanded. Must have been a person of influence – definitely someone whose example would be worthy of following.

b) Heb. 11:8-10 – faith of Abram mentioned here.

2. Many of us = fortunate to have relatives who = godly….

a) Are we letting them help us – influence us for good?

B. Gen. 13:5-6 – God had blessed him with wealth…

1. Large herds given to him – requiring large pasturelands. Created problems – b/c livestock so numerous.

C. 2 Pet. 2:7-8 – tells us that he was a righteous man.

1. Was also hospitable – Gen. 19:1-3

2. Entertained 2 angels – offers place to stay; fixes them a meal.

D. Certainly – the potential for Lot to accomplish much & to do great & wonderful things was there!

II. One Decision led to the ruining of his life.

A. Gen. 13:7-13 – see esp. v. 10

B. His decision reflected bad attitudes – of which we must take notice.

1. Seems to be selfish in nature.

a) Area = fertile; well watered; definitely the best land.

b) Abram left with the rocky hill country – much less desirable.

c) Why selfish? Note that Abraham goes to Lot – asking to separate.

1) Seems that Abraham the one that was subordinate – should have been exactly opposite – since Abram the elder.

d) Selfish decisions often cause a lot of heartache! Come back to haunt.

2. Decision made for carnal – rather than spiritual reasons.

a) One commentator – decision to go to fertile plain one of sight not faith.

b) Probably considered only how this area would help flocks – thus making him richer.

c) We can do same today – dwelling solely on carnal – neglecting spiritual – placing on path of spiritual decline.

1) Brethren: take job – lead away from service – some 2^nd jobs to pay for frills that not necessary.

2) Brethren: move to place – w/o any thought as to type of congregation; if one or not; etc.

C. His decision started a series of steps that led to his downfall.

1. 13:11 – chose ALL the plain.

2. 13:12 – but…settled in the cities of the valley & moved his tents as far as Sodom.

a) 13:13; 18:20-32; 19:4-13 – description of evil in this city.

b) Not a good place for a righteous person to be!

3. 2 Pet. 2:7-8 – Lot’s = righteous – he did not go along with their sins…but…

a) What influence did they have on Lot? His family?

b) Can’t help but be affected. Not opinion…but scripture.

1) 1 Cor. 15:33 – ALL need to be aware – but young people/young Christians esp. vulnerable.

2) 2 Cor. 6:17-18 – to be separate – stay away from unclean & unquestionable things.

4. 14:12-13 – Lot taken captive along w/others from Sodom.

a) Abraham rescues Lot – 14:13-16

b) Perfect opportunity to leave wicked city – but doesn’t.

c) Continued to dwell there – next hear of Lot in Gen. 19.

III. Lot reaps wages of sin….

A. 2 Pet. 2:7-8 – tells us that Lot tormented daily b/c of their lawless deeds.

1. Oppressed by their conduct.

B. Gen. 19:1-8 – seemed that his own moral standard had b/c confused…

1. 19:8 – throw daughters out – do as they please…

2. Would he have been weakened to this point had he not headed toward Sodom?

C. 19:9-30 – lost EVERYTHING that meant anything to him.

1. Daughters – at least 2 of them; son in laws;

2. Wife; wealth; all lost…

D. Gen. 19:30, 33, 35 – His faith/righteousness weakened greatly as the years went along.

1. His remaining daughters were ruined morally (19:31-38)

2. His descendants – would later b/c the enemies of God’s people as they entered land of Canaan.

E. How many fall into the same trap – only to realize too late that they have lost all – b/c of sin?

Conclusion:

A. Gal. 6:7-8 – High price to pay for a carnal mind!

1. One decision – led to the downfall of a good man.

2. If only he had been able to see what was coming.

a) We have luxury – of looking back & seeing where he went wrong – easy to see.

b) More difficult to examine our lives & evaluate decisions we make. We haven’t the ability to look ahead & see implication of our decisions.

B. Lets heed the example of Lot – and not go there!

C. Don’t pitch your tent toward Sodom!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Pitching One’s Tent Toward Sodom 2001019 Subject: worldliness; sin Introduction: A. Need to do more preaching out of the OT. Don’t seem to have many sermons from this part of the Bible – so much to learn! 1. Rom. 15:4 – written for our learning… 2. Paul’s writing in 1 Cor. 10:6 B. Sometimes: a negative example of a person who has ruined his life helps others to avoid same pitfalls. 1. Testimonials of those who have “been there/done that” advising people not to go there can be effective. 2. Judges sometimes sentence offenders to talk w/young people – warning them the dangers of a particular lifestyle. C. Lot someone who “ruined his life.” 1. First introduced to Lot in Gen. 11:27-28 – son of Haran. a) Nephew of Abram. b) 11:31 – Lot = son of Haran. c) Traveled w/Terah (Abraham’s father) from Ur to Haran 2. Continued w/Abram traveling to Egypt and back w/Abram. 3. Stayed together until their flocks became so large they were forced to separate. 4. Lot’s decision on where to live after this situation ultimately led to his life being ruined. D. We should look at his life & consider the decisions he made as a warning. E. What lessons can we learn from the example of Lot? I. Lot had a lot going for him. A. Influence of godly relatives: 1. Consider Abram – Gen. 12:4 – tremendous faith. a) Imagine the respect that Abram commanded. Must have been a person of influence – definitely someone whose example would be worthy of following. b) Heb. 11:8-10 – faith of Abram mentioned here. 2. Many of us = fortunate to have relatives who = godly…. a) Are we letting them help us – influence us for good? B. Gen. 13:5-6 – God had blessed him with wealth… 1. Large herds given to him – requiring large pasturelands. Created problems – b/c livestock so numerous. C. 2 Pet. 2:7-8 – tells us that he was a righteous man. 1. Was also hospitable – Gen. 19:1-3 2. Entertained 2 angels – offers place to stay; fixes them a meal. D. Certainly – the potential for Lot to accomplish much & to do great & wonderful things was there! II. One Decision led to the ruining of his life. A. Gen. 13:7-13 – see esp. v. 10 B. His decision reflected bad attitudes – of which we must take notice. 1. Seems to be selfish in nature. a) Area = fertile; well watered; definitely the best land. b) Abram left with the rocky hill country – much less desirable. c) Why selfish? Note that Abraham goes to Lot – asking to separate. 1) Seems that Abraham the one that was subordinate – should have been exactly opposite – since Abram the elder. d) Selfish decisions often cause a lot of heartache! Come back to haunt. 2. Decision made for carnal – rather than spiritual reasons. a) One commentator – decision to go to fertile plain one of sight not faith. b) Probably considered only how this area would help flocks – thus making him richer. c) We can do same today – dwelling solely on carnal – neglecting spiritual – placing on path of spiritual decline. 1) Brethren: take job – lead away from service – some 2^nd jobs to pay for frills that not necessary. 2) Brethren: move to place – w/o any thought as to type of congregation; if one or not; etc. C. His decision started a series of steps that led to his downfall. 1. 13:11 – chose ALL the plain. 2. 13:12 – but…settled in the cities of the valley & moved his tents as far as Sodom. a) 13:13; 18:20-32; 19:4-13 – description of evil in this city. b) Not a good place for a righteous person to be! 3. 2 Pet. 2:7-8 – Lot’s = righteous – he did not go along with their sins…but… a) What influence did they have on Lot? His family? b) Can’t help but be affected. Not opinion…but scripture. 1) 1 Cor. 15:33 – ALL need to be aware – but young people/young Christians esp. vulnerable. 2) 2 Cor. 6:17-18 – to be separate – stay away from unclean & unquestionable things. 4. 14:12-13 – Lot taken captive along w/others from Sodom. a) Abraham rescues Lot – 14:13-16 b) Perfect opportunity to leave wicked city – but doesn’t. c) Continued to dwell there – next hear of Lot in Gen. 19. III. Lot reaps wages of sin…. A. 2 Pet. 2:7-8 – tells us that Lot tormented daily b/c of their lawless deeds. 1. Oppressed by their conduct. B. Gen. 19:1-8 – seemed that his own moral standard had b/c confused… 1. 19:8 – throw daughters out – do as they please… 2. Would he have been weakened to this point had he not headed toward Sodom? C. 19:9-30 – lost EVERYTHING that meant anything to him. 1. Daughters – at least 2 of them; son in laws; 2. Wife; wealth; all lost… D. Gen. 19:30, 33, 35 – His faith/righteousness weakened greatly as the years went along. 1. His remaining daughters were ruined morally (19:31-38) 2. His descendants – would later b/c the enemies of God’s people as they entered land of Canaan. E. How many fall into the same trap – only to realize too late that they have lost all – b/c of sin? Conclusion: A. Gal. 6:7-8 – High price to pay for a carnal mind! 1. One decision – led to the downfall of a good man. 2. If only he had been able to see what was coming. a) We have luxury – of looking back & seeing where he went wrong – easy to see. b) More difficult to examine our lives & evaluate decisions we make. We haven’t the ability to look ahead & see implication of our decisions. B. Lets heed the example of Lot – and not go there! C. Don’t pitch your tent toward Sodom! D. I N V I T A T I O N