Lot: The Man Who Lingered Genesis 19:12-17 (16)
1) Noah built an ark to save his family and the human race. Luke 17:26-27, And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
2) Lot escaped from Sodom by God's grace and mercy. Luke 17:28-29, Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
3) Lot's wife died because she turned her face toward Sodom Luke 17:31-32, In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32 Remember Lot s wife. Luke 17:30, Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
I. Lot Lingered A. When it was time for decisive action he lingered. B. When his godly uncle was praying for him. C. When heavenly messengers were urging him to go. D. When judgment was imminent Lot lingered. E. When he knew better than to linger Lot lingered. F. Lot lingered for he was; according to J.C. Ryle:
II. Why did Lot Linger? A. He made a wrong choice early in his life. Gen 13:10-13, And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.
B. He found his fellowship with sinners, not saints. Gen. 13:13, But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. C. He raised his family with Sodom's influence. D. He lingered because His treasures were all in Sodom.
Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. E. He felt too old to start over again so he lingered. F. Sodom had become his home.
III. Many are Lingering Today like Lot. A. They know more truth than they live. B. Many believe in heaven but don't long for it. Matthew 6:31-33, Therefore do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
C. We know time is short but live as if it were long. Matthew 24:41-44, Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
D. Too many build their lives around things below. Matthew 6:19-21, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Where you treasure is, there will your heart be also.
E. We say we understand the battle but we consort with the enemy. 1 Timothy 6:20-21, O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge [science falsely so called] (KJV) 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
F. They say they love Christ, but don't live for Him, so we linger. 2 Peter 2:7-9, and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment
Luke 17:32 Remember Lot s wife.