Looking Back toward the World Genesis 19 June 16, 2013 A. Introduction As Abraham watched Lot s city burning, what kind of city did he have his heart set upon? 19:27-28 See Hebrews 11:10 - A city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. New Jerusalem. B. The plight of Sodom 19:1-11 When the angels arrived in Sodom, where did they find Lot and what was he doing there? 19:1 He was sitting at the gate of Sodom, probably having assumed a position of leadership in the city. What did Lot do when he saw the strangers and what three things did he invite them to do? 19:1-2 1., 2., 3. What did Lot do for the strangers (angels) when they arrived at his home? 19:3 What happened outside Lot s house before the strangers went to bed that evening? 19:4 What did the mob eventually try to do? 19:9 At this point what did the two angels do to save themselves and Lot from the mob? 19:10-11 1. 19:10 2. 19:11 C. The flight from destruction 19:12-25 According to the question asked by the angels, how many do you think were in Lot s family? 19:12 It appears that there may have been eight. What was the Lord s final decision on the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah? 19:13 What did the angels warn Lot and his family to do in great haste? 19:12 What was the response of Lot s sons-in-law? 19:14 How did the angels treat Lot and his family the next morning? 19:15-16 They urged and rushed him to get out of the city immediately. When Lot lingered, they finally seized him, his wife and his two daughters by the hand and dragged them out of the city. How did the Lord then carry out His plan for Sodom and Gomorrah? 19:24 D. The twilight of yearning 19:26-29 Why do you think Lot s wife looked back toward Sodom after having been warned not to do so? 19:17,26 She was likely looking back because she hated to leave. The world had a cherished place in her heart. How do you think Lot felt all the time he was living in Sodom? II Peter 2:7-8 Why didn t Lot do something about his predicament in Sodom? Genesis 13:10-13
Looking Back Toward the World June 16, 2013
A. Introduction B. The plight of Sodom 19:1-11 C. The flight from destruction 19:12-25 D. The twilight of yearning 19:26-29
A. Introduction
Does the world make good on its promises?
James 2:23 - And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.
Genesis 13:10-13 - And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan; and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord.
Sin is a monster of such awful mein That to be hated needs but to be seen But seen to oft familiar of face We first endure, then pity, then embrace. ~ Alexander Pope
II Peter 2:6-8 - and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day with their lawless deeds).
Matthew 6:21 - for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Hebrews 11:9-10 - By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
B. The plight of Sodom 19:1-11
II Peter 2:10-19 - and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority they count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery and that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
They talk a lot about freedom but they themselves are the slaves of corruption.
C. The flight from destruction 19:12-25.
Genesis 19:17 - And it came about when they had brought them outside, that one said, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, lest you be swept away."
Genesis 19:19-20 - Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest the disaster overtake me and I die; now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved.
Genesis 19:23-25 - The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.
D. The twilight of yearning 19:26-29
Luke 9:62 - But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Luke 17:28-34 - "It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Mark 8:36 - For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
How to Set your heart Free from Earthly-mindedness 1. Guard your thoughts very carefully Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
How to Set your heart Free from Earthly-mindedness 1. Guard your thoughts very carefully Philippians 4:8 2. Maintain a humble and contrite spirit. Isaiah 57:15 - For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
How to Set your heart Free from Earthly-mindedness 1. Guard your thoughts very carefully Philippians 4:8 2. Maintain a humble and contrite spirit. Isaiah 57:15 3. Endeavor to set a good example for others. Hebrews 10:24 - and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.
How to Set your heart Free from Earthly-mindedness 3. Endeavor to set a good example for others. Hebrews 10:24 4. Consider the matter of giving an account before God. Romans 14:10-12 -... For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
How to Set your heart Free from Earthly-mindedness 4. Consider the matter of giving an account before God. Romans 14:10-12 5. Set the Lord Jesus Christ always before you. Philippians 3:8 - More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.