Genesis 19:27-28 “And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD: And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.” I doubt that Lot ever dreamed his life would end as it did. When he greedily chose to pitch his tent toward Sodom, he had no idea it would cost him his fortune, his family, and his favour with God. A wise Christian once said, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” – Unknown That was certainly true in Lot’s life.

Transition

This morning we are going to examine three lessons we must learn from Lot in order to avoid repeating his mistakes.

Evil Associations Corrupt Good Morals

When I was in Bible college, a preacher warned us that toleration leads to compromise and compromise leads to apostasy (a rejection of beliefs). We see that truth fleshed out in Lot’s life.

  1. Lot tolerated the evils of Sodom
    1. He knew Sodom was wicked before he chose to live there (Gen 13:13).
    2. He went along with the evils of Sodom in order to be accepted in the city (v.1).
    3. He considered the Sodomites as brethren (v.7).It is toleration of evil that will begin to break down your morals – excusing cursing, swearing, bedroom scenes, infidelity, homosexuality, rebellion, murder, violence, and immodesty in the entertainment and music you enjoy.
  2. Lot compromised his morals for Sodom
    1. He offered his virgin daughters to the lustful men of the city (v.8).
    2. He let his children marry ungodly spouses (v.12).1 Corinthians 15:33 “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

      Compromise always follows toleration if it is not checked. Compromise is participation that usually begins small but increases with time.

  3. Lot lived like an apostate in Sodom
    1. If the homosexuals of Sodom wanted to abuse the two visitors, did Lot, who lived among them, participate in their sin as well? We do not know.
    2. Nothing about Lot’s life testifies of his righteous heart. Only God’s word tells us that he was righteous.2 Peter 2:7-8 “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)”

      Lot’s righteous soul was vexed (oppressed, worn down) by the evils of Sodom. Apostasy or surrender naturally follows compromise. Beware! If you tolerate evil, you will compromise, and it leads to apostasy.

Love for the World Destroys Spirituality

  1. God made Lot righteous when he was young
    1. Abraham taught him in the ways of God. Sometime in his youth, he placed his faith in God.
    2. Salvation has always and only been by faith in God.How about you! Are you POSITIVE you are going to heaven? Are you saved? If you say “yes”, then on what do you base that confidence? If you say, “I have always been a Christian” or “I am baptised” or “I am a good person”, you are in GREAT danger. The Bible says that none of those things can save anyone. In fact, Jesus said:

      Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

      Instead, salvation is by faith in Christ’s payment for your sin.

      Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

  2. Lot loved the worldIn 1 John 2:15-16 we read, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” On Wednesday night some time back, we learned that the world is anything that interferes with our love for God. We are tempted to love the world in three ways: Lust of the flesh (worldly things we want to DO), lust of the eyes (worldly things we want to HAVE), pride of life (worldly things we want to BE).
    1. Lot desired to DO the pleasures of the world. Sinful entertainment, ungodly friends, wild parties, sensual lust, drinking, gambling, filthy fun may be exciting and enjoyable but it only lasts for a season (Heb 11:25).
    2. Lot desired to HAVE the prosperity of the world. He sought wealth, ease, prosperity, nice clothing, etc.
    3. Lot desired to BE popular in this world. He worked his way up to an honoured seat in the city gate.
  3. Lot lost his testimony
    1. He had no spiritual influence with his neighbours (v.8).
    2. His children rejected God and mocked him (v.14).
    3. He lingered with his wife and daughters until the angels pulled him out of Sodom (v.16).Take a good look at your life. Are the lustful desires to Do, Have, and Be interfering with your love for God?

Ignoring God Results in Loss and Regret

  1. Lot ignored God’s will for his life and lost all.
    1. He got fat flocks and herds, but lost every one.
    2. He got riches, but they all burned up.
    3. He got popularity, but lived the rest of his life with regret.
    4. He got worldly entertainment and pleasure, only to see them destroy the character of his entire family.
  2. Lot’s family ignored God and lost their souls
    1. Lot’s married children had not time for God and died in the fire and brimstone (v.24-25).
    2. Lot’s wife ignored God’s warning and turned back for one last look and God turned her into a pillar of salt (v.26).
    3. Jesus said,Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
    4. Jesus told of a rich man who ignored God until death and now will regret it for all eternity.Luke 16:23-24 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”

      Ignoring God always results in loss and regret. Christian friend, you may not think it is important to live godly and to separate from worldly entertainment. You may not see the need to attend all the church services, to get baptised after salvation, to join the church and get involved. It may seem too difficult to rear your children after the biblical pattern, to be a witness for Christ, and to do the things that God asks us to do, but one day you will deeply regret it. Unsaved friend, if you do not trust Jesus to save your soul from hell, you will miss heaven and regret it forever in the lake of fire.

Conclusion

This morning we have looked at three lessons we ought to learn from Lot. 1) Evil associations corrupt good morals. 2) Love for the world destroys spirituality. 3) Ignoring God results in loss and regret. The wisest thing you can do when you read of Lot’s mistakes is to determine not to repeat them. Stop tolerating sin in your entertainment and music. Stop allowing the desires of this world to interfere with your love for God. Put God first in every area of your life. Get baptised. Join our church. Lead your family in godly ways. Be a godly testimony for the Lord.

If you are not yet saved, or not positive you are, settle that issue today. Trust Jesus to save your soul. Tomorrow may be too late.

Song: God’s Final Call – 250
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Learning from Lot’s Mistakes
17 August 2014 AM – Genesis 19:1-38 – Gen 14 – Scott Childs