1. Someone came up with a good way to summarize the book of Genesis.
2 40 of the 50 chapters in this book center around four men.
3. Abraham is featured in Gen: 12-25.
4. Isaac is prominent in Gen: 26.
5. Jacob is the main character in Gen: 27-36.
6. The spotlight closes on Joseph, Gen: 37-50.
I. TONIGH WE ARE GOING TO DRAW FROM ONE OF THE EXPERIENCES IN THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM.
A. Gen: 13 tell us that Abraham & Sarah had left Egypt.
B. They were back in Canaan and they were rich.
C. Gen: 13:2- READ.
D. Abraham was not the only one who was rich.
E. Abraham’s nephew (Lot) was also very wealthy
F. These men had so much wealth that v. 6 says READ.
G. Verse 7 adds that the “herdsmen: were having some disputes.
(1) There were so many animals to care for,
(2) That those who kept the animals argued over grazing areas.
(3) When we hear about people arguing over money and possess,
(4) The argument usually is based upon having too little.
(5) Here the problems were that people had too much.
H. When a dispute arises, people do different things.
(1) Sometimes disagreements use people to become bitter.
(2) During a dispute we may see the worst in a person.
(3) There are even times when one person may try to destroy another.
I. None of these things were done by Abraham.
J. Verses 8-9 READ
K. If Abraham and Lot were going to separate,
L. Abraham had the right to choose where he wanted to go.
M. Abraham had, shall we say, “first pick.”
N. God’s land promise was to Abraham and not Lot.
O. Though Abraham was entitled to take whatever land he wanted,
P. He deferred to Lot Abraham said that his nephew could have 1st choice.
Q. This story contains an illustration that may one day be useful to us.
(1) If there are people in a group who cannot get along,
(2) Or if we are one day in a congregation where there are signs of problems.
(3) One possible solution to rectify things is in Gen: 13.
(4) For the sake of peace there might be a separation.
(5) One group might be turned into two. If this would be done,
(6) The separation can not be bitter, hurtful, or mean spirited.
(7) In the Genesis separation, Abraham went the 2nd mile.
(8) Such would still be the right thing to do if we were involved.
(9) While a separation is not always the right course.
(10) And it may not always be the easiest solution,
(11) It is sometimes an alternative.
R. This alternative could have worked out well for Lot.
S. Unfortunately, Lot made a choice that eventually led him down a bad path.
T. Let’s look at verse 10 – READ
(1) Lot saw an area that was lush and fertile.
(2) It was like the Garden of Eden.
(3) If we were to visit this area today, it would not be very nice.
(4) This area is no longer choice real state.
(5) Even Lot saw the property values in this area ruined.
(6) Lot chose to go to an area close to Sodom.
U. Verse 13 says that at this time the people of Sodom was wicked.
V. The sinfulness of these people was “exceeding.”
W. Going to this area was potentially dangerous.
Y. Lot was exposing himself to people who made God angry.
Z. In Spite of the dangers verse 12 says, READ.
II. LOT WAS NOT VERY FAR FROM SODOM. SOME HAVE WONDERED IF HE RREASONED IN THIS WAY: SODOM IS WICKED AND I WILL STAY OUT OF THE CITY. HOWEVER, IF I STAY WITHIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE OF THE CITY, I WILL BE ABLE TO GO THERE, GET WHAT I NEED, AND THEN RETURN TO CAMP. AS LONG AS I LIMIT MY EXPOSURE TO THIS SINFUL, PLACE, EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY. I WILL BE NEAR BUT WILL NOT JOIN MYSELF TO THE INHABITANTS OF THIS CITY.
A. Perhaps Lot did start out with good intentions.
B. Other people certainly do.
(1) Two young people start dating.
(2) They just want to talk so they find a secluded spot...
. (3) The intention is to “just talk” and be friends.
(4) The first time they talk.
(5) Perhaps the 2nd, 3rd and 4th time they talk.
(6) Pretty soon the intention to “just talk” turns into fornication.
C. Perhaps in the teenage years our youth are invited to go out with friends.
(1) Although they know that alcohol and perhaps drugs will be available
(2) They go.
(3) The thinking is, “I will go but not participate in those things.
(4) I will attend but not drink.”
(5) “I will be at the function, but I will leave the drugs alone.”
(6) For many this intention to abstain only lasts for a while.
(7) The day comes when the one who says “no” decides to say “yes.
` (8) Some reason, “I would never say yes.”
(9) Paul warned, “Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest
(10) The person who says, “No, I would never do that is a prime target.
D. Lot did not start out living in Sodom.
E. He did however put himself in this area.
F. As time passed by, notice what happened
(1) Gen: 14:12 READ
(2) Gen: 13:12 Lot was only in the area of Sodom.
(3) In Gen: 13: 12 Lot was only in the area of Sodom
(4) Gen: 19:1 gives us an even sadder picture- READ.
(5) Lot was “sitting at the city gate.”
(6) This is where business was transacted.
(7) This is where the men gathered to fellowship.
(8) Gen. 19 Lot was fellowshipping the Sodomites,
G. Lot started out on a path that got worse and worse.
H. Thousands of people have gone down a similar road.
(1) People have been warned about a danger.
(2) The response to the warning is,
(3) “I’m not a participant; I’m just a bystander;
(4) “I am just looking; I watch but do not indulge.”
I. What we see in Genesis is often found within the church.
(1) A Christian begins to forsake the assembly.
(2) When we follow up we may hear,
(3) “Things are okay. I’m just missing some services.
(4) Some time passes. As Lot got closer and closer to Sodom,
(5) So Christians have gotten closer and closer to the world.
(6) The Bible (especially the ASV) describes this very well in
(7) Heb: 2:1 Quote. READ (at no time should we let them slip.
(8) The ASV’s wording of this verse is excellent.
(9) Lot “drifted: towards Sodom; gradually moved closer & closer.
(10) Christians can “drift” into the world.
(11) Believers can “drift: (gradually slip) into sin.
(12) Congregations can drift from the truth.
(13) A congregation of Christ’s church may be faithful for the most part.
(14) As time goes by, departures from the faith occur.
(15) Little by little as Lot got closer to Sodom.
(16) The church of the NT can become friends w/ denominations,
(17) And it can be swallowed up by religious error.
J. Within the last several days I read a statement from a police office.
(1) The man who made this statement, has been a fulltime officer for 17 years
(2) After this period of time, an experienced cop said,
(3) He believed he could be a policeman and stay unaffected by the work
(4) “Ruins a part of every police person.”
K. The officer who made this statement considers himself to be a Christian.
(1) From what I could gather,
(2) This policeman thought like Lot.
(3) He believed he could be a policeman and stay unaffected by the work.
(4) He would be close to terrible things, but he would not be changed
(5) Just as Lot was eventually drawn into Sodom
(6) So a police office was drawn into things immortal that destroyed partakers.
L. Again and again Satan used the technique that worked on Lot.
M. So many times this technique is used on our youth.
(1) Parents see serious potential problems for their children.
(2) When parents attempt to point out the problem,
(3) The typical response is, “I’ll be careful.”
(4) “Mom/Dad I would never go that far. I have limits.”
(5) “I am only going to watch.”
(6) This may well be how Lot reasoned.”
(7) He refused to immediately go into Sodom.
(8) Perhaps he wanted to be close enough to buy supplies.
(9) With the passage of time He entered into the presence of the Sodomites.
(10) He finally put himself into the midst of these people.
III. THE THING THAT BROUGHT LOT INTO THE SITUATION THAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED WAS SELFISHNESS. LOT PUT HIS OWN INTEREST FIRST.
A. Abraham’s nephew saw an area that was lush and rich.
B. Lot’s attention was on the prosperity in this area.
C. This is still how many (both young and old) think.
(1) They see the good in something.
(2) The officer on the police force saw a steady job.
(3) Those who attend parties see the opportunity to spend time with friends.
(4) Those who park in a dark place see a time to just talk.
D. All of the things that have been listed share one common trait:
(1) There has been a serious potential danger that was....
(2) Ignored or essentially dismissed.
(3) Because people wanted something,
(4) Concerns about the danger were explained away or overlooked.
E. Every single one of us can fall into this trap.
F. Satan can use this same tick on us...
(1) In the type of job that interests us, refuse to see potential danger.
(2) In the people that we date,
(3) What is done on a date?
(4) Where we go for entertainment,
(5) What we watch on television and see on the internet,
(6) And even where we live.
G. There is a verse we should memorize from 2 Pet: 2.
H. Thousands of years after Lot died, Peter made mention of him.
I. Peter recorded that Lot was “righteous.”
J. Though Lot made a bad choice, he was a good man.
K. What happens when good people put themselves into a situation?
L. Which is like I have described?
M. Verses 7-8 READ
N. Lots’ soul was “vexed.”
O. Day today Lot was” vexed”.
(1) Lot finally had to flee for his life.
(2) If Lot had used better wisdom and judgment,
(3) He would have avoided putting himself close to Sodom.
CONCLUSIION;
1. Times will come when we too can put ourselves close to Sodom.
2. If we put ourselves close to sin and then tell over selves or others,
3. “This isn’t a problem; I can control things. I would never cross the road.
4. We are very susceptible to the same kinds of problems Lot faced.
5. There are situations, places and choices that are dangerous.
6. Instead of seeing how close we can get to these things,
7. We need to simply turn our back and go in the opposite direction.
8. If we do not turn our back, our soul will be vexed, and perhaps lost.
9. What looked good to Lot eventually became a disaster.
10. We can learn from his mistake.
11. One of the most valuable lesson for youth and helpful to even adults.