Lessons from Lot: Sin, Judgment, and Redemption
Summary
The sermon delves into the complex narrative of Genesis 19, focusing on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the deliverance of Lot and his family. The speaker begins by setting the stage with the visitation of the angels to Abraham in the previous chapter, where they announce the birth of Isaac and the impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. The narrative then shifts to Lot in Sodom, where his hospitality to the visiting angels contrasts with the city's wickedness. The angels reveal their mission to destroy the city due to its sinfulness, and despite Lot's hesitation, they lead him and his family to safety outside the city. However, Lot's wife's disobedience in looking back results in her transformation into a pillar of salt.
The speaker draws parallels between the Israelites' grumbling in the wilderness and the story of Lot's wife, emphasizing the dangers of partial repentance and longing for a sinful past. The sermon also touches on the concept of the Remnant, a group of faithful believers who, by God's grace, are spared from destruction and called to bear the Gospel's light in a dark world. The speaker encourages the congregation to be part of this Remnant, to take refuge in righteousness, and to avoid the pitfalls of sin that ensnared Lot and his family.
The sermon further explores the nature of sin, warning against allowing it to take root and control our lives. The story of Lot's failed attempt to warn his sons-in-law serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unrepentant sin and the importance of heeding divine warnings. The speaker also addresses the varying perceptions of the Gospel, which can be a fragrance of life to some and death to others, and underscores the need for truth-telling in a society plagued by sin.
Finally, the sermon examines the difficult concept of God's pleasure in judgment and destruction, as seen in the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah and the city of Giba. The speaker suggests that God's justice and mercy are intertwined, and that while the destruction of the wicked is grievous, it ultimately serves to glorify God and protect His people.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of complete repentance. Lot's wife, who looked back despite being warned, became a symbol of the tragic end that awaits those who cling to their sinful past. This narrative encourages believers to fully turn away from sin and embrace God's mercy and salvation. [35:37]
- The concept of the Remnant is crucial for understanding God's mercy and judgment. The speaker suggests that the presence of a faithful few is what withholds God's wrath from a nation. As Christians, we are called to be part of this Remnant, living out the Gospel and interceding for our nation, that we might be a beacon of hope and a call to repentance in a world that is lost in darkness. [47:51]
- Sin is depicted as a pervasive force that seeks to dominate our lives if left unchecked. The speaker warns that sin, once given a foothold, will lead to a downward spiral of degradation. The story of Lot's family illustrates the urgency of resisting sin and the necessity of heeding God's warnings to avoid spiritual and moral decay. [24:55]
- The Gospel's aroma varies depending on the spiritual state of the individual. To those who are being saved, it is the scent of life, but to those who are perishing, it is the smell of death. This dichotomy highlights the polarizing nature of truth and the importance of preaching the Gospel boldly, regardless of the offense it may cause to those who reject it. [44:30]
- God's complex nature allows Him to grieve over sin and its consequences while also taking pleasure in the execution of justice. This duality is difficult for humans to comprehend, but it is essential for understanding the full character of God. He is both a loving Father who desires none to perish and a righteous Judge who will not let wickedness go unpunished. [41:59]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 19:1-29 - The story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the deliverance of Lot and his family.
2. Romans 1:21-28 - A passage that discusses the consequences of turning away from God and the resulting moral degradation.
3. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 - A passage that describes the Gospel as a fragrance of life to some and death to others.
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Lot take to show hospitality to the visiting angels in Genesis 19? ([02:53])
2. How did the men of Sodom react to the presence of the angels in Lot's house? ([03:25])
3. What was the response of Lot's sons-in-law when he warned them about the impending destruction? ([04:38])
4. What happened to Lot's wife when she looked back at the city? ([05:48])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Lot hesitated to leave Sodom even after being warned by the angels? ([26:38])
2. How does the story of Lot's wife serve as a warning about partial repentance and longing for a sinful past? ([35:04])
3. In what ways does the concept of the Remnant, as discussed in the sermon, help us understand God's mercy and judgment? ([47:51])
4. How does Romans 1:21-28 illustrate the progression of sin and its consequences, as seen in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah? ([22:21])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you hesitated to follow God's direction. What were the consequences, and how can you learn from Lot's hesitation? ([26:38])
2. Lot's wife looked back at Sodom and was turned into a pillar of salt. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to look back at your past sins? How can you fully turn away from them? ([35:04])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of being part of the Remnant. How can you live out the Gospel and intercede for your nation in your daily life? ([47:51])
4. Sin is described as a pervasive force that seeks to dominate our lives. What steps can you take to resist sin and heed God's warnings? ([24:09])
5. The Gospel's aroma varies depending on the spiritual state of the individual. How can you boldly share the Gospel, knowing it may be received differently by different people? ([44:30])
6. The sermon discussed God's pleasure in judgment and destruction. How can you reconcile this with the understanding of God as a loving Father? ([41:59])
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to seek refuge in righteousness. What practical steps can you take this week to avoid the pitfalls of sin? ([52:16])
Devotional
Day 1: The Peril of Looking Back
The tragic fate of Lot's wife serves as a stark warning against yearning for a sinful past. True repentance requires a complete turning away from sin, not a lingering attachment to it. The transformation into a pillar of salt is a vivid illustration of the paralysis that can occur when one's heart remains with what God has called them to leave behind. [35:37]
Luke 17:32-33 - "Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it."
Reflection: Is there a part of your past that you find yourself longing for, even though you know it's not in line with God's will for your life?
Day 2: The Call of the Remnant
Believers are called to be the Remnant, a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness. This faithful few are tasked with living out the Gospel and interceding for the nations, embodying the light of Christ amidst widespread sin. The presence of the Remnant is a testament to God's mercy, withholding wrath and offering a chance for repentance. [47:51]
Ezekiel 9:4 - "And the Lord said to him, 'Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.'"
Reflection: How can you actively be a part of the Remnant in your community, and what specific actions can you take to live out the Gospel more boldly?
Day 3: The Deceptive Nature of Sin
Sin, if left unchecked, can dominate and degrade our lives. Lot's failed attempt to warn his sons-in-law exemplifies the urgency of resisting sin and the necessity of heeding divine warnings. The insidious nature of sin can lead to a downward spiral, but awareness and vigilance can prevent its foothold. [24:55]
James 1:14-15 - "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
Reflection: What sin in your life do you need to confront and resist, and what practical steps can you take to prevent it from taking root?
Day 4: The Aroma of the Gospel
The Gospel's message is perceived differently by each individual, offering life to some and representing judgment to others. This dichotomy underscores the importance of preaching the truth boldly, regardless of the offense it may cause. The polarizing nature of the Gospel is a call to be unwavering in sharing the message of Christ. [44:30]
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 - "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life."
Reflection: How can you better prepare yourself to share the Gospel with those who may be resistant, and what can you do to ensure you are a pleasing aroma of Christ?
Day 5: God's Justice and Mercy Intertwined
God's pleasure in justice is not a contradiction to His mercy but a complex aspect of His divine nature. While the destruction of the wicked is grievous, it serves a greater purpose in glorifying God and protecting His people. Understanding this duality is essential to grasping the full character of God as both a loving Father and a righteous Judge. [41:59]
Psalm 94:12-13 - "Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked."
Reflection: How do you reconcile the aspects of God's character that involve both mercy and judgment, and how does this understanding impact your view of His sovereignty?
Quotes
"Our Gospel message smells like death to some and smells like life to others; some hate the message and to others it is absolute life." [44:30] (Download)
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"God is glorified both when he gives Grace to his people and when he destroys the wicked; He is glorified by the destruction of the unrighteous and he is glorified in the salvation of those that He makes righteous." [45:11] (Download)
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"Anytime we allow sin to come into our lives, we must be aware that sin does not stand still. When we foster, hide, and indulge in secret sins, know that sin does not stand still." [24:09] (Download)
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"Lot's wife failed to fully turn away, to fully repent; she stands as a memorial, as a statue of salt, showing us what happens when our repentance is only partial." [36:48] (Download)
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"The fact that we are here, the fact that there is a Remnant saved by grace holding the light of the Gospel message... is the only reason God has not made Canada a smoldering crater yet." [47:51] (Download)
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"We do not have to fear Divine judgment because we have a substitute, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." [54:09] (Download)
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"When God looks at painful or Wicked events through a narrow lens, what he sees is the tragedy of sin for itself; he's angered and he's grieved at what he sees. I have no pleasure, it says in Ezekiel 18, in the death of anyone." [41:59] (Download)
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"God can also look at things through a wide angle lens, and when he sees the tragedy of sin in relation to everything leading up to it and everything flowing from it, he sees it in relation to all the connections and effects that form a mosaic or a story that he's writing that stretches into eternity." [42:42] (Download)
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"The smoldering rubble of Sodom and Gomorrah and the burning chaff of Gibeah made its way up to the figurative nostrils of Yahweh in heaven and it pleased him." [40:45] (Download)
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"God always leaves a faithful Remnant to inherit the land after destruction comes and so our job is to pray to intercede for our nation, intercede for our culture and pray that God would be merciful and not destroy it entirely." [52:56] (Download)
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