Sunday, August 21, 2016 - Remember Lot’s Wife!
Pastor Roger Marcos
August21, 2016
Introduction:
"Remember Lot's wife," said Jesus. That is probably the most dramatic, potent illustration the Master ever used in a sermon. As we read the context, it is very obvious that the words were being applied to those living on this planet right now. "In that day" refers to the "day when the Son of man is revealed." Later, I will read the text how Jesus delivered such a great message to the entire world.
Jewish history was preserved in the biblical stories. The Bible is the Revelation of God told through the living stories of real people who once walked where we now walk. The Bible is full of many stories of faith and doubt, like Adam and Eve, Abraham, Joseph, Samson, Elijah, Peter, Judas, and many others.
There are two basic ways to learn from others. We can learn from their example and from their experiences. We can also choose to follow their successes or determine to avoid their mistakes. It can be both a positive and a negative learning experience. The Bible gives both positive and negative examples.
The nameless woman Lot’s wife will be the main focus mostly likely the entire message. As Jesus referred her in term the incoming destruction of the city that Lot prepared to live Sodom and Gomorrah.
Luke 17:28-32 “In the days of Lot people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulphur 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!
I. She Was Warned Of The Incoming Danger.
A. Command Is Given: Escape Or Destroyed. It’s A Matter of Choice! 15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.
17 So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.” Gen. 19:15-17
Genesis 19:24-26
Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah-- from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities-- and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
B. Lot’s Wife Heard God's Warning. She believe God’s warning but to the extent of her knowledge tells the result. She knew what He said, but she was still lost. Her doom is rendered all the more impressive when we consider the circumstances -- she so nearly escaped. She was lost because her heart was still in Sodom. She was convinced, but not converted. She was seeking safety with divided desires and interests. (RICHES)
Let us also realize that we too may perish if we do not heed to the warning that is being given us.
Do We Need To Remember Lot's Wife? Yes.
Jesus warned the people of his day to "Remember Lot's wife!"
Luke 17:26-37
"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking; marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. "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. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left." "Where, Lord?" they asked. He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather."
Jesus says, "Remember Lot's wife." The things of this world hold a great attraction for us. Jesus warned the disciples concerning the coming destruction. Jesus said when it comes do not go down from the roof to get the goods inside the house and those who work in the fields should not go back for anything.
Then he gives the exclamatory sentence, "Remember Lot's wife! The death of Lot's wife is tragic indeed. She died; it seems, within the margin of safety. It seems as though Lot's wife didn't just casually look backwards. She looked wishfully, longing to go back to Sodom and she may have tried to go back. One thing is certain, her heart, like Lot's, was in Sodom.
There was such a yearning in her heart for what she was losing in Sodom. She was saddened that she couldn't "have her cake and eat it too." Jesus said, "Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." She reluctantly left the city because she had a very difficult time giving up the life she had in Sodom.
II. SHE PERISHED COMMITTED BUT ONLY ONE SIN. For thousands of years men have wondered why this woman looked back. There was a spiritual problems that Lot's wife had in her life.
A. A Problem With Her Faith- Disbelief. She looked back because she did not believe that God would what He said He would do! She thought He was bluffing!
Lost people still make the same gamble today! Friend, He isn't bluffing! Just ask the Rich Man of Luke 16:19-31. Just ask Judas Iscariot! There is a Hell and you will go there if you do not come to Jesus Christ for salvation.
We Should Remember: is not the number of sins that causes US to be lost. Adam and Eve - Genesis 3:6 Moses - Numbers 20:11 and even Mrs. Lot as we read
Gen. 19:26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt
B. A Problem With Her Face - Disobedience. She, along with all the others, had been commanded not to look back. But, there was something within her that caused her to turn back toward Sodom. The problem with Lot's wife was that she had her eyes on all the wrong things. She was looking back at a lost life, a lost lifestyle and a lost city.
(Wherever your gaze is fixed this morning will determine the path taken by your feet. (The Prodigal Son - Luke 15:1-24 - His gaze was on the world and his feet followed.) That is why some of you won't get saved! That is why some of you can't life right! Your gaze is fixed on the wrong things! What a dangerous way to live! God's plan, as it is laid out in His Word, is a perfect plan! Those who follow God's plan enjoy God's blessings and His peace. Those who reject God's plan for living find their path strewn with disaster and trouble. What are you looking at this morning?)
C. A Problem With Her Focus - Deception. She probably had everyone in the family fooled! They probably thought that she was saved. She had everyone fooled but God! The problem with Lot's wife is the problem with many people today, they have merely made a profession of faith, but they have never truly been born again! She proved what she was when she looked back to Sodom! You see, her body was out of Sodom, but her heart was still there.
Conclusion:
The phrase "Remember Lot's Wife" will be one that will ring through eternity.
A. The question is:
1. Will it ring as a reminder of a warning heeded?
2. Or as a reminder of one not heeded?
B. The choice is ours.
Our continued salvation lies not in the past, but in the present. Lot's wife perished, not because she went back, but because she looked back -- it was a sign of where her real interests were. Paul said, "we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul" Heb. 10:39.
2 Pet 3:7-12
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
Will you avoid the mistake of Lot's wife?