WHAT ARE YOU DOING IS SODOM?

GENESIS 14:1-16

INTRODUCTION

Sodom represents the allurement of the world. It proved deadly for Lot and it will just as surely destroy our lives if we venture close to the world. This message gives us a powerful lesson concerning worldliness. The big question in this chapter of Genesis 14 is “how close can you get to sin before it corrupts you? “Look at v.12, here we learn that while Lot first pitched his tents near Sodom, now we read that Lot was actually living in Sodom.

Let us learn:-

I.  WHAT DOES SODOM REPRESENT?

• Sodom represents worldliness.
• It represents the enticement of the world.
• It represents worldly wisdom (Philosophy or worldview)
• It represents human achievement (Humanism)
• It represents self-will (self –determination)
• 4000years after these events, we still ask “Lot what are you doing in Sodom?”
• The main character here is Abram, he is the man of faith.
• Lot is the antithesis for Abraham.
• Lot demonstrates to us that a believer can flounder in his faith and waste time, opportunities and resources that God gives us.

II.  LOT, YOU ARE NOT AS STRONG AS YOU THINK YOU ARE.

• Lot made an intentional decision to live near Sodom.
• He thought “I will not succumb to the temptation of worldliness in Sodom.
• This was a foolish mistake (I Cor.10:12)

III.  LOT, SODOM IS MORE CORRUPT THAN YOU THINK IT IS.

• Lot knew there were dangers in Sodom, but he failed to recognize how evil Sodom was.
• Sodom was a lost cause, (So are many people ) Sodom had removed itself far from God’s Grace (Rom.1)
• Those that rebel against God are given over to reprobate mind (Rom.1)
• When faced with such a situation, God says “Flee” (1 Cor.6:17)
• Flee the desires of youth (2 Tim.2:22)
• Flee sinful desires (I Peter 2:11)
• Flee sexual immorality (I Cor.6:18)
• The principle of contamination states that something dirty contaminates something clean. (John 13:11, I Cor.6:11)
• Don’t lie to self “I know how far I can go “ (Prov.1:10)
• Don’t fool yourself, I know when to quit “Samson played this game- He quit too late.
• Others say “I won’t stay long”. Parents play this game with their children, “He is going to have to stand in the world someday”
• When your motive is self, pleasure, ego, ambition, you are not going to influence Sodom, Sodom will influence you” (Missionary dating, missionary social drinking, business)

IV.  LOT, THERE ARE DANGERS IN SODOM THAT YOU CANNOT SEE.

• Lot was not aware of 12 years of conflict with the kings of the east (Gen.14:4)
• Even when Lot was rescued by Abraham, he returned to Sodom- “The snare of the Devil” (2 Tim.2:26)

V.  LOT, SOMEONE IS PRAYING FOR YOU.

• God informed Abraham about the situation
• Abraham races after Kedorlaomer, all the way to Dan and Lot is rescued.
• Not everyone has somebody praying-remember.
• Lot has been taken captive.
• Abraham took responsibility for Lot.
• God is with the righteous (Gen.12:3)

CONCLUSION:

• A message to those living in or near Sodom; what are you doing in Sodom?
• Sodom is no place for a child of faith.
• Leave Sodom and dwell in Canaan by faith.