Subtopic: “The Danger Of Looking Back”
Text: Genesis 19:16-26 “And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. (vs17) And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. (vs18) And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: (vs19) Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: (vs20) behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. (vs21) And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. (vs22) Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. (vs23) The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. (vs24) Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; (vs25) And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. (vs26) But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.1 Pages 259-260; A Comment on Genesis 19:26 “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Every part of this narrative suggestive of lessons. Reminded how “the righteous scarcely saved,” (1Peter 4:18) and of the danger of an pleasant and agreeable weakness. In Lot’s sons-in-law we see how the world receives the gospel. In his wife, one convinced, but not converted ; seeking safety, but with a divided aim (James1:8). In the angels help, God’s watchful care, even where the need is unknown. The text teaches the responsibility of those who hear the gospel. Dangers surrounding us, but a way of safety. But it is not enough to just be aroused. Many are awaked to flee, yet look back. Lot’s wife was not deaf to the call; did not think it fancy; really believed; felt the danger, and fled. But the sun rose; the valley beautiful; home attractive; no sign of danger. Must she leave all; and at once? She paused. That pause was death.
Some maybe aroused by Alarm Of Conscience and yet look back. Some, intent on the world , think not of the future. Preaching seems only a thing that is worthy of reverence or deep respect in form; prayer a proper homage to God. But as to anything more, no hurry. But a time of anxiety comes. Perhaps a wave of revival, or some special occurrence--- illness, bereavement, or care. Eternity is brought near, false confidence dispelled. (Isa.28:17) Then earnestly a seeking of true refuge; the Bible is read with real seriousness and prayers are prayed with a real pleading, but then the sun arises. The immediate cause of anxiety and fear pass away. Then a looking back. Surely some of you can remember times of earnestness. Perhaps in hours of anxious watching, or in preparation for communion, or God speaking directly to the soul and making you feel his presence. Then the blessedness of accepted salvation was felt. The gospel message was now not a parable then. The Bible and prayer were precious then. But alas time went on, the immediate influence gone, so as to make all as before. The “old ways” asserted their power; hard to give them up. In mercy the call once more. Awake; the storm is at hand, though thou seest it not. Pray that the Holy Ghost may transform your heart.”
Text: Genesis 19:16-26 “And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. (vs17) And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. (vs18) And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: (vs19) Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: (vs20) behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. (vs21) And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. (vs22) Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. (vs23) The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. (vs24) Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; (vs25) And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. (vs26) But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.1 Pages 259-260; A Comment on Genesis 19:26 “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Every part of this narrative suggestive of lessons. Reminded how “the righteous scarcely saved,” (1Peter 4:18) and of the danger of an pleasant and agreeable weakness. In Lot’s sons-in-law we see how the world receives the gospel. In his wife, one convinced, but not converted ; seeking safety, but with a divided aim (James1:8). In the angels help, God’s watchful care, even where the need is unknown. The text teaches the responsibility of those who hear the gospel. Dangers surrounding us, but a way of safety. But it is not enough to just be aroused. Many are awaked to flee, yet look back. Lot’s wife was not deaf to the call; did not think it fancy; really believed; felt the danger, and fled. But the sun rose; the valley beautiful; home attractive; no sign of danger. Must she leave all; and at once? She paused. That pause was death.
Some maybe aroused by Alarm Of Conscience and yet look back. Some, intent on the world , think not of the future. Preaching seems only a thing that is worthy of reverence or deep respect in form; prayer a proper homage to God. But as to anything more, no hurry. But a time of anxiety comes. Perhaps a wave of revival, or some special occurrence--- illness, bereavement, or care. Eternity is brought near, false confidence dispelled. (Isa.28:17) Then earnestly a seeking of true refuge; the Bible is read with real seriousness and prayers are prayed with a real pleading, but then the sun arises. The immediate cause of anxiety and fear pass away. Then a looking back. Surely some of you can remember times of earnestness. Perhaps in hours of anxious watching, or in preparation for communion, or God speaking directly to the soul and making you feel his presence. Then the blessedness of accepted salvation was felt. The gospel message was now not a parable then. The Bible and prayer were precious then. But alas time went on, the immediate influence gone, so as to make all as before. The “old ways” asserted their power; hard to give them up. In mercy the call once more. Awake; the storm is at hand, though thou seest it not. Pray that the Holy Ghost may transform your heart.”
To Come Out Completely Not Looking Back One Must: Remember Who I Am And Whose I Am and What I am Here For
EXPOSITION
To Come Out Completely Not Looking Back One Must:
Receive God’s Word As Divine---1 Thess.2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
Receive And Believe God’s Evaluation Of The World---1 John 2:15-17 “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. (vs16) 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. (vs17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Do So With A Totally Made Up Mind---James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. St. Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” St. Luke 9:61-62 “And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. (vs62) And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Have The Affections Of The Heart Settled---St. Mark 12:30 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” Col.3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (vs2) Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. (vs3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” St. Matt. 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. (vs20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (vs21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Allow My Experience In Walking With God To Lead Me To A Holy Ambition---Phi. 3:9-14 “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (vs10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (vs11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (vs12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.(vs13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Be Bold And Courageous Enough To Answer God’s Call With The Consistency Of My Actions---2 Cor.6:17-18 “Come out from among them, and be separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (vs18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Remember Who I Am And Whose I Am and What I am Here For---1 Peter 2:9-10 “ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: (vs10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
To Come Out Completely Not Looking Back One Must:
Receive God’s Word As Divine---1 Thess.2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
Receive And Believe God’s Evaluation Of The World---1 John 2:15-17 “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. (vs16) 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. (vs17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Do So With A Totally Made Up Mind---James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. St. Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” St. Luke 9:61-62 “And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. (vs62) And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Have The Affections Of The Heart Settled---St. Mark 12:30 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” Col.3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (vs2) Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. (vs3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” St. Matt. 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. (vs20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (vs21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Allow My Experience In Walking With God To Lead Me To A Holy Ambition---Phi. 3:9-14 “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (vs10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (vs11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (vs12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.(vs13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Be Bold And Courageous Enough To Answer God’s Call With The Consistency Of My Actions---2 Cor.6:17-18 “Come out from among them, and be separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (vs18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Remember Who I Am And Whose I Am and What I am Here For---1 Peter 2:9-10 “ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: (vs10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
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