Lot Pitched His Tent Toward Sodom

Text: Genesis 13:5-13

Introduction:
  I. Sometimes the negative example of a person who has ruined 
     his own life helps others to avoid the same pitfalls, for 
     example, convicts who speak before school groups about 
     their mistakes.
 II. Lot certainly ruined his own life.
     A. Genesis 13:5-6
     B. Genesis 19:30
III. We should use his example as a warning. Romans 15:4
 IV. What lessons can we learn from the example of Lot?

Body:
  I. Lot had much in His favor.
     A. He had the good influence of godly relatives.
        1. Genesis 12:4-5
        2. Hebrews 11:8-10
     B. God had blessed him with wealth.
        1. Genesis 13:5-6
        2. James 1:17
     C. He was a righteous man. 2 Peter 2:7-8
     D. He was hospitable. Genesis 19:1-3

 II. But Lot made one decision which proved to be the ruin of 
     his life. Genesis 13:7-13
     A. His decision reflected bad attitudes.
        1. He was selfish. Philippians 2:4
        2. He was disrespectful. Genesis 12:5, 7
        3. His decision was made purely for carnal rather than 
           spiritual. Romans 3:5-8
     B. Lot’s decision started a series of steps (unforeseen by 
        him) which caused his downfall.
        1. Genesis 13:11
        2. Genesis 13:12 (dwelleth)
        3. Genesis 13:12 – “turned” (as far as – ASV)
           a. It was a terribly wicked city.
              (1) “wicked” – to break, to break in pieces; to be 
                  evil, bad, to do ill; to act wickedly adj. 
                  Bad, evil, worthless; morally bad, evil, 
                  wicked. Wilson
              (2) “Wicked” – “to break in pieces, destroy, and 
                  afflict; meaning persons who broke the 
                  established order of things, destroyed and 
                  confounded the distinctions between right and 
                  wrong, and who afflicted and tormented both 
                  themselves and others.” Clarke
              (3) Sinners before God.
           b. Lot could say “I didn’t go along with their sins.” 
              2 Peter 2:7-8
           c. But what influence did they have on Lot and 
              ultimately on Lot’s family?
              (1) 1 Corinthians 15:58
              (2) 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
              (3) Ephesians 5:11
        4. “Lot…dwelt in Sodom.” Genesis 14:12
           a. Abraham still cared for Lot. Genesis 14:8-16; 
              Galatians 6:1-2
           b. Lot, through ingratitude, passed up a wonderful 
              opportunity to leave wicked Sodom.
        5. Genesis 19:1

III. Lot reaped the waged of sin. Galatians 6:7-8
     A. Lot was “vexed” by the wickedness of the Sodomites (2 
        Peter 2:7-8)
        1. Verse 7 “vexed” (?????????) prop. to tire down with 
           toil, exhaust with labor; hence to afflict or oppress 
           with evils; to make trouble for; to treat roughly: 
           Thayer
        2. Verse 8 “vexed” (????????) 1. prop. to test (metals) 
           by the touchstone. (2) to question by applying 
           torture. (3) to torture…hence (4) univ. to vex with 
           grievous pains (of body or mind), to torment. Thayer
     B. His own moral standard had become confused. Genesis 
        19:1-8
     C. Lot lost everything that meant anything to him. Genesis 
        19:9-30
        1. Daughters (except 2)
        2. Sons-in-law (Grandchildren?)
        3. Wife
        4. Wealth
     D. His own faith and righteousness had weakened. Genesis 
        19:30, 33, 35
     E. His remaining daughters were ruined morally. Genesis 
        19:31-38
     F. His descendants, through these incestuous relationships, 
        were the inveterate enemies of God’s people. Deuteronomy 
        23:3-6

Conclusion:
  I. What a terribly high cost for his decision.
 II. What a tragic example for us to heed. Romans 15:4
III. Do not pitch your tent toward Sodom. 1 Corinthians 15:33

(This outline is based on material from Keith Sharp)

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