Why Are You Hesitating?

Introduction:

When I was 16, which seems a long time ago, I remember a conversation I had with my driver’s ed teacher, who was teaching how to drive when I had my learners permit. I was pulling up to a stop light, and as the light was turning yellow, I panicked. I wasn’t sure if I was close enough to go through the yellow or too far away that I should stop. I hesitated on what I should do, but praise God my teacher was able to stop the car with the extra brake that was in the passenger seat.

As we sat at the red light, I felt embarrassed and frightened of what just happened. After my teacher calmed me down, she told me this; “Mike, never hesitate, it could cost someone their life.”

In the church across America today, there are too many christians who are hesitating to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of their hesitation, it is costing many people’s lives, both here on earth and for the rest of eternity. Tonight, I want to look at the Word of God and see how hesitation almost cost a man’s entire family. If you have your bible or bible app, turn with with me to Genesis 19, as we will read the first 29 verses.

Genesis 19:1–29 NLT

That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground. “My lords,” he said, “come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again.” “Oh no,” they replied. “We’ll just spend the night out here in the city square.” But Lot insisted, so at last they went home with him. Lot prepared a feast for them, complete with fresh bread made without yeast, and they ate. But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!” So Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him. “Please, my brothers,” he begged, “don’t do such a wicked thing. Look, I have two virgin daughters. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do with them as you wish. But please, leave these men alone, for they are my guests and are under my protection.” “Stand back!” they shouted. “This fellow came to town as an outsider, and now he’s acting like our judge! We’ll treat you far worse than those other men!” And they lunged toward Lot to break down the door. But the two angels reached out, pulled Lot into the house, and bolted the door. Then they blinded all the men, young and old, who were at the door of the house, so they gave up trying to get inside. Meanwhile, the angels questioned Lot. “Do you have any other relatives here in the city?” they asked. “Get them out of this place—your sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else. For we are about to destroy this city completely. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached the Lord, and he has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiancés, “Quick, get out of the city! The Lord is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking. At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!” When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” “Oh no, my lord!” Lot begged. “You have been so gracious to me and saved my life, and you have shown such great kindness. But I cannot go to the mountains. Disaster would catch up to me there, and I would soon die. See, there is a small village nearby. Please let me go there instead; don’t you see how small it is? Then my life will be saved.” “All right,” the angel said, “I will grant your request. I will not destroy the little village. But hurry! Escape to it, for I can do nothing until you arrive there.” (This explains why that village was known as Zoar, which means “little place.”) Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. Abraham got up early that morning and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the Lord’s presence. He looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and watched as columns of smoke rose from the cities like smoke from a furnace. But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.

(Pray)

Hesitate - “To delay, or refuse.”

3 Reasons Why People Hesitate To Share The Gospel:

1.) Don’t Believe The Word of the Lord is True:

Genesis 19:14 (NLT)

So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiancés, “Quick, get out of the city! The Lord is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking.

Exodus 9:18–21 NLT

So tomorrow at this time I will send a hailstorm more devastating than any in all the history of Egypt. Quick! Order your livestock and servants to come in from the fields to find shelter. Any person or animal left outside will die when the hail falls.’ ” Some of Pharaoh’s officials were afraid because of what the Lord had said. They quickly brought their servants and livestock in from the fields. But those who paid no attention to the word of the Lord left theirs out in the open.

Jeremiah 43:1–2 NLT

When Jeremiah had finished giving this message from the Lord their God to all the people, Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The Lord our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt!

“When the Lord promises something, it is guaranteed it will happen.”

(Challenge: Do you believe the Word of God is The Truth and Final Authority?)

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

“What you believe about the Word of God is shown through your actions.”

2.) Focus On Man’s Approval Rather Than Christ’s Approval:

Genesis 19:15–16 NLT

At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!” When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.

Lot was hesitating because those he told (verse 14) laughed at him and didn’t believe. Don’t hesitate on what the Lord is asking you to do because of what others might think.

Proverbs 29:25 NLT

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

Matthew 10:28 NLT

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

On the day of judgement, the people of this earth will not be judging. Christ The Lord will be judging you.

(Personal Example: Wanting to Be A Cool Kid)

I would rather be not cool in man’s eyes and be cool in God’s eyes than be the cool in man’s eyes and not God’s eyes.

3.) We Desire The Things of Our Flesh Instead of Desiring The Things of God:

Genesis 19:23–26 NLT

Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.

In Genesis 13, when Abraham and Lot split, Lot chose to go to Sodom because he admired the beauty, wealth, and cultural advantages the city had to offer. However, the lifestyle of Sodom was wicked and evil in the sight of the Lord.

“Don’t leave the shelter that is the Almighty God.”

(Reference back to Lot and the family reaching the village and his wife looking back.)

3 Ways To Avoid Hesitating:

1.) Allow The Holy Spirit To Show You The Truth of God’s Word.

2.) Keep Your Eyes Fixed On What Christ Says and Not Man.

3.) Carry The Desires of The Lord In Your Heart.

Close: No Turning Back

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, live by prayer and labor by His power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable and my mission clear. I cannot be bought, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a a disciple of Jesus. I must go ‘till He comes, give ‘till I drop, preach ‘till all know and work ‘till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.—Anonymous

(Pray)