A Father's Steps To Failure

Genesis 13:1-13 (KJV 1900)

10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

Text: Gen. 13:1-13; 19:1-29

Introduction

Summarize Gen. 19

Unfortunately, I see today (not entirely) as a recognition of the very person who the record shows is failing the family; FATHERS! I dare not say every father is failing in the most extreme sense, but many are failing in some sense. There is a growing trend of bad philosophy when it comes to fatherhood. Here are some common statement by fathers (mothers included) that speaks to my thesis:

I focus on my career for my kids.

I would spend more time with my family but I really need this raise.

Our focus is not our marriage, but our kids.

It’s all about our kids.

I want my kids to have more than I did.

Fathers living out their Biblical mandate are missing. When I say missing, I don’t mean they are physically missing, but rather they are inactive in the sphere of God’s plan and practices.

We have drifted from a time when fathers rose to the occasion of catechizing their children in the truths about creation, God’s nature, the truth about sin, the full purpose of man, etc, to living for the sole provision of material things.

Quote: “It may be hard on some fathers not to have a son, but it is so much harder on a boy not to have a father.”-S.D. Gilbert

Step #1 - A Lacking Consideration (Gen. 13)

A. Lot was lacking in focus

He never took time to consult God or evaluate how this move would impact him and his family’s worship.

Not once did he consider his family’s spiritual health.

Not once did he consider how it would impact his ability to invest in his marriage or children.

He never thought of the dangers that would be a threat to his family’s spiritual well being.

APPLICATION

Every father is considered to be the Shepherd of the family.

A good shepherd grooms the land over for any potential danger for his flock.

The reality that is reckoned in his mind is that there is NO ONE ELSE to carry out this responsibility other than himself!

Zechariah 11:17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! The sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: His arm shall be clean dried up, And his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Some dads (parents) seek an external institution (i.e. church, youth group, Awanas) to either do make up the difference or do it all. A MODEL NOT FOUND IN SCRIPTURE!!!

B. Lot’s was lazy in knowledge

The Bible says that the people of Sodom were, “wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.”

There is no doubt that Lot was educated on what God considered sin.

He could have easily sent some servants, better yet, see it being a serious enough situation that he go and vet out the land up close.

APPLICATION

A father should never make decisions for his family by a panoramic gaze alone. CHECK OUT THE DETAILS!!!

Ps 17:5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, That my footsteps slip not.

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: And he delighteth in his way.

Proverbs 14:15 The simple believeth every word: But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Step #2 - A Lacking of Repentance (Gen. 14)

I want to take a moment a summarize this chapter for this important point.

After Lot had gradually moved his family into Sodom, he was then capture by the 4 Mesopotamian kings.

The choices Lot and Abram make and their end result are significant.

Lot chose the worldly advantages of living near wicked Sodom and lost everything he had not once but twice!

Abraham was the one who saved lots twice in Gen 14 & 19. When Lot was separated from Abram, he suffered loss. When he was with Abram, he was blessed.

APPLICATION

What you are getting ready to see unfolded in chapter 19 is the direct result from a father not submitting himself too much needed repentance.

What is repentance?

Wives, here is a key way you can help your husband: Pray with him regarding what he needs to repent from.

Husbands, this requires you to be filled less with pride and filled with the Spirit.

The husband and wife are ONE!

Oneness is not experienced only in the physical sense nor is it only in symbolism, but you are ONE SPIRITUALLY.

REPENTANCE Change of mind; also can refer to regret or remorse accompanying a realization that wrong has been done or to any shift or reversal of thought. In its biblical sense repentance refers to a deeply seated and thorough turning from self to God. It occurs when a radical turning to God takes place, an experience in which God is recognized as the most important fact of one’s existence.1

1 Palmer, C. (2003). Repentance. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (pp. 1375–1376). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Repentance. Literally a change of mind, not about individual plans, intentions, or beliefs, but rather a change in the whole personality from a sinful course of action to God.1

1 Helm, P. (1988). Repentance. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1836). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Step #3 - A Lasting Regret (Gen. 19)

Notice the extended reach of a father’s failure of neglecting to follow God’s model for him:

Lot’s advancement in being desensitized to sin.

Lot’s eagerness to HID his sin.

Notice he didn’t rise to embrace repentance, but because he was caught.

Lot’s willingness to hand over his children to the culture.

Lot’s loss of influence with his children.

Illustration: Executives of a greeting-card company decided to do something special for Mother’s Day. They set up a table in a federal prison, inviting inmates to send a free card to their Mom. The lines were so long they had to to get more cards. Due to the success of that event, they decided to do the same thing on Father’s Day, but this time, not one prisoner felt the need to send a card to his Dad. In fact, when asked about it, many had no idea who their fathers were.

His children lost a real father the moment He brought them to Sodom.

How much of a REAL father has your children lost in you??? The answer is easy: how far have you drifted from God’s model for fatherhood?

Lot’s loss of those he loves.

Why did Lot’s wife look back? A mama’s heart will always be connected to her children. She undoubtedly knew their screams over all the others!!!

The sin of Sodom continued in the hearts of Lot’s daughters.

They had sexual relations with their dad and produced children.

The groups of people (Moabites and Ammonites)

These groups continued to cause problems for the Israelites throughout the OT record.

Conclusion