The Tragedy of A Compromised Life

The Tragedy of A Compromised Life Genesis 19 July 14, 2019 The Big Idea: In Genesis 19, the focus is not on Abraham, but on his nephew, Lot. Years have passed since we last saw Lot and he is now fully immersed in the culture and ungodly lifestyle of the city where he lives. These tragic events reveal what happens when we start loving our world more than we love the Lord and God says, “Enough!” Genesis 19:1-7 (ESV) 19 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” 3 But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” 6 Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, 7 and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Tragedies Observed in Sodom § § § § Community violence and immorality (more than hospitality is behind Lot’s insistence that the strangers not sleep in the square) (vv. 2-3) Homosexual relationships and homosexual rape that seems to be common-place. (vv. 4-7) A father so twisted in his thinking that he offers his daughters to the crowd of men. (v. 8) A father-in-law who has no moral or spiritual authority to be taken seriously by the men of Sodom or by the young men who § § § are about to marry his daughters. They think he is joking about coming judgment. (vv. 9-14) A fiery judgment on the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. (vv. 24-25) Lot’s wife is judged – turned to a pillar of salt as she looks back to Sodom. (v. 26) Daughters who have absolutely no moral or spiritual compass for decisions they make and a Father who allowed himself to become so drunk that he doesn’t realize what sin he is engaging in. (vv. 30-38) Ezekiel 16:46–50 (ESV) 46 And your elder sister is Samaria, who lived with her daughters to the north of you; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you, is Sodom with her daughters. 47 Not only did you walk in their ways and do according to their abominations; within a very little time you were more corrupt than they in all your ways. 48 As I live, declares the Lord GOD, your sister Sodom and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done. 49 Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it. The Sins That Brought God’s Judgment on Sodom § § § § § Pride -- word was sometimes translated “swollen” – as in “puffed up” Gluttony Prosperity Unaccompanied By Compassion for the Poor Haughtiness -- to be overly confident in your own ability, greatness, or worth Morally Depraved Behavior How to Respond if You Realize You’re Living a Compromised Life 1. Admit the truth about the influence of the world on your life. 2. Confess all sin that the Holy Spirit makes known. 3. Repent and re-commit your life to the Lord.