_And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom_ THE EVE OF JUDGMENT TO THE RIGHTEOUS I. THE RIGHTEOUS MAN IS FOUND IN THE WAY OF DUTY. 1. The duty of his calling. 2. The duty arising from the relations of human life. II. THE RIGHTEOUS MAN IS SEPARATE FROM SINNERS.... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door_ THE EVE OF JUDGMENT TO SINNERS I. THEIR WICKEDNESS IS UNABATED. 1. It extends to all classes of the community. 2. It includes the most shameful lusts. 3. It opposes the righteous to the last. II. TH... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hast thou here any besides?_ A SOLEMN INQUIRY CONCERNING OUR FAMILIES I. Such a question as this APPEALS TO OUR NATURAL AFFECTION. Surely, unless we have lost manhood, we love our kindred and desire their good. We have not yet become like the ostriches in the wilderness, which care not for their y... [ Continue Reading ]
_He seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law_ DANGER DESPISED I. LET US ATTEND TO THE EXHORTATION ADDRESSED BY LOT TO HIS SONS-IN-LAW. THERE IS A CLOSE PARALLEL BETWEEN THEIR SITUATION AND OUR OWN. 1. We are living, like them, amongst wicked men. 2. We are exposed, like them, to Divine jud... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot_ HASTENING LOT I. THE RIGHTEOUS NEED TO BE HASTENED. 1. In what? (1) In matters of obedience to their Lord. (2) In coming out from the world. (3) In seeking the good of their families (Genesis 19:12). (4) In general quickness of movement i... [ Continue Reading ]
_He lingered_ PERILOUS PROCRASTINATION I. I MUST BEGIN BY SPEAKING TO THE PERSON WHO IS LINGERING HIMSELF. I should like to ask you, my beloved friend, if this matter about which you are still hesitating is not of vital importance to you? Do you think you ought to put off all preparation for the fu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Escape for thy life; look not behind thee_ DELAYS ARE DANGEROUS I. AN ALARM. “Escape for thy life.” 1. Lot’s life was in imminent danger. So is the life of every unconverted man. 2. But Lot had timely warning to escape from the impending storm, and so has every sinner. 3. Lot’s escape was to b... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Lot said unto them, Oh! not so, my Lord_ THE INFIRMITIES OF THE HEIRS OF SALVATION I. THESE INFIRMITIES ARE SEEN DURING THE PROGRESS OF THEIR DELIVERANCE. 1. The infirmity of fear (Genesis 19:19). 2. Wilfulness (Genesis 19:20). 3. Forgetfulness of past mercies. 4. A lingering selfishness.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is it not a little one?_ IS IT NOT A LITTLE ONE? God warns us to flee from the low level life of sin to the mountain of purity and peace. A word spoken by a friend, something read in a letter or book, joy, sorrow, anything God can use as His angel or messenger to call us away from the land of sin... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar_ THE LESSONS OF A DAY I. THE ABSURDITY OF LETTING SECULAR MOTIVES GOVERN MEN’S CONDUCT. Lot went to Sodom because he thought it a secularly desirable place. (Genesis 13:10.) He went there, and there his own piety was injured, his own chi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven--_ THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM I. DIVINE JUDGMENT IS DISCRIMINATIVE. The Scripture will not have us fall into the belief that there is no radical difference between the good and the evil. It would have... [ Continue Reading ]
_But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar Of salt_ THE CAUSE AND DANGER OF BACKSLIDING I. THE CAUSE OF BACKSLIDING. Unbelief, leading to (1) disobedience, (2) indecision. She was perplexed between God and the world. II. THE DANGER OF BACKSLIDING. 1. There is the danger... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord: and he looked toward Sodom_ THE RIGHTEOUS MAN’S RETROSPECT OF GOD’S GREAT JUDGMENTS I. HE REGARDS THEM WITH SOLEMN EMOTION. II. HE IS SATISFIED WITH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD AS SEEN IN THEM. III. HE HAS SOME CO... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain_ THE FOLLY OF SEEKING OUR OWN CHOICE Lot was bidden to go to the mountain, but requested that he might be allowed to seek refuge in Zoar. We only land ourselves in greater difficulties when we act according to the suggestions of our own huma... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they made their father drink wine_ THE LESSONS OF LOT’S DISHONOUR I. THAT SAINTS WHO HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECTS OF EXTRAORDINARY MERCY MAY YET FALL INTO SIN. II. THAT IT IS DIFFICULT, EVEN FOR THE BEST, TO ESCAPE THE EFFECT OF EVIL ASSOCIATIONS. III. THE FOLLY OF A WORLDLY CHOICE. IV. THE WISD... [ Continue Reading ]