Intro: Lot and his family had the privilege of seeing one of the most amazing men of faith to have ever
lived in the person of Abraham. They watched God’s blessings on his life, and they even experienced the overflow of
those same blessings as both the flocks of Abraham and Lot increased greatly making both men wealthy. Yet, it was not enough
for Mr. & Mrs. Lot. He and Abraham parted ways with Lot taking the well-watered plains of Sodom for his home. He pitched
his tent toward Sodom and slowly took his family into a place under the judgment of God. Lot:
1. Looked: Gen 13:10, “Lifted up his eyes”
2. Longed: Gen 13:10, “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”
3.
Lusted: Gen 13:11, “Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan.”
4. Left: Gen 13:11, “Lot journeyed east: and they separated
themselves one from the other.” v. 12, “Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities
of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.”
5. Listened: Gen 13:13, “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before
the LORD exceedingly.” II Peter 2:7-8, “vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous
man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)”
6. Lost: Everything...
his wealth, his character, his family, his children, his good name
7. Lingered: (our text), though he was warned he lingered.
8. Lay: with his own daughters while in a drunken stupor (Gen 19:31-38).
9. Listed: Lot was listed in
our Bibles as a man who knew the right way, had a righteous soul, and still died an utter failure with his family in shambles!
Each of these things are sermons alone, but I’m particularly interested in verse
16 of our text where is says, “While he lingered.” I want to preach tonight on Why Lot Lingered. I will
submit to you he lingered in Sodom for the same reasons he left for Sodom! He was warned, he believed the warning, but still
he lingered. He knew God was sending judgment, but he did not see the urgency of it. He seemed not to believe judgment was
coming immanently. Lot Lingered Because:
I.
LOVE FOR PLEASURE: Genesis 13, Lot not only left Abraham and pitched his tent toward Sodom, but he
dwelt in the cities of the land (v. 12). The bright lights and the flashing signs caught his eye. He was enamored by the entertainment
of the city.
II. LUST FOR POSSESSIONS: Lot saw the prosperity
of the city. He had a taste of the sweet wine of success and wanted more. The ground there was fertile, and the opportunities
were many. He sought after a dollar with no thought given to the impact on his family! He lingered to hold on to the POSSESSIONS
as long as possible!
III. LOOSE PARENTING: Something happened to Lot as
a parent in Sodom. He got so loose he married his daughters off to men who were unbelievers (v. 14), and it appears that it
is quite possible the men were perverts (v. 8). It is certain that Lot was willing to give his daughters to these men to do
with them whatever they desired! Even worse is the fact that these men were so perverted that they did not want any part of
a woman; they lusted after men! When the fire was about to fall, Lot lingered because his family would not go with him!
IV. LONGING FOR POSITION: v. 1, Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. This was a position of leadership. He was on the city council
of sorts. He lingered in Sodom because he longed for that position, that authority, that acceptance. Many people are on the
brink of judgment because they have sold everything in order to be accepted and promoted in life!
V. LOOKED FOR PROTECTION: but not from the Lord. v. 19-20, He wanted to go to a nearby city still! He did not want to get alone
with God. He trusted in man to care for him, but he doubted the Lord. He felt safe in the danger of the city of Sodom and
endangered in the safety of the mountain! Many linger too long because of fear and doubt that God will care for them if they
are obedient unto God!
Conclusion: Why are you lingering? Why does the Spirit of God arrest your soul, warn you to leave that sin behind,
press on your heart the imminence of the coming of the Lord, but you linger in your own wanton ways of rebellion! Why are
you lingering? I wish I could land hands on you and by mercy force you to leave, but you would only go to another city. It
is time to leave Sodom and not look back!
