Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Oct. 14, 2001, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

HIS TENT WAS PITCHED TOWARD SODOM

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Genesis 13:1-13

Text: Genesis 13:12

Genesis 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

Introduction: Lot’s story is one of the saddest stories in the Bible. Yes, he was rescued out of Sodom and was not destroyed by fire and brimstone. However, he still lost. He lost almost everything that was important to him. What was his problem? He was in the wrong place. He had no business being in Sodom.

Of course, Lot did not begin in Sodom. He began with Abraham. However, because of lack of room, there was a need for a break, and he chose to break TOWARD Sodom. He only leaned in that direction.

Some of you aren’t in Sodom yet, but you have pitched your tent TOWARD Sodom, or toward SIN, WICKEDNESS, and DESTRUCTION. Some of you are doing it with your music. Some of you are doing it with your choice of friends. Some of you are doing it with your clothes and make-up.

We often hear of people falling into sin. However, the average Christian doesn’t just fall into sin. He first LEANS TOWARD sin. Then he finally falls into sin. If you lean in a direction far and long enough, you will eventually fall in that direction.

Tonight, let’s look at Lot’s choice and see how he made it and where it took him.

I. LOT’S DESIRE WAS CARNAL

Genesis 13:10 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.

A. His desire was based on SIGHT

Remember the temptation of Eve – Gen. 3:6
Remember the temptation of David – 2 Sam. 11:2
Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
We should not make our decisions based on what we see!
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight)

B. His desire was based on SELF-ISHNESS

He was desiring what would help his FLESH.
He was more interested in meeting his physical needs than he was in doing the right thing.
Our desire should be toward HEAVEN.
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

II. LOT’S DIRECTION WAS CARELESS

Genesis 13:11-12 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.

A. He went the way of the world

West to east in scripture is often a bad direction.
Let’s not go the way of the world in the way that we live or make our choices.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

B. He went the way toward the wicked

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Don’t go the way of the wicked; go the way of the righteous!
Psalms 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

III. LOT’S DEDICATION WAS COMPROMISED

Genesis 13:13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Genesis 19:1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

He started out with his tent pitched toward Sodom. But by chapter 19, he SAT in the gate of Sodom.

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

A. He stepped into their world

“Blessed is the man that WALKETH not in the counsel of the ungodly …”

B. He stood in their way

“… nor standeth in the way of sinners …”

C. He sat in their wickedness

“… nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
Sin is progressive. If you pitch your tent toward Sodom, you will eventually sit in the gate of Sodom, as one of the elders of the land!

IV. LOT’S DOCTRINE WAS CHALLENGED

Genesis 19:14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

A. Lot had a doctrine of divine visitation

He said that God had given him a message!
Lot had sacrificed the truth of God in order to physically benefit his children. Later his children would not believe the truth of God from his lips.

B. Lot had a doctrine of divine vengeance

He warned of destruction!
Part of soul-winning is telling people that there is a HELL!
People will not believe our warning if we won’t live separated, holy lives!
If your children won’t believe your message and warnings and they end up in a mess, it is a sure sign that YOU messed up by pitching your family’s tent toward Sodom.

V. LOT’S DAUGHTERS WERE CORRUPTED

Genesis 19:36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.

A. Their morals were corrupted

They believed it was more important to have children than to be pure!
Where did they learn this? They learned it from Lot and from those Lot allowed them to have for companions!

B. Their memory was corrupted

They were remembered as the ones who brought forth two of the main enemies of Israel, the Moabites and the Ammonites.

VI. LOT’S DECISION WAS COSTLY

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

What were the results of Lot’s pitching his tent toward Sodom?

A. His ways became sinful

Genesis 19:8 – He offered his own daughters up to the sodomites to defile.

B. His witness became sterile

God would have not destroyed the city if there were at least 10 righteous people there, according to Genesis 18:32.
Lot and his wife had at least four daughters and two sons-in-law, for a minimum of eight people, maybe more, but there were not even 10 righteous people in the city!
Lot didn’t win anyone to the true God, and I don’t believe he even won his own children!

C. His will became soft

According to Gen. 19:16, he still didn’t have strong enough will to leave Sodom, knowing that it was going to be destroyed … “he lingered”
One problem with American men is that their WILL is feminine, weak, and wishy-washy.

D. His wife became salt

Jesus’ comment about this was, “Remember Lot’s wife”!!! (Luke 17:32)

E. His wine became strong drink

Wine in the Bible is any juice of the grape, including fresh grape juice.
After many years of living with wicked people, Lot made strong drink, became drunk, and committed incest with his daughters.

F. His world became soot

Everything he had was burnt up by God’s fire.

VII. LOT’S DEFILEMENT WAS CHRONICLED

Genesis 19:37-38 And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. 38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.

A. It was recorded in the Bible

B. It was recorded in books for final judgment

Don’t pitch your tent even TOWARD Sodom!
Don’t lean in the direction of the world, the flesh, and the devil!