Blessed But Barely Saved

 Verses to read:
<Genesis 19>

1. Characteristics of a worldly Christian:

1) Lack of intimacy with God.

• Not so much about the location (Sodom), but the HEART.

2) Easily compromise, especially under pressure.

Gen 19:4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”

9 “Get out of our way,” they replied. “This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.

• A little compromise >>> snowballs

3) Lack spiritual influence.

<1 Co 3:1-2> Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.

• Are we still “salty” Christians?

4) Linger in giving up the world and sin.

Gen 19:15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” 16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.

<2 Co 6:1-2> As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

5) The distress of choosing the world over God.

<2 Pe 2:7-8> “…Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)”

6) The worldly Christian is a failure.

<Mt 13:22> The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

2. But thank God that He keeps us to the end.

• God is more eager to save us than we would run for our lives.
• “Once saved, always saved”.
• Salvation not based on actions or experiences, but on whether we are born again by God.
• Restore assurance of salvation.
• Let’s not be like Lot who was saved “only as one escaping through the flames” <1 Co 3:15>.

3. When we consider the plight of Sodom and Gomorrah:

1) Repentance and vigilance towards sin.

2) Gratitude that we are spared.

3) Urgency to evangelise.