Today’s Bulletin
OUTLINE
I. Angels At The Gate (v.1-3)
II. Know Them Not (v.4-5)
III. Worst Father Ever? (v.6-9)
IV. Fly, You Fools (v.10-22)
V. So Dumb, So-dium (v.23-26)
VI. Morning After (v.27-29)
Genesis 19:1-29
“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. 8 Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” 9 But they said, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down. 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. 11 And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door.
12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. 13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.” 14 So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the LORD is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.
15 As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.” 18 And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords. 19 Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. 20 Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” 21 He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. 22 Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven. 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28 And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.
29 So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.”
Sermon Discussion questions
Sodom:Compromise & Consequences: Genesis 19:1-29
Ice Breaker: If you had to quickly leave your house forever and could only take three items with you (assuming all people and pets are already safe), what would you grab and why?
This Week Specific
In what ways do you see yourself in Lot’s story?
Lot struggled with living in a culture that was deeply sinful, yet he lingered when God called him to flee. How do you wrestle with living in a culture that often celebrates things contrary to God’s ways? Where might you be "lingering" instead of fully following God’s commands in your life—whether in your home, work, or school?
What sacrifices have you had to make or need to make to fully follow Christ?
Lot hesitated because of the comfort and possessions he would lose by leaving Sodom. Are there areas in your life where comfort or attachment to material things is hindering your obedience to God?
How do you respond when those around you reject or mock your faith, like Lot’s sons-in-law did?
Lot’s sons-in-law thought he was joking when he warned them of God's judgment.
How do you balance the call to share truth with those around you while dealing with potential rejection or indifference?
Lot tried to balance his faith with cultural expectations, but this led to devastating decisions, especially concerning his family.
How do you prioritize your family’s spiritual health over societal expectations? In what ways might you be compromising, knowingly or unknowingly, in your work, school, or family life?
In what ways does God show mercy to you, even when you don’t deserve it, like He did with Lot?
Lot didn’t ask for help, yet God’s mercy was extended to him and his family. How has God extended His mercy to you, even when you were resistant or slow to obey?
How does this passage shape your understanding of God’s justice and mercy?
God judged Sodom but also provided a way of rescue for Lot. How does this affect the way you view justice and mercy in your relationships and responsibilities at work, home, or school?
Reflect on Lot’s wife’s disobedience in looking back.
Lot’s wife looked back despite clear instructions not to. What “past” or worldly things are you tempted to look back at? How does this affect your spiritual growth and your focus on God’s calling for your life now?
Weekly Questions
What stood out to you/challenged you most in this sermon?
What’s one area you feel the Lord wants to grow you into more Christ likeness?
How can this group pray for you this week?