Sermon from July 26, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

A.     Luke 17:32 is a short, but intriguing verse.

B.     Lot’s wife is known for looking back at a critical time.

1.     Judgment had been passed on Sodom.
(Genesis 18:20-33; 19:1-11)

2.     Lot’s family had been given an opportunity to escape destruction. (19:12-14)

3.     On the way to safety, Lot’s wife looked back. (19:17-26)

II.    The problem of looking back.

A.    Why would she violate the order?

1.     She may have liked her home there

2.     She may have liked her position there

3.     She may have liked her possessions there (Gen. 13:5-6)

B.    More than likely, she turned back because her treasure was there. (Matthew 6:21)

1.     She valued what was behind more than the life ahead of her.

2.     She should have trusted God who sent her out to provide for her

3.     Instead, her thoughts were of all she left in a destroyed place.

III.  Jesus applies this lesson to His own coming.

A.    In Luke 17, Jesus is talking about another judgment to be rendered by God.

1.     “His day” will come suddenly and be apparent to all (v 24)

2.     Calamitous destruction will be visited upon those condemned (26-29)

B.    Jesus warns us to be ready for that day. (31-32)

1.     Jesus gives the same warning the angels gave to Lot’s wife

2.     This warning relates to how we deal with our earthly home, our possessions.

3.     Lot’s wife encountered the same range of experiences that we will as Christians.

IV. What must we learn from Lot’s wife?

A.    Remember to listen to the warning message

1.     Some continue to regard Jesus’ warning the way Lot’s sons-in-law reacted.

2.     The New Testament is very clear in its warnings of coming destruction. (2 Peter 3:10)

3.     Judgment is coming for those who do not know God, obey His gospel (2 Thes. 1:7-10)

B.    Remember to be prepared to leave

1.     We must react to this news and make ready (2 Peter 3:11-14)

2.     We are to press on to the goal (Phil. 3:13-14)

C.    Remember where life, eternal safety is.

1.     We must be waiting for His return, ready to go. (2 Pet. 3:12, 13; Heb. 9:28)

2.     Those who live by faith, seeking a home like Abraham (Heb 11:10)

3.     What you consider “home” has an effect on the way you live (Phil. 3:19-20)

D.    Remember not to turn back.

1.     Don’t turn to the worldly things (Luke 17:31-32; 1 John 2:17)

2.     Don’t abandon walking with Christ, following Him to life. (2 Tim. 4:10; Luke 9:62)

V.    Conclusion

A.    Will our reaction on that day alone determine our salvation?

1.     As we have seen, it is the righteous who are invited to flee from destruction.

2.     Jesus certainly indicated choices made that day are important.

3.     Lot’s wife reminds us that attachment to home and possession endures

4.     We must choose now as we would choose then. (2 Cor. 6:1-2)

B.    Where is your treasure? Where is your home? What are you focused on?

Glenn Record
July 26, 2009