Has The Church Become Lot?

Would you turn with me to First John 4? Tonight, we will look at two subjects together realizing that they are separate. The two subjects we’re going to look at are the world and the Church. We’re going to start in First John 4 and then First John 5 identifying who we are and who we are not.

So, in First John 4, beginning with verse 4.

(4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

The word “of” is the Greek word EK. It means “source of origin.” Our source of origin, now that we are born again, now that we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, is God. God is now our source of origin.

In contrast (5) They are of the world: [Again, “of” is EK. There source of origin is the world. They are not born again. They have a sin nature.] therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

Now turn to First John 5 and look at verse four.

“For whatsoever is born of God [is EK of God] overcometh [This overcoming is not a one-time thing. It is supposed to be continuous for us. Why? We are of God! God is our Father!] the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [And this is a big one ladies and gentlemen. Say it with me.] even our faith.”

Because so many in the Church don’t know who they are, what they say – what they believe – resembles the world more than the Bible that they profess to believe. We’re going to see a type and shadow of this in the record of Sodom and Gomorrah. But our focus will be more on the impact that Sodom and Gomorrah had on the life of Lot.

Before we go there, turn back to chapter two. We’re going to read verses 15, 16 and 17 because they are pivotal to what we are going to see tonight.

(15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

(16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

(17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

I want to read verse 16 out of the Amplified Bible. It says, “For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things] – these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].”

What we just read describes many in the Church today. With this in mind, turn to Genesis 18. We know the story. The angels come to meet with Abraham and Sarah to announce that the promise God made to them that they would have a baby – the time has now come. She would have a child within nine months.

Now, let’s jump down to verse 16.

(16) And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

(17) And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

(18) Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

(19) For I know him [I love that ladies and gentlemen. God says, “For I KNOW him.” That’s what I wany my Father to say about Barry – “I KNOW him.”], that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

(20) And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

What made Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin great and very grievous? I believe part of the answer is found in verse 19 where it says of Abraham and his household: “they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment…” We are not going to see this in Sodom and Gomorrah, ladies and gentlemen.

(21) I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.