Blending in Sodom
E.A. Johnston warns believers against blending into worldly culture like Lot in Sodom, urging a distinct, impactful Christian witness in family and community.
In 'Blending in Sodom,' E.A. Johnston explores the tragic story of Lot as a cautionary tale against spiritual compromise. He challenges believers to examine their own lives and communities, urging them to stand distinct from worldly influences. Through vivid biblical examples and contemporary illustrations, Johnston calls Christians to live with urgency and a clear testimony that reflects God's reality. This sermon serves as a powerful reminder to avoid complacency and to impact the world for Christ.
Full Transcript
In Genesis 19 we read, Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. You know the story, friends, of Sodom and Gomorrah, how Lot and his family were pulled out of the doomed city by angels, how the homosexual men of the city gathered around Lot's house, demanding to rape the two angels that were staying with him, how Lot held no authority with the citizens there, for they ordered him to stand back, and he foolishly offers his two virgin daughters to be sexually molested by an angry mob full of lust and larceny, how Lot warns his son-in-laws of the coming destruction, and he's only mocked by them because he had no personal testimony to them, how Lot's wife disobeys the word of God as she looks back at the city and is instantly killed, becoming a pillar of salt, how Lot's two daughters have incest with him in a cave, Lot's family has a pitiful, tragic ending.
The title of my message today, friends, is Blending in Sodom. Lot had no witness, Lot had no converts, not even in his own family, Lot had no urgency to leave Sodom, for he liked it there, the angels literally had to pull him out, Lot had no spiritual impact on his family or in his community, Abraham's home life was different than Lot's, and so was his testimony to the world, when the world looked at Abraham, they saw the reality of God, when the world looked at Lot, they saw the world, are you a worldly Christian, friend, with no reality of God in the life of your home, I spent some time staying in the family's home, who were vocal about their church membership, vocal about their Christianity, but their home life was no different from their lost neighbors, they drank the same alcohol, they watched the same perverted TV shows, they spoke like the world and acted like the world, and they had three daughters, two who became lesbians, and they were okay with that, are you Blending in Sodom, friend, are you Blending in Sodom with your coworkers, are you Blending in Sodom with your neighbors, are you Blending in Sodom with your group of friends, are you Blending in Sodom in the life of your family, does your community know that there's a born again Christian in their midst, let me ask you this, when Antichrist appears, and all of society is unraveling, will the fact remain that you live for Christ in eternity, and will it leave a mark on your generation, or did you just blend in?
Sermon Outline
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I. The Story of Lot in Sodom
- Lot's life and family in a wicked city
- The sinful culture and its consequences
- Lot's failure to influence or escape fully
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II. The Danger of Blending In
- Lot's lack of spiritual impact
- Comparison between Abraham's and Lot's testimonies
- Modern examples of Christians blending into worldly culture
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III. The Call to Distinctiveness
- Recognizing the need for a personal testimony
- Living a life visibly different from the world
- Preparing for the coming judgment and spiritual challenges
Key Quotes
“Lot had no witness, Lot had no converts, not even in his own family, Lot had no urgency to leave Sodom.” — E.A. Johnston
“When the world looked at Abraham, they saw the reality of God; when the world looked at Lot, they saw the world.” — E.A. Johnston
“Are you Blending in Sodom with your coworkers, your neighbors, your group of friends, or in the life of your family?” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Evaluate your lifestyle and relationships to ensure they reflect a distinct Christian witness.
- Cultivate a personal testimony that impacts your family and community for Christ.
- Live with spiritual urgency, preparing for the challenges of a world increasingly opposed to faith.