TEXT:  Luke 17:32;  Gen. 19:15-26

INTRODUCTION:  SMALL CHARACTER, GREAT LESSONS.

I.      THE GOODNESS AND SEVERITY OF GOD( Rom. 11:22 ).

A.      IN LOT'S WIFE'S CASE:

          1.       God loved her, provided for her escape.

          2.       Severe punishment when she disobeyed.

B.      GOODNESS & SEVERITY OF GOD SEEN ELSEWHERE.

          1.       Adam & Eve( Gen. 1-3 ).

          2.       Israel( Mat. 21:43 ).

          3.       God is jealous( Ex. 20:5 ).

          4.       A God of wrath and vengeance( Rom. 1:18;  12:19 )

C.      GOD IS BOTH GOOD AND SEVERE WITH US.

          1.       God does love us( 1 John 4:10;  John 3:16 ).

          2.       He has provided for our deliverance( Titus 2:11-12;  2 Pet. 1:3 ).

          3.       But( 2 Thes. 1:7-9 ).

II.     GOD'S REQUIREMENTS OFTEN SEEM FOOLISH.

A.      WHAT'S WRONG WITH LOOKING BACK?  NO LOGICAL CONNECTIONS.

B.      OTHER EXAMPLES:

          1.       Jericho - What did marching around accomplish?

          2.       Naaman & and dipping in the Jordan River.

C.      WE MAY NOT SEE THE LOGIC, BUT...( 1 Cor. 1:25;  Isa. 55:8-9 ).

D.      SOME OF GOD'S COMMANDS MAY SEEM UNNECESSARY, ie. Christ's

          death, one church, baptism.

E.      WHEN YOU HAVE DOUBTS, REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE.

III.    GOD REQUIRES STRICT OBEDIENCE.

A.      LOT'S WIFE WAS WILLING TO LEAVE THE CITY, BUT...

C.      PARTIAL OBEDIENCE OFTEN THE DOWNFALL OF GOD'S PEOPLE.

          1.       Saul and the Amelekites( 1 Sam. 15 ).

          2.       Nadab & Abihu - lawful sacrifice, wrong fire.

          3.       Uzzah.

C.      OBEDIENCE IS REQUIRED OF US( Matt. 7:21;  Heb. 5:9 ).

          1.       Is any of God's commands "too little"?( Jas. 4:17 ).

          2.       Jas. 2:10.

IV.   THE PROBLEM OF MISPLACED PRIORITIES.

A.      HER HEART WAS STILL IN SODOM.

B.      OUR HEARTS SHOULD BE IN HEAVEN( Mat. 6:19-21;  Col. 3:1-2 ).

C.      DARE WE LOOK BACK TO WHAT WE HAVE LEFT?( Luke 9:62 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      HAVE YOU PUT THE RIGHT THINGS FIRST?

B.      HAVE YOU OBEYED GOD?

C.      REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE!