A Lot of Fire
Ignite Series #5
March 1, 2007
Mike Matijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
What do you do when you face a Defining Moment Decision?
* The big three- Our Master; Our Spouse; Our Career
* Many face them but we don't realize that we face them.
* The bible talks much about DMD's.
* Today we will talk about a man that made MAJOR DMD that had tremendous ramifications.
This man can help us make the RIGHT decisions…
NOTE: Abram put family peace over personal gain! Good word for all of us.
Not fighting over the spoils when a rich relative dies.

What are some rules for making Defining Moment Decision?

I. Downplay the UPSIDE while playing up the DOWNSIDE. Gen. 13:11-13
(The upside not as up as you think & downside not as down as you think)
- Gen 13:11 "After all I have to take care of my FAMILY.
- Gen. 13:12 "He pitched his tent TOWARD".
- Where is your tent pitched?
Toward that flirtatious relationship at work?
Toward that business deal that has a little bit of GRAY area in it?
What are you moving toward? "I'm not moving into Sodom…I can handle it."
NOTE: We are called to reach people in Sodom & Gomorrah- but NOT to be like them.
We are all moving toward something --- which way are you moving?
* How much Lot considered the goodness of the land- but not considering the wickedness of the Sodom.

*** The Bible states categorically that sex outside of marriage is WRONG= SIN!
One man & one woman in bed sharing this gift.
- Sex before marriage is SIN, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism- we love the sinner but hate the sin. (build a bridge & draw a line in the sand)
- The sin thing captured God's eye. God is patient… but a God of judgment.
- Lot made the WRONG choice.
* How do you make the RIGHT choice? You are facing a DMD (Defining Moment Decision)
1. Build and altars
* Abram made altar Gen 12:7, 8; 13:4 (returned to them)
Altar= symbolized communion & commemorated notable encounters with God.
We should have altars today- in my office do business with God.
*** Lot never built an altar- why didn't he talk to Abram about his decisions?
2. Build a board of counsel - an advisory board
* Get the right people around you that will give you sound biblical advice.
Pro 11:14; Pro 12:20; Pro 15:22; Pro 24:6 (Gen. 13:13 These are the wrong people for counsel)

II. SELFISH DECISIONS USUALLY LEAD TO DESTRUCTION WHILE UNSELFISH DECISIONS LEAD T0 LIFE

* Lot only thought of himself- "I'm not going to go there God."
Phil. 2:3-4 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."

III. BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER MORE THAN GOOD CHARACTER INFLUENCES BAD COMPANY
1 Cor. 15:33 "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."

Lot did NOT keep good company!
"Every time God plays WIPE OUT - He Provides a WAY OUT!"
Examples:
1. Noah & the flood = way out the Ark
2. Nineveh- Jonah the running prophet - they all were saved
3. Our lives- we deserve WIPE OUT= Sinners= Hell; BUT the Way out Jesus

Gen. 18:20-23 Abram hears Lord talking to the angels about Sodom- (WIPE out)
(Gen 18:22-32 Abram asks the LORD 6 times (50, 45, 40, 30, 20, 10) to spare the city (for Lot)
Gen 19:1 "And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom…"
(Remember Genesis 13:12 "…and pitched his tent toward Sodom.")
* Not only was Lot in Sodom but Sodom was in Lot!
Gen 19:1b-5 "Know"- same as Gen 4:1 "Adam knew Eve & she conceived & bare a son…"
Gen 19;6-9 Lot would give his virgin daughters-

Judgment is coming… but there is a way OUT!
Rom. 6:23 "The wages of sin is death..."
Sin= brings judgment. Jesus has paid for the sin…
Maybe this is your warning- your way out.

IV. IT'S EASIER TO MAKE A FAST BREAK THAN A SLOW MOTION MOVE

* In my life I try to the slow move - God wants a fast move away from Sin!
* We have to make a fast break from your sin.
- Some of you have friendships that are messing you up- move fast!
- Some involved in business partners that are messing you up- run, flee & don't look back.
* Gen. 19:14 See what happens when Lot tries to talk to his son's in law - "mocked"
Gen 19:16- the more I grow the more I see the mercy of God & it is AWSOME!
Gen 19:26 The Dead Sea- salt columns at the south end near Zoar.

CONCLUSION:
* So what do YOU do when you face a Defining Moment Decisions?