REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE

LUKE 17:32

Pastor Rick Jackson

Memory can be a wonderful thing. Memory can also be a curse. There are some things God tells us to forget. God had Paul say, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” But there are some things God’s wants us to remember.

Exodus 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
Nehemiah 4:14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord…
Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psalm 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Psalm 105:5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Psalm 137:6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
John 16:4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Jude 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

But the one I want you to concentrate on for this message is the very simple, very concise words of the Lord Jesus from Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.

Memories can be a blessing. Remembering can strengthen us in our Christian walk. Remember your salvation! Remember decisions of consecration which you have made: baptism, assurance of salvation, church membership, giving God’s way, witnessing…

But why remember Lot’s wife? It must be important for Jesus to say it. Ut must be important for the Spirit of God to move Luke to record it. There are a multitude of reasons but three must suffice for this message. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE BECAUSE:

I. THERE ARE DANGERS IN LOOKING BACK [Gen. 19:17, 24-26]

1. The Danger of Lamenting Over Temporal Loss [Phil. 3:7-9, 17-19, 4:11-13]

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2. The Danger of Worrying About Your Past Mistakes [Phil. 4:13]

If it can be rectified- do it!

If it was a sin- Confess it! 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If it can’t be rectified, and it wasn’t a sin - F.I.D.O.!!!! [FORGET IT & DRIVE ON]

3. The Danger of Worrying About Your Past Mis-steps [Ps. 118:24]

II. THE BEST IS AHEAD

1. We Can Serve Christ [Phil. 3:10-16]

2. We Can Seek Souls [Phil. 1:12-18, 27]

3. We Will See Jesus [Phil. 1:21-23]

III. THERE IS DIGNITY IN OBEDIENCE

1. Obey God Regardless of Men’s Opinions [Gal. 1:10, Acts 5:29]

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

2. Obey God Despite Circumstances [Phil. 4:11-13]

3. Obey God & Rejoice In It [Phil. 4:3-4]

During the War Between the States a messenger from Stonewall Jackson delivered a message to his pastor. An anxious crowd gathered expecting war news particularly since the letter was dated immediately following a major battle. The letter read, “My dear pastor, I recalled today that my gift to foreign missions was due. Find it enclosed. May the day soon come when this war is over… that we may get back to our primary task of saving the souls of men.”

His heart was on the main business.