Sunday, January 29th, 2006- 4th Sunday after Epiphany- Year “B”

1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Genesis 13:12-13; 14:12; 18:20-21; 19:1-38

It’s Not What You Know;
It’s Who You Know

The realtor was beaming when she looked John right in the eye and said, “Well, am I right or am I right?” John was still catching his breath as the breeze off the beach hit his face. There was the faint smell of alcohol and tobacco in the air. His mind flooded with images of days gone by. There were giddy smiles and a certain sparkle on the faces. It was that Friday-night look. Not a care in the world. But with the discernment only time and distance can give, he noticed a few more details on those faces. Dark circles under the eyes; red noses. His head began to pound as he remembered the Saturday mornings. “John?” “John?”

“I’ll take it,” he heard himself say. It was a beautiful condo all decked out with the latest conveniences. His 14-year-old daughter would love the beautiful flower garden out front. His 12-year-old son would eat up the surround sound family room complete with X-Box. The steady rhythm of dance music filled the night air. Bright colors adorning dancing bodies told everyone the restaurant downstairs was party heaven. But it was convenient for work. John’s new office was just two blocks away. Sure, the kids had a 40-minute school bus ride, but they would adjust. John had to focus on his career right now. After all he would soon be paying two tuition bills. An observant person would question raising a family in this environment. John felt a twinge of guilt as he signed the lease. Is this what Jesus would do? But John sloughed it off. Christians are too narrow and judgmental. Jesus wants us to have the abundant life! He wants us to live it to the full!

“Come on, John. Let’s grab a bite to eat downstairs. My treat,” said Marie. Her Century 21 lapel pin was almost as shiny as her smile.

John pressed the accelerator as he whipped into the church parking lot Saturday evening. It was so much more convenient to do church then. Now he had Sundays free to do whatever he wanted. His eyes locked with Karen. Karen was coming to church on Saturday so she could serve in children’s ministries on Sunday. Karen was a nice, wholesome woman. She smiled at John. John just nodded as he grabbed a bulletin and looked for a seat by the door.

John is a believer. Make no mistake about it. He gave his heart to Jesus five years ago. His family loved the changes in his life. John was like a whole new person. For a while. The last two years John has been changing again. He discovered some interesting new books at the Christian bookstore. He also found some cool web sites and some intriguing TV preachers. He still attends the church where he got saved. The people are so nice. But John is now feeding his soul mostly through his new “resources.” Through them he has discovered his “freedom in Christ.” Hear that as living “the good life” with Jesus’ smiling approval.

What is the good life? For John, it’s skating right on the edge of worldly living. It’s reaching for what he wants, when he wants it, with no guilt. After all, that’s what Jesus is for, to take away his guilt. His new teachers have been telling him that Jesus nailed all guilt to the cross. He needn’t be bothered by any rules and regulations now. That’s “works righteousness” and not living in grace. For John grace means, God won’t judge me anymore no matter how I live, because I’m in Christ. God sent His Son to die for me so I don’t have to deal with the consequences of sin. It’s all taken care of in advance. I can do what I want to do. Look Mom, no hands!

In the Old Testament we find a man a lot like John. He set out with his Uncle Abe on a newfound spiritual quest. He left behind his old, pagan life. He went with his Uncle to find a new spiritual adventure with the living God. His name was Lot. And he gave up a lot to go with old Abe. Clearly he made the choice to follow God. But as things developed, Lot started easing back toward some of the things he left behind. He started getting a little too big for his britches. He started focusing on building his own little empire. His people and Abram’s people were not exactly doing lunch. They were getting into scuffles and disagreements with each other. Abram stepped in and said, “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us. Let’s separate while we’re still friends. You choose which way you want to settle on the land. I’ll go the opposite way.” Lot saw a lot of opportunity to the East. It was the plain of the Jordan. It was beautiful and pleasing to the eye. The soil was rich. The sky was blue. The land of opportunity! And so Lot pitched his tents near Sodom. He pitched his tents near Sodom. Lot took his family and started to put down roots in the suburbs of one of the wickedest cities in the world. It was what was best in his eyes.

John in our story was a lot like Lot. He saw business opportunities. Sure he was flirting with moral disaster, but so far his family was okay. He still went to church. But he had pitched his tent near Sodom. His eyes were gleaming with the scintillating offerings of the city. But soon the bill would come due.

Genesis 14 tells us Lot was being drawn in by the lure of Sin City. Now he was living IN Sodom. Abram had to rescue Lot because he got caught in the crossfire of dangerous men in that city. Abram began to notice the evil rising up. He talked to God about it. He loved his nephew. God let him know He was about to destroy the city. Abram wanted to believe the best about his nephew and his newfound friends. He pled with God to spare the city for an ever-decreasing number of people. “Lord, would you spare the city for 50 righteous people?” God says, “Sure. I’ll spare it for 50.” Abram comes back, “How about 45?.” “Fine,” says the Lord. “How about 40?” “Yes.” “30?” “Yes.” “20?” “Yes.” “Don’t be mad Lord, but let me ask one more time. Would you spare the city for 10 people.?”

“For the sake of 10, I will not destroy it.” With Lot’s family that means only a handful of friends would also have to be righteous people. “Surely, my nephew has been that careful.” Abram was sure he had saved the city. But he hadn’t. There was no other righteous person. Lot has slowly but surely traded his family for his success and personal desires. One night God sent two angels to warn Lot and rescue his family from the coming destruction. At this point Lot’s spiritual influence has become so small that his neighbors think it’s just fine to have sex with Lot’s house guests. In the face of a sea of immorality, Lot’s solution is to cast his daughters to the mob so they can have their way with them. He has lost his moral vision. Lot’s faith is hanging by a thread. When the men warn him it’s time to get out, he can’t even convince his sons-in-law that judgment from God is coming. They think he’s joking. That tells us how Lot has been using his influence with these immoral men. Finally, when the moment has arrived to leave, Lot actually hesitates! He’s so connected to his new world, he doesn’t want to let go. It’s about to be destroyed, but he doesn’t have the sense to let go. Thankfully, because of Abram’s prayer, the angel grabs his arm and leads his family out of the city.

They were warned not to look, but his wife is so bound, she can’t look away. She is destroyed as she looks back, not wanting to let go. Lot put his children in jeopardy and he lost his wife while toying with sin. His life was spared, but now he had to start again with his children robbed of their mother. Was it worth it? A thousand times, no. Is this story just a long ago fairy tale from the past? No, it’s repeated every day of the world. And still we can be slow to learn.

John is our modern-day Lot with a condo. What will become of his family? Will his daughter become lured by the music while working in her garden? Will she fall into the sexually loose environment and the dance-beat rhythms? Wouldn’t John be destroyed if she did? What of his son? Will he just get addicted to video games? Or, will the lure of alcohol and easy access to drugs drag him much further down? How far will John go in pursuit of his newfound “freedom” in Christ at the expense of others? How long will he compromise to climb the ladder of success? The sad thing is, if this was a reality TV show we would tune in every week to see what happens. Instead of moral sadness, we’ve developed amoral curiosity. We’re just curious, while families go to hell.

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul writes that we are our brother’s keeper. Our actions do affect others more vulnerable than we are. When others, especially our own family members, see us doing questionable things, their conscience takes a hit and they get confused. Paul says he would give up meat all together if it causes someone else to stumble. Where is that kind of moral compassion in our lives? We get some so-called spiritual knowledge and it puffs us up. We think we’re powerful. We get a little too big for our spiritual britches. Knowledge puffs up. Love builds up. That’s a powerful contrast. One is focused on the man or woman in the mirror. Love is focused on what others need. Which one is better? Ask Lot. He would have a lot to say to you and me.

But I’m concerned about John. Where is John this morning? Is he sitting next to you? Is he sitting in your seat?

John, if you can hear me, knowledge puffs up. False teaching fills you up with spiritual pride. If you read the Bible very selectively you can support just about any lifestyle you want. But then you’re in charge. You’re your own god. Good luck with that. In your heart you know it’s wrong. But life is pressuring you to compromise. You’re all too happy to play along. Hear Lot’s warning this morning. Before it’s too late, get out of Sodom. Get far away from sin and stop playing games with your future and your family’s future. God’s plan is for us to be righteous. He went to a lot of trouble in Jesus to make that possible. If we let holy love lead the way we can see better how to live differently. God provides the power, if we stay on the path. If we lose our way, we can admit it and come back to God. We can begin again. But we must begin again.

There is great freedom in Christ. We don’t have to focus on the rules. However, God’s righteous rules can be our friend. If we submit ourselves to God, He will write His guidelines for living on our hearts. If we follow their path, God will shine His light more brightly. The focus is on a relationship with God. But if that relationship is real, our righteousness will begin to shine. Don’t let it go dim.

We are called to reach the world. Paul was very aggressive in his evangelism. He became all things to all people in order to save some. However, he never traded his soul for relevance. The light has to be shining brightly in you before you have anything to share with the world.

Right and wrong can sometimes be hard to discern. But most times it isn’t. Often we overcomplicate it so we don’t have to do what we know is right. Most times, what we know of God’s word and our conscience can get us through. The more time you spend in prayer, Bible reading, and worship, the more you will be able to tell right from wrong. Reach out, yes. Be relevant, of course. Don’t be overly worried about your most legalistic critics. It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.

But do draw lines early. Don’t live carelessly. Don’t let a material mindset lead you astray. Don’t let spiritual knowledge of any kind build up pride in you. Focus on humbly knowing God. Focus on living out love. Be wary of “new teaching” that sounds too good to be true and minimizes morality. Do remember your weaker brothers and sisters who may be tempted by your actions. Look around you. Remember there are some people who just started this journey. They’re still trying to figure out God’s plan. Ask yourself, “Could I recommend my level of morality to a brand new Christian?” If you couldn’t, it’s time to spend some time with God trying to sort that out. It’s time for some change. Ask yourself this one, too, “Would it be pretty easy for someone else to get the wrong impression about God if they observed my lifestyle?” If the answer is yes, it’s time to start saying no to some things. Spend time with Jesus and get your head on straight again.

It’s not what you know; it’s who you know. But if you really know Him, holy love for God and others will be shining through you. Lot and John have the same problem. They want to see how much they can get away with and still be God’s man. Lot’s family and friends paid the price. For John it’s not too late. Is John here this morning? Is he in your seat? Let’s pray.