Thank you Rev. M. Edge
The Deception of Greener Pastures
Gen 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Gen 13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Gen 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched [his] tent toward Sodom.
I. Neighbor who had a meticulous yard
- The appearance from my side of the fence was a dream home, had it made, perfect family
- Seemed they had a great life, even better than mine
- Reality was they were a family in crisis, alcoholism, car wreck killed husband and wife
II. Its easy to get duped into thinking that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence
- Its easy to get tempted into thinking that the good life can be found outside of the church
- They have fun
- They have friends
- They have good times
- They prosper
- They have no trouble
- But don't be fooled; the grass looks greener, but its a deception
- Don't believe the lie that you could find a better life outside of the church
- Beware of the idea that the world has it better than you do
- Greener pastures are appealing, but the price you will pay will cost you everything
- This is the best life, it won't get any better than this, life with Jesus is the greatest lifestyle that can be found
III. Lot saw the greener pastures of the well watered plain of Jordan
- He saw the benefits
- He saw the potential
- He saw the green grass and the opportunity to make a lot of money
- A chance to make it big, to advance, to get promoted
- He chose the greener pastures, he chose to leave covenant relationship with God, he chose to pitch his tent toward Sodom
- It was a decision that would haunt him the rest of his life
- The grass looks greener over there, but there's more to it than just greener grass, there's a wickedness that resides there
- It will pull you in
- It will attract you
- It will make you take up residence among people and things you never thought you'd surround yourself with
- When its all over with, you'll lose everything
- I wonder how many nights Lot thought about that fateful day he chose the greener pastures
- I wonder how often he wished he could go back and relive that moment and choose the Lord over the greener pastures
- There are some choices that aren't permenant. There are others that once you make them, there's no going back.
IV. Psalm 73
- David was allured by greener grass
- He said he was envious of the wicked
- It seemed they had it all, never struggling, never in need
- They prospered, they lived anyway they wanted without consequence
- It almost caused him to backslide
- But in vs. 17 he said "until I went into the sanctuary of God, then I understood their end."
- The best way to get a dose of reality about the greener pastures that are calling us is to "get into the sanctuary!"
- The best way to get an eye adjustment, to see things clearly is to get into the presence of the Lord!
- Come to church = you won't be deceived
- Pray daily = He'll keep you from bad choices
- Stay in the Word = you'll not live a life of regret
- Whatever you do, don't separate yourself from your covenant relationship with God!
V. Judas
- thought there was something better
- he sold out to the world
- betrayed his relationship with Jesus
- lost his life, lost his soul
- he had the opportunity of a lifetime
- he was one of only twelve hand picked by Jesus
- he turned his back on the greatest thing he had
- he was deceived by greener pastures
VI. Prodigal Son
- greener pastures caused him to leave his father
- life out there is hard, it will steal everything you have from you
- finally came to himself
- I will rise and go
- If you have pursued the greener pastures of sin and rebellion, you can make a comeback
- Don't wait too late, live with tremendous regret
