Looking back represents a dangerous longing for past lives or sins we are called to leave behind. Lot's wife, ignoring God's command, looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah, turning into a pillar of salt, showing the peril of clinging to what God condemns. Jesus warns that those who look back while following Him, like a farmer plowing a field, become unfit for the Kingdom of God, losing focus on the path ahead. The Israelites and Lot's wife exemplify the struggle to let go of the past. God urges us to move forward, trusting His plan, as heroes of faith did, focusing on heavenly promises rather than earthly distractions.

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Looking Back

Sermon by Ryan McClure

For those whom God calls, He instructs us to look and move forward towards the Kingdom. We are called to be sojourners desiring a heavenly home, yet many of us become too accustomed and rooted in this earthly life, making it hard to leave it behind. Jesus, speaking of His second coming, warns of the urgency to flee and not turn back, specifically saying, Remember Lot's wife. Her story shows the danger of looking back, as she turned into a pillar of salt when she gazed longingly at Sodom and Gomorrah, possibly mourning family left behind or clinging to a familiar life of sin. This example parallels the Israelites, who, despite being led out of bondage, desired to return to Egypt, unable to let go of the past. Jesus teaches that those who want to follow Him must prioritize His way above all else, stating that anyone who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God. Like a farmer plowing a field, we must focus ahead, for what is behind cannot be changed, and distractions can cause us to stumble. Similarly, in running a race, looking back leads us off track, hindering our fight against sin and the evils of this world. Our focus must be on overcoming and growing into the image of our Creator, casting off distractions that pull us backward. God was saving Lot and his family, giving clear instructions to move forward and escape the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot's wife, stuck between what she knew and the safety ahead, could not see what God was working out in their lives. Her example serves as a powerful reminder for us now and for those at the end times. God calls us out of sin, out of Babylon, urging us with urgency to leave the past behind and not share in the coming destruction. Heroes of faith, as mentioned in Hebrews, looked forward to heavenly things, embracing their status as strangers and pilgrims on earth, convinced of something better ahead. We must not let what is behind hold us back or stop us from moving forward. So much in this life can cause us to look left, right, or backwards, and that could be our downfall if we allow it. God, through the example of Lot's wife, shows us where our focus should be. We must move forward, listen to Him, have faith, follow His instructions, and press on to His Kingdom. Remember Lot's wife!

Looking Forward

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The act of looking back, as a habit or desire for past lifestyles, is cautioned against as it signifies a longing for what we have been called out of. In the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, the angels explicitly instructed Lot and his family not to look back, warning that doing so would lead to destruction. This divine judgment was an act of God to eradicate the pervasive sin of the area, and He did not want Lot's family to pine for the life they left behind, as those times were an offense to Him. Lot's wife, by looking back, demonstrated a rejection of God's will, an act of rebellion that led to her destruction, serving as a grim lesson that turning aside from God's instructions brings ruin. In another instance, Jesus Christ emphasizes the importance of unwavering commitment in discipleship. He teaches that once a commitment is made to follow Him, looking back or using excuses to delay full dedication renders one unfit for the Kingdom of God. Christ uses the metaphor of plowing a field, illustrating that looking back while plowing results in veering off course, leading to failure in the task God has given. This constant distraction by past ties or hesitations shows a lack of focus on the goal ahead, making one unsuitable or unadjusted for the Kingdom of God. The lesson is clear: keep eyes forward on the spiritual path to ensure preparation for what God has in store.

A Pillar of Salt

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

We have a mandate to flee idolatry and the contagion of worldliness. If we seek to save our lives by embracing worldliness, we will lose our lives.

Remember Lot's Wife

Sermonette by Mike Ford

Lot's wife made it to the outside of the city, but her heart was still in it. When God says, 'Go; get out of here'—will we?

How Expensive Is Your Religion? (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by Mike Ford

Christianity demands strength and resolve. God often places painful choices before His people to test their spiritual fortitude, as seen in the lives of the patriarchs who had to choose between Him and family or other physical attachments. In the story of Lot, God in His mercy pulled Lot, his wife, and their daughters from their evil city, forcing them to leave everything behind. Lot's wife, however, looked back, unable to let go of what she was leaving, failing to see the worth of what lay ahead. Similarly, Joseph, though forcibly separated from his family and sold into slavery, did not look back. Despite mourning his losses, he accepted his circumstances, knowing God was working with him, and made the necessary sacrifices. These examples show that God's people are set apart, often facing separation and loss, yet they must keep their focus forward, trusting in His plan.

How Expensive is Your Religion?

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mike Ford

we must soberly count the cost before we embark on our spiritual trek. Are we willing to give up our job, our family, or even our life to follow God's plan?

Glory Days

Sermonette by James C. Stoertz

Looking back can teach lessons but can also be harmful if it leads to disobedience or dwelling on the past. Our focus should be on the glory that lies ahead.

How Expensive Is Your Religion? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Mike Ford

Are God's requirements too exacting and difficult for us? Are we committed to the way forward, or are we spending time looking back to the world?

Remember Lot's Wife

'Prophecy Watch' by Ted E. Bowling

Lot's wife is best known for locking back and becoming a pillar of salt. What was so important that she yearned for Sodom? The same pull can draw us away.

Our Spiritual Climb

Sermon by Bill Onisick

Our journey to the Kingdom of God is not easy, requiring the same kind of physical and mental stamina that climbers need to climb Mount Everest.

Godly Regret

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

Worldly sorrow is superficial and unproductive, while godly sorrow yields not only repentance, but also a bumper crop of the fruits of God's Holy Spirit.

God's Power: Our Shield Against Apostasy

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God is not only powerful, but He is the source of all power. We can tap into God's power to avoid slipping into apostasy.

Faith (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The example of Lot's wife teaches us that God does not want us to maintain close associations with the world because it almost inevitably leads to compromise.

Entrance Exam

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

Only a relative few can meet God's standards because they are extensive and demanding. This fact is one reason 'many are called, but few are chosen.'

A Feast Message From Hebrews

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Bible shows a clear pattern of how people leave the faith: looking back, drawing back, looking elsewhere, and then going backward and refusing to hear.

How to Be a Bad Disciple

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Looking at discipleship from a negative perspective can help reveal errors in ourselves. Jesus shows four main attitudes that make for bad discipleship in Luke 9.

The Importance of Follow-Through

Article by David F. Maas

Just as important as follow-through is in an athletic motion, its spiritual counterpart is vital to our life in Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our supreme objective in godly living is attainment and cultivation of wisdom, which consists of attributes giving us skill in living.