Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for your life; look not behind you… I. THE DANGER TO WHICH THE SINNER IS EXPOSED. 1. It is real. Not imaginary. 2. It is imminent. Not distant. Nearer and nearer every day. 3. It is tremendous. Not slight. II. THE POSSIBILITY OF ESCAPE FROM THE DANGER TO WHICH THE SINNER IS EXPOSED. 1. It is proved by the invitations addressed to him in the Bible. Numerous, earnest, pathetic. 2. It is proved by the revelation of the work of Christ, on which these invitations are founded. That work is a mountain, if that be the proper emblem of strength, stability, immutability. 3. It is proved by the experience of all believers. Fire-escape. Life-boat. III. THE NECESSITY OF PROMPT AND DECISIVE ACTION ON THE PART OF THE SINNER, IF HE WOULD ESCAPE FROM THE DANGER TO WHICH HE IS EXPOSED. 1. His flight must be instantaneous. Without procrastination. 2. His flight must be rapid. No delay. 3. His flight must be persevering. The city of refuge. IV. THE URGENCY OF THE MOTIVES BY WHICH THE SINNER SHOULD BE INDUCED TO ESCAPE FROM THE DANGER TO WHICH HE IS EXPOSED. 1. The magnitude of the interests at stake. "Life! life! eternal life!" 2. The exclusiveness of the gospel method of salvation. No other name. 3. The happiness of escape. Beneficial results to ourselves and others. Address (1) Those who are at ease in Sodom; (2) Those who are lingering and deferring their flight; (3) Those who are daily running in the way prescribed. (G. Brooks.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. |