1. Understanding Our Times and Knowing What to Do 1 Chron 12.32 “And the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do…” Cf. Lk 12.54-56

2. Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation Pilgrims, Sojourners, Aliens, Exiles –1 Pet 1.1; 2.11; Phil 3.20 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen” 1 Peter 1.1

3. Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation Pilgrims, Sojourners, Aliens, Exiles –1 Pet 1.1; 2.11; Phil 3.20 “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2.11

4. Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation Pilgrims, Sojourners, Aliens, Exiles –1 Pet 1.1; 2.11; Phil 3.20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phil 3.20

5. Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation Pilgrims, Sojourners, Aliens, Exiles –1 Pet 1.1; 2.11; Phil 3.20 “ Church” = “called out” (ekklesia)

6. Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation Pilgrims, Sojourners, Aliens, Exiles –1 Pet 1.1; 2.11; Phil 3.20 “Non-conformists” – Ron 12.1-2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Rom 12.2

7. Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation Pilgrims, Sojourners, Aliens, Exiles –1 Pet 1.1; 2.11; Phil 3.20 “Non-conformists” – Ron 12.1-2 sushematizo, = formed with, fashioned alike Be “transformed” (Gk, metamorphosis) -- 2 Cor 3.18

8. Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation Pilgrims, Sojourners, Aliens, Exiles –1 Pet 1.1; 2.11; Phil 3.20 “Non-conformists” – Ron 12.1-2 Out of Sync With Culture – 1 Pet 4.4 “In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you” 1 Peter 4.4

9. Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation Pilgrims, Sojourners, Aliens, Exiles –1 Pet 1.1; 2.11; Phil 3.20 “Non-conformists” – Ron 12.1-2 Out Of Sync With Culture – 1 Pet 4.4 Seeking holiness – 2 Cor 7.1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor 7.1

10. Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation Pilgrims, Sojourners, Aliens, Exiles –1 Pet 1.1; 2.11; Phil 3.20 “Non-conformists” – Ron 12.1-2 Out of Sync With Culture – 1 Pet 4.4 Seeking Holiness – 2 Cor 7.1 Saint, sanctified, holy = “set apart”, different.

11. Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation Pilgrims, Sojourners, Aliens, Exiles –1 Pet 1.1; 2.11; Phil 3.20 “Non-conformists” – Ron 12.1-2 Out of Sync With Culture – 1 Pet 4.4 Seeking Holiness – 2 Cor 7.1

12. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 Jn 2.15-17

13. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17 The word “world” is used three different ways 1. The lost world of sinners -- Jn 3.16 2. The created (physical) world 3. The world system under the influence of the devil – 1 Jn 5.19; Jn 16.11; 2 Cor 4.4

14. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment How do we know if we love the world? Vs.16 Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17

15. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 Jn 2.15-17

16. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 Jn 2.15-17

17. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment How do we know if we love the world? Vs.16 1. “Lust of the flesh” – Carnality, Sensualism Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17

18. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 Jn 2.15-17

19. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment How do we know if we love the world? Vs.16 1. “Lust of the flesh” – Carnality, Sensualism 2. “Lust of the eyes” – Covetousness, Materialism (Cf. Col 3.5; Jas 4.1-4) Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17

20. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 Jn 2.15-17

21. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment How do we know if we love the world? Vs.16 1. “Lust of the flesh” – Carnality, Sensualism 2. “Lust of the eyes” – Covetousness, Materialism (Cf. Col 3.5; Jas 4.1-4) 3. “Boastful pride of life” – Cockiness, Egotism, Self-sufficiency, Over-confidence Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17

22. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 Jn 2.15-17

23. Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment Is it wrong to enjoy the things of the world? No – 1 Tim 4.1-5 But not to make full use of the world-- 1 Cor 7.26-32 Do not love the world or the things in the world -- 1 Jn 2.15-17

24. Be Involved in the World With a Sense of Responsibility We are not to disassociate ourselves completely from the world -- 1 Cor 5.9-11 E.g. To become all things to all men – 1 Cor 9.19-23; 10.32-33 E.g. To obey our leaders and be involved in our community – Titus 3.1 E.g. To be a friend of the sinners – Mt 9.11; 11.19

25. Be Involved in the World With a Sense of Responsibility Hold the World With a Sense of Detachment Live in the World With a Sense of Alienation