I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him Who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him Who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:12-14

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 John 2:15-17

Children, Fathers, Young Men… Children: Your sins have been forgiven and you know the Father. Fathers: You’ve known Him who is from the beginning (2x). Young men: You’ve overcome the evil one, you’re strong, and the Word of God lives in you.

Children, Fathers, Young Men… There are stages of growth as a Christian. Everybody who calls themselves Christians, this is for you.

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 John 2:15-17

agapeo = love

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to them, “’You shall agapeo the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall agapeo your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40

Loving the world is a heart attitude.

There is a difference between worldliness and culture.

“Styles make fights.”

“Go into culture and extract that which is needing to be redeemed from that which is unredeemable.” Mark Driscoll

Three Kinds of Worldliness 1.Lust of the eyes 2.Lust of the flesh 3.Pride of life

Three Kinds of Worldliness 1.Lust of the eyes (money, possessions) 2.Lust of the flesh (sex, food, physical cravings) 3.Pride of life (power, notoriety)

Three Kinds of Worldliness 1.Lust of the eyes (money, possessions) 2.Lust of the flesh (sex, food, physical cravings) 3.Pride of life (power, notoriety) Every single significant problem you will encounter in life will stem from an illegitimate desire to fulfill one of these three needs.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” Genesis 3:1-3

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:4-6

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:4-6

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-4

Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning you’; and, ‘On their hands they will bear You up, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:5-7

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. Matthew 4:8-11

How did the devil tempt Jesus? 1.Lust of the flesh (food) 2.Pride of life (stature) 3.Lust of the eyes (possessions)

The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17

Instead, pursue… 1.Generosity 2.Self-control 3.Commitment to humble service