Life Light Love I am writing these things so that Confidence Born of God That you may know The Letters of John First John 2:15-17 Page 1035 in Pew Bibles

First John 2: Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. Because everything that belongs to the world— 16. the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one's lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world.

17. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God's will remains forever.

The Letters of John First John 2:15-17 Page 1035 in Pew Bibles

What Does World Mean? Vs. 15 “Do not love the world”Vs. 15 “Do not love the world” Not referring to the world populationNot referring to the world population –John 3:16 “For God so loved the world” Not the place we call “the world”Not the place we call “the world” –Psalm 89:11 “The earth also is Yours. The world and everything in it” >

The World Is…  A way of life based on the idea you live only once This way of looking at life determines a person’s affections, ambitions, moral choices, the things they get excited about, and what bores them.This way of looking at life determines a person’s affections, ambitions, moral choices, the things they get excited about, and what bores them. >

Those Who Love the World… Believe the lie that something in this life – and on this earth – can satisfy their innermost beingsBelieve the lie that something in this life – and on this earth – can satisfy their innermost beings Buy into the systemBuy into the system Choose not to live in light of eternityChoose not to live in light of eternity Drift with the prevailing secular cultureDrift with the prevailing secular culture. >

1. The World is a Forbidden Love Vs. 15 “Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world.”Vs. 15 “Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world.” Vs 15 “If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.”Vs 15 “If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.” –Engaged couple…. >

3:13 “Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.”3:13 “Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.” Moody…Moody…. > 2. The World is a Hostile Force

3. The World is a Counter-Source of Authority 4:5 “They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them.”4:5 “They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them.” What everyone else is doingWhat everyone else is doing –“But Mom, everybody else is doing it” What is legalWhat is legal What the latest polls sayWhat the latest polls say ScienceScience. >

4. The World Encourages a Selfish Lifestyle Vs “Because everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one's lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world.”Vs “Because everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one's lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world.” David Wells: “Worldliness is what makes sin look normal in any age and righteousness seem odd.”David Wells: “Worldliness is what makes sin look normal in any age and righteousness seem odd.” >

Lust of the Flesh A passion for sensual pleasureA passion for sensual pleasure One’s normal physical desires can be abusedOne’s normal physical desires can be abused –Sleep: Sloth or laziness –Food: Gluttony –Sex: Immorality >

Lust of the Eyes The urge to possess what we seeThe urge to possess what we see An inordinate desire for the finer things of life, for ease, and affluenceAn inordinate desire for the finer things of life, for ease, and affluence Muhammad Ali: Not looking for “pie in the sky bye and bye when I die, but I want my castle on the ground while I’m around.”Muhammad Ali: Not looking for “pie in the sky bye and bye when I die, but I want my castle on the ground while I’m around.” >

Pride in One’s Self The ambition to be “somebody”The ambition to be “somebody” Dave Roper: “Self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have and what we have done”Dave Roper: “Self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have and what we have done” >

Stewart Briscoe The lust of the flesh: passionThe lust of the flesh: passion The lust of the eyes: possessionsThe lust of the eyes: possessions The pride of life: positionThe pride of life: position. >

5. The World is Being “Played” 5:19 “We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.”5:19 “We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.” J. W. Alexander: “Satan’s end is sufficiently gained, when, by immersing them in thoughts of the present world, he can keep them away from all consideration of eternal things.”J. W. Alexander: “Satan’s end is sufficiently gained, when, by immersing them in thoughts of the present world, he can keep them away from all consideration of eternal things.”. >

6. The World is a Temporary System Vs. 17 “And the world with its lust is passing away…”Vs. 17 “And the world with its lust is passing away…” Malcolm Muggeridge: “The only ultimate disaster that can befall us, I have come to realize, is to feel ourselves at home here on earth.”Malcolm Muggeridge: “The only ultimate disaster that can befall us, I have come to realize, is to feel ourselves at home here on earth.”. >

7. Jesus Gives the Christian Victory Over the World 4:4 “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”4:4 “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” >

The Key to Experiencing Victory Over the World is Faith 5:4 “…Whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.”5:4 “…Whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.” 5:5 “And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”5:5 “And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” >

J. Wilbur Chapman It is not the ship in the water but the water in the ship that sinks it. So, it is not the Christian in the world but the world in the Christian that constitutes the danger. Anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it..