“Do not love the world or the things in the world”

 Just as I am not of this world, 17:14  Kept from the evil one, 17:15  In fellowship with Christ, 17:16  Sanctified by truth, 17:17, 19 John 17:

 “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through…”  “Anywhere with Jesus… is home sweet home”  “Here we are but straying pilgrims”  “I’ve a home prepared where the saints abide, just over in the glory land. And I long to be by my Savior’s side, just over in the glory land.” 3 Heavenly Jerusalem “heavenly places” Mount Zion

 Fearful thought: Worldliness makes us God’s enemy…lost! James 4:4  Forceful temptations: Struggle with Satan is real, 1 Peter 2:11  Fortunate timing: Time to examine and repent! 2 Peter 3:9  Faithful transformation: From darkness to light, 2 Peter 1:3-4 4

 Christians have been seduced by the world (Prov. 7:6-27), 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1  Honest examination needed, 2 Cor. 13:5  Indignantly: “No, I have not!”  Timidly: “I don’t think so” or “I hope not”  Honestly (untaught): “What do you mean by worldliness?” 5

 Dominion of Satan, 1 John 5:19  Includes motives, attitudes, values and conduct, Romans 12:2  When we imitate the world in these things – we are worldly!  Our objective: Overcome the world in Christ and live for Him, Jno. 16:33; Rom. 8:37; 1 Jno. 5:4 6 System of evil that opposes God 1 John 2:15; James 4:4

 Lust of the flesh: CARNALITY  Food: Good, but gluttony is sinful, Prov. 23:19-21  Drink: Good, but alcohol is sinful, 1 Pet. 4:3  Sleep: Good, but laziness is sinful, Prov. 6:10-11  Sex: Good, but outside marriage sinful, 1 Cor. 7:2 Carnal fulfillment = Sin and Death James 1: Things of the World 1 John 2:15-17

 Lust of the eyes: COVETOUSNESS  Look to lust after, Matt. 5:28  Selfish consumption to please self, Jas. 4:1-3  Life is not about how much pleasure we consume and how many things we possess, Luke 12:15; Matthew 16:26 8 Things of the World 1 John 2:15-17

 Pride of life: CONCEIT  Drive of selfish ambition and self-interest, Phil. 2:3-4  Seek honor from God, not people, John 5:44; 8:29 9 Things of the World 1 John 2:15-17

 Thorns that choke out spiritual life  These “thorns” include…  Anxiety of life, Matt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:6-8  Materialism (deceitfulness of riches), Matt. 6:24; 1 Tim. 6:10, 6 (Col. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13) 10 Cares of this World Luke 8:14; Mark 4:18-19

 Thorns that choke out spiritual life  Pleasures of life, 1 Tim. 5:6 (Heb. 11:25)  God declares some pleasures sinful  Lewdness, lust, pornography, immodesty, social & recreational drinking, dancing…1 Peter 4:3-4 WARNING: Do not view these things as the normal way of life! (1 Cor. 15:33) 11 Cares of this World Luke 8:14; Mark 4:18-19

 Pleasures of life  Some things are not sinful until we put them ahead of God…  Busy (to pray, study, help others, worship)! Tired! Responsibilities!  These are things we choose, James 4:17 (Josh. 24:15; Heb. 2:3) 12 Cares of this World Luke 8:14; Mark 4:18-19

 You control your mind, Rom. 8:5; Col. 3:1-3  Choose to occupy your mind with spiritual things, Col. 3:16  Declare war on worldly thinking, Phil. 4:8 (2 Cor. 10:4-5) 13 1 John 4:4; 5:4

 You control your body, Rom. 6:13-14  Obey the will of God, 1 Jno. 2:17  Glorify God in your body, 1 Cor. 6: John 4:4; 5:4

 We must take inventory of our minds and our bodies (2 Cor. 13:5)  What is my mind on each day: Evil or good?  Does my conduct show that I am living for heaven? 15 1 John 4:4; 5:4

 The spiritual mind is key to overcoming worldliness, Romans 12:2  Jesus died to save us from this evil world, Galatians 1:4  We have escaped the pollutions of the world, 2 Peter 2:20  We reap what we sow – Continue doing good, Galatians 6:7-9 16