Falling Out of Love With the World

1 Jn. 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

16 “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” 17 “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

What is the World What is the World ??Not the earth – Gen. 1 “good”

What is the World What is the World ??Not the earth – Gen. 1 “good”Not the people on the earth –Jn. 3:16

What is the World What is the World ??

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:27

What is the World What is the World ??

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Jas. 4:4

1. The world Appeals to our Flesh“Lust of the Flesh”

Life dominated by the senses

Lead us away from God

Gal. 5:19-21 “works of the flesh”

v. 16

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.

Jas 1:14-15

2. The world Appeals to our Imagination2. The world Appeals to our Imagination“Lust of the Eyes”

Outward show

Happiness in things

Covetousness

Materialism

v. 16

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have” Heb. 13:5

“He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.” Eccl. 5:10

3. The world Appeals to our Pride3. The world Appeals to our Pride“Pride of Life ”

Puffed up and arrogant – Prov. 16:18Christians are to be humble – 1 Pet. 5:6; Jas. 4:10

v. 16

1. 1. Appeals to our cravingsAppeals to our cravings

2. 2. Appeals to our imaginationsAppeals to our imaginations

3. 3. Appeals to our PrideAppeals to our Pride

1. Recognize that this is not God’s perfect love

We are seeking the will of the Father

God offers much more than the world

1. Recognize that this is not God’s perfect love

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God”

1. Recognize that this is not God’s perfect love

“by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2. Recognize that the world does not deliver what it offers

Will ultimately make us unhappy

All these things pass away

3. Recognize that loving the world will cost us our souls

Doing God’s will gives us hope

World will be destroyed – heaven is eternal

Dangerous to love anything more than God

Demas - 2 Tim. 4:10

“do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” Rom. 12:2

Alexander the Great Hannibal

Julius Caesar Napoleon

1 Jn. 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

16 “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” 17 “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

• HearHear John 12:48John 12:48• BelieveBelieve John 8:24John 8:24• RepentRepent Luke 13:3Luke 13:3• ConfessConfess Matt. 10:32-33Matt. 10:32-33• BaptizedBaptized Mark 16:16Mark 16:16• FaithfulFaithful Matt. 24:13Matt. 24:13