TEXT: I JOHN 2:15-17
INTRODUCTION:
- THE TEST :- DO WE LOVE THE WORLD
- Loving the world is what is called worldliness.
- Today, let each one of us take the test “ Do I Love The World ?”
- What does the “world” mean ?
- It does not mean that we don’t appreciate the beauty, splendor and resources of the earth and
heaven
- The world means the earth and the heavens that are passing away.
- The world is corruptible and deteriorating and will eventually be destroyed.
- We should not as believers be attached so much to the world, but to God and heaven
- The world means a system of man-made governments and societies, some good some bad but no perfect.
- Believers should respect and be loyal to the good, but reject and stand against the bad.
- Our attachment should be heavenly and not to man-made systems and evil societies.
- The world means a system of sin, lust evil, pride and rebellion against God
- The world is full of evil people, they are proud, evil, full of lust and rebellion against God.
- AGAIN THERE IS THE PROFESSING PERSON (I John 2:15-16)
The man talked about here is the man who professes to know God, but loves the world.
- This man although professing Christian, loves the world and its system and societies.
- He loves and is more attached to this world than to God.
- Three things happen to believers that cause them to return to the world system
- They enjoy nature and its beauty so much that they no longer attend worship regularly.
Golf, sports, fishing, hiking, camps, tours, travelling, chamas, visits etc.
- Some become involved in man’s government and social organization, no time for God.
- Others become so hungry for the world and its pleasures and possessions, they get lost.
- The professing man follows after the world and worldliness;
- The lust of the flesh, feeling, touching, tasting, smelling, hearing and seeing (Gal 5:19-21)
- The flesh has desires which uncontrolled become addictions
- the lust of the eyes , seeing and working to have what one sees. (Matt. 5:18, Rom. 1:26-28, 2Pet.2:14,
Job 31:1, Luke 12:15)
- This is lust of the eyes after pleasures, wines, drugs and alcoholic drinks and things of other people.
(Ps.10:8, Ecle.2:10, Pro.23:29-31)
- There is lust of the eyes after other gods (Lev.26:1)
- There is pride of life.