Category: Worldliness
Subject: Wordliness
Mining the Scriptures: 1 John 2:15-17
A Christian is not to have affection for anything characterized as worldly. It constitutes a conflict of interest. Worldliness and a love for God are antithetical. Hence John’s statement, “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (15).
The threefold manner in which the Devil entices is through the lust of the flesh (an illicit desire to satisfy physical appetites), the lust of the eye (an illicit desire that reacts to beauty, sensuality, or anything that is alluring to the sight or imagination), and pride (of position, money, influence, race, etc. Whatever pertains to self-glorification).
The question that must be answered is are you interested in the passing pleasures of sin? Or the greater joy of eternity? It seems a simple question to answer, but too many get it wrong. What this life has to offer, no matter how enticing, is but for a moment and then passes away. However, this life should be understood by every child of God as a life lived in preparation for eternity!
Mining the Scriptures: Titus 3:3
After Paul’s admonition to “obey”, he noted his own previous “foolish” state as a sinner. It is interesting to note his description, starting with the word “foolish” – unintelligent or unwise.
His foolishness led to disobedience – he had not complied to the will of God. He was contumacious – stubborn willful against authority. He was deceived – led away from the truth. He served his own desires and pleasures. In effect, he did what pleased himself, not what pleased God. He lived in malice – malignity, ill-will, a desire to injure; and envy – ill will, jealousy, spite. He was hateful – detestable or odious; and was actively involved in hating others.
Verses 4-7 indicate a change. This is conversion. But, prior to it Paul was like everyone else. By not serving God he was serving himself. He caused injury to the cause of Christ. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). Paul was honest in assessing himself, this led him to call others to righteousness!
Sermon: The Christian
A two part lesson on the Christian, and his responsibility toward God considering our culture, country, and politics.
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Sermon: The Progression of Sin (Romans 1)
A Discussion of Romans 1 showing how sin grows worse and worse, and the end of those who refuse to repent
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Are You an Enemy of God?
I don’t think anyone would admit that he is God’s enemy. We each want to consider ourselves “friend[s] of God”, like Abraham (2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23). Or one after God’s “own heart”, like David (1 Samuel 13:14). However, it can be safely said that most make themselves enemies of God because they embrace the world rather than righteousness.
“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” (James 4:4). Continue reading “Are You an Enemy of God?”
Trained by Grace
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:11-13).
The grace of God has implications far beyond our redemption as the elect of God. It also indicates an ought. In effect, the grace of God teaches or trains us to know how we ought to act and focus our thoughts in response to its effectiveness in saving our souls
We owe a debt we simply can’t pay, “salvation.” But, we are to indicate clearly our thankfulness for the gift of redemption, (cf. Luke 17:11-19). The haunting words of Jesus, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine” (17).
Our show of appreciation for the gift of grace must be seen in our life’s response. We have spent enough time living in sin (cf. 1 Peter 4:3), and in response to God’s grace must live soberly, righteously and godly. This not only involves doing righteousness, but primarily denying ungodliness and the illicit desires that characterize the worldly. Our motivation? An eternal reward in heaven, given at His second coming. Anything less is ungratefulness on our part!
Put to Death Your Members Which Are on the Earth
In Colossians 3:5, the apostle Paul told the Christians there to “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry.” The reason for this admonition? “Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience…” (vs. 6).
The phrase “members which are on the earth” is an interesting one. These things “members” are aspects of a person that precludes him from serving God acceptably. Specifically, while these things could be considered sinful themselves, they are also the attitudes and characteristics that lead a person to sinful actions. These “members” are characteristic of a lustful, lascivious, hateful and greedy person. So, Christians should “put them to death.” Continue reading “Put to Death Your Members Which Are on the Earth”
Sermon: Are You Carnal?
The flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. You should have a spiritual mindset. Are you instead carnally minded? How do you fix this?
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Sermon: Not All Change is Progress
What is true progressivism and conservativism, as it relates to morality, spirituality, and religion
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Humility Cures Worldliness
Our premise is a simple one: At the center of worldly lusts is a heart that is selfish. In 1862 Emily Dickinson wrote a phrase that is familiar to most, “The heart wants what it wants…” Her context applied to the idea to romance, but there is truth to the saying no matter the subject of such desire.
This is what lust is. It is strong desire. It is lust because the desire is for the illicit. I want what I do not have a right to obtain, but I want it anyway. And so, I pursue it. This is the basis for sexual immorality as demonstrated by David in 2 Samuel 11. It is the basis for all types of moral sins.
I came across a silly question recently. “If money is the root of all evil, why do churches ask for it?” The question showed ignorance as the actual quote is: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). The simple truth? The heart wants what it wants (money), so greed, graft, fraud, pilfering, covetousness, etc. result.
This is true with all kinds of sin. It all comes from a selfish desire for what I want. It’s all about me. It is selfish, arrogant pride that causes a person to mistreat others, and neglect God, because the heart wants what it wants.
The cure? Submit your desires to God! Resist the enticements of the devil! Draw near to God! Be selfless! As James wrote, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).
God’s View of the Worldly
The book of James is full of wisdom and practical knowledge that helps a Christian know God’s will, and how to adhere to it. It is certainly worth the effort to become familiar with its teaching.
In James chapter four he shows the origin of most strife. “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” (1). This is demonstrably true when considering the motivation of just about every war and conflict that has ever occurred on earth. The pursuits of pleasure, possessions and prestige are the common motivations of conflicts. James noted, “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war” (2). Continue reading “God’s View of the Worldly”
Evil Company Corrupts
“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).
In our text, the apostle Paul is talking with the Corinthians about a false idea some had espoused, that there was no resurrection from the dead (15:12). It was apparent that their views had some traction, as an entire chapter of the epistle is taken up in the refutation of the error, and the glory of the truth on the subject. In the midst of the discussion, our passage expresses Paul’s desire that the Corinthians stay away from those who would espouse the error. Continue reading “Evil Company Corrupts”
Sermon: Light not Darkness
A discussion of Ephesians 4:17-24 showing the necessity of walking in the light as Christians, and refusing the sinfulness of the darkness.
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Sermon: The World Hates You
Sermon 42 in series.
In John 15:18-25, the Lord warned His disciples to expect the world to hate them, because the world hated Him first. All Christians should expect animosity from the ungodly, and be prepared for it.
