Category: Worldliness
Subject: Wordliness
From the Preacher’s Pen: A Proper Perspective Toward Sin
You see many short pithy sayings splashed across Facebook and other internet pages these days — words that are an attempt at wisdom or profundity, sometimes accompanied by a provocative picture to illustrate the point. Many such sentiments are more foolish than wise, more obtuse than profound. Occasionally, though, you come across something pretty good. Like this short, uncredited tidbit:
“I refuse to entertain myself with the things
for which my God went to the cross.”
These words present an attitude of militant loyalty that is sorely lacking among Christians today. We need to understand that entertaining ourselves with sinful things is traitorous action toward God! As James wrote, “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” (4:4).
The next time you are tempted to see that sexually provocative movie, read that racy novel, gaze upon that immodestly dressed woman, hang out with those ungodly “friends” from school or work, or purchase that “sexy” outfit, consider how by so doing you are allying yourself against the Almighty! It is neither smart nor safe to provoke a jealous God! “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously’”? (James 4:5). Well, do you think the Scripture says it in vain? Or not?
Sermon: little gods
Idolatry still exists today. There are little gods people put (metaphorically) in their pocket. Gods like money, human wisdom, tradition, pleasure and self.
Brazen
In Ezekiel 16, the Lord spoke to Jerusalem, expressing His disappointment at her ingratitude and rebellion, in response to His care and nurturing. He stated, “I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful” (vs. 7). Using the figure of marriage, He later said, “I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine” (vs. 8).
Their response was disconcerting. He charged, “But you trusted in your own beauty, played the harlot because of your fame, and poured out your harlotry on everyone passing by who would have it” (vs. 15). In fact, Jerusalem was so corrupt that God said, “You are the opposite of other women in your harlotry, because no one solicited you to be a harlot. In that you gave payment but no payment was given you, therefore you are the opposite” (34).
Mining the Scriptures: Jude 16-19
Jude describes the false teachers he warns about as individuals who are severely lacking in character. This is characteristic of the self-willed. First, they grumble and complain. This shows a lack of respect for authority. They are governed by their own lusts. This indicates selfishness and a love of sin. They use flattery to gain advantage, which indicates a deceitful spirit.
These evil individuals had been predicted by the Lord’s apostles. One example of this is found in Acts 20:28-30, in the warning Paul gave to the Ephesian elders at Miletus.
The overriding characteristic of these men was their sensuality. It seems that both Jude and Peter (2 Peter 2) refer to men that are either similar to, or perhaps are the originators of what would become known as Gnosticism. Regardless, the pursuit of carnal passion is always troublesome and divisive, and must be warned against with regularity.
Sermon: The Christian’s Place in the World
If a Christian is on friendly terms with the world, he is making himself the enemy of God. You can’t please God and embrace worldliness. This lesson seeks to establish the proper relationship a Christian has to the world.
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:1-2
Peter’s first epistle was addressed to “the pilgrims of the Dispersion” in the region of Asia Minor. The term “Dispersion” (diaspora) means “a scattering.” It is used three times in the New Testament. In John 7:35 and James 1:1, it seems to be used to refer to Jews (in James, Jewish believers). However, there is little indication of this in 1 Peter, where it seems that Peter’s primary audience is Gentile (cf. 1 Peter 4:3-4).
The second verse refers to them as “the elect.” This choosing was accomplished by God’s foreknowledge and grace, resulting in their sanctification and salvation. So, in this instance, Peter seems to be referring to Christians who were scattered among the gentiles in the region of Asia Minor.
It was important for those Christians to consider themselves in, but not of the world around them. They were “pilgrims” (strangers, sojourners). The same is true of us today. We may live in the world, but we are to be and act differently from it! (cf. 1 Peter 2:9-10).
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A Divine Identity
In his first epistle, the apostle Peter wrote the following words, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (2:9-10). The text affirms that Christians belong to God, and are special. Verse four states that Jesus Christ was rejected by men. Since that is so, it stands to reason that those who belong to Him will be rejected as well (cf. John 15:18-25).
Sermon: Tolerating Sin
Sermon by Josh Cox:
There is great danger of Christians in our culture and generation becoming tolerant of sin. This lesson discusses the danger, and the importance of Christians embracing the fact that we are pilgrims on this earth.
“Crossing the Rubicon”
In 1967, Fanning Yater Tant wrote an editorial in The Gospel Guardian titled, On the Banks of the Rubicon. The title was taken from the common phrase “crossing the Rubicon,” referring to a small river crossed by Julius Caesar in defiance of the Roman senate. His treasonous action could have no result other than victory or death. The phrase is used to refer to an irrevocable action or an event from which there could be no turning back.
The editorial appeared in a special issue of the magazine dealing with institutional issues, specifically the sponsoring church arrangement. As Tant wrote, the issue was intended to exhort brethren to “turn their backs once and forever on the enticing, exciting, and deadly! country that lies across the Rubicon, the country of ‘denominational Christianity.’”
Invitation: Our Heart is Wide Open
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 2 Corinthians 6:11 the apostle Paul expresses his love for the Corinthians despite the necessity of admonishing them. We should have a wide open heart for one another, but not for the world!
Sermon: Is There Not a Cause?
In 1 Samuel 17:29, David asked his brother “Is There Not a Cause?” He desired to be of service to Jehovah, and slayed the giant Goliath. The question can be asked today, and three “giants” that need slaying are mentioned. False Doctrine, Worldliness and Complacency.
Sermon: How to Know You Are Spiritually Dying
Spring Meeting 2014: Kyle Campbell
Five signs are discusses that indicate you are spiritually dying…
- You have left your first love.
- The story of the Cross no longer moves you.
- You don’t actively participate in the church’s work.
- You have no interest in saving souls.
- Worldliness is more attractive to you than spirituality.
Sermon: Selling Our Birthright
Like Esau, who despised his birthright for a morsel of food, Christians can sell or despise their inheritance by choosing the world and its pleasures for eternity.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Things Could Be Worse!
I just read an interesting essay written by Dan King, describing the moral degradation that was present in Rome in the centuries following Christ’s life. Brother King’s point was that though we live in an ungodly society, it is nevertheless a much better circumstance than the experiences of early Christians.
Evidences supplied to support the thesis included historical references to wars of aggression; state sanctioned idolatry; the moral debauchery and excess of emperors such as Vitellius, Caligula, Nero, Domitian, Commodus and Elagabalus; the corruption of Roman society which included prostitution, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, divorce , abortion, infanticide and gambling; and a fierce and continual anti-Christian attitude that led to frequent persecution for the first 300 years of the church’s existence.
While things are bad in America, and getting worse, we at least have protections offered by our constitution, and an admittedly dwindling majority that to this day objects to egregious expressions of immorality on the part of our public leaders. As brother King concluded in his essay, “Let us thank God for our freedoms, and pray that our nation will always allow for the right of its citizens to believe what the Bible says and our consciences dictate, and permit us to express those convictions through uninhibited public preaching and teaching.” (Is America More Wicked Than Ancient Rome? Daniel H. King, Sr.)
Sermon: The Dangers of the Comfortable Life
Our lives are comfortable, and in such comfort there is the danger of forgetting God, of trusting in ourselves and what we own, and in indulging ourselves in excess and sin.
