Scripture Reading: John 17:14-19
Overcoming the World
Intro.
1. Jno
17:14-19: As we
live by the word of God we are “not of this world” (14),
kept from the evil one (15),
in fellowship with Christ (16)
and sanctified (17,
19).
2. Are these songs we sing a true reflection of our heart (Eph
5:19):
· “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. Worldliness is rampant among God’s people!
a. Fearful thought: Worldliness makes us God’s enemy…lost!
Jas 4:4
b. Forceful temptations: Struggle with Satan. (1 Pet 2:11)
c. Fortunate timing: Time to
examine and repent! (2
Pet 3:9)
d. Faithful transformation: From darkness to light. (2
Pet 1:3-4)
4. Are we guilty of worldliness? 2
Cor 13:5
a. Some would respond with a
powerful, “No!” – Indignant at the mere suggestion that it might be so.
b. Others would answer timidly: “I don’t think so” or “I hope not.”
c. Some might even ask, “What do you mean by worldliness?”
I. GOD’S DEFINITION
OF WORLDLINESS.
A. World: System of Evil in Opposition to God,
1 Jno 2:15; Jas 4:4.
1. Rom 12:2:
When our motives, attitudes, values and conduct are shaped and molded
(patterned) after the world, we are worldly!
2. Our objective: In Christ, we overcome the world, live for Jesus and
please God, Jno
16:33; Rom 8:37; 1 Jno 5:4.
II. THE THINGS OF THE
WORLD,
1 Jno 2:15-17.
A. All Sinful Things of the World Fall under these Three Categories.
1. The lust (desire) of the flesh: Carnality.
a. God has given certain desires that are good within themselves:
1) Food: Good and natural, but gluttony is sinful (Prov
23:20-21).
2) Drink: Good and natural, but alcohol sinful (Eph
5:18; 1 Pet 4:3).
3) Sleep: Good and natural, but laziness is sinful (Prov
6:10-11).
4) Sexual pleasure: Good and natural in moral relation (1
Cor 7:2).
b. Carnal fulfillment: sin and death, Jas 1:14-15.
2. The lust of the eye
(wanting things the eye can see): Covetousness.
a. Selfish consumption to please self,
Jas 4:1-3.
b. Life is not how many things we possess,
Lk 12:15; Matt 16:26.
3. The pride of life
(desire to impress, be noticed, admired): Conceit.
a. Stress outward appearance and neglect soul. Why?
1 Pet 3:3-4
b. Many strive to succeed in the business world and put every waking
moment into their business. Why?
Eccl 2:18
(Jas 4:13-15);
1 Ths 4:11-12
c. Must seek honor from God, not people, Jno 5:44 (8:29).
III. THE CARES OF THE
WORLD,
Luke 8:14
(Mk
4:18-19).
A. As Thorns Choke a Good Plant, there are things that Choke out Our
Spiritual Life.
1. Anxiety (“cares”) over physical needs,
Matt 6:25-33; Phil 4:6-8.
2. Riches (deceitfulness of riches,
Mk 4:19)
Materialism,
Matt 6:24; (Col
3:5);
1 Tim 6:10, 6;
(Phil 4:11-13).
3. Pleasures of life,
1 Tim 5:6
(Heb
11:25).
a. Some pleasures are wrong because God declares it,
1 Pet 4:3-4.
-Licentiousness, lust and what leads to it: porn, immodesty, media
filth, social drinking, dancing, etc. Be careful that you do not come to view
such things as the normal way of life!
b. Some pleasures are not sinful but become so when put them before
God, 2 Tim 4:10.
Too busy to pray; study; visit the sick; have home class, come to all worship
services -- these are things we choose!
Josh 24:15
(Heb 2:2-3).
IV. VICTORY OVER THE WORLD. 1 Jno 4:4
A. We have
Control over our Minds,
Rom 8:5; Col 3:1-3.
1. Choose to occupy our minds with spiritual things, word of Christ.
2. Declare war on worldly thoughts!
Phil 4:8; Col 3:16
(2 Cor 10:4-5)
B. We have Control over our Bodies,
Rom 6:13-14
(what we will do).
1. Obey the will of God,
1 Jno 2:17.
2. Glorify God with our body,
1 Cor 6:19-20.
C. We must take Inventory of Ourselves (2
Cor 13:5).
1. What is on our mind each day: evil or good?
2. On what are we spending our time: temporal or eternal?
Conclusion
1. The spiritual mind is key
to overcoming worldliness,
Rom 12:2.
2. Jesus died to save us from the present evil world,
Gal 1:4.
3. Escape the pollution of the world “through the knowledge of the Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ” – Initially and continually,
2 Pet 2:20.
4. We reap what we sow; Live to inherit eternal life!
Gal 6:7-9