Overcoming the World

“Do not love the world or the things in the world”

Just as I am not of this world, 17:14Kept from the evil one, 17:15In fellowship with Christ, 17:16Sanctified by truth, 17:17, 19

John 17:14-19

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Not of this World(Colossians 3:16)

“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.”

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Heavenly Jerusalem“heavenly

places”

Mount Zion

Worldliness is Rampant Among God’s People!

Fearful thought: Worldliness makes us God’s enemy…lost! James 4:4

Forceful temptations: Struggle with Satan is real, 1 Peter 2:11

Fortunate timing: Time to examine and repent! 2 Peter 3:9

Faithful transformation: From darkness to light, 2 Peter 1:3-4

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Christians have been seduced by the world (Prov. 7:6-27), 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1

Honest examination needed, 2 Cor. 13:5Indignantly: “No, I have not!”Timidly: “I don’t think so” or “I hope

not”Honestly (untaught): “What do you

mean by worldliness?”

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Worldliness is Rampant Among God’s People!

God’s Definition of Worldliness

Dominion of Satan, 1 John 5:19 Includes motives, attitudes, values

and conduct, Romans 12:2When we imitate the world in these

things – we are worldly!Our objective: Overcome the world in

Christ and live for Him, Jno. 16:33; Rom. 8:37; 1 Jno. 5:4 6

System of evil that opposes God 1 John 2:15; James

4:4

Worldliness

Lust of the flesh: CARNALITYFood: Good, but gluttony is sinful, Prov. 23:19-

21Drink: Good, but alcohol is sinful, 1 Pet. 4:3Sleep: Good, but laziness is sinful, Prov. 6:10-11Sex: Good, but outside marriage sinful, 1 Cor.

7:2

Carnal fulfillment = Sin and Death James 1:14-16 7

Things of the World 1 John

2:15-17

Worldliness

Lust of the eyes: COVETOUSNESSLook to lust after, Matt. 5:28Selfish consumption to please self, Jas.

4:1-3Life is not about how much pleasure we

consume and how many things we possess, Luke 12:15; Matthew 16:26

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Things of the World 1 John

2:15-17

Worldliness

Pride of life: CONCEITDrive of selfish ambition and self-

interest, Phil. 2:3-4Seek honor from God, not people,

John 5:44; 8:29

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Things of the World 1 John

2:15-17

Worldliness

Thorns that choke out spiritual lifeThese “thorns” include…Anxiety of life, Matt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:6-

8Materialism (deceitfulness of riches),

Matt. 6:24; 1 Tim. 6:10, 6 (Col. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13)

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Cares of this World Luke

8:14; Mark 4:18-19

Worldliness

Thorns that choke out spiritual lifePleasures of life, 1 Tim. 5:6 (Heb. 11:25)God declares some pleasures sinfulLewdness, lust, pornography, immodesty, social & recreational drinking, dancing…1 Peter 4:3-4

WARNING: Do not view these things as the normal way of life! (1 Cor.

15:33)11

Cares of this World Luke

8:14; Mark 4:18-19

Worldliness

Pleasures of lifeSome things are not sinful until we

put them ahead of God…Busy (to pray, study, help others,

worship)! Tired! Responsibilities!These are things we choose, James

4:17 (Josh. 24:15; Heb. 2:3)12

Cares of this World Luke

8:14; Mark 4:18-19

You control your mind, Rom. 8:5; Col. 3:1-3Choose to occupy your mind with spiritual things, Col. 3:16

Declare war on worldly thinking, Phil. 4:8 (2 Cor. 10:4-5)

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1 John 4:4; 5:4

You control your body, Rom. 6:13-14Obey the will of God, 1 Jno. 2:17Glorify God in your body, 1 Cor. 6:19-20

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1 John 4:4; 5:4

We must take inventory of our minds and our bodies (2 Cor. 13:5)What is my mind on each day: Evil or good?

Does my conduct show that I am living for heaven? 15

1 John 4:4; 5:4

The spiritual mind is key to overcoming worldliness, Romans 12:2Jesus died to save us from this evil

world, Galatians 1:4We have escaped the pollutions of

the world, 2 Peter 2:20We reap what we sow – Continue

doing good, Galatians 6:7-9 16