A Life Lesson

The only notes I make in church are little sayings or points written in the margins of my bible.  Last Sunday, Kara asked me if I wanted some paper and I said no.  Then quickly changed my mind and took notes the entire time.  This message has blessed me in so many ways, far beyond and long after the service ended.  I post it here in hopes that it will bless you as well. 

ps.  Please don't get scared off by the length.  I tried to make it easier to read with lots of numbered and lettered points.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."  1 John 2: 15-17

Worldliness in 3D= Definition, Description, Departing

1.  Definition of Worldliness

the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life

A.  Having more concern for material things than for spiritual things
B.  The enemy of holiness
C.  Putting other things before God

The world tells us we can gain happiness by academics, athletics, or attractiveness.

2. Description of Worldliness

A. Lust of the Flesh

"Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica."
2 Timothy 4:10

Thessalonica was located on a major seaport as well as a major highway that connected Rome to the East.  This made it the height of modernism, a wealthy city that became known for evil and lascivious behaviour.  It was originally named Therma because of the hot springs surrounding it.  The pagan culture taught that there was no life after death.... therefore "live each day like it's your last"!  If there's no judgement and death is the end, then you can indulge in every lust of the flesh that the world offers.  Consequently, this thinking that death was the end, crept into the Church and you'll find Paul teaching on the resurrection in 1 Thes 4.

The Truth:

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Galations 5:16

B. Lust of the Eye

"Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not."  1 John 1:9

Preeminence= greatness, high status, the most important, dominant

He loved being first.  This made him envious and coveteous.  He openly rejected and spoke evil of authority and rejected those who did not agree with him.  A saying goes something like this- Any man can endure hardship but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. 

Preeminence shows itself in many ways including male chauvinism.  Dominance without love causes a reaction (women's lib movement perhaps?). 

Preeminence also manifests itself in a religious way.

"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.  If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation."  John 11: 47-48

"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi."  Matthew 23: 5-7

The Truth:

"And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."  Colossians 1:18

C. Pride of Life

"For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.  Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth."  Acts 19: 24-27

He was concerned that he would suffer a great loss of weath due to the teaching of the disciples.  So much so that worry, anger and confusion quickly followed for him and the whole city.  We get so used to the luxuries of a wealthy society that we think we need more than we really do.

All we really and truely need:

"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."  1 Timothy 6:8

If you have two of anything, give one away.  We are called to give, rather than live a life of luxury.

"It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things." Romans 15:27

"But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.  As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack."
 2 Corinthians 8: 14-15

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  Matthew 6: 19-21

3. Departing from Worldliness

So, I ask myself the question- Am I worldly?  The answer is NO!  If I have confessed and believed on Jesus Christ as the Son of God, positionally and fundamentally I'm not worldly- even though I often fail. 
Position vs Condition.

"I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word...I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine...I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world...Neither pray I for these alone (the apostles), but for them also which shall believe on me through their word."  John 17: 6, 9, 14-16, 20

"And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby."  Ephesians 2:16

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."  Colossians 1:12

In writing this all down again, I did a little research of my own to jog my memory (like on the culture of Thessalonica)... so alot of this is my interpretation of the message and what stood out to me rather than exact words from the speaker. I'm sure I don't do the sermon the justice it deserves.