John 15:18-21 (NKJV)
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
John 17:13-19 (NKJV)
13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
John 17:13-19 (NKJV)
13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
The Scriptures Speak Of The World In Three Distinct Ways - The World Of Nature, Men, And Order.
World Of Nature
· The world of nature demonstrates God’s power and moves us to recognize God’s greatness.
· We must be careful to worship only God himself and not what he has created (Psalms 104)
Psalms 8:3-4 (NKJV)
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
Job 31:26-28 (NKJV)
26 If I have observed the sun when it shines, Or the moon moving in brightness,
27 So that my heart has been secretly enticed, And my mouth has kissed my hand;
28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above.
Deuteronomy 4:15-19 (NKJV)
15 "Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire,
16 lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female,
17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,
18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth.
19 And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
Job 31:26-28 (NKJV)
26 If I have observed the sun when it shines, Or the moon moving in brightness,
27 So that my heart has been secretly enticed, And my mouth has kissed my hand;
28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above.
Deuteronomy 4:15-19 (NKJV)
15 "Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire,
16 lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female,
17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air,
18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth.
19 And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.
The World Of Men
· This is the world that “God so loved”.
· This is the world that we must learn to love and win.
John 3:16 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
2 Corinthians 5:14 (NKJV)
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV)
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
2 Corinthians 5:14 (NKJV)
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV)
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
The World Of Order
· This one controls the thinking and behavior of mankind.
· Satan is the mastermind (the prince of this world).
John 12:31 (NKJV)
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
John 14:30 (NKJV)
30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
John 14:30 (NKJV)
30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
· His fallen angels are described as the rulers, the authorities the power of this dark world.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
· This is the world we are commanded not to love.
1 John 2:15 (NKJV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
· This is the world that hated Christ, crucified him, and hates us.
John 7:7 (NKJV)
7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.
John 15:18-19 (NKJV)
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.
John 15:18-19 (NKJV)
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
· Why are we here?
John 15:18-19 (NKJV)
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
· Why, since we are born again, doesn’t God just take us out of this world and take us on to heaven?
The Reason We Are Still Here!
· We are members of the resistance living as strangers in a land that was made and given to us. It is our land.
· Another reason is; this very situation of conflict is designed to shape us and make us what God wants us to be.
· We, must decide if we are going to conform or be transformed. The very thing that God uses to make us, the devil can use to mar us.
· The question is how are we going to handle conflict?
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
J.B. Phillips translates this verse “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let
God remake you so that our whole attitude of mind is changed.”
God remake you so that our whole attitude of mind is changed.”
There Are Two Opposing Kingdoms
· The kingdom of this world
· The Kingdom of God.
John 18:36 (NKJV)
36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
· The Kingdom of this world is ruled by human reason and human wisdom;
1 Corinthians 1:17-20 (NKJV)
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
· It is passing away
1 John 2:17 (NKJV)
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
· Its rulers are coming to nothing.
1 Corinthians 2:16 (NKJV)
16 For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
16 For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
· Those who live in it are shortsighted; one day it will be destroyed.
Daniel 2:44 (NKJV)
44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
Revelation 11:15 (NKJV)
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
Revelation 11:15 (NKJV)
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
The Kingdom of God
· In this sphere, God is Center
· God’s revealed will, not human reason, is the rule and measure of all things
· Men enter by means of the New Birth
John 3:3 (NKJV)
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:5 (NKJV)
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:5 (NKJV)
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
What Is The New Birth?
· This means changing sides.
· Coming under God’s rule.
· Submitting to a new order.
· Before, the spirit of this world motivated man, now we have received the Spirit who is from
God
God
1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV)
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
What Is Acting Like The World?
· Christian tradition has sometimes presented a view of worldliness that is not strictly biblical.
· How a believer dresses, engaging in certain habits, enjoyment of certain entertainment or pleasure, what he eats or drinks, and how they act on Sunday are not often firm criteria for judgment of worldliness.
· The scribes and the Pharisees had similar list of rules by which they judged the piety of others. They were careful about trivial things but overlooked the vital of important actions.
Matthew 23:23-26 (NKJV)
23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
· We know it is possible to be born into the Kingdom of God and still behave as though you still belong to the world.
1 Corinthians 3:3 (NKJV)
3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
· The bible defines Worldliness as: lust of the flesh, Lust of the eye, and the pride of life.
1 John 2:16 (NKJV)
16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
The Lust Of The Flesh - Your Body
· If your body is not under the rule of the Holy Spirit it will be ruled by the cravings of the flesh
1 John 2:16 (NKJV)
16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 (NKJV)
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 (NKJV)
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
· Paul speaks of worldly passions as the major motivations of all the worldly man does.
Titus 2:12 (NKJV)
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
The Lust Of The Eye – Your Mind
· Consider the modern man hunger for viewing. Notice the massive industry that exists to satisfy our hunger for seeing or viewing.
Isaiah 55:1-2 (NKJV)
1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
The Pride Of Life -- Your Spirit
· If our spirit is not ruled by the Spirit of Christ it will be ruled by the pride of life or the boasting of what we have and have done. This type of attitude is always self centered.
Philippians 1:21 (NKJV)
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
The Answer To Worldliness
· Do not love the world
1 John 2:15 (NKJV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
· Do not be a friend of the World
James 4:4 (NKJV)
4 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 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.
· Do not be confirmed to the World
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
How Can You Live In The World And Not Do Any Of These
· You can’t do it by rules and regulations
· You can’t escape from the world by moving to the wilderness.
John 17:11-15 (NKJV)
11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
· You are not called to a live among the Christian only.
Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
· You can’t do it by dealing with the externals praying for God to take away pride, jealously, and selfishness.
The Only Remedy For The Believer, To Have Complete Freedom From The Spirit Of The World Is The Cross.
Galatians 6:14 (NKJV)
14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
1 John 2:15-16 (NKJV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
1 John 2:15-16 (NKJV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
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