Sermon Central
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Fatal Attraction Series
Contributed by David Welch on May 12, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: Message 7 from 1 John dealing with refusing to love the world.
“A Dangerous Love” Pt 1
(Fatal Attraction)
Review/Introduction
I. GOD IS LIGHT
A. THE MESSAGE: God is Light 1:5
B. THE IMPLICATIONS 1:6-4:6
1. Continually walk (live) in the Light 1:6-7
2. Continually confess sin 1:8-10
3. Rely on your advocate 2:1-2
4. Give attention to His instructions 2:3-6
5. Love one another (don’t hate) 2:7-11
6. Keep growing in your relationship with Him 2:12-14
As in any relationship it is possible to grow deeper or more distant.
John assumed that his readers were at varying levels of relationship and addressed them as such.
Each level of intimacy focused on a particular characteristic.
Babyhood – the self centered but hungry level.
Childhood – the awareness of Sonship and forgiveness.
Youthhood – strong in the word, confident and victorious over the enemies attacks.
Fatherhood – more intimate of the eternal nature of God and Christ.
The assumption is that we continue to grow deeper in our relationship with God.
Today we explore a seventh implication of relationship with the God who is light. Failure to break a love affair with the world system becomes a serious hindrance to growth. John warned these believers to beware of a destructive attraction and attachment to the world.
Look at the passage as a whole (only three verses) and then look at the specifics.
First, John pronounced a warning – stop loving the world and its ways!
Second, John presented four specific reasons why we should seriously consider this command.
1. Since the world system is totally incompatible with the nature and will of God, you cannot love God and the world.
2. The world and its ways are not from God.
3. The world and its promises are only temporary.
4. Only the one following God’s will, discovers lasting life experiences here and hereafter.
To best understand this command and apply it we need to explore some basic questions.
What is the world?
What are the things “in” the world? (Desire of the flesh, desire of the eyes, pride of life)
What does love of the world look like?
Why should I avoid this fatal attraction?
How can I break this fatal attraction?
7. Stop loving the World
a) The command “Do not love the world!”
The subject of this command is all believers just described who are at some level of maturity in their relationship with the God who is light and love.
The object of this command is “the world and the things in the world”.
“world” (kosmos)
John used this term 23 times in this letter alone; six times just in these three verses. In all, John uses the term 105 times in his writings. It can be found only 85 times in the rest of the entire rest of New Testament. It literally means “that which is ordered or arranged, adorned”; hence, we get our English word “cosmetics” from kosmos. It communicated the idea of order, adornment, beauty, the universe. Three main concepts emerge from the usage of the word each breaking down into further sub meanings.
1. The world of matter
• Reference to the universe or the whole divinely created world.
35 This fulfilled the prophecy that said, "I will speak to you in parables. I will explain mysteries hidden since the creation of the world."[ Ps 78:2.]Matt 13.35
24 Father, I want these whom you've given me to be with me, so they can see my glory. You gave me the glory because you loved me even before the world began! John 17:24
24 "He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples, Acts 17.24
• Reference to the earth as the habitat of men.
It will be like a woman experiencing the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives place to joy because she has brought a new person into the world. John 16:21
The original creation perfectly reflected the base meaning of the word.
God’s original design was perfect, beautiful, wonderfully adorned with His creativity, beauty and majesty.
His glory could be seen in every aspect of creation; habitation and inhabitants.
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. Psalms 19:1-2
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
"For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' Acts 17:23-28