Our society is infatuated with extremes, there seems to be no common ground for living. I developed a model, Pathway to Recovery, that illustrates this dynamic. While at a bookstore, I observed a group of students. They were polls apart when discussing religious thought. I had made the comment to my wife, I would love to be in that conversation. She replied, You better not. I could not stay out of the conversation after observing a young lady become very anxious, she slammed a book closed, and angrily said, you are taking my faith away from me. I walked over to the table and excused myself and took a piece of paper and made a rough draft of a model I have continue to use. It illustrates how people often fail to listen to each other and seek to find the answer that is at the heart of our seeking answers to life’s most perplexing questions. John does that as he writes a very pastoral letter.
Harold Bryson tells of a young man who caught his attention during his sermon. Handsome, well-dressed, and he had the physique of an athlete. The young man’s deep interest in the sermon was very apparent.
At the end of the service the young man came to him, introduced himself and told him some facts about himself. A student at the university. He was a new Christian (Newcomer). While rejoicing with him the young man’s question stunned Bryson.
How do you expect me to cope with the world system in which I live? He explained:
My family gives little attention to the church.
Most of my fraternity friends are not Christians.
The world does not seem to respect Christ’s principles.
“Could you give me some help in coping with this world system?”
Three options came to his mind:
1. Escape the world and live a semi-monastic life,
2. Fight the opposition,
Live in the world but not of the world.
John turns from a descriptive position where he has set before us God’s vision for the church to a description of the church in the world.
1. John authenticates Jesus as the Son of God,
2. John writes “to make our joy complete,”
3. John calls for Christians to face reality concerning their lives, and
4. John draws attention to the developmental stages of believers.
In the text for this morning, John speaks about the way struggling believers are to cope with the world system in which they lived. These verses should “perk up” our ears, especially when considering the challenges of surviving and thriving in the world system in which we live. His message is a timely message for the Church today.
I would suggest that the primary focus of I John has to do with fellowship, primarily fellowship with God. Yet, he draws our attention to the fact that true fellowship with God has a strong correlation to how we relate to other believers and how we approach this thing called Christian maturity. If we struggle with maintaining fellowship with each other, we are ill prepared to link arms and serve Christ with integrity in the world.
Ray Stedman (“The Enemy Around,” p. 1) says, “Now, in a final word on the subject of maintaining fellowship, the apostle deals with the supreme peril to fellowship, and, therefore, the greatest peril to Christian maturity. Here is the great enemy of the Christian, the siren voice that seeks to lure us aside, trap us, delude us and ultimately to defeat us...”
There are many similarities between the world in which the young Christians lived and the society in which we live.
? They lived in a very hostile environment very much as we do. It is sad when that same hostility is brought into the church as many of us have witnessed.
? They lived in a society engrossed in paganism, such as our world.
? They lived in a world in which lust, greed, bribery, pleasures and disdain for human life were socially accepted.
? They lived in an environment where unpretentious living was disdained; in part, so do we (e.g., disdain for genuine, honest, ingenuous, innocent, naive, natural, real, simple, sincere, true)
The believers were having a very difficult time coping because of the pressure from the world system. Believers are called upon to live as God’s called, chosen and Spirit-filled persons. Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
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21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
….
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 As you come to him, the living Stone-- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--
5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:15-2:5
Believers are set apart for God; their experience with the world cannot be an isolated one or a conforming one. So, how do we cope? For an answer, we will go to God’s Word as found in I John 2:15-17
15 Do not love—??ap?te—world—??sµ??— or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
This passage is often misunderstood and/or taken out of context. What does John mean that we shouldn’t “love” the world? A case in point is the Amish:
The Amish are a group of people who follow the teachings of Jacob Ammann, a 17th-century citizen of Switzerland. It is a Protestant denomination, closely related to the Mennonites. The Amish, most of whom live in the United States, follow simple customs and refuse to take oaths, vote, or perform military service. They shun modern technology and conveniences. Transportation for the Amish is by horse and buggy. They do not have electricity or telephones in their homes (has changed for modern Amish). The men usually wear beards and pants with buttons instead of zippers. The women wear white head coverings and plain dresses, usually without buttons—they use straight pins to fasten the clothing.
The Amish believe that James 1:27 "...and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" means to stay away from things the "world" does—like driving autos, having a TV, going to movies, wearing make-up, and enjoying the conveniences of electricity and phones. They often use generators to create power to run their equipment and use horses, instead of tractors, to do farm work. The bishop (leader) of an Amish community (district) sets up the rules of conduct allowed for his district. Some bishops are more lenient than others. The Amish have church services in their own homes, taking turns hosting on Sundays, and do not have church buildings. They usually only go to a formal school until age 15.
The Amish groups have problems, just like anyone else. Most of these church groups try to keep their problems concealed from the outside world. The youth are given the opportunity to taste of “the world” in their late teens to determine if they want to join the church. Many young Amish people get involved in drugs, alcohol, sex, and other vices during this time period while they are allowed to own a motor vehicle, but a large number of them do give up the vehicle and join the church. Others determine they will not join the church and attempt to fit into the secular world. Downloaded 10/25/14. http://www.gotquestions.org/Amish-beliefs.html#ixzz3HBjU9a9e
To fully understand what John means, we must look at the Greek word for love that he uses. Our English Bible has only one word “love”. In Greek there are 4 words for love:
• Storge(st???? storge[4]) means "affection" in ancient and Modern Greek. It is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring
• Philia(f???a philía[3]) is "mental" love. It means affectionate regard or friendship in both ancient and modern Greek.
• Éros (???? éros[2]) is "physical" passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. Romantic, pure emotion without the balance of logic. "Love at first sight". The Modern Greek word "erotas" means "intimate love;" however, eros does not have to be sexual in nature. Eros can be interpreted as a love for someone whom you love more than the philia, love of friendship. It can also apply to dating relationships as well as marriage.
• Agápe (???p? agápe[1]) means love in a "spiritual" sense. In the term s'agapo (S'a?ap?), which means "I love you" in Ancient Greek, it often refers to a general affection or deeper sense of "true unconditional love" rather than the attraction suggested by "eros." This love is selfless; it gives and expects nothing in return. Agape is used in the biblical passage known as the "love chapter," 1 Corinthians 13, and is described there and throughout the New Testament as sacrificial and spiritual love. . . Agape is used by Christians to express the unconditional love of God.
Download 10/25/14: http://www.ask.com/wiki/Greek_words_for_love
John is saying don’t ascribe unconditional love to his creation.
I. THE IMPERATIVE: MAKE INVESTMENTS ONLY IN GODLY PROMISES, NOT IN FAILING SCHEMES
John doesn’t mince words, he is straightforward. The term “talking point” is a phrase popularized by journalists. They love to raise an issue and create an argument; however, the goal is never to give a definitive answer. John does not create such a spin; his first helpful hint is direct and to the point. Growing up I lived by imperatives that Mom and Dad felt were important. Do not run in the house; do not talk back; say “yes ma’am/sir, etc. Mom and Dad had a way of making an imperative point.
“World” is one of the most often used terms in Johannine vocabulary–John uses the term in several ways:
1. Created universe (John 1:10): As denoting the physical universe; the world as it appears to the eye; the world considered as the work of God, as a material creation.
2. World of people, population (John 3:16): The world as applied to the people that reside in it - "the world of mankind."
3. Moral dimension–A reference to a collection of people who are in rebellion against God (world system): As the dwellers on the earth are by nature without religion, and act under a set of maxims, aims, and principles that have reference only to this life, the term comes to be used with reference to that community; that is, to the objects which they especially seek, and the principles by which they are actuated.
The third usage appears to apply to our text. The imperative is divided into two parts, 1) “Do not love the world” or 2) “anything in the world.” We look more specifically at the second usage when we look at verse 17. John had often talked about the world and doesn’t need to give a full description of it in this context.
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you”. John 15:18-19
Here is an interesting dimension in this verse that cannot be overlooked. Who are those that hated Jesus? Scripture points out that sinners loved him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'" On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:16-17
I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Romans 9:2-4
Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Romans 10:1-2
The religious world of John’s day, as well as ours, hated Jesus because he constantly challenged their basic philosophy. That is what Jesus meant by suggesting the world will hate us; if we talk about the centrality of Jesus Christ for salvation and righteousness, we will ruffle the feathers of those who oppose His teaching. As a Christian and preacher, I have learned to accept this reality, though it often gets uncomfortable.
The secular world typically has a hatred characterized by callous indifference.
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. 1 Corinthians 1:21ff
Someone said the philosophy of the world is “bound at one end by a cradle and at the other end a casket.” Think about it, doesn’t this fit our society–the only thing that is important is this life. This philosophy is advanced by every form of media. At the heart of it is this message: “There is nothing better, there is nothing higher, and there is nothing more precious than what this earth can give you: its money, its pleasure, its fame. You had best eat, drink, and be merry, for there is no nobler life than that.” (Stedman, p. 2)
John says don’t love this philosophy. John uses the word “love” three times in verse 15, each are a form of Agápe (???p? agápe). This word refers to one’s affection for God or self-giving compassion and care extended to another. John says do not affix the kind of love intended for God to worldly pursuits. To love the world and the things in the world is to love the very philosophical systems that are opposed to Jesus. This is what Jesus had in mind when he said,
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24
Listen carefully to what John says, he says, you can’t love the world and God.
II. THE ALLURE: UNDERSTANDING THE DECEPTION OF A GODLESS WORLDVIEW
I understand that those who work in banks learn how to recognize counterfeit money is by developing a knowledge of the real thing. They can test the ability to distinguish between the real and counterfeit when someone attempts to pass a counterfeit bill. John has held before the reader the reality of Jesus Christ and the way believers can experience real joy. He now gives us a glimpse of the counterfeit. The pagan world system consisted of three elements.
Lust of the flesh–base desires are one of the elements of paganism. Flesh refers to those things that are centered in human nature; those things that we do while having no regard to the will of God. Have you wondered about the force in our lives that pushes us beyond living a simplistic life in which there is plenty of time for worship of God and service to God? Who is the master mind behind the world system to which John refers? Have you ever considered the fact that Satan is the prince of this world? It is he who convinces us that God is not enough. His primary goal is to stretch our basic needs beyond normal expectations into cravings addictions, obsessions, desires, which consume the time and attention that rightfully belongs to God!
Lust of the eyes–false values is another element of paganism. C. H. Dodd described this as “the tendency to be captivated by the outward show of things, without inquiring into their real values” (Bryson, p. 61) Let me illustrate, Eve was tempted to think she was eating an apple. She failed to meditate upon the spiritual significance of what seemed to be an act that carried no consequences–look what she lost.
The Evil one continually tempts us to think short-term and to shut out thinking that weighs in the eternal impact. Don Horban says, “If I’m going to grow in my love for God, I have to learn to discern the difference between what is real nourishment for my soul and what looks like food but is only BAIT.” (p. 4)
1. The pride of life or egotism is the third element of paganism. Pride refers to an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights
Proverbs 16:18 tells us that Pride—?????? (gevah, gay-vaw')—"goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall”.
Pride results in the loss of life as Jesus described. Prideful people seek life in all the wrong places and ways.
Does this ever become a problem for Christians? Yes! What has become known as the “health and prosperity gospel” is fueled by this egotistical self-centered philosophy. While working at Ft. Polk in Louisiana, building military housing for a private contractor, an electrician was talking about a desire to get a civil service job. His friend told him he needed to join the Pentecostal Church if he wanted to get a job at Ft. Polk. People laughed; however, he gave some convincing evidence. I have no problem with God blessing people; however, when those blessings are used to gain power and to impress, while ignoring the needs of others, I believe God has a major problem.
We have seen a major worldview shift in the Western world; some have called it a culture war. Some say it is a shift back to paganism. However, in the last fifty years, American culture has been undergoing a sweeping moral and spiritual transformation. Fewer and fewer Americans now live by the worldview advocated in the Bible. This observation has received recent verification from the independent marketing research company, the Barna Research Group, in the results of its nationwide random sampling of over 2,000 adults released in 2003 (“A Biblical Worldview…,” 2003). The survey found that only four percent of American adults employ a biblical worldview as the basis of their decision-making.
The most prominent alternative worldview, especially among the youngest generations (ages 18 to 38) is postmodernism—the belief system that rejects the notion of absolute truth and a binding objective moral framework. The postmodern worldview believes that one’s moral decisions are legitimately based on personal preference and individual choice. What is right or true for one person may not be right for another. The authority for decision-making resides within the individual—not in an external set of moral principles that are binding on all people.
Ancient paganism was rooted in a variety of traditions that focused more on a reverence for nature and a polytheistic and animistic set of beliefs. Polytheism accepts many gods and goddesses and believes we can become gods and goddesses. Animism is:
1. The belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls.
2. The belief that natural objects have souls that may exist apart from their material bodies.
3. The doctrine that the soul is the principle of life and health.
4. The belief in spiritual beings or agencies.
John is very clear, if these three characteristics of the world dominate our lives, they do not show likeness to God’s character. They are contrary to what God wants for his people. What does God want for his people?
God wants his people to have life!
There are 3 words in the New Testament:
a. Bios, in Luke 8:14: “…anxieties and riches and pleasure of this life.” This Greek word refers to the life of the physical body and is where we get the word biology.
b. Psuche, in Matt. 16:25: “For whoever wants to save his soul-life shall lose it.” The Greek word here refers to the psychological life of the human soul, that is, the mind, emotion, and will. It is where we get the word psychology.
c. Zoe, in John 1:4: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Here the Greek word refers to the uncreated, eternal life of God, the divine life uniquely possessed by God.
John 10:10 “I have come that they may have zoe and may have zoe abundantly.” John 10:10
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life— ????.
The life to which Jesus referred is not found in self or the world; it is found only in the gift of zoe that comes from the breath of God. He infuses us with His kind of life. First, John drew our attention to the allure.
III. THE ASSURANCE: THOUGH THE WAYS OF THE WORLD ARE TEMPORAL, THE WILL OF GOD IS ETERNAL
Remember, John is writing to Christians. He has become aware of the fact that they are struggling with the temptation to love the world, diverting the devotion to God into a failing system. Sadly, Paul wrote, “Demas has deserted me, having loved this present world.”
While talking to a group of non-traditional college students (Mid America Bible College ethics course in Tulsa I taught) a lady talked about being a Christian but not attending a church....the lure of the world had pulled her into a life-style that kept her following its lure and failing to express her love for God through worship with other believers.
Scripture tells us that the things of this world are temporal–even our life is like a vapor. To put our primary time and energy into the things of this world is a poor investment. Don Horban preached a sermon on this text entitled, “Putting Your Eggs in A Perishable Basket.” John says be realistic and be real!
Those who are playing “make-believe” and love the attention it is getting them will realize the falsehood and emptiness of their investments. The Titanic was believed to be unsinkable. People on board were eating, drinking, dancing and partying as if there was no end to the good things of life. The unthinkable happened! They sunk! Christians are challenged to be prepared as they live in the last hour.
1. Believers are encouraged to give their full loyalty to Jesus and the Father’s will.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
2. Secure in the fact we have had a life changing experience and that we are a child of God.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1
3. We highly value our relationship with the family of God.
11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 1 John 3: 11, 14
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
4. We pray and study the Word for guidance in our lives.
You are strong, and the Word of God lives in you. I John 2:14
We have close communion with God because we understand the value of leaning upon Holy Spirit to make our joy complete.
CONCLUSION
John says there are two ways to live.
We can live for the world.
? Love its glory
? Seek its fame
? Count important the things it gives
? Desperately cling to these and
? Let our emotions become wrapped up in these things
To do so is to lose everything. If we set our heart on the world, we will face heartache and misery at the end.
Or, we can love the Lord Jesus Christ supremely. Active faith in Jesus Christ is the way to victory, to eternal life, to fulfillment of our joy.
We are called to live In the world but not of the world—embracing the ways of the world. Walking with Christ brings great delight.
? Giving a cup of water in His name is more valuable than a dollar in the bank.
? Time spent comforting and encouraging a lonely person is a greater treasure than a hit on the stock market.
? Worshiping God is the greatest activity of the week.
You and I will have a response to this question: “Will I live for the present time only, or will I live for the will of God and abide with Him forever?” Love for the world crowds God out. The world can never give lasting joy and life. John says the person who does the will of God . . .
µ??e? e?? t?? a???a (aiona)
abides for the age.
John calls believers to genuine love for God. If you find yourself thinking, “I don’t feel very much love for God right now” there are two possible reasons:
1. You aren’t born again–you are a cultural or hereditary Christian. Pursue Jesus with all your heart. He says, “You will seek me and find me; when you seek with all your heart.”
2. Your love for God has grown cold and weak. This may mean that love for the world has taken over your heart and has choked your love for God. The Spirit that gives birth to new life also gives nourishment. (See Piper, p. 4)
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. Matthew 23:37-38
John is not talking about fixing the world. He is talking about keeping your heart pure and focusing on godly living. Christians in China cannot focus on changing the political system. I have a friend serving in China and we briefly discussed this. I fear too many Christians are attempting to make America synonymous with Christianity; they are also using the political arena and techniques in this process. One question. Are you focusing on maintaining pure heart as you live in the world?
