Sermon on 17 December 2023 by Pastor Justin
Introduction
If we love God, we will know God.
Message
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. 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. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17
John is telling the people that their love is not consistent. The ‘world’ does not refer to planet Earth. The ‘world’ refers to the morally evil system of the world, which opposes all that God holds dearly. We cannot have two masters. If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. We can only love one and despise the other. So do not love this world that is against the kingdom of God. Do not spend time focusing on worldly things and forget about what is eternal.
The morally corrupt world has three characteristics:
1. The lust of the flesh - sinful sensual pleasure
2. The lust of the eyes - materialism
3. The pride of life - proud about our achievements and reputation within the world
Every sin is pleasurable. That is why people keep falling into sin - it feels good.
What is the solution?
1. Have greater love for God
2. Seek God daily and to please Him in all you do
3. Strive for spiritual growth through prayer
4. Study the word of God
5. Be a witness of Christ in your daily living
Get rid of your cravings. Nothing can satisfy, except the deep-abiding love for Christ. Everything in this world will pass away (Luke 21:33), but the word of God will remain forever. Learn to live the way He desires us to live.
A question we have to ask ourselves each day is: “do the decisions I make align with the love for the word of God? Do my actions reflect me being a disciple of Christ, loving one another?” The standard of love that Jesus taught is to love our enemies. Read His word in order to understand His will. Only then can you stand in this world.
Closing
Let us not get distracted and be deceived by what we see and what we hear to be true. Walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. Do not let false teachings enter your mind. Do not be affected by what the world says. Let us not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed, by the renewing of minds. Let us not love the world by getting rid of our wrong cravings and have greater love for God.
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