Introduction: Worldliness October 10, 1996
What is the “world” that John warned us about? (1 Jn. 2:15). Some have identified it as a list of questionable activities that religious people ought to shun. But it’s not as easy as that. John wasn’t talking about mere outward behavior; he was referring to our deepest motives.
In the Bible, the “world” is a system controlled by Satan, who operates through cultures that have little regard for God. Christians must live in their culture, but they dare not take their lead from it. You may make your living today in the world of business, or go to school in the world of education, or enjoy entertainment in the world of music or media. But the world-system in which we live is enemy territory. It is not neutral. Worldliness is anything that makes sin look attractive and righteousness look silly.
We are worldly whenever we live and love and choose on the same basis as people who don’t love God. A Christian striving for power in a church or exploding at his wife at home can be as worldly as a person guzzling drinks at a bar.
Two questions reveal the motives of our hearts: Are we living with a deep love for the Father? Are we eager wherever we go in the world to carry out His will? He wants us to be in the world, but not to be of it.
Christians must live in the world but not let the world live in them.
Source: Haddon W. Robinson
I. Confidence At His Coming 28
28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
A. When Will He Appear? 28a
1. What did Jesus say about His second coming?
a. Jesus said when He comes, it’s going to be a bad time on earth.
b. Matthew 24 - What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?
? Many antichrists will come
? Wars and rumors of wars.
? Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
? And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
? You will be killed and hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
? Many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
? Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
? When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place– FLEE
? There will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
? And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
? But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
c. Jesus said, I don’t know when it is happening, but it is going to be bad!
2. Luke records Jesus saying this:
For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
—Matthew 24:27
3. Paul warned the Thessalonians
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
—1Thessalonians 5:2
4. John records the words of Jesus to the church at Sardis
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
—Revelation 3:3
5. Recap this section
a. Jesus said He would return.
b. He also promised a Comforter parakletos while He is away.
c. Before He returns, anarchy will reign.
d. His Coming will be like a lightening flash or a blink of an eye.
e. When Jesus puts his foot on the planet chaos will cease and peace will ensue.
B. How Can We Be Confident When He Comes?
1. We can be confident if we are ready.
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
—Matthew 24:44
2. We can be confident if we are waiting patiently>
so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ
—1Corinthians 1:7
3. We can be confident if we are living blamelessly.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
—1Thessalonians 5:23
4. We can be confident if we are perfectly obedient.
that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,
—1Timothy 6:14
5. We can be confident if we are joyful expectant.
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ
—Titus 2:13
6. We can be confident if we are abiding in Him!
a. Jesus commands us to abide in Him – 10 times in John 15.
b. John commands us to abide in Jesus – 10 times in 1John 2!
c. To say the least, that is an interesting parallel.
C. Will We Be Ashamed When He Comes?
1. John sets three things before us in verse 28
a. Jesus is coming!
b. You may be confident of His Coming!
c. Or you may be shamed by His Coming!
i. But why in the world would a Christian be ashamed of His Christ?
ii. It is actually the other way around – Christ may be ashamed of some of his Christians!
2. Jesus gave us some parables to help us understand this:
a. The sheep and the goats Matthew 25
b. The wise –unwise virgins Matthew 25
c. The unjust steward Luke 16
(He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much)
d. The unmerciful servant Matthew 18
(Cast into outer darkness)
e. The unprofitable servant Luke 17
10-5-1 (also cast into outer darkness)
D. Application To The Church
Illustration
II. Confidence In His Righteousness 29
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
A. Jesus Is Righteous (look at this chapter)
1. Jesus’ righteousness compels us to keep his commandment
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
—1John 2:3
2. Jesus’ righteousness compels us to keep his truth
He who says, I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
—1John 2:4
3. Jesus’ righteousness compels us to maturity
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
—1John 2:5
4. Jesus’ righteousness compels us to walk as He walked
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
—1John 2:6
5. Jesus’ righteousness compels us to love as He loved
He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
—1John 2:10
6. Jesus’ righteousness compels us to avoid the darkness of sin.
But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
—1John 2:11
7. Jesus’ righteousness compels us to begin and end well
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
—1John 2:24
8. Jesus’ righteousness compels us to be born into His righteousness.
If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
—1John 2:29
A. If we are born of God we will yearn for the righteousness of Jesus
1. Faith 2Cor 5:7?
2. Spirituality Galatians 5:16?
3. Consistency Ephesians 4:1?
4. Love Ephesians 5:2?
5. Christlikeness 1John 2:6?
B. Application To The Church
Illustration
III. Conclusion
