Title: “A Warning Against Worldliness” Script: I John 2:15-17
Type: Expository Series Where: GNBC 6-23-24
Intro: “A man bought a new hunting dog. Eager to see how he would perform, he took him out to track a bear. No sooner had they gotten into the woods than the dog picked up the trail. Suddenly he stopped, sniffed the ground, and headed in a new direction. He had caught the scent of a deer that had crossed the bear’s path. A few moments later he halted again, this time smelling a rabbit that had crossed the path of the deer. And so, on and on it went until finally the breathless hunter caught up with his dog, only to find him barking triumphantly down the hole of a field mouse. Sometimes Christians are like that. We start out with high resolve, keeping Christ first in our lives. But soon our attention is diverted to things of lesser importance. One pursuit leads to another until we’ve strayed far from our original purpose. (Illust Bobby Scobey) Worldliness is horizontal life. Worldliness has nothing of the vertical in it. It has ambition; it has no aspirations. Its motto is success, not holiness. It is always saying, Onward, never Upward. A worldly man or woman is a man or woman who never says, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills…”
Prop: I Jn. 2:15-17 we’ll better understand the assault, evidence and folly of worldliness.
BG: 1. What is worldliness and why was John writing? Wasn’t early church perfect? No problems? People are the same regardless of place or time. Struggles are same.
2. Most likely John wrote these letters to circle of Asiatic churches in and around Ephesus.
3. Written near end of the 1st century. Believers then as today being pressured to conform.
Prop: Follow w/ me in I Jn. 2:15-17 as we see the assault, evidence, and folly of worldliness.
I. The Assault of Worldliness v. 15
A. John Admonishes his readers with a Stern Warning: “Do not love the world.”
1. 1st Question we should ask: “What in the world does John mean by the word world?”
a. World – kosmos – can mean a variety of different things in Johannine writing. 1st rule of Hermeneutics – “Context is king.” So in order to make an accurate interpretation, let alone application, we need to attempt to understand the context of the passage.
b. Illust: I love a lot of things about this world. I love God’s creation. I love my family and friends. I have a lot of hobbies and interests. Is John saying this is wrong? I don’t necessarily think so. Does God hate this world? No! We know that “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.” (Gen. 1:1) We know He deemed the world “good”. We know that this was done thru the beloved agency of “His Word” (Jn. 1:10). We know that this world was loved by God and is the object of His saving purposes. (Jn. 3:16-17), We know that Christ is the Light of this world. (Jn. 1:9 etc.), We know that Christ is the Savior of the World (Jn. 4:42). We know that He is the propitiation for the whole world (I Jn. 2:2). We Agree with John the Baptist’s proclamation that Jesus is the LOG Who takes away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29).
2. There is an assault of worldliness against both the Christian and the Church.
a. If we closely examine the context and remember the reason for the writing of the letter in the first place we remember that the Church was at this time undergoing a two-fold attack. The one attack was from without. There was persecution from the outside. There was also attack from within: false teachers – the more potentially damaging. Gnostics being the leading problem John was addressing. These Gnostic teachers believed that one could become so spiritual, by the influence of special knowledge, and spiritual experience that was separated from the body. They argued that God could not therefore come in the flesh. The believed this true spiritual knowledge allowed one to feed the desires of the flesh.
b. I think what we see here is John’s warning is an admonition of concern against the godless of this world and their orientation against God. This lies in worldliness. Worldliness does not reside so much in what one does or the places one goes (Although that can be telling.) but rather it resides squarely in the human heart and its affections and its attitude of pride and opposition towards God.
c. Illust – May I suggest that one of the 1st great examples of worldliness in human history took place at Babel in Gen. 11. (The world and worldly church wants to attach 1st 11 chapters of Genesis!) I would say the historical example of Babel’s rebellion towards God sets an example of a pattern throughout history of the “world’s” war against God. Babel had an anti-God leader of humanity (Nimrod). There are a lot of Nimrods today. There was an organized rebellion against the commands of God. (Disobey command to spread over whole earth.) There was a direct distrust of God’s Word and promises. (Attempt to build a future flood safe tower for the future as well as an attempt to share in God’s glory.) The whole story demonstrates a fundamental fact about the world system. The world’s progress, tech, govt., commerce, etc. can in some instances make us better off, but it can NEVER make us better! But because we all like the idea of “better off” its easy to fall in love w/the world.
B. In Light of this Warning How Should the Christian Respond?
1. Again, we ask a variation of our 1st question: “What in the world is worldliness?”
a. World – kosmos – 185x in NT, 105x by John. 78x in Gospel, 24x in Epistle, 3x in Rev. John clearly loves this word and the concept. Originally it meant “ordered” as the well-ordered ornament of God. The orderliness of the Universe is one of the evidences of Intelligent Design/Creation. Not a chance it took place by chance. And since the very definition of Evolution’s creative power is “Time and chance”, it’s an idea that is out of time and there’s not a chance it’s true. Kosmos also in time took on the connotation of :makeup”, which the Greeks believed gave an orderly ornament to women’s faces!
b. Illust: Cosmetic industry is a world-wide multi-billion $ industry. Highlights the beauty of femininity, “orderly ornamental”. However, in this passage John also declares there is something gruesome or grotesque this world system. That same cosmetic that can highlight the beauty of a Cindy Crawford or Heidi Klum or Tyra Banks (Showing my age!) looks absolutely appalling on Heath Ledger or Joaquin Phoenix or Heath Ledger as The Joker. That same “orderly ornamental” under the rule and reign of Satan in the heart of sinful man can be something utterly appalling and disgusting.
2. Be aware of being molded into the world’s system.
a. Worldliness is the world’s system or way of thinking that assaults you at every step and compels or coerces you to think like it thinks, act like it acts, and accepts what it accepts. It runs contradictory to the WOG. Illust: “Have to live w/ boyfriend or girlfriend to make sure compatible.” “Can’t possibly tithe with inflation or expenses.” “World is so evil/expensive we are choosing not to have kids.” “Need to make sure my kids can get into IVY League school so need to send them to govt. school.” “I need to be.. or I need to live…”
b. How do I begin to win the battle with worldliness? Break out of it’s mold! How? In your mind! Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
C. Applic: Dear one, you can withstand the assault of worldliness. By renewing your mind you can break out of the world-system’s mold.
II. The Evidences of Worldliness v. 16
*John boils “worldliness” down to three identifiable evidences.
A. John Declares that Living for the Lust of the Flesh is Evidence of Love for the World.
1. v.16 naturally explains v. 15 “For” – connects the verses, showing how a love for the things of the world demonstrates a lack of love for the Father. Illust: Please notice how these 3 evidences of worldliness parallel the account of the Temptation of Eve in Gen. 3:6. Eve saw that the forbidden fruit was good for food, which was an appeal to the lust of the flesh. She saw “that it was a delight to the eyes.” This appealed to the lust of the eyes. She saw “that the tree was desirable to make one wise.” This appealed to the boastful pride of life. Let me ask you, where did Eve get her intel? Her eyes and Satan’s voice! Christian, when it comes to the “Lust of the Flesh” we have to ask: “Who or what is giving me my intel?” Can my eyes be trusted?
2. Lust” refers to a strong desire or impulse. Almost always used negatively in the NT. “Flesh” refers to our fallen nature, which is not eradicated at salvation. “The lust of the flesh” includes any strong desire or inclination of our fallen nature, including sexual sins, but also all activity that stems from the self-seeking, godless human nature. Many natural desires are legitimate if they are kept under control and used in the sphere for which God designed them. The desires for food, companionship, sex, and security are legitimate when we keep them within God’s limits and when we do not allow them to usurp His rightful place in our hearts. But they become sinful when we seek to fulfill them in selfish & ungodly ways.
B. John Declares that Living for the Lust of the Eyes is Evidence of Love for the World.
1. This term points to the sinful desires of greed and covetousness (10th Commandment), to want that which you do not have, but which others may have. It also refers to the desires that stem from false, superficial values. Through our eyes, the world appeals to us to find satisfaction in the superficial, which never can satisfy. We think a new car, house, spouse, etc. will bring that enduring happiness…yet it doesn’t, because it cannot. “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” (WMSC Q1). The lust of the eyes seeks to glorify self and enjoy stuff forever.
2. Illust: II Sam. 11:2 records an account of the Lust of the Eyes. – “From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her.” David trusted his eyes, but his eyes deceived him. He never knew how much that lust would cost him. You see, the devil never tells you the price of the pleasure when it comes to lust. Illust: April 2005, family received a 3 night/most expense paid trip to Branson. I catch, had to listen to a 3 hr. presentation on time shares. We have great sales resistance so decided to go. Enjoyed visit, but now came the hard sell. Put in a room. Slick sales people Emotional appeals to vacations in past and future. Sounded great. Plenty of properties world-wide. Beautiful destinations with beautiful people. So appealing… UNTIL they pushed the papers for you to sign and you finally saw the cost and the commitment: 20 yrs at $x thousand!! Get me out of here! I told the kids to start fighting, throw a fit, “I’ll pay $20 to the 1st one of you who can throw up and fake stomach flu! (😊)
C. John Declares that Living for the Boastful Pride of Life is Evidence of Love for the World.
1. While the lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes refer to the desire to have what you do not have, the boastful pride of life refers to sinful pride over what you do have. It is the desire to be better than others so that you can glory in yourself and your accomplishments. Illust: I remember when one of my daughters was running track at CHS. One sprinter was very good. At an early (smaller) meet this man’s daughter smoked the competition. Proud father jumped up and yelled, “My daughter is the fastest girl in Iowa!” I get it. Proud of daughter. Just did well. That’s a pretty big boast. Think how differently: “Praise God for a good race and the strength to run it!”
2. There is a proper sense, of course, of doing your best in school, athletics, whatever passion is, work in order to be a good steward of God’s gifts and to bring glory to Him. But it’s easy to forget that He gave you everything that you have (1 Cor. 4:7). It’s like a turtle on a fence post. He didn’t get there on his own! It’s easy to think like Nebuchadnezzar, who said (Dan. 4:30), “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”
D. Illust -May I ask a question? Is there anything in our culture today that more succinctly demonstrates these 3 evidences of worldliness than our world’s obsession with “Pride Month”?”! Lust of the flesh. Lust of the Eyes. Boastful Pride of Life. It is the height of man’s rebellion against and rejection of God’s design. Politicians proclaim it, Governments glorify it., Corporations commend it. Colleges celebrate it. Educators extol it. Hollywood heightens it. And the media magnifies it. Maybe we could see about declaring July “Repentance Month! When we live in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, we imitate the world and the love of the Father does not reside in us.
III. The Folly of Worldliness v.17
A. Remember that This World is Passing Away with It’s Lusts
1. Worldliness Promotes the Lie that this World is Eternal and of Ultimate Value.
a. John says that this world system is passing away along with the three cardinal lusts which he just referenced. Think of how silly it is to spend our lives consumed with that which is transitory, that which is fading away and passing instead of the eternal. IN the past few weeks we’ve seen the likes of Donald Sutherland, Willie Mays, Jerry West, Bill Walton, Joe Lieberman, Toby Keith, David Sanborn, David Soul all pass from this world’s stage to the next. Actor’s, athletes, musicians, politicians. Wealth, power, prestige, influence. Best of medical care. Might delay but cancel the call of death.
b. Every person has a choice to make in relation to eternity. Either the what the Bible says about eternity is true or what the world says is true. Will we chose to love the Father or love the world? Which do you seek with more fervor: the wealth and honors of the world, or the riches of grace and the approval of God? Upon which do you get more joy: spending money for personal comforts and luxuries, or spending money to further the gospel? Which causes the deeper sorrow: a temporal loss, or a break in your fellowship with God? (AW Pink commentary, I Jn.)
2. Worldliness Promotes the Lie that This World is Eternal and has lasting Value.
a. Illust: When the Civil War began in 1861, the US gov. didn’t print paper money; only minted coins. The new Confederate government used a radical idea to finance the effort: print paper money. In 1861, Wars cost a lot of money so the new country, called the CSA, printed money as a way to pay its bills. But this money was more like a promise – technically, a “promissory note” – because its certificates were really pledges to give the currency’s holder a specific amount of gold or silver, if the Confederacy won the war. Bills issued earlier in the war said right on them, “Six months after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the United States, the Confederate States of America will pay” the bill’s amount to the person holding it. After the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863) the value of the “Graybacks” began to drop. By late 1864 they were worth 3 cents per US $. When the Confederate army surrendered in April 1865, graybacks lost any remaining value they might have had. The Confederacy no longer existed, so there was nobody who would exchange its paper money for gold or silver.
b. Friend, are you believing Satan lies that like Confederate Script aren’t worth the value of the paper printed on? Turn to Christ!
B. As Believers We Need to Obey Our Father with Eternity in View.
1. To obey the Father is to maintain your love for Him. The opposite of loving the world is not only loving the Father, but also obeying Him—“doing the will of God.” “The will of God” here does not refer to following His direction in your life. It refers to obeying His commandments as revealed in His Word. As Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10).
2. Identify What is Eternal and Live with That in Mind.
a. Illust: When David was early middle school took him to the dump. We sat for just a minute and I said to him: “What do all these things have in common?” “They are in the dump.” “Someone thought they were valuable. Someone worked for them. Someone bought them. Someone thought they would bring happiness. Today they are literally on the trash heap of life. Doesn’t mean can’t enjoy or purchase or like nice things. But just remember they were all once new and someone worked hard to purchase them. Now, they are sitting in a dump.
b. A key reason to obey God’s commandments is the transitory nature of this world and its lusts. God’s Word is eternal: “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides [lit.] forever”.
C. Conclusion: In Lk. 4:1-12 we read of the temptation of Christ. The same evidences John writes of here, were evident in Satan’s temptation of Jesus. Satan urged Jesus to turn the stones into bread (the lust of the flesh). He showed Him all the kingdoms of the earth, offering to give them to Him (the lust of the eyes). He encouraged Him to jump off the pinnacle of the temple, which could have been a source of pride in this miraculous accomplishment (boastful pride). Friend, if you are struggling living in one of these three evidences, you need the Savior, Jesus Christ.
