"The Church In The World-The World In The Church"
Text-Romans 1:1-17
Sermon by-Rev. Danny Moss dannymoss777@yahoo.com
Introduction-
The word "world" is used many times in the
Bible. It is the Greek word "kosmos," which means
"an orderly arrangement of things."
-sometimes it is used to speak of the human beings in
the world
-sometimes it is used of the created planet
-it is also used of a "system of evil ruled by Satan
and all his evil forces that draw people away from
God" Satan is the "god of this world." He rules
as the "Prince of the power of the air." His do-
main is not Hell, but the atmosphere around the
earth.
It is when the word is used in that last
sense that it has an evil connotation. Therefore,
the Bible tells us-
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in
the world. If any man love 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." 1st John 2:15-16
"Who(Christ) gave Himself for our sins, that He
might deliver us from this present evil world."
Notice that this present world, with all of its
hate, jealousy, pride, greed, selfishness, and
so forth, is classified as evil. That is, this
world that is ruled over and dominated by Satan.
That is why Jesus said the world hated Him, and
that it hates His followers, because they are
not in agreement with this system of evil. His
kingdom is a heavenly kingdom, ruled by God, full
of righteousness, justice, and peace. So, as
James informs us, "Whoever will be a friend of
the world is the enemy of God."
I. THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
It is God’s will to send the church out into the
world. The church(Gk. ekklesia-"called out ones"),
those whom God has chosen to be His in this world,
are called to go into the world to be His witnesses,
and to bring glory to His name.
It is good when the church is in the world, but not
of the world, adopting its evil influences and
ideas. We are called to be the "light of the
world," and the "salt of the earth." We, as be-
lievers, are to permeate society, and influence it
for good, to call men to faith in God, and to
destroy the works of Satan. We are to preserve
society, and to be "an oasis of spiritual satis-
faction supplying living water in a desert of
dryness and despair." We are to be "a city set on
a hill," shining forth God’s love and forgiveness.
The world is where God means for His people to be.
It is where we must be if we are to accomplish any
good for mankind who all are dying of spiritual
thirst. We are sent by Christ into the world.
In the New Testament we read of the church at Rome,
or Philippi, or Corinth. They were put there by
God to serve Him, and reach others for Him. I be-
lieve we all have a certain place where God wants
us, and it is there that we are to serve Him. I
believe there is a certain church He wants you to
be in, and a certain community He wants you to
live in.
II. THE WORLD IN THE CHURCH
This is a sad thing, a destructive thing, when the
church that God has put in a certain place to be
His light allows the teachings and influences of
an evil society to creep in, and destroy its
witness and effectiveness for God. Unfortunately,
many churches apparently do this, for our society
and culture is becoming more and more ungodly,
even though there is much "religion" all around
us. We cannot be used of God in the world if we
allow ourselves to be conformed to the world, and
are no different in the way we think, dress, act,
and believe. But, we see that many modern day
churches have adopted the culture’s views of
marriage and divorce, homosexuality, wealth seek-
ing, abortion, and so much more. Instead of
confronting, challenging, and changing the world,
we have compromised and conformed to the ways of
the world, instead of vice-versa.
God help us, and send Revival! In the church we
see worldly dress and talk, worldly fights and
quarrels, worldly goals and ambitions, worldly
competition, and worldly pride and selfishness.
How do you recognize a "worldly church or worldly
believer." Look for things such as compromising
Christian truth plainly taught in the Word of God,
low morals, false teachings, seeking human praise
and recognition, selfishess, greed for money and
possessions, self-glorification, and the pursuit
of momentary pleasures, rather than eternal
riches.
Erwin Lutzer, in his book "Pastor to Pastor,"
which I am teaching in Seminary Extension to
preachers says-
"...if we accomodate Scripture to whatever wind
is blowing, we will become so absorbed by our
culture, that we will have nothing to say to it."
He has some tremendous insights into what we need
in our churches today. I would recommend his
book to every preacher concerned with doing what
is pleasing to God.
May God help us to stay in the world, and be an
influence for Him in it, but not to "sell out to
Satan" for worldly praise and recognition. Some-
day, He will reward all who have been faithful
in serving Him.
