Who Do You Love Series

Who Do You Love

Text: 1 Jn. 2:15-17

Introduction

1. Illustration:

2. Beloved we cannot love the world and still love Christ. It has to be one or the other, because like oil and water they do not mix.

3. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)

17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."

4. John tells us that we cannot love the world and love Christ because...

A. The World Squeezes Out The Father's Love

B. The World Is Self-Centered

C. The World Is Fading Away

5. Stand with me this morning as we read 1 John 2:15-17.

Proposition: Our love of God has to be more important than anything in the world.

Transition: The first reason we are to not love the world is because...

I. The World Squeezes Out The Father's Love (15).

A. Do Not Love The World

1. The world system is committed to at least four major objectives, which I can summarize in four words: fortune, fame, power, pleasure. First and foremost: Fortune, money. The world system is driven by money; it feeds on materialism. Second: Fame. That is another word for popularity. Fame is the longing to be known, to be somebody in someone else's eyes. Third: Power. This is having influence, maintaining control over individuals or groups or companies or whatever. It is the desire to manipulate and maneuver others to do something for one's own benefit. Fourth: Pleasure. At its basic level, pleasure has to do with fulfilling one's sensual desires. It's the same mindset that's behind the slogan: "If it feels good, do it." (Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p.219).

2. The main point that John is making in our text this morning is that everything in the "world system," love of money, fame, power and lust, are contrary to the Gospel, and therefore, should be shunned by all disciples of Jesus!

3. The beloved Apostle begins our text this morning with, "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you."

A. John begins this verse by issuing the command that the believer is not to love the world or anything in the world.

B. Initially this command sounds strange given the fact that John 3:16 says clearly and beautifully that God loves the world and the fact that 1 John 2:2 says the Son made atonement for the sins of the world. What is the difference?

C. The difference is found in the way John uses the term kosmos in each instance. Contextual considerations are crucial (context, context, context).

D. In this letter and his Gospel, John employs this term in three distinct and basic ways: (1) the created universe ; (2) the world of human persons; and (3) an evil organized earthly system controlled by the power of Satan that has aligned itself against God and his kingdom.

E. In these verses John uses the third meaning.

F. The verb agapao, used in this context to describe both the love of the world and the love of the Father could carry a different meaning in each usage.

G. It is argued that when the word is used in its "Christian" sense it should be translated "love," but when it is used in a negative way it should be translated "take a fancy to" or "to place a higher value on."

H. When an individual believer fulfills the love command by showing compassion to a brother or sister (2:10), this love is properly motivated and properly directed.

I. When people love the world, they are misapplying this human emotion in a way that will lead to their demise.

J. In a sense love is neutral. The object of one’s love or affection is decisive.

K. One must be careful that this love is going in the right direction and that it acts in a manner consistent with Christian confession.

L. John charges us to love neither the world in general nor the things of the world in particular. The command is comprehensive. Our allegiance must not be divided. Our affection must be focused and specific.

4. The correct application of love springs from the fact that the believer has a singular loyalty and commitment to the Father.

A. This verse states clearly that one cannot love the world and love God at the same time.

B. The absolute nature of this statement is striking and compels careful and serious reflection.

C. The stakes are high. Because the Father’s kingdom is at war with the kingdom of this world, the two will never coexist peacefully. To pledge allegiance to one side is to declare opposition to the other (Akin, New American Commentary – Volume 38: 1, 2, 3 John, 107-108).