Choosing God Over the Allure of the World

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves caught between the allure of the world and the call of our Heavenly Father. The world, with its pressures and temptations, seeks to mold us into its image, much like a potter shapes clay. Romans 12:2 warns us not to conform to this world, emphasizing the importance of resisting the pressures that seek to redefine our values and beliefs. In today's postmodern society, where the Judeo-Christian worldview is increasingly marginalized, the pressure to conform is greater than ever. This pressure can lead to a loss of intimacy with God, as our love for the world can jeopardize our relationship with Him.

James 4:4 reminds us that friendship with the world is hostility toward God. As Christians, we must be vigilant not to let the world dictate our values. Our love for the Father should surpass any affection we have for worldly things. We are called to be in the world but not of it, participating without adopting its values. This distinction sets us apart, making us unique in our spheres of influence.

The analogy of a fish out of water illustrates the struggle of living in an environment we were not created for. Just as a fish thrives in water, we thrive when we operate within the kingdom of God. Our redemption calls us to live according to a different worldview, one that aligns with God's kingdom rather than the world's fleeting values.

The world is temporary, and its allure is deceptive. It may seem appealing, but it ultimately leaves us empty. We must remember that the world is passing away, and our focus should be on the eternal. By aligning ourselves with God's will, we find true fulfillment and purpose. Our challenge is to choose the Father over the world, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance is to Him.

Key Takeaways:

- The world pressures us to conform to its image, but Romans 12:2 calls us to resist this molding. We must be vigilant in maintaining our values and not allow the world to redefine them. Our identity in Christ should be our guiding force, not the shifting standards of society. [00:28]

- Friendship with the world creates enmity with God, as stated in James 4:4. Our love for the Father should surpass any affection for worldly things. This requires a conscious decision to prioritize our relationship with God over the temporary allure of the world. [06:05]

- Living in the world but not adopting its values sets us apart as Christians. We are called to be unique in our spheres of influence, participating without conforming. Our love for the Father should guide our actions and decisions, distinguishing us from the world. [07:21]

- The analogy of a fish out of water illustrates the struggle of living in an environment we were not created for. We thrive when we operate within the kingdom of God, aligning ourselves with His values and purpose. Our redemption calls us to live according to a different worldview. [09:26]

- The world is temporary, and its allure is deceptive. We must focus on the eternal, aligning ourselves with God's will for true fulfillment. By choosing the Father over the world, we find purpose and meaning beyond the fleeting values of society. [12:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Love Affair with the World
- [00:28] - Conforming to the World
- [01:10] - Pressure to Conform
- [02:03] - Postmodern Pressures
- [03:17] - Values and Compassion
- [04:04] - Church and Society
- [05:02] - Love of the Father
- [06:05] - Friendship with the World
- [07:21] - Living in the World
- [08:32] - Fish Out of Water
- [09:26] - Redeemed for Another Kingdom
- [10:17] - Present World Temptations
- [11:18] - Clash of Values
- [12:32] - The World is Passing Away

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:2
- James 4:4
- Galatians 6:14

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 12:2, what does it mean to be "conformed to this world," and how does the sermon describe this process? [00:28]

2. In James 4:4, what is the relationship between friendship with the world and hostility toward God? How does the sermon explain this concept? [06:05]

3. How does the analogy of a potter and clay illustrate the world's influence on us, as mentioned in the sermon? [00:28]

4. What does the sermon say about the temporary nature of the world and its allure? [12:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "be not conformed to this world" in Romans 12:2, and what practical steps does it suggest for resisting this conformity? [01:10]

2. What does the sermon suggest is the consequence of having a "love affair with the world," and how does this affect one's relationship with God? [05:44]

3. How does the sermon use the analogy of a fish out of water to describe the Christian's struggle in the world, and what does this imply about our true environment? [09:04]

4. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be "crucified from the world" as mentioned in Galatians 6:14, and how should this influence a Christian's daily life? [07:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel pressured to conform to the world's standards? How can you resist this pressure in practical ways this week? [01:30]

2. Consider your current friendships and relationships. Are there any that might be drawing you away from intimacy with God? How can you prioritize your relationship with God over these influences? [06:05]

3. The sermon mentions the temporary nature of the world. What are some worldly pursuits or desires that you find yourself clinging to, and how can you shift your focus to eternal values? [12:32]

4. Think about your workplace or school environment. How can you be a representative of God's kingdom without adopting the values of the world around you? [07:39]

5. The sermon uses the analogy of a fish out of water. In what ways do you feel like you are "out of water" in your spiritual journey, and how can you realign yourself with God's kingdom? [09:04]

6. How can you cultivate a deeper love for the Father that surpasses any affection for worldly things? What specific actions can you take to nurture this love? [05:02]

7. Reflect on a recent decision or action. Was it influenced more by the world's values or by your love for the Father? How can you ensure future decisions align with God's will? [04:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Resisting the World's Mold
In our journey of faith, we are constantly faced with the pressure to conform to the world's standards and values. Romans 12:2 urges us to resist this molding, reminding us that our identity in Christ should be our guiding force. The world seeks to redefine our values, often leading us away from the truth of God's Word. In a society where the Judeo-Christian worldview is increasingly marginalized, the challenge to maintain our values is greater than ever. We must be vigilant, ensuring that our beliefs are not swayed by the shifting standards of society. Our identity in Christ is not just a label but a call to live differently, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. [00:28]

"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." (1 John 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you felt pressured to conform to the world's standards recently? How can you actively resist this pressure and align yourself more closely with your identity in Christ today?


Day 2: Prioritizing Our Relationship with God
James 4:4 warns us that friendship with the world is hostility toward God. As Christians, we are called to prioritize our relationship with God over the temporary allure of the world. This requires a conscious decision to place our love for the Father above any affection for worldly things. The world offers many distractions that can lead us away from God, but our ultimate allegiance must be to Him. By choosing God over the world, we find true fulfillment and purpose, as our lives are aligned with His will. This choice is not always easy, but it is essential for maintaining our intimacy with God. [06:05]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one worldly thing that has been competing for your attention and affection? How can you consciously choose to prioritize your relationship with God over this today?


Day 3: Living Uniquely in the World
As Christians, we are called to be in the world but not of it. This means participating in society without adopting its values. Our love for the Father should guide our actions and decisions, setting us apart as unique in our spheres of influence. By living according to God's values, we become a light in the darkness, showing others the way to true fulfillment and purpose. This distinction is not about isolation but about being a positive influence in the world, demonstrating the love and truth of Christ in all we do. [07:21]

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you be a light in your community or workplace today, demonstrating God's values in a way that sets you apart?


Day 4: Thriving in God's Kingdom
The analogy of a fish out of water illustrates the struggle of living in an environment we were not created for. Just as a fish thrives in water, we thrive when we operate within the kingdom of God. Our redemption calls us to live according to a different worldview, one that aligns with God's kingdom rather than the world's fleeting values. By aligning ourselves with God's values and purpose, we find true fulfillment and meaning. This requires a conscious effort to live according to God's standards, even when it goes against the grain of society. [09:26]

"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel like a fish out of water? How can you align yourself more closely with God's kingdom values in these areas?


Day 5: Focusing on the Eternal
The world is temporary, and its allure is deceptive. It may seem appealing, but it ultimately leaves us empty. We must focus on the eternal, aligning ourselves with God's will for true fulfillment. By choosing the Father over the world, we find purpose and meaning beyond the fleeting values of society. This requires a shift in perspective, recognizing that our ultimate goal is not the temporary pleasures of this world but the eternal joy of being with God. By keeping our eyes on the eternal, we can navigate the challenges of this world with hope and confidence. [12:52]

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can shift your focus from the temporary to the eternal today? How can this change in perspective impact your daily life and decisions?

Quotes


if you love the world your relationship with your daddy in heaven has been jeopardized he's still your father cuz you're his child if you're a Christian but you have jeopardized intimacy so one of the reasons why more of us aren't experiencing more of God is we got too great a love affair with the world and God is saying well if you want the world you can't have me [00:00:00]

Romans 12 says be not conformed to this world that that's a picturesque word uh it's it's used of a of a of of a person who handles clay this Potter handles clay and he mows it he conforms it into an image that he has in his mind if he wants a plate he makes the clay into a plate or a pot or a cup or a saucer or a bowl he conforms it to an image [00:00:28]

you and I live in a world that wants to pressure you into its image pressure you into thinking like it thinks walking like it walks talking like it talks acting like it acts accepting what it's decept and it will make you look like a fool if you don't abide by the pressure and if you don't go with the program will threaten to cancel you [00:01:34]

postmodernism is where the judeo Christian worldview has been rejected there used to be a time even when it wasn't consistently ad heard to that there was an atmosphere where a judeo-christian world view was at least respected even by non-christians but the more secular the culture has become the more that world view has been jettisoned [00:02:08]

don't let the world force you into its mold that is to accept its values now now that does not mean that you're not without compassion you're not without love you're not without consideration not without concern you just have values that are cannot be adjusted right don't let the World Press you you should be concerned about the pressure [00:03:08]

if you're going to be serious as a Christian then you cannot fall into the Fatal trap of conforming being pressed into a world order that leaves God out he says love not the world neither the things that are in the world and then he tells you why that's not a good idea because he says at the end of verse one if anyone that means no exceptions loves the world the love of the father is not in him [00:04:24]

James 4:4 says friendship with the world is hostility with God so it's not even like we can't even be friends with the world friendship with the world makes you God's enemy so God has a lot of enemies among his children and they don't even know that they're the father's enemy but then we called on father to help us be closer to his enemy the world [00:06:01]

I am crucified from the world in other words I'm in it I participate with it but what I don't do is adopt the values of it amen amen so I'm not like everybody else on the job I'm not like everybody else in the school I'm not like everybody else in the neighborhood I'm not like them because I don't love that what I love is the father [00:07:11]

we've all seen a fish out of water if you've seen a fish out of water is trying to survive you know it's trying to make it the problem is it's trying to make it an envir in an environment it was never created for see it's struggling to exist and the reason the only reason the fish is struggling is because it's not supposed to be there [00:08:32]

far too many of God's children are gills flopping and mouths open because we are operating in an environment we were not redeemed for for we were redeemed for another kingdom and God wants us to operate out of that world view not this world view and if you're trying to operate off of this worldview when you were born again for this world view you're going to be sucking satanic air [00:09:06]

the world is passing away and also it's lust but the one who does the will of God abides forever he says you need to understand something the world is passing away it's going to leave you or you going to leave it that's right don't make permanent something that's temporary don't make permanent something that's temporary the world is passing away [00:12:41]

the world is passing away so don't act like it's not going nowhere or you not going nowhere something something's going to move here the world is passing away [00:13:24]

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Transcript
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