Deliverance from the Present Evil World

 

Summary

In the epistle to the Galatians, Paul presents a profound message about the nature of the world and the purpose of the gospel. The world, as described by Paul, is a "present evil world" from which Christ came to deliver us. This world is not permanent; it is temporary and passing, a mere stage in the grand narrative of God's creation. The gospel, therefore, is not just a personal message of salvation but a cosmic declaration of God's plan to rescue humanity from the grip of this evil age.

The world, according to the biblical perspective, is not a product of random evolution but a creation of God, initially perfect but now marred by sin. This present age is characterized by evil, governed by a malevolent force that opposes God and His purposes. This evil manifests in the lawlessness, unhappiness, and confusion that pervade human existence. The gospel confronts this reality head-on, offering not just a critique of the world's condition but a solution through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Christ's mission was to deliver us from this present evil world, a world that is doomed and under the judgment of God. The gospel calls us to recognize the temporary nature of this world and to seek deliverance through Christ. This deliverance is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a divine act of grace, a rescue operation initiated by God Himself. In Christ, we find the power to break free from the world's entanglements and to live in the light of God's coming kingdom.

The message is clear: the world as we know it is not the ultimate reality. There is a new world, a new age to come, where righteousness dwells. Our hope lies not in improving this present world but in being delivered from it, in being part of God's new creation. This is the essence of the gospel, a message of hope and transformation that transcends the limitations of this present age.

Key Takeaways:

- The world is temporary and passing, not the ultimate reality. It is crucial to understand that our current existence is just a stage in God's grand narrative. This perspective helps us prioritize eternal values over temporary pleasures. [24:46]

- The world is inherently evil, governed by forces that oppose God. Recognizing this helps us understand the root of the world's problems and the necessity of divine intervention. It challenges us to live counter-culturally, aligning ourselves with God's kingdom. [30:04]

- Deliverance from this world is only possible through Christ. Our efforts to save ourselves or improve the world are futile without divine intervention. Christ's redemptive work is the only means of true liberation. [50:32]

- The gospel is both intensely personal and universally relevant. It addresses individual salvation and the cosmic scope of God's plan. This dual focus helps us see our personal faith as part of a larger divine purpose. [13:24]

- The hope of the gospel lies in the new creation, not in improving the present world. Our ultimate hope is in God's promise of a new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. This future-oriented perspective gives us strength and purpose in the present. [48:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:07] - Introduction and Apology for Audio Quality
- [00:24] - Reading from Galatians
- [01:11] - Focus on Deliverance from the Present Evil World
- [02:22] - The Confusion About the Gospel
- [03:17] - The Authority of the Gospel
- [05:09] - The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
- [07:10] - The Importance of Listening to the Gospel
- [09:02] - Misconceptions About the Gospel
- [13:07] - The Gospel's Address to the World
- [14:37] - The Nature of the Present World
- [18:21] - Non-Christian Views of the World
- [24:23] - The Biblical View of the World
- [30:04] - The Evil Nature of the World
- [39:30] - The World's Opposition to God
- [48:16] - The Doom of the Present World
- [50:32] - The Need for Deliverance
- [52:13] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 1:3-5

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean by describing the world as a "present evil world" in Galatians 1:4? How does this description align with the sermon’s portrayal of the world? [24:23]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Christ's mission to deliver us from this present evil world? [50:32]
3. How does the sermon describe the nature of the world and its opposition to God? [30:04]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the world is temporary and passing? How does this perspective influence a believer's priorities? [24:46]
2. The sermon mentions that the world is governed by forces that oppose God. How does this understanding challenge believers to live counter-culturally? [30:04]
3. How does the sermon explain the dual focus of the gospel as both personal and cosmic? What implications does this have for individual believers? [13:24]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea that the world is temporary and passing. How does this perspective affect your daily decisions and priorities? [24:46]
2. The sermon challenges us to live counter-culturally. What specific actions can you take this week to align yourself more closely with God's kingdom rather than the world's values? [30:04]
3. Consider the concept of deliverance through Christ. Are there areas in your life where you are trying to achieve deliverance on your own? How can you rely more on Christ's redemptive work? [50:32]
4. The sermon emphasizes the hope of the gospel in the new creation. How can this future-oriented perspective give you strength and purpose in your current circumstances? [48:16]
5. How can you incorporate the cosmic scope of the gospel into your personal faith journey? What steps can you take to see your faith as part of a larger divine purpose? [13:24]
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel entangled by the world's values. What practical steps can you take to break free from these entanglements and live in the light of God's coming kingdom? [50:32]
7. The sermon calls us to recognize the world's inherent evil. How can you be more vigilant in identifying and resisting the influences that oppose God in your daily life? [30:04]

Devotional

Day 1: The Temporary Nature of Our World
The world we live in is not the ultimate reality; it is temporary and passing. This understanding is crucial as it helps us prioritize eternal values over temporary pleasures. Recognizing the transient nature of our current existence allows us to focus on God's grand narrative and align our lives with His eternal purposes. By doing so, we can live with a sense of purpose and hope, knowing that our true home is in the new creation that God has promised. [24:46]

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

Reflection: What temporary pleasures or pursuits are you prioritizing over eternal values? How can you shift your focus to align more closely with God's eternal purposes today?


Day 2: Recognizing the World's Inherent Evil
The world is inherently evil, governed by forces that oppose God. This understanding helps us grasp the root of the world's problems and the necessity of divine intervention. It challenges us to live counter-culturally, aligning ourselves with God's kingdom rather than the world's values. By recognizing the world's evil nature, we can better understand the importance of seeking God's guidance and strength to navigate the challenges we face. [30:04]

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to conform to the world's values? How can you actively choose to live counter-culturally in alignment with God's kingdom today?


Day 3: Deliverance Through Christ Alone
Deliverance from this world is only possible through Christ. Our efforts to save ourselves or improve the world are futile without divine intervention. Christ's redemptive work is the only means of true liberation, offering us the power to break free from the world's entanglements and live in the light of God's coming kingdom. This deliverance is a divine act of grace, reminding us of our dependence on God for salvation and transformation. [50:32]

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own strength rather than Christ's redemptive work? How can you surrender these areas to Him today?


Day 4: The Gospel's Personal and Cosmic Relevance
The gospel is both intensely personal and universally relevant. It addresses individual salvation and the cosmic scope of God's plan, helping us see our personal faith as part of a larger divine purpose. This dual focus encourages us to live out our faith with a sense of mission, knowing that our lives are part of God's grand narrative of redemption and restoration. [13:24]

"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God." (Romans 8:19, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the cosmic scope of the gospel change the way you view your personal faith journey? What steps can you take to align your life with God's larger purpose today?


Day 5: Hope in the New Creation
The hope of the gospel lies in the new creation, not in improving the present world. Our ultimate hope is in God's promise of a new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. This future-oriented perspective gives us strength and purpose in the present, enabling us to endure challenges and live with hope and anticipation of what is to come. [48:16]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of a new creation influence your perspective on current challenges? What practical steps can you take to live with hope and anticipation of God's future promises today?

Quotes


The first thing in other words that the Bible tells us about the world is that this is only the present world this is the present aim what do you mean by that someone well no we must go all the way back we must look at it from the very beginning we must take a big comprehensive view of the biblical teaching with regard to the world what is the world how does it come into being [00:24:46]

God made a perfect world and it made men as a part of it and put him into it very well but you see something's happened this present evil world says the Apostle I want to emphasize this present the whole suggestion at once is that this is only a temporary world it isn't permanent now that's the fatal thing about that other view that I've just outlined to you it regards this world as permanent solid fixed eternal [00:26:04]

The Bible talks about this present world this present age and then he talks about the age to come the world to come it's here everyone it was in the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ this apostle and the other apostles speak of it did you notice it in that second epistle of Peter chapter three we look for a new heavens and a new earth that's the age to come this is a passing age [00:27:37]

The world that you and I are living in his evil this present evil world what does he mean he means this it doesn't conform to God's pattern it isn't straight it isn't true it isn't right it's lost the upright it's gonna stir it it's fallen off it's an evil world yes it is an evil world you see because not only does it not obey God not only is it a first regard [00:30:04]

The world is under the Dominion of Satan governed by the devil governed by the god of this one in the grip of a malign infernal hateful power whose one object and ambition is wrecked God's perfect work despite the evil one but is this true well let's go on without analysis it the word the term evil means this that there is a vicious principle at work in this world and controlling it [00:31:06]

Evil always leads to those consequences evil invariably makes things ugly it's a smear on the face of beauty evil because it is the breaking of a law always leads to lawlessness and in exactly the same way evil because it breaks into harmony leads to unhappiness and confusion and heartbreak and what is astonishing to me is that anybody could possibly dispute that who has eyes to see at the present time [00:33:37]

The message of the gospel is this that we need to be delivered from this present evil world it's our only hope we must get out of the city of destruction that's its message how can we do so we cannot do so try as you will to get out of it as I say escape into a monastery become a monk or a hermit on top of a mountain take up this eremitic view do anything you like you'll find the world is always with you because the world is in you [00:48:16]

There is only one who can do it we are so tied to the world and so involved in it that we can't its entangle and extricate ourselves we haven't got that mighty Excalibur that can sever the ties and set us free have you ever tried to liberate yourself have you tried to liberate your mind or your heart or your imagination have you ever tried to live the pure and the holy and the clean and the godly like we'll go and try it and you'll find you can't you'll fail [00:50:32]

In spite of all that is so true of the world and of us in sin God in His everlasting love sent His only begotten Son into in order that he might deliver us out of it from its influence its enticements it vicious principle yes and from it so that there is only one thing that you and I can do they're involved in X clickety in the world and unable to set ourselves free [00:52:13]

The hope of the gospel lies in the new creation, not in improving the present world. Our ultimate hope is in God's promise of a new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. This future-oriented perspective gives us strength and purpose in the present. [00:48:16]

The gospel is both intensely personal and universally relevant. It addresses individual salvation and the cosmic scope of God's plan. This dual focus helps us see our personal faith as part of a larger divine purpose. [00:13:24]

Deliverance from this world is only possible through Christ. Our efforts to save ourselves or improve the world are futile without divine intervention. Christ's redemptive work is the only means of true liberation. [00:50:32]

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Transcript
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