Investing in Eternity: Navigating Worldliness and Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Guarding Against Worldly Influences

Our relationship with God should be authentic and free from the influence of worldliness. Just as human relationships can be strained by external pressures, our spiritual relationship can be threatened by worldly desires and values. We must guard against these influences to maintain a true connection with God. The world often presents itself in appealing ways, tempting us with desires that seem fulfilling but ultimately lead us away from God. By recognizing these distractions, we can focus on nurturing our relationship with God, ensuring it remains genuine and untainted by the world's allure. [00:41]

1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."

Reflection: Identify a specific worldly influence that has been distracting you from your relationship with God. How can you actively guard against it this week?

Day 2: Discernment in a Worldly Culture

Worldliness is not about appreciating the beauty of creation or humanity but involves adopting the world's rebellious philosophies and values. The story of the Tower of Babel illustrates how human achievements, when rooted in rebellion against God, ultimately fail. We must discern and reject these worldly influences. The world often promotes values that are contrary to God's teachings, encouraging us to prioritize self-interest and material success over spiritual growth. By developing discernment, we can recognize these influences and choose to align our lives with God's truth instead. [04:22]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. Did it align more with worldly values or with God's values? How can you cultivate discernment to make choices that honor God?

Day 3: The Temporary Nature of Worldly Pursuits

The world's system, characterized by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, offers temporary rewards that cannot satisfy our eternal needs. True fulfillment comes from aligning our desires with God's will and investing in eternal treasures. The allure of worldly success and pleasure can be strong, but these pursuits are fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. By focusing on what is eternal, we can find lasting joy and purpose in our relationship with God and in serving others. [16:52]

1 John 2:17 (ESV): "And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you are pursuing temporary satisfaction. How can you shift your focus to invest in what is eternal?

Day 4: Investing in Eternal Treasures

We are encouraged to invest in eternal things: our relationship with God, His Word, and the people around us. These are the treasures that will endure beyond this world. By focusing on these eternal aspects, we can live a life that honors God and impacts others for His glory. Our time and resources are limited, and choosing to invest them in what truly matters can lead to a life of significance and fulfillment. By prioritizing our spiritual growth and relationships, we can leave a lasting legacy that reflects God's love and truth. [31:09]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to invest in your relationship with God or in the lives of others?

Day 5: Living Distinctively in the World

As believers, we are called to be in the world but not of it. This means engaging with society while maintaining our distinctiveness as followers of Christ. We must evaluate our standards for success, attractiveness, and spirituality, ensuring they reflect God's values rather than the world's. Living distinctively requires courage and intentionality, as it often means going against the cultural norms. By staying true to our identity in Christ, we can be a light in the world, influencing others with God's love and truth. [15:36]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your distinctiveness as a follower of Christ in your daily interactions and choices?

Sermon Summary

In 1 John 2:15-17, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining a genuine relationship with God, free from the distractions and temptations of worldliness. John warns us against loving the world, not in the sense of appreciating the beauty of creation or humanity, but in terms of adopting the world's philosophies and values that stand in opposition to God's ways. The world, as John describes, is a system of sinful humanity united in rebellion against God, often prioritizing progress and success over glorifying Him.

The story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 serves as a poignant example of humanity's collective rebellion against God. Despite their impressive achievements, the people of Babel were ultimately defeated by God, illustrating that the world's system, no matter how advanced, cannot prevail against Him. This narrative underscores the futility of investing in worldly pursuits that are destined to pass away.

John identifies the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life as key elements of worldliness that threaten our relationship with God. These desires can be seen in everyday life, such as in advertisements that appeal to our cravings, visual desires, and need for status. However, these worldly attractions are not of God and do not lead to true fulfillment.

Instead, we are called to invest in eternal things: our relationship with God, His Word, and the people around us. These are the treasures that will last beyond this world. As believers, we are challenged to examine our standards for success, attractiveness, and spirituality, ensuring they align with God's values rather than the world's. By doing so, we can live in the world without being of the world, fulfilling our higher calling to impact society for God's glory.

Key Takeaways

1. Genuine Relationship with God: Our relationship with God should be authentic and free from the influence of worldliness. Just as human relationships can be strained by external pressures, our spiritual relationship can be threatened by worldly desires and values. We must guard against these influences to maintain a true connection with God. [00:41]
2. Understanding Worldliness: Worldliness is not about appreciating the beauty of creation or humanity but involves adopting the world's rebellious philosophies and values. The story of the Tower of Babel illustrates how human achievements, when rooted in rebellion against God, ultimately fail. We must discern and reject these worldly influences. [04:22]
3. The Futility of Worldly Pursuits: The world's system, characterized by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, offers temporary rewards that cannot satisfy our eternal needs. True fulfillment comes from aligning our desires with God's will and investing in eternal treasures. [16:52]
4. Eternal Investments: We are encouraged to invest in eternal things: our relationship with God, His Word, and the people around us. These are the treasures that will endure beyond this world. By focusing on these eternal aspects, we can live a life that honors God and impacts others for His glory. [31:09]
5. Living in the World, Not of It: As believers, we are called to be in the world but not of it. This means engaging with society while maintaining our distinctiveness as followers of Christ. We must evaluate our standards for success, attractiveness, and spirituality, ensuring they reflect God's values rather than the world's. [15:36]
** [15:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Introduction to 1 John 2:15-17
[01:08] - The Problem of Worldliness
[02:45] - Understanding "The World"
[04:22] - The Concept of Worldly Thinking
[05:37] - The Tower of Babel: A Case Study
[07:45] - Distrust of God's Promises
[09:14] - The World's System vs. God's Will
[11:17] - The Rewards and Traps of Worldliness
[12:37] - Loving the World vs. Loving God
[16:52] - The Lust of the Flesh, Eyes, and Pride of Life
[19:21] - The Influence of Worldly Desires
[22:53] - Examining Our Standards
[26:32] - The Foolishness of Worldliness
[30:44] - Investing in Eternal Things

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 John 2:15-17
- Genesis 11:1-9
- Genesis 3:6

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Observation Questions:

What does John mean by "the world" in 1 John 2:15-17, and how does it differ from the physical world or humanity? [04:22]
How does the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 illustrate the concept of worldliness as described in the sermon? [05:37]
What are the three elements of worldliness identified by John in 1 John 2:16, and how do they manifest in everyday life? [16:52]
According to the sermon, what is the ultimate fate of the world and its desires, as stated in 1 John 2:17? [27:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of worldliness challenge a believer's relationship with God, and what are the potential consequences of loving the world? [11:36]
In what ways does the story of Eve in Genesis 3:6 serve as an example of succumbing to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life? [17:39]
How does the sermon suggest believers should evaluate their standards for success, attractiveness, and spirituality to ensure they align with God's values? [23:06]
What does it mean to be "in the world but not of the world," and how can believers fulfill this calling according to the sermon? [15:36]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there any worldly influences that might be straining this relationship? How can you guard against these influences? [00:41]
Consider the values and philosophies you encounter in your daily life. How can you discern and reject those that are contrary to God's ways? [04:22]
Identify a specific area in your life where the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life might be influencing your decisions. What steps can you take to align this area with God's will? [16:52]
Think about your investments in terms of time, energy, and resources. Are they focused on eternal things, such as your relationship with God and others? How can you shift your focus to what truly matters? [31:09]
Evaluate your standards for success and attractiveness. Do they reflect worldly values or God's values? What changes can you make to ensure they align with God's perspective? [23:06]
How can you actively engage with society while maintaining your distinctiveness as a follower of Christ? What practical steps can you take to impact society for God's glory? [15:36]
Reflect on a recent decision or action. Was it influenced more by worldly desires or by a desire to do God's will? How can you ensure future decisions are guided by God's values? [21:51]

Sermon Clips

"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 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 and the world is passing away and the lust of it but he who does the will of God abides forever." [00:01:29]

"John knows just got to lay it down on the road if you say that you're walking in darkness yet claim to have fellowship with god well then there's there's a problem there and now John's going to point out a specific area of sin which especially threatens our fellowship with God and that sin is worldliness or as John calls it here in verse 15 if you look at it with me he says do not love the world this love of the world." [00:02:30]

"The world in the sense that John means it here is sort of the the community of sinful Humanity which is united in Rebellion against God my friends by and large men and women in community don't get together and think about how much they can glorify God they think about organizing things and doing things and creating things and having progress and and having a wonderful Society but by and large they don't think about how they can glorify God." [00:04:37]

"The whole story of the Tower of Babel shows us something fundamental about the world's system the world's progress the world's technology the world's government the world's organization listen it can make us better off but it can't make us better we live in a very sophisticated very organized very functioning World friends we got it easy today our modern society our lives are so much easier than people who lived 3 400 years ago." [00:09:17]

"The world knows how to buy our love with the great things that it has to give us cars homes gadgets and all the status that goes with them it can really make our hearts at home in this world now I don't know you know you don't look like a particularly materialistic bunch out here today I suppose every one of us has a soft spot right I mean I know I do." [00:13:02]

"If one claims to love God and yet loves the world there's something wrong with his claim to love God now my friends Christians through the centuries have dealt with this fact in different ways there was a time where if you really wanted to forsake this world and go serve God and live for God and turn your back on the world what you did was you left the city where you lived and you went out to some desolate desert monastery." [00:14:29]

"Jesus never wanted to remove us from this world Jesus prayed for us and he prayed that we would be in the world but not of the world and maybe it would be easier for us not to be worldly if we lived in a monastery somewhere but that wouldn't fulfill the Heart of Jesus Jesus said I want you people to go and impact Society I'm giving you a harder job a higher calling to be in the world but not of the world." [00:15:18]

"Think about your standard for success is it worldly or is it Godly you think about the Apostle Paul was he a failure or success by worldly standards the Apostle Paul was a failure any guy who dies the end of his days all alone friendless in prison and with an unsure Legacy behind him by worldly standards of success he's a failure by Heaven's standards Paul is a success." [00:23:24]

"How about your standard for what makes a person of the opposite sex appealing is it a worldly standard or is it a Godly standard oh I know it's very easy for us to talk spiritual about this you know I only look at the inner person I don't look at the outer person oh yeah well then how come you're only dating gorgeous looking girls how come you only go out with a guy if he's a real looker." [00:25:05]

"Finally and this is in verse 17 John's going to speak to us about the foolishness of worldliness now friends I I just want to tell you that in my life and in yours to whatever extent we're thinking and living worldly we're fools and I say that to myself just as much to any of you all because look why look at verse 17 and the world is passing away and the lust of it but he who does the will of God abides forever." [00:26:32]

"The world never wins out against God though by some appearances it does but it never does John says it plainly here in verse 17 look at it for yourself he says the world is passing away that's not a prayer he doesn't say Lord I pray that the world would pass away it's not a wish he didn't say Lord I wish the world would pass away it's not a spiritual sounding desire it's a fact the world is passing away." [00:27:06]

"Friends if you amass a bunch of the stuff of this world it's not going to be any use to you you know the ancient Pharaohs were buried in the pyramids were all with all sorts of riches with diamonds and jewels and gold and Sil silver and they thought that this stuff would be of some use to them in the world to come well the riches were only of any use to the Grave robbers the Pharaohs could take none of that worldly stuff with them to the world beyond." [00:29:44]

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Investing in Eternity: Navigating Worldliness and Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Guarding Against Worldly Influences

Day 2: Discernment in a Worldly Culture

Day 3: The Temporary Nature of Worldly Pursuits

Day 4: Investing in Eternal Treasures

Day 5: Living Distinctively in the World

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Investing in Eternity: Navigating Worldliness and Faith

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