Living as Citizens of God's Eternal Kingdom

Summary

The call is clear: do not love the world or the things in the world. This is not a rejection of God’s creation, the beauty of art, or the people around us, but a warning against aligning our deepest affections and energies with the world’s system—a system fundamentally opposed to God. Throughout Scripture, and especially in 1 John, we are reminded that our purpose is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet, this calling is not lived out in a vacuum; it is lived out in a world that is passing away, a world under the influence of the evil one, and a world that constantly seeks to draw our hearts away from Christ.

To be a Christian is to embrace a peculiar, holy way of living. We are called to be imitators of God, to walk in the light of His perfections, and to love one another with a particular, sacrificial love. This is not a call to perfection, but to intentionality—a daily, ongoing pattern of aligning our lives with God’s will. Stumbling is inevitable, but remaining in sin is not the pattern of a true believer. The Holy Spirit continually calls us back, urging us to repent and return to fellowship with God.

The world system, as described in 1 John, is an organized opposition to God, led by the evil one, and filled with unwitting servants—even us, when we are not vigilant. Its strategy is subtle: it appeals to the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are not inherently evil desires, but they become so when they are twisted and elevated above God. The world’s system is not morally neutral; it has a sinister purpose—to keep us from the love of the Father and to rob us of true fellowship and joy.

Yet, there is hope. The world is passing away, but those who do the will of God abide forever. Our confidence is not in our performance, but in the finished work of Christ, who has made propitiation for our sins. By the Spirit’s power, we can resist the world’s pull, abide in Christ, and bear witness to His love and truth. Our calling is to live as citizens of a coming kingdom, investing our affections and energies in what is eternal, not in what is doomed to pass away.

Key Takeaways

- True Christian living is marked by a pattern of imitating Christ, not by perfection but by intentional, ongoing alignment with God’s will. Stumbling is part of the journey, but the Spirit continually calls us back to repentance and fellowship. The evidence of genuine faith is not the absence of failure, but the refusal to remain indefinitely in sin. [13:31]

- The “world” we are not to love is not God’s creation, human creativity, or people themselves, but the organized system of thought and values that stands in opposition to God. This system is under the control of the evil one and seeks to shape our desires and priorities away from God’s purposes. Recognizing this distinction helps us appreciate beauty and people while resisting the world’s corrupting influence. [26:21]

- The world’s strategy is to distort good desires—turning natural appetites, material pursuits, and the longing for significance into idols. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are subtle temptations that can quietly redirect our affections from God to self. Jesus Himself faced these temptations and overcame them by relying on God’s Word, showing us the path to victory. [38:18]

- The world system is doomed; it is passing away along with its desires. Investing our lives and affections in what is temporary is ultimately foolish. Instead, those who do the will of God—who abide in Christ and walk in obedience—are promised eternal life and fellowship with God, a hope that is secure because of Christ’s finished work. [41:29]

- Grace is not a license to live as if God’s commands do not matter. Rather, grace empowers us to obey, to abide, and to become more like Christ. The “golden chain of salvation” assures us that God’s sovereign grace will bring us to completion, making us imitators of Christ now and glorified with Him in the future. Our hope and confidence rest in God’s faithfulness, not our own strength. [44:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - The Necessity of Obedience and Holiness
[01:17] - Our Purpose: Loving God and Neighbor
[03:07] - Imitators of God: The Call to Mimic Christ
[04:55] - Confidence in Christ’s Finished Work
[07:11] - Walking in the Light vs. Walking in Darkness
[10:16] - The Special Love for God’s Children
[11:22] - Walking as a Lifestyle: Present Tense Faith
[13:31] - The Reality of Stumbling and Repentance
[15:14] - Defining Love and Affection
[16:11] - The Command: Do Not Love the World
[18:08] - The Four Arguments Against Loving the World
[22:45] - What “World” Are We Not to Love?
[26:21] - The World System: Organized Opposition to God
[30:38] - The Evil Leader and Spiritual Battle
[33:31] - The Sinister Purpose and Strategy of the World
[36:27] - The Lust of the Flesh, Eyes, and Pride of Life
[41:29] - The Doom of the World and the Hope of Abiding
[44:37] - The Golden Chain of Salvation and Final Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

1 John 2:15–17 (ESV)
> 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 desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)
> Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Romans 8:29–30 (ESV)
> For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to 1 John 2:15–17, what are the three main temptations or desires that the world uses to draw us away from God?
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between loving the world and appreciating God’s creation or human creativity? [[22:45]]
3. What does the phrase “the world is passing away along with its desires” mean in the context of this passage?
4. How does the sermon define “walking” in the light or in love? [[12:18]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that the “world” is an organized system opposed to God, not the people or the beauty of creation. Why is it important to make this distinction, and how might confusing the two affect a Christian’s daily life? [[26:21]]
2. The pastor mentions that stumbling in sin is inevitable, but remaining in sin is not the pattern of a true believer. What does this suggest about the role of repentance and the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life? [[13:31]]
3. The “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life” are described as subtle temptations. In what ways can good desires become twisted or elevated above God, according to the sermon? [[36:27]]
4. The sermon refers to the “golden chain of salvation” in Romans 8:29–30. How does this doctrine give believers hope and confidence, especially when they struggle with sin or worldliness? [[44:37]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon calls us to be “imitators of God” and to live with intentionality, not perfection. What is one area of your life where you need to be more intentional about aligning with God’s will? What would a first step look like this week? [[03:07]]
2. The world’s system tries to shape our desires and priorities away from God. Can you identify a specific way the world’s values have influenced your thinking or actions recently? How can you resist that influence? [[31:18]]
3. The pastor says that stumbling is part of the journey, but the Spirit continually calls us back. When was the last time you sensed the Holy Spirit prompting you to repent or return to fellowship with God? How did you respond? [[13:31]]
4. The sermon warns against investing our affections in what is temporary. Is there something in your life right now that you are tempted to value more than your relationship with God? What would it look like to “abide” in Christ instead? [[41:29]]
5. The “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life” are described as the world’s strategy. Which of these do you find most challenging in your own life, and what practical step can you take to guard your heart this week? [[36:27]]
6. The pastor says grace is not a license to ignore God’s commands, but the power to obey. How does understanding God’s grace change your motivation to pursue holiness? [[43:26]]
7. The sermon encourages us to live as citizens of a coming kingdom. What is one way you can invest your time, energy, or resources in something eternal this month? [[16:46]]

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Devotional

Day 1: Do Not Love the World—Set Your Affections on God’s Kingdom
To love the world is to misplace your deepest affections and energies, aligning them with a system that is fundamentally opposed to God and destined to pass away. The call is not to reject the beauty of creation or the goodness in people, but to refuse to let the world’s values, desires, and ambitions become the center of your heart. Instead, you are invited to live as a peculiar people, distinct in your devotion, with your primary love directed toward God and His purposes. This means evaluating where your time, talent, and treasure are invested, and intentionally choosing to seek first the kingdom of God, knowing that the world and its desires are temporary, but those who do the will of God abide forever. [16:46]

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
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 desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where your affections or ambitions are more aligned with the world’s values than with God’s kingdom? What practical step can you take today to realign your heart toward God?


Day 2: Be Imitators of God—Live as a Pattern of Christlikeness
The Christian life is not a one-time decision but an ongoing, active pattern of walking in the light and imitating Christ. This means that in every season and circumstance, you are called to mimic Jesus—His love, His humility, His obedience, and His holiness. While you may stumble and fall, the pattern of your life should be one of returning to Christ, confessing your sins, and seeking to reflect His character more and more. The call to be an imitator of God is not about perfection, but about intentionality and direction—choosing daily to walk as Jesus walked, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [03:07]

Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Reflection: In what specific way can you imitate Christ today—at home, at work, or in your relationships—so that others might see His character in you?


Day 3: The World’s System—Recognize the Spiritual Battle
The world, as described in Scripture, is not merely the physical creation or the people in it, but an organized system under the influence of the evil one, designed to draw hearts away from God. This system has a sinister purpose: to keep you from loving God, to distort your desires, and to entrap you in patterns of sin. The battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces that seek to shape your thinking, your values, and your actions. Awareness of this reality calls you to vigilance, humility, and dependence on God’s grace, knowing that you are called to be different—to be thermostats, not thermometers, in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ. [30:38]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Reflection: Where do you sense the world’s system most strongly influencing your thoughts or actions? How can you resist its pull and stand firm in Christ today?


Day 4: The Strategy of Temptation—Guard Against the Lust of the Flesh, Eyes, and Pride
Temptation comes in familiar forms: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are not just ancient categories, but daily realities that seek to draw your heart away from God—whether through unchecked appetites, materialism, or the desire for recognition and importance. Even Jesus faced these temptations, yet He overcame them by relying on God’s Word and humility. You are called to recognize these strategies, confess your vulnerabilities, and seek the Spirit’s help to walk in humility and contentment, taking the lowest place and trusting God to lift you up in due time. [38:57]

James 1:14-15 (ESV)
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Reflection: Which of these temptations—flesh, eyes, or pride—do you most often struggle with? What is one concrete way you can respond differently when faced with it this week?


Day 5: Abide in Christ—Trust in God’s Grace and the Promise of Eternal Life
Though you may stumble and grow weary, the hope of the Christian is not in personal performance but in the completed work of Christ and the unbreakable chain of God’s saving grace. Those whom God has called, He will bring to glory; your security is found in abiding in Christ, walking in obedience, and trusting that His Spirit will keep you near. This abiding is not passive, but an active, ongoing relationship—confessing your sins, seeking fellowship with God and His people, and living with the assurance that you are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus, with the promise of eternal life. [44:37]

Romans 8:29-30 (ESV)
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Reflection: When you feel discouraged by your failures or spiritual coldness, how can you remind yourself of God’s unbreakable promise to bring you to glory in Christ? What practice can help you abide in Him today?

Quotes

Would it be said of you that you're just a little bit odd? in a good way. I think that's what our brother, the Apostle John, is saying to us, that we should most certainly love God, but we should love our neighbor, our brothers and sisters, yes, and that we should not neglect the call to peculiarity in holy living. [00:02:19] (26 seconds)  #HolyPeculiarity Edit Clip

``The gospel, by the way, is not what you do. Oh, I prayed a prayer. The gospel is not the church you attend. I joined the church. The gospel is not some action or activity that you go through within the work of the church. I was baptized. I take the sacraments. The gospel is not what we do. The gospel is the completed work of Christ, who took upon himself the full burden of our sinfulness, so that he may exchange, give to us his righteousness by changing our sin for his righteousness. [00:05:50] (39 seconds)  #GospelIsChrist Edit Clip

The Holy Spirit that Jesus sent into the world to be your teacher and your comforter, He is at work in your heart to keep you near Christ. So if you're far away from Christ, who moved? If you're far away from Christ, who moved? You did. [00:13:57] (22 seconds)  #WhoMovedYou Edit Clip

You're in the world, but not of the world. And that means that your preeminent affections are not placed in this world, but in the new world, in the coming world. This world is not your home. You're just passing through. [00:16:57] (17 seconds)  #NotOfThisWorld Edit Clip

Moral relativism is a broken thing, and it's all ingrained throughout the world system. Everyone just picks their own moral code. The Bible says we don't pick our own moral code. We submit to the will of God, and that's the definition of what it means to be a Christ follower. [00:34:21] (15 seconds)  #GuardAgainstLust Edit Clip

Your greatest thing you can do in your Christian life is to take the lowest place. Be humble. My life verse, you said, well, I write it on my cards, my get well card, 2 Corinthians 10, 18. The one who commends himself is not commended. But the one whom the Lord commends put that in English pastor the one who promotes himself will not be promoted But the one whom the Lord chooses to promote who does the Lord promote not the prideful he takes them low But the lowly he lifts high. [00:40:25] (36 seconds)  #FoolishToIgnoreGod Edit Clip

This world that we have our affection and attention toward It's doomed It's it's done What kind of idiot would buy stock knowing it's going to go bankrupt? What kind of food would get in a ship knowing it's going to sink? Oh But what kind of person Having the conscience that God put in his heart or her heart Would live as if God does not exist thinking there would never be an accountability Or a judgment for things undone or done wrongly How foolish How foolish is that? [00:41:35] (36 seconds)  #ImitateChristToGlorify Edit Clip