Overcoming the World

Introduction

• A Natural Desire to Love the World (Psa. 51:5)
• Affected Whole Church Denominations
• No Hope of Overcoming the World for the Unregenerate man (Eph. 2:1-2)
• The Born Again Believer Struggles against the Influence of the World & the Flesh

I. The Admonition – “Do not Love the World” (vs. 15-17)

A. The Significance of the Admonition to Not Love the World (v. 15a; John 15:19; James 4:4; Titus 2:11-12; Luke 10:27)

B. Two Reasons (vs. 15b-17):

1. The Love of the Father is Not in Him Who Loves the World or The Things in the World; the things in the World are defined (vs. 15b-16)
   • “The love of the Father not in him” (v. 15b; v. 5; Galatians 5:22)
   • The Things of the World Described (v. 16)
   o The Lust of the Flesh (v. 16a; Num. 11:33-34; Titus 1:12; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
   o The Lust of the Eye (v. 16b; Gen. 3:6; Joshua 7:20-24; Colossians 3:5)
   o The Pride of Life (v. 16c; Daniel 4:30)
   o Not of the Father (v. 16d; Gal. 5:22-23a; James 3:13-18; Galatians 5:24; Titus 2:12; Psalm 119:36-37)

   2. The World/its Lusts - Temporary in Nature (v.17)

• “Passing Away” (v. 17a; Eccl. 12:5; Psalm 39:6; Mark 8:36)
• Those who do the will of God abide forever (v. 17b; Psalm 125:1)

II. What is Necessary to Overcome the World (vs. 12-14) – to be filled in Next Lord’s Day

Conclusion and Application

• Do you Love the World & the Things in it?
Those Who are in Christ – be Vigilant & Remain Steadfast to Shine forth the Light of the Gospel