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This text discusses the dangers of worldliness and its threat to the church. It provides insights on identifying and addressing worldliness, and offers practical advice on how to maintain purity and influence in a world consumed by sinful practices.
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The Organization Worship and mission of the church of Christ
We have already studied: 1) The nature of the church that Jesus built. 2) Why so many different kind of churches today? 3) Identifying the church that Jesus built. 4)Dangers facing the church: The danger of Legalism. 5)Dangers facing the church: The danger of Liberalism. 6)Dangers facing the church: The danger of Emotionalism. 7)Dangers facing the church: The Danger of Materialism
Dangers Facing The Church Introduction • Legalism ? • Liberalism • False Doctrine • Emotionalism • Materialism • Worldliness • Apathy The church has always faced danger!
Dangers Facing The Church What Is Worldliness? 1 John 2:15-17 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. [16] 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. [17] And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Love NOT The World
Dangers Facing The Church What Is Worldliness? • Not a reference to proper appreciation for God's glorious natural creation, (Genesis 1:10,12,18,21,25). • But - to ones affection toward, & participation in sinful practices common to ungodly people. • Jesus said the world loves its own (John 15:19); • Paul said, "Be not conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2); • John declared that, "The whole world lieth in the evil one" (1 John 5:19). Love NOT The World
Dangers Facing The Church What Is Worldliness? • Lust of the Flesh – Mat 4:3,4 • All temptations which have their roots in appetites and needs of the body. • Sensuality - If it feels good do it! • Lust of the Eyes –Mat. 4:8 • Unlawful desires of the mind & imagination – • Things obtainable or not. • The Pride of Life –Mat. 4:6 • Self reliance, interest, & absorption Love NOT The World
Dangers Facing The Church What Is Worldliness? • We may be in the world BUT the world shouldn’t be IN us!! • John 17:15; • Tit 2:12 -14; • Rom. 12:1,2; • Col. 3:1,2 • 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 • James 4:4 Love NOT The World
Dangers Facing The Church What Is Worldliness? • Indecent dancing • Immodesty • Fornication • Adultery • Pornography • Social Drinking • Cursing & Dirty Jokes • Stealing & Dishonesty • Hatred & Envy 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Galatians 5:16-21 Ephesians 4:17-5:18 Colossians 3:5-9 2 Timothy 3:1-5 1 Peter 4:1-5
Dangers Facing The Church Why Is Worldliness A Threat To The Church? • We are bombarded with it everyday – • More toleration, (i.e. less preaching & teaching on it; less discipline) • More members engaging in worldliness – • Destroys our influence & our souls!! Pornography Advertising Music
Dangers Facing The Church What Should We Do? • Limit opportunities for infection – 1 Thes. 5:22 1 Thes. 5:21-22 Test all things; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil.
Dangers Facing The Church What Should We Do? 2 Peter 2:6-8 . . . [7] and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked [8] (for that righteous man, . . . • Limit opportunities for infection – 1 Thes. 5:22 • Keep our conscience sensitive – 2 Peter 2:6-8
Dangers Facing The Church What Should We Do? 2 Peter 2:6-8 . . . dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)-- • Limit opportunities for infection – 1 Thes. 5:22 • Keep our conscience sensitive – 2 Peter 2:6-8
Dangers Facing The Church What Should We Do? • Limit opportunities for infection – 1 Thes. 5:22 • Keep our conscience sensitive – 2 Peter 2:6-8 • Keep a safe distance from involvement – Rom. 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:17 2 Cor. 6:17 Therefore Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."
Dangers Facing The Church What Should We Do? • Limit opportunities for infection – 1 Thes. 5:22 • Keep our conscience sensitive – 2 Peter 2:6-8 • Keep a safe distance from involvement – Rom. 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:17 • Keep your influence & soul pure!! – Phili 2:15 Philip. 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Dangers Facing The Church What Should We Do? • Limit opportunities for infection – 1 Thes. 5:22 • Keep our conscience sensitive – 2 Peter 2:6-8 • Keep a safe distance from involvement – Rom. 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:17 • Keep your influence & soul pure!! – Phili 2:15 1 Tim. 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Dangers Facing The Church What Should We Do? 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; [15] but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16] because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
Dangers Facing The Church Conclusion • Legalism ? • Liberalism • False Doctrine • Emotionalism • Materialism • Worldliness • Apathy The church has always faced danger!
Dangers Facing The Church Conclusion • What Can We Do? • Be Aware: • Search the Scriptures! (Acts 17:11,12; 2 Peter 3:17,18) • Accept God’s word! (Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-9; 1 John 5:4-5 ) • Be Prepared: • Repent – (2 Peter 3:9) • Purify your souls – (1 Peter 1:22) • Give diligence to spiritual growth – (2 Peter 1:5-10; 2 Peter 3:14) The church has always faced danger!