Do Not Love The World

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Sermon by Ronald:

I John 2:15

Let’s find out:

How the word world is used in the Bible.

Discover danger in the word world.

1. Ways “World” Is Used:

Material universe (Acts 17:24; Rom. 1:20)

Mankind (John 1:10; 3:16)

Sin or unrighteousness (James 1:27; 4:4; I John 2:15

Lust of the Flesh (James 1:13-15) “Good” desire

Phil. 1:23; Luke 22:15; Matt. 13:17

Bad desire is translated lust. Lust of the flesh is not referring to a natural desire like lusting for food or thirst. Lawful desire for fleshly indulgence. James 1:13-15

They had a choice Temptation is part of it. Lust of flesh is for the Lord.

Lust of the eyes (2 Peter 2:13; Matt. 5:27-28)

Pride of life (James 4:16)

Boasting or arrogance = wrong John 5:44

Things in this world:

Our temptations “All that is in the world”

Tempted Eve (Gen. 3:6)

Tempted Jesus (Luke 4:1-13)

Tempts us (Jer. 5:7-9; 6:13-16)

But… “the world is…

I John 2:17 Passing away, and the lust of it”

What are we living for?

Desires here, true treasures in heaven. Who are we going to love? Father or evil? Be destroyed. What choice will you make: Love and Serve God! Believe!

How Ezra Fought the Forces of Evil

Those that are evil or do evil things.

Ezra is one who was determined to seek God and used the Lord. Used him in 458 BC. He had a mission to restore the people of God and build the temple again. First 6 Chapters describes work of Zorobabel. Final 4 chapters shared Ezra’s arrival to Judah. Theme of Ezra’s life can be summed up in Ezra 7:28 as the hand of the Lord of God was upon Ezra. He would not be successful if the Lord was not upon him.

Chapter 7 shows Ezra’s faithfulness. His heart was to seek the law of the Lord.

1. Seek

2. Did the Law

3. Teach the Lord’s Commandments in Israel.

Verse 6 is The Lord’s hand is upon Ezra because he received this blessing.

King Artaxerxes  Ezra 7:11 gave a letter to Ezra. He was allowed him to do special things because the Lord was upon him. Artaxerxes gave him money for the temple. Ezra was able to give anything they needed.

The best gift the king of Persia could give him was in verse 25-26. Teach those that do know him. Appoint who you need to appoint. Plus found accountable that they teach what is needed to be taught.

Chapter 7:27-28 He is not able to do all these things by chance, but by the Lord God our Father. He gives God the credit for the decree. God’s hand was upon Ezra. His providence is working in his life. Before he leaves to go to Jerusalem, find those who are working.

Ezra was not able to find who was responsible for that.

Ezra 8:15 The Levites are responsible for assisting the priest. Vers. 1 He sends out men. They found 38 Levites to go to Jerusalem. Plus 22 group of David who assisted the priests.

Verse 31-32 God’s hand is upon him. Why was God’s hand was upon Ezra. Chapter 7:10

1st reason, he had prepared himself. Prepared his heart. Ezra learned, kept and taught the law to others. He used people for his good. He put him in complete trust in God.

2 Tim. 2:21 Being useful for the master. Used him for the purpose. How can you make yourself useful to God. How can God use me? How can we work in his kingdom? What can we do to be useful to God. Are you able to be here in the church, work in the church, do things, and lead in the same way for others?

What can you do for the kingdom?

Prepare yourselves by learning the law. Obeying the law what you should be doing. Teaching the law so others can be useful too.

2 Tim. 4:8 Seek God

Ezra 8:22 Those who seek after God. Protect through fasting and prayer. He believed that he and those around him where faithful would keep their faith.

Heb. 11:6 We must truly believe who God is. He is a rewarder of those who seek him. Without faith it is impossible to please him. Look for God, for God to protect us so we can please him. Ezra was willing to go in faith. Knowing God is with him. Ezra 8:31.

Faith without works is dead. God’s with us, we’re going to go, and they arrived safely. A faith he truly believed. Our journey will be difficult even friends will ambush us, and with the Lord’s help. We’ll say the same as Paul.

2 Tim. 4:7 We have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, we have kept the faith. Ezra was willing to face the difficult circumstances on the road. They get there and find problems. In verse 3 – A moment when Ezra prayed for, these tough times, you need to do what is right.

Ezra 9:4 They trembled in fear at the word of God of Israel. They did what they had to do. It’s a difficult thing to admit to the Lord we are worng. Nothing is wrong in our lives. Confess your sins, so God will be with us.

See what Ezra was able to do because God was with him. If you want God to be with you, follow God’s law like Ezra. Fight the Forces of Evil to live for him.

Follow the steps to salvation.

1. Listen

2. Repent

3. Confess

4. Be Baptized

5. Endure in the Lord

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