As The World Turns – Part 5

Message Date: March 13, 2022
Bible

Review:

  • 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
  • 15 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. ‭‭I John‬ ‭2:15-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
    • LAW OF NONCONTRADICTION: two contradictory statements cannot both be true at the same time, in the same sense.
  • The World: (Greek) “kosmos;” the present condition of human affairs, in alienation from and opposition to God.
  • Worldliness is a love of this fallen world’s system, which is under the control of Satan,  the “god of the fallen world.”
  • Sinning people aren’t the enemy. They’re in bondage.
    • You can’t save people from quicksand by jumping into it with them–but you also can’t be salt and be separate.
  • 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NKJV‬‬
    • Don’t join them in worshipping things other than God.
    • It means to be different, not separate.
  • 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭15:33-34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
    • Shame = entropy: lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder.
  • All that is in the World:

    • Lust: a fondness for or indulgence in sensual pleasures outside of God’s ordained fulfillment of those desires
    • At any given time the enemy is lying to you about your identity, God’s intentions for you, and the consequences of sin.
      • Sin is fun for a season.  But it costs you in the end.
  • 12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. ‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭11:12-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
  • 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew‬ ‭5:13-16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
  • SALT = Sodium + Chloride (NaCl)
    • By nature, salt does three things:
      • 1. Adds flavor (food)
      • 2. Preserves (meat)
      • 3. Destroys (bacteria)

How to Stay Salty

  • 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
      • Conformed: to conform one’s self (i.e. one’s mind and character) to another’s pattern, (fashion one’s self according to another)
      • Transformed: μεταμορφόω metamorphóō, met-am-or-fo’-o; from G3326 and G3445; to transform (literally or figuratively, “metamorphose”):—change, transfigure, transform
      • Renewing: ἀνακαίνωσις anakaínōsis, an-ak-ah’-ee-no-sis; from G341; renovation:—renewing
    • It’s a project–it’s a process–but you still live in the other parts of the house; and you have to be ok with things getting messy and being unfinished.
  • We preach Jesus not ourselves. The best kind of preaching you can do is when you are preaching to you, too.
  • 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
  • ‭3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV
  • ‭‭15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; I Peter‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NKJV‬
    • Meekness: †πρᾳότης praiótēs, prah-ot’-ace; from G4235; gentleness, by implication, humility:—meekness
      • “In Greek a war horse who once was wild but has become obedient to the bit and bridle. Now herein lies the secret to the meaning in meekness, there is a gentleness in meekness but behind the gentleness there is the strength of steel, for the supreme characteristic of the person who is meek is that they are a person under perfect control… it would be wrong to say self control but god controlled..” -Barclays
        • Wild: instinct driven
      • 1. I take my NEED from the hand of God. I don’t have to fend for myself.
      • 2. I take me LEAD from the hand of God.
      • Meekness is strength under control. It’s choosing your own response, rather than reacting.
  • 1. Understanding not demanding
    • 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:4 NKJV
    • 7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 NKJV
  • 2. Gracious not judgmental
    • 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Galatians 6:1 NKJV
  • 3. Tender without surrender (velvet covered brick)
    • 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 2 Tim 2:24-25
  • 4. Teachable not unreachable
    • 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:19-21 NKJV
  • 5. Be an actor not a reactor, respond from who you are not to what is happening.
    • 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 NKJV
  • 6. Respect don’t reject
    • 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 1 Peter 3:15 NKJV
    • I don’t have to prove myself–prove that I’m right, prove that you’re wrong.
  • 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. ‭‭James‬ ‭5:19-20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬