Prove It-Week 4

Introduction

(Q1 S1) It’s weird to think about the fact that God actually hates certain things. Did you know that God actually hates some things? Here are a few examples in Scripture of what I am talking about:

The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all evildoers. You destroy those who tell lies; the Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and treachery. (Psalm 5:5-6)

You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of His godly ones; He rescues them from the power of the wicked. (Psalm 97:10)

I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:104)

The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to Him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers. (Proverbs:16-19)

You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; this is why God, Your God, has anointed You with oil of joy rather than Your companions. (Hebrews 1:9)

Our text today could really be added to this list. What is kind of surprising is that the thing that God really hates, which He stands in strong opposition to, is a particular kind of love, A LOVE FOR THE WORLD. James 4:4 says to not even make friends with the world because to do so is to become “an enemy of God.” Here John teaches us not to love the world, for if we do, “love for the Father is not in us” (v. 15)

Today’s discussion and teaching put simply is this: If we know God as Father, we will not set our hearts on the fleeting and transitory things of a system and worldview perspective that stands in defiant opposition to Him.

Know what you are in Christ and Cannot Lose

You are forgiven (Q2 S1)

We have been forgiven for all of our sins because of Jesus and FOR Jesus. Jesus cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness. He is faithful to forgive all the sins of those who trust in Him. When we run to Jesus as our help and savior, we have been welcomed by God as His children.

You Know the Father (Q2 S1)

When you know Jesus you now know an abiding and permanent relationship with the One who has existed from all creation. There is a deep and abiding knowledge that has grown throughout our Christian experience. The longer we have lived, the deeper and better we know Him. No longer is God our enemy, but through forgiveness of sins and His gracious adoption, we have come to know Him as Father.

You are Victors in the Faith (Q3 S1)

How do you fight and win against Satan and his schemes? Here are three distinct descriptions of young men who are at war with the Devil: they are strong, the Word of God abides in them, and they have overcome the evil one.

There is no doubt in my mind that our strength and our ability to defeat the evil one has a source that works together. One is the work of Christ and the other is the Word of God abiding in us. Satan will accuse us on the one hand and tempt us on the other. The work of Christ answers his first tactic, and the Word of God addresses the second.

When Satan accuses me of sin, I trust in the work of Christ. My debt has been paid, and while Satan can hurl accusations all day long, he has nothing that he can condemn me with. Also, when Satan tempts me to sin, I turn to the Word of God.

Know What the World Offers but Cannot Give

(Q1 S2) Worldliness or “being of the world” is often misunderstood. Often it is identified with cultural issues that are of a particular concern to us. John is not telling us to reject any and all aspects of culture, much of which reflects the glory, goodness, and gifts of God. What he is telling us is we are not to love and idolize thoughts, things, values, and behaviors that are contrary to God’s Word and His will. Things that appeal to our sinful flesh (i.e. drug abuse, drunkenness, gluttony, abundance of possessions, sexual perversions, etc.) are temporary and we shouldn’t place our value in them and live for those things.

(Q2 S2) Things of this world vs Things of the Father

The focus is on me vs The focus is on God

Make as much money as possible vs Give as much money away as possible and spend even yourself on others

Live comfortably vs Life isn’t about comfort, but about doing hard things now so that we can reap rewards in the life to come

Make a name for yourself vs Make His name great

Do whatever makes you happiest vs Do whatever makes God happiest

Teach others to love themselves and seek self-fulfillment vs Teach others to love and obey God.

Look like a model in a magazine and turn physical appearance into an idol vs Treat your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and cultivate an inner beauty

Offer “acts of service” when you feel like it (on your terms) vs Be a servant, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient

Stay married as long as your spouse meets your needs vs Serve your spouse and choose to love him or her for life

Come across as powerful, influential, and interesting vs Give preference to others in words and actions

Use worldly wisdom to gain wealth vs Value true wisdom over all the treasures on earth

The things of the world are passing away vs The things of the Father will abide forever

I do the will of the world vs I do the will of the Father