Torn between two lovers.
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INTRO.
An old song from 1976
Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool
Lovin' both of you is breakin' all the rules
Torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool
Lovin' you both is breakin' all the rules.
I wonder today if you and I are torn between two lovers.
Who does your heart beat for? or what?
Who does your heart beat for? or what?
“My heart is beating, keeps on repeating, I’m waiting for you.”
What gets you up in the morning? What thrills your heart? What do you spend your quiet moments thinking about, fantasizing about? I wish ...
Is it:
Someone you are in love with
A job
A sport
A career, job
Partying
Another drink of alcohol or drug use
What do you love?
Another snort of cocaine
As followers of Jesus, disciples, we are to love God first.
Today I want us to look at something that competes for that love.
To set this up and shine some light on our text, read two other portions:
-We have four big enemies:
Satan
Sin
Self
World system
Text.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,
but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Gen
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,
but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
. 1-
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ”
Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
: 1-
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1/ “Love not the world.”
1/ “Love not the world.”
Should I not love the nature in its beauty, the stunning view of the Rocky mountains?
A picture of nice warm sandy beach by the ocean?
Should I not love people? Music, art
Should I not love hanging out with my friends?
What about my basketball game?
or that delicious baked chicken?
What do we mean by world?
What is the world?
What is the world?
Gk word ‘kosmos’
Experts [lexicographers] [BEB]
The entire universe
1. The universe created by God with design and order (e.g., ; ; ).
The planet earth - including the idea of earth as the dwelling place of human beings
All of mankind []
The total of mankind (; ; ).
4. The total of human existence in this present life, with all of its experience, possessions, and emotions (; ).
The total of human existence in this present life, with all of its experience, possessions, and emotions - “What shall it profit man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?”
5. The present world order or world system.
It is alienated from God, in rebellion against him, and condemned by nature and by godless deeds.
It is “this world” as opposed to “that which is to come”; “this world” in contrast with “the other, or heavenly world.”
World in this verse refers to [5]
which is alienated from God, in rebellion against him, and condemned by nature and by godless deeds. It is “this world” (; ; ) as opposed to “that which is to come”; “this world” in contrast with “the other, or heavenly world.” The ruler of this world is the devil (; ; ; ). “The whole world is under the control of the evil one” (). On the other hand, the Christian is not of this world (; ), even though he is in the world and a participant in its activities (). The believer is regarded as dead to the world (; cf. , ). The Christian is to be separated from the world (). Friendship with the world is enmity toward God (). Relationship with the world is an indicator of relationship with God: “If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him” (). The Scripture points out that “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world” (). The world and its desires or lusts are transient, passing away, but the doer of God’s word abides forever (; cf. ).
The ruler of this world is the devil.
The ruler of this world is the devil.
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
The Christian is IN the world - a participant in its activities.
().
And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
Although he is in the world and
English Standard Version Chapter 17
11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world
The Christian is not of this world
The Christian is not of this world
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
Love not the world.
Love not the world.
Now we can examine the first few words -
King James Version Chapter 2
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world
Although he is in the world and John 17.11
John 17.11
I am not to love the present corrupt, evil world system controlled by Satan and sin.
English Standard Version Chapter 17
11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world
-The “world” always has a seductive influence which Christians should continually resist. [BKC]
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
English Standard Version Chapter 2
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world.
-The “world” is always a seductive influence which Christians should continually resist. [BKC]
And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
The world competes for the love of Christians and one cannot both love it and the Father at the same time.
-The values of human societies should not define believers. Instead, they should be shaped by Jesus’ values. The believer’s passion should not be for what culture offers but for what God desires. [FSB]
(). The believer is regarded as dead to the world (; cf. , ). The Christian is to be separated from the world (). Friendship with the world is enmity toward God (). Relationship with the world is an indicator of relationship with God: “If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him” (). The Scripture points out that “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world” (). The world and its desires or lusts are transient, passing away, but the doer of God’s word abides forever (; cf. ).
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 160). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The values of human societies should not define believers. Instead, they should be shaped by Jesus’ values. John is in favoring of love, but acquiescing to evil is not love. The believer’s passion should not be for what culture offers but for what God desires. [FSB]
-The challenge to the follower of Christ is how to navigate our pilgrimage in this world. It takes love, passion and commitment to God, tremendous wisdom in some situations, following the lead of the Holy Spirit.
Satan
Sin
Self
World system
Power - by virtue of politics [world leaders], position [CEO company, boss], social status [upper or middle class], job [police officer]
Wealth - “money answers all things”; the love of money is the root of all evil.
houses
cars
dress
expensive vacations
fancy dining
Sensual Pleasure
Partying, revelry
Drugs, alcohol and canabis
Illicit Sexual pleasure
Entertainment: video games, sporting events
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 2
The values of human societies should not define believers. Instead, they should be shaped by Jesus’ values. John is in favoring of love, but acquiescing to evil is not love. The believer’s passion should not be for what culture offers but for what God desires.
He turned now to a warning. Do not love the world or anything in the world. The “world” (kosmos), thought of here as an entity hostile to God (cf. 4:4), is always a seductive influence which Christians should continually resist (cf. John 15:18–19; James 4:4. In other NT verses “world” [kosmos] means people, e.g., John 3:16–17.) The world competes for the love of Christians and one cannot both love it and the Father at the same time. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. As James also had told his Christian readers, “Friendship with the world is hatred toward God” (James 4:4).
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
We are not be friends of the world.
We are not be friends of the world.
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
We have to therefore make a deliberate conscious decision - Love God or the world but it cannot be both!
When a man loves God and the Spirit of God is in him, you have a revulsion to the world system.
your eyes are open to the sinful depravity in the world; you see the world in the eyes of God.
So to go clubbing on a Friday/Saturday nite and come to worship God on Sunday is just going through the motions.
2/ “Neither the things that are in the world.”
2/ “Neither the things that are in the world.”
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
The lust [desires] of the flesh
The lust [desires] of the flesh
Sensual Pleasure
illicit bodily desires
Partying, revelry
Drugs, alcohol and canabis
Illicit Sexual pleasure
Entertainment: video games, sporting events
Eve - the fruit was good for food.
Jesus Temptation -“Command this stone that it be made bread.”
David and Bathsheba.
Youth is especially liable to fleshly lusts.
David and Bathsheba.
Youth is especially liable to fleshly lusts.
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
The lust of the eyes
The lust of the eyes
man’s covetous and acquisitive nature.
“Everything you see, you want.”
the eyes—the avenue through which outward things of the world, riches, pomp, and beauty, inflame us.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Covetousness - we see someone has a model of a car, a dress, a new phone - I have to get that.
Eve saw the fruit
Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world
David saw Bathsheba.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matt. 5.27
Jesus - if you look lustfully at a woman, you already committed adultery.
Walvoord, J. F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 891). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Eve saw the fruit
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 529). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world
The pride of life
The pride of life
lit., “the pretension of human life” :
“The boasting of what he has and does”, which signifies a proud and ostentatious [designed to attract and impress] way of life.
[the arrogance produced by material possessions] NET Bible
[the arrogance produced by material possessions] NET Bible
arrogant assumption
What are some examples of the pride of life:
Biblical Studies Press. (2005). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (). Biblical Studies Press.
The NET Bible Chapter 2
the arrogance produced by material possessions)
Walvoord, J. F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 891). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
What are the things that are in the world?
Power - by virtue of politics [world leaders], position [CEO company, boss], social status [upper or middle class], job [police officer]
Wealth - “money answers all things”; the love of money is the root of all evil.
houses
cars
expensive vacations
expensive vacations
fancy dining
Air of superiority - “I am better than the rest” “I am smarter” “I am more beautiful” I am more sophisticated.
Partying, revelry
Drugs, alcohol and canabis
Arrogance, haughtiness, boasting
Illicit Sexual pleasure
Have to be careful with this in the church. Since you can be delivered from addictions, getting your life together and succeeding, you begin to feel self-righteous and a bit too proud of yourself.
Entertainment: video games, sporting events
That air of “I am better than you” can be easily picked up by those attending the church and make them feel as if they are not good enough.
As people increasingly acquire material possessions, they cut themselves off more and more from the people they once knew. “The Pride of life.”
“Big shot” - become sophisticated - sophisticated walk and talk, dress and drive.
There is nothing wrong with developing yourself and increasing in wealth, education, social status but you can still be humble, loving God and people more and more, being more thankful to God for all He has done.
These are not of God. They of the world dominated by Satan.
3/ “The world passeth away”
3/ “The world passeth away”
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Scientists are warning us about the disastrous consequences of climate change. We see super-storms, tsunamis, epidemics, floods, fires, genocides, massacres.
In a week Michael has come and gone and Mexico Beach is devastated.
This world will not remain forever. That’s the promise of Scripture. Read Revelation.
God said He’d bring a flood and He did.
All the prophecies relating to Christ first coming was fulfilled.
Read the Book!
Jesus warned
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Matt. 24.
Revelation:
1.1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place.
2 Peter 3.7-13
“But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” ()
But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,
that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,
knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,
and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.
But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3
But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
2 Peter
But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
.
7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Rev. 21.1-
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
Think about how you are living your life and the pursuits you give yourself to - when you stand before God what will they count for?
The world passeth away and the lust thereof but he that doeth the will of the Father abideth forever.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
You are not just coming to church, you are learning to do the will of the Father.
Don’t love the world. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength.
Will what you love last forever?