The Course of This World

Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 6 views
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
View more →

Ephesians 2:1–3 NKJV
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
The definition of the word translated “course,” according to Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, is:
Age, lifetime.An unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity.
It is translated as: age, forever, forever and ever, eternity, world, never (in the negative), “Since the word began” (; ).
John 9:32 NKJV
32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.
Acts 3:21 NKJV
21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
But only here as “course” (NKJV, ESV, LEB, NASB, “ways” CSB).
Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament (Vol. 4, p. 61).
“Course” is aiōn (αἰων), which Trench defines as “All that floating mass of thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, aspirations, at any time current in the world,…which constitutes a most real and effective power, being the moral, or immoral atmosphere which at every moment of our lives we inhale, again inevitably to exhale,—all this is included in the aiōn (αἰων),…’the subtle informing spirit of the kosmos (κοσμος), or world of men who are living alienated and apart from God’ ” (Trench).
Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament (Vol. 4, p. 61).
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (Vol. 1, p. 147).
‘at that time you lived according to the supernatural forces of this world, according to the ruler of the supernatural powers in space, the spiritual power who now controls the people disobeying God’

The Course of This World

We are engaged in a spiritual conflict for our heart, soul, and mind! (, ; ).
Ephesians 6:11 NKJV
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
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.
2 Corinthians 10:3–6 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.
Against the “prince,” or ruler, of our opposition, that is, the devil (; ; ; ).
Matthew 6:13 NKJV
13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
John 17:15 NKJV
15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
Acts 26:18 NKJV
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Ephesians 6:11 NKJV
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
The enemy attacks us with lusts of our flesh, the desires of the flesh and mind (; , ).
Ephesians 2:3 NKJV
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
1 John 2:15 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.
1 John 2:16 NKJV
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.
If we haven’t switched sides then we’re still on the wrong side! (; ; ; , ; ).
Ephesians 2:2 NKJV
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
Colossians 1:21 NKJV
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 NKJV
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Colossians 3:6 NKJV
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
Colossians 3:7 NKJV
7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Titus 3:3 NKJV
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more