Hymn: “Oh Jesus I have promise to serve thee to the end”.
CENTRAL THOUGHT
The believer is in the world but not of the world.
INTRODUCTION:
In our first study on the topic, we noted that the world system is full of corruption, falsehood, greed, lust, pride etc. We also considered what it means to be “in the world and not of the world”. When we are transformed in our minds and realize that we are pilgrims in this world, the world system will not determine our lifestyle and focus.
In this lesson we shall be examining those principles from the scriptures that can help us handle the world system and not be caught up in it.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
1.) To know what attitude we must possess to enable us daily overcome the world.
2.) To know how some Bible characters handled the world.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT ATTITUDE MUST WE POSSESS TO ENABLE US DAILY OVERCOME THE WORLD?
a. We must not love the world and those things that are of the world, 1 John 2:5-17. Love not the world means that we should not be carried away by the system of the world in our individual lives and in the church programs. Believers should not allow the system of the world to rule their thought pattern or way of life. Many believers have been deceived by so called mountain moving messages, and their messengers who have deviated from the real doctrine of Christ. Such people’s spiritual lives have been choked up and they are never sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and their consciences have been seared with hot iron. A lover if the world is enemy of Christ.
b. We must learn to avoid all forms of wickedness which is peculiar to the world 1 John 5:19 “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” Seeing that believers are of God we have to avoid all forms of wickedness.
c. We should quench the burning desire to riches that are ungoldly. 1 Tim.6:17. There is always the desire to get rich quick in every aspect of one’s endeavor especially now that the church’s standard is valued by the amount of money they have and the number of rich men in the congregation. Real riches do not come by much struggling but by God’s
favor. Ungodly riches attract God’s wrath so the believer should abstain from such.
d. We should resolve in ourselves to live above every ungodly living and unrighteousness. Titus 2:11-12.
e. We must learn not to have anything that will make us stumble no matter what that thing is to us. We must take up the cross of Christ. Luke 14:25-27.
f. Have a total commitment to Christ and willingness to suffer loss, shame, poverty, persecution, death if need be for the sake of Christ. Acts.5:4-42.
g. We must be watchful, testing all things, building our lives on proper foundations while awaiting Christ’s coming. 1 Thess.5:21-22.
QUESTION 2) HOW DID THE FOLLOWING BIBLE CHARACTERS HANDLE THE WORLD AND WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?
a. Abraham (Gen.12:1-4. Heb. 11:8-10): Abraham left his homeland and his people in obedience to God’s command to go to a place He would give him for an inheritance. He obeyed by faith and God’s promises were fulfilled in his life.
b. Moses (Heb.11:24-26): Moses refused to be called Pharoah’s daughter but chose to suffer afflictions with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasure of sin. He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egpyt. He looked forward to the reward and God rewarded him.
c. Joseph (Gen. 39:7-10). Joseph refused to commit fornication with Portipher’s wife. He was punished for this by man but God rewarded his faithfulness and made him a prime minister in Egypt.
d. The three Hebrew children (Dan.3:15-18). The three Hebrew children were thrown into the burning fiery furnace because they refused to bow down to Babylonian gods. The Lord delivered them.
e. Solomon (1Kings 11:1-4); “But King Solomon loved many foreign women… from nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel. “you shall not intermarry with them.” At the later part of his life the foreign women turned his heart away from the God of Israel.
f. Saul (1 Sam. 15:7-24): Saul was commanded by God to utterly destroy the Amelekites who had disturbed the Israelites on their way to the promised land. But he spared Agag the king and the godly things which he purposed to use to sacrifice to God. This disobedience led to his downfall.
g. Demas (Philemon 24; 2 Tim. 4:10). Demas was a follower of Christ who had earlier been commended by apostle Paul for commitment to Christ. He later forsook Paul “….having loved the present world.”
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
We should be reminded that friendship with the world is enmity with God. Therefore, separation from the world is required and every unclean thing should not be touched.
We should live as children of God.
MEMORY VERSE:
JAMES 4:4
“ Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: Abraham received the promise by faith. Gen. 12:1-4.
TUE: Moses determined not to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Heb.11:24-26.
WED: Joseph was faithful to Potipher. Gen. 39:7-10.
THU: Ungodly riches attracts God’s wrath. 1 Tim.6:17.
FRI: A friend of the world is an enemy of God. James 4:4.
SAT: Saul was rejected because of disobedience. 1 Sam.15:7-24.