Sunday, September 24, 2023 | Gus Hacker

1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV)

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

The world is not our home.

Our citizenship is in heaven.

Psalm 119:37 — “Turn my eyes away from worthless things…”

Don’t get comfortable here.

Signs the world is creeping into the church:

(1) Unhealthy prayer life.

(2) Attendance decreases.

(3) Our relationship with God is struggling (no hunger, no thirst).

(4) The church focuses inwardly rather than outwardly.

What the Bible says:

Titus 2:12 — Say no to ungodliness and worldly passions.

James 4:4 — Friendship with the world is hatred toward God.

1 John 2:15 — Do not love the world or anything in the world.

What worldliness does:

Matthew 13:22 — Worldliness destroys truth.

Matthew 24:38-39 — Worldliness blinds us and gives us a false sense of security.

1 Corinthians 7:32-34 — Worldliness divides priorities.

Ephesians 2:2 — Worldliness dictates the plans for your life.

2 Timothy 4:10 — Worldliness causes us to desert our faith.