WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.740 It's so good to be with you. This morning we're continuing our series in 1 John. 00:00:07.980 --> 00:00:12.439 It has been a great series so far. We've learned so much. 00:00:13.339 --> 00:00:21.580 Today we're just going to look at three verses and yet they are such incredible verses that speak so much to us 00:00:21.579 --> 00:00:32.259 where we are as individuals, where we are as a society and a real reorientation about what it will all mean in the end. 00:00:33.460 --> 00:00:38.539 John writes this letter of 1 John to a congregation of people that are unsettled. 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:45.119 And they're unsettled because a number of people from among them have gone out. 00:00:45.519 --> 00:00:49.640 They've left. They've claimed they're superior in spirituality. 00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:56.560 They've said, well, we're Premier League and you that remain are like the Vanarama Football Conference. 00:00:56.840 --> 00:00:58.920 We are far better than you. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:04.920 And therefore we need to go in alone if you're not going to stunt our progress. 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:10.460 So John writes this letter to those who remain to reassure them, 00:01:10.960 --> 00:01:15.099 to say they aren't living some sub-pseudo-Christianity. 00:01:15.340 --> 00:01:18.420 They're not living some shadowy existence. 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:22.439 But they are the real deal. 00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:26.280 In the first part of his letter he's told them four big things. 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:27.280 Here's the first. 00:01:28.460 --> 00:01:33.780 That fellowship with God and his son Jesus Christ is exclusively through the apostolic gospel. 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:40.980 Fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ his son is exclusively through the apostolic gospel. 00:01:40.980 --> 00:01:51.300 It is by believing the authoritative account recorded and transmitted by those who saw, heard, touched and looked upon Jesus. 00:01:52.020 --> 00:01:56.100 Those that were uniquely empowered by the Holy Spirit to write it all down. 00:01:56.579 --> 00:02:03.040 That it is by believing that message that we have fellowship with God and Jesus Christ his son. 00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:09.379 Secondly, John has said that the summation of the apostolic message, 00:02:09.920 --> 00:02:12.460 this is the message that we proclaim to you. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:13.980 God is light. 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:17.860 In him, darkness, no, not at all. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:20.300 That's what he says, that God is light. 00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:23.099 Speaking about God's absolute purity. 00:02:23.099 --> 00:02:29.759 And the clarity of his revelation that God in Jesus Christ has fully disclosed himself. 00:02:30.819 --> 00:02:32.419 There's no grey areas. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:34.560 There's no small print. 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:48.180 And then he went on to say that in the church, sin is exclusively cleansed, purified, propitiated, advocated for and atoned for by Jesus Christ. 00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:55.439 Any spirituality that says sin isn't the problem and Jesus isn't the answer is a false spirituality. 00:02:56.480 --> 00:03:01.939 And it seems that's exactly what these splinter church is claiming. 00:03:01.939 --> 00:03:05.919 And so John is very clear. 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:08.219 He says they're liars. 00:03:09.259 --> 00:03:10.180 They're lying. 00:03:11.240 --> 00:03:14.639 And they're making God out to be a liar. 00:03:15.759 --> 00:03:24.500 And then last week with Graham, he was laying out for us that the gospel has necessarily a horizontal dimension. 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:32.979 That the fact you're a real deal is seen not in just your love for God, but in your love for the brothers. 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:39.319 You therefore know you're the real deal. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:55.299 You really know the God who is light if you are in the apostolic gospel, dependent constantly on Jesus' forgiveness and loving your brothers and sisters in obedience to God's command. 00:03:55.300 --> 00:04:01.939 He finishes the first part of the letter saying to them that they really have got it. 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:05.480 He writes twice to three groups of people. 00:04:05.600 --> 00:04:09.439 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven. 00:04:10.040 --> 00:04:11.520 He says you do know God. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:13.500 You have overcome the evil one. 00:04:13.720 --> 00:04:15.860 And the word of God lives in you. 00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:17.080 You've really got it. 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:19.099 You're the real deal. 00:04:19.219 --> 00:04:23.560 Don't doubt that if you've got Jesus, you've got everything. 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:31.139 And so in part one, John was making the truth really big. 00:04:32.099 --> 00:04:41.219 And now as we enter part two, he's going to hone in and get the false teachers in his crosshairs and start to tackle them on what they're saying. 00:04:41.819 --> 00:04:46.299 Start to undo all the promises and claims that they're making. 00:04:47.859 --> 00:04:50.159 And also the tone of the letter changes. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:54.079 In the first half of the letter, John is saying it's like this. 00:04:54.699 --> 00:04:55.919 And it's like this. 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:57.639 And you are this. 00:04:58.419 --> 00:05:01.219 In part two of the letter, there's a lot of imperatives. 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:03.279 You must now do this. 00:05:03.479 --> 00:05:05.360 On account of that, do this. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:07.339 He gives them lots of commands. 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:10.819 Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. 00:05:11.479 --> 00:05:13.799 Do not let anyone lead you astray. 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:18.259 Love not with words or speech, but with actions and in truth. 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:21.660 Do not believe every spirit, but test. 00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:24.040 The spirits keep yourselves from idols. 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:25.340 They're all commands from John. 00:05:26.280 --> 00:05:31.519 And the first imperative in the letter is in our passage this morning. 00:05:31.519 --> 00:05:37.919 So if you could turn to 1 John, chapter 2, verses 15 to 17. 00:05:38.039 --> 00:05:39.639 I'll put it on the screen for you as well. 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:46.279 John writes this. 00:05:46.279 --> 00:05:50.659 Do not love the world or anything in the world. 00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:54.899 If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:01.919 For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, 00:06:02.539 --> 00:06:05.279 comes not from the Father, but from the world. 00:06:05.279 --> 00:06:14.299 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:18.679 Let's pray and then we'll look at this together. 00:06:22.119 --> 00:06:26.299 O to grace how great a debt a daily we're constrained to be. 00:06:27.299 --> 00:06:31.899 Let your goodness, like a fetter, bind our wandering hearts to thee. 00:06:31.899 --> 00:06:35.199 Prone to wander, Lord, we feel it. 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:37.939 Prone to leave the God we love. 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:40.500 So here are our hearts. 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:42.439 O take and seal them. 00:06:42.539 --> 00:06:45.060 Seal them for your courts above. 00:06:46.419 --> 00:06:51.519 We pray these in Jesus' name, for his sake and for his glory alone. 00:06:52.459 --> 00:06:52.799 Amen. 00:06:55.359 --> 00:06:56.979 Detail really matters. 00:06:57.759 --> 00:06:59.399 Detail matters. 00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:01.819 Specifics are important. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:08.459 From the quantity surveyor to the contract lawyer to the fine artist to the civil engineer. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:11.039 Details are important. 00:07:12.139 --> 00:07:15.079 We have the phrase, don't we, God is in the detail. 00:07:15.859 --> 00:07:23.179 Suggesting that it is in paying attention to the small things that brings great rewards. 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:29.180 So I was preaching at a different church last Sunday night and I went on a little bit long. 00:07:29.280 --> 00:07:33.160 It's good to know that I keep my form at away games as well as home games. 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:38.439 And by the time I got to the door to shake people's hands and say goodbye, I was thirsty. 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:41.579 I needed coffee so badly. 00:07:42.019 --> 00:07:44.899 So I stood there, you know, nice to see you. 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:45.819 God bless. 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:46.460 See you. 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:52.099 And this little woman, who I think was an angel in disguise, came and said, please could I get you a drink? 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:54.339 And I went, that would be lovely. 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:58.039 Please could I have a strong coffee, splash of milk, no sugar. 00:07:58.699 --> 00:07:59.099 Perfect. 00:07:59.979 --> 00:08:04.039 Two minutes later, she arrived with a styrofoam cup in a plastic holder. 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:06.599 Passed it to me. 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:10.319 I took a gulp without even looking what was in. 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:15.180 And what was in there was the milkiest, sugariest tea you've ever imagined. 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:18.199 So this morning when Karen said to me, can I get you a drink? 00:08:18.219 --> 00:08:19.680 And I said, strong coffee, dash of milk. 00:08:19.719 --> 00:08:20.779 And it turned up perfectly. 00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:23.500 I thought there really is no place like home. 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:26.620 Detail is really important. 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:31.100 Or the couple who wanted a Bible verse on their wedding cake. 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:38.819 And so they went to the bakery, ordered a three-tier cake and requested it to be iced with 1 John 4, verse 18. 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:44.180 Which says, there is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:51.960 Unfortunately, the baker, failing to pay attention to the detail, simply wrote John 4, verse 18. 00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:59.320 So on their wedding day, to their horror, they were presented with a cake upon which in beautiful writing was written, 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:01.879 the fact is you have had five husbands. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:07.059 And the man you now have is not your husband. 00:09:07.320 --> 00:09:09.519 What you say is quite true. 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:14.379 Detail is very important. 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:20.039 Paying attention really does pay dividends in the end. 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:27.480 And so when we come to 1 John, chapter 2, verses 15 to 17, every detail is important. 00:09:28.219 --> 00:09:32.740 Though it is only three verses, it is jam-packed with truth that we need to hear. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:39.179 And the first thing we need to hear is what does John mean by the world? 00:09:39.179 --> 00:09:42.139 What does he mean by the world? 00:09:42.299 --> 00:09:47.179 When he says, do not love the world, does that mean you can't stand in front of a Rembrandt and say, that's lovely? 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:49.579 Is that what he means? 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:54.459 Is it that after you have a really nice slice of marmalade toast, you can't say, 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:59.199 mmm, I really enjoyed that because that was worldly? 00:09:59.299 --> 00:10:00.059 What does he mean? 00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:06.099 And so much for our world, isn't it? 00:10:06.119 --> 00:10:08.259 Our world is very worldly. 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:13.959 It would seem that John is calling the world these people that have left. 00:10:15.599 --> 00:10:18.579 These people that are obviously quite prosperous. 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:27.699 And it would be very easy, wouldn't it, as those who remain to look at a church full of very affluent, prosperous people and go, they've really got it. 00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:30.600 God is really blessing them. 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:38.700 So John writes this passage not to just address worldliness but to help those that remain. 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:42.080 Still so relevant in our day, isn't it? 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:46.800 Where so many would dress materialism up as the gospel. 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:51.640 Claiming temporal prosperity as a divine right. 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:54.780 Flaunting wealth as a mark of spiritual blessing. 00:10:54.779 --> 00:11:02.019 Sowing seeds in order that investment might reap a mighty harvest in this life. 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:06.579 And yet closer to home, it's very easy for us, isn't it? 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:09.779 We've got a world that flaunts to us very lovely things. 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:16.220 And it's so easy as we go out into that world on Monday to listen to those lies. 00:11:17.059 --> 00:11:21.600 And to start being enticed and enamored by the things of the world. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:24.300 So John structures this very clearly. 00:11:24.420 --> 00:11:25.279 He gives us a command. 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:29.300 He then gives us three reasons and one final incentive. 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:31.420 So let's look at the command. 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.340 It's pretty simple. 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:35.080 Do not love the world. 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:38.240 Do not love the world. 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:44.180 And immediately we have to discern what does John mean by the world? 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:47.179 What is it that we're not to love? 00:11:48.859 --> 00:11:55.419 Well, John uses the word world in a great number of different ways in his writing. 00:11:56.379 --> 00:12:02.319 So he says the world was made by God through the agency of his word. 00:12:03.459 --> 00:12:08.559 He says that the world was loved by God in sending his son Jesus. 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:14.279 He says that the world is the object of God's saving purpose. 00:12:15.239 --> 00:12:18.119 He claims that Jesus is the light of the world. 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:22.279 He says Jesus is the savior of the world. 00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:27.059 He says Jesus is the propitiation for the world's sins. 00:12:29.079 --> 00:12:34.339 He says Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:12:34.339 --> 00:12:38.099 He seems to paint the word world in a very positive light. 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:44.339 But he also uses the world to describe those outside of Christ, 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:48.239 lost in sin, wholly at odds with anything divine or pleasing to God. 00:12:49.099 --> 00:12:53.099 So it is the world, one John, that lies in the grip of the evil one. 00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:57.559 It is the world that is orientated against God. 00:12:58.199 --> 00:13:03.359 When Jesus came into the world, the world did not recognize him. 00:13:04.359 --> 00:13:08.199 The world doesn't recognize his followers either. 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:19.699 The world, in fact, hates those who follow Jesus, just as it hated Jesus himself. 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:26.139 So in places like John 8, verse 23, where Jesus is being questioned about his identity, 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.119 he says this, 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:30.100 You are from below, I am from above. 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:35.159 You are of this world, I am not of this world. 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:45.440 So in context, John is warning his readers against love for this world. 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:54.000 Love for the world that is the godless world, a world conformed against God, bereft of knowledge of God, 00:13:54.340 --> 00:14:01.020 an idol-ridden, rebellious, disobedient, self-indulgent, unregenerate world, and all its trappings. 00:14:02.400 --> 00:14:08.640 A diabolical world orientated against God and inhabited without reference to God. 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.759 He says, 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:17.639 Do not love the world, the world that seeks to airbrush God out, that exchanges the truth about God for a lie, 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:22.740 and lives like God doesn't exist, a foolish world. 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:29.019 Having started to understand definition, our immediate response, 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:31.919 Do not love the world, is why shouldn't I love the world? 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:35.919 And what does the world look like in my own life? 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:38.659 Well, that's what John is going to go on to tell us. 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:45.600 He gives us three compelling reasons why loving the world is foolish, fatuous, and futile. 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.700 So here's the first. 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:50.700 In verse 15b, 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:55.860 If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 00:14:56.280 --> 00:15:01.300 Love for the world is opposed to love for the Father. 00:15:02.400 --> 00:15:05.100 John is saying they are totally incongruent. 00:15:05.560 --> 00:15:08.420 You cannot love the world and love the Father. 00:15:08.540 --> 00:15:10.620 They are mutually exclusive. 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.980 They are antithetical. 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:16.520 If you're loving the world, you cannot be loving the Father. 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.559 It is impossible. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:22.460 Thomas Chalmers, that famous Scottish preacher, wrote, 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:26.039 The love of God and the love of the world are two affections, 00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:30.379 not merely in a state of rivalship, but in a state of enmity. 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:36.779 And that's so irreconcilable that they cannot dwell together in the same bosom. 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:39.179 It's also classic. 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:41.399 Jesus, not just Chalmers. 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:47.240 No one, not even you, can serve two masters. 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:49.360 Either you will hate the one and love the other, 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:52.819 or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:55.100 You cannot serve both God and money. 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:57.860 You cannot serve both God and the world. 00:15:57.860 --> 00:16:03.460 You cannot be one who glorifies God by enjoying Him forever, 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:08.379 whilst at the same time seeking pleasure, meaning, and worth from stuff. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:10.720 It is impossible, says John. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:14.660 Loving the world and what it offers, 00:16:15.040 --> 00:16:18.080 clinging to and craving something that isn't God, 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:23.940 is diagnostic that love for the Father is absent from your life. 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:28.920 Love for the world is diametrically opposed to love for the Father, 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:32.600 incongruent, antithetical, incompatible. 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:36.480 It is chalk and cheese, hips and hearts. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:41.740 They cannot both coexist together. 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:45.920 Do not love the world, says John, 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:49.779 because if you do, you cannot be loving the Father. 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:53.240 It's very real, isn't it? 00:16:53.300 --> 00:16:54.360 It's very binary, 00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:57.360 because we all think we can. 00:16:58.120 --> 00:17:00.620 We can have a slice of God and a slice of the world, 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:02.820 and that'll do us. 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:08.039 Second reason John gives us that we shouldn't love the world 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:12.279 is that everything in the world comes from the world, 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:13.299 not from the Father. 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:17.599 That it originates in the world. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:22.359 Just read verse 16 with me. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.460 For everything in the world, 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.539 the lust of the flesh, 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.440 the lust of the eyes, 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:27.539 and the pride of life 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:29.240 comes not from the Father, 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:31.380 but from the world. 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.220 He helps us, doesn't he? 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:38.160 Tell us what love for the world looks like. 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:40.680 He gives us three things. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:43.400 The lust of the flesh. 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:48.640 Those internal desires that well up inside us. 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:53.000 The cravings of the sinful, selfish self. 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:59.020 Pleasure, indulgence, status, respect, laziness. 00:17:59.080 --> 00:18:00.320 I don't want to do any work today. 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.100 Gluttony. 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:03.800 I deserve all this stuff. 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:07.700 The selfish desires that make it all about us. 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:10.840 That self-serving, self-obsessed, self-seeking, 00:18:11.020 --> 00:18:13.020 selfish streak that's in all of us. 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:16.559 That narcissistic trait we're prone to, 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:18.240 where we think no one loves me 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:21.460 quite as much as me. 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.900 The lust of the flesh, 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:28.599 those internal desires that well up in our hearts, 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:31.339 from which evil flows. 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:34.879 A world where beauty is devoid of goodness, 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:38.460 where pleasure is devoid of joy, 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:41.100 where identity is devoid of God, 00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:46.100 and where worship is turned inward to ourselves. 00:18:48.100 --> 00:18:53.299 Lust of the flesh is where worldliness originates from. 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:56.519 Secondly, we get the lust of the eyes. 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:58.740 That's not our internal cravings, 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:01.120 but our external covetings. 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:05.799 Not the wandering heart, 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.600 but the wandering eyes. 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:10.600 The eye seeing and the heart responding, 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.519 I need that. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.840 I must have that. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.200 I deserve that. 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:16.799 All the language of idolatry. 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:20.220 Eye seeking things first, 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:22.700 not the kingdom of God. 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:24.840 The desire to acquire. 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.400 I'll have one of those, 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:27.900 one of those, 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.420 one of those, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:28.940 two of those, 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.980 because I'm worth it. 00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:33.620 And it's fueled in our world by advertising, 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:35.519 enforced by materialism, 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:37.519 stoked by superficiality, 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:40.460 and spurred on by this inward desire, 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:42.220 we have to keep up with the Joneses, 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:44.700 who always seem to be running faster than we are. 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:47.960 Jesus again, 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:50.200 at the beginning of the parable of the rich fool. 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:52.059 Watch out. 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:55.000 Be on your guard against all kinds of greed. 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.059 Life, 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:57.160 real life, 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:57.879 true life, 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:59.720 does not consist in an abundance 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:01.440 of possessions. 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:04.519 It's the snare of our world. 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:05.460 You are what you drive. 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.600 You are what you eat. 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:09.320 You are what you make your phone calls on. 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.940 You are the make of shirt 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:15.019 that you adorn to your work on Monday morning. 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:20.759 A snare we all entangle ourselves in all the time. 00:20:22.080 --> 00:20:25.440 It's the lies of the world penetrate into our lives. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:30.820 Desires that do not originate from God, 00:20:31.820 --> 00:20:33.860 but from the world and end 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:36.460 in the accumulation of stuff, 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.880 the lust of the eyes. 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.100 And thirdly, 00:20:40.180 --> 00:20:41.440 the pride of life. 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:45.779 The emotional response to the previous two. 00:20:47.080 --> 00:20:48.440 So when you get new things, 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.600 what do you want to do with them? 00:20:50.620 --> 00:20:51.059 Well, 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:52.160 you want to show them to people, 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.559 don't you? 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.539 I certainly do. 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:57.379 The new Amazon package arrives in the office. 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.960 Undo it. 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.079 Hey, 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.480 Graham. 00:21:01.419 --> 00:21:02.379 Guess what I got? 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:04.059 That's the natural response. 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.799 The pride of life. 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:06.319 C.H. 00:21:06.399 --> 00:21:07.919 Dodd in his new English Bible, 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:10.460 he translates the pride of life 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:12.039 as the arrogance produced 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:14.200 by material possessions. 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:17.079 A foolish fanaticism 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.279 with replacing God 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.039 as the focus 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:20.359 and the source of all joy 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:21.659 with stuff. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:24.799 Our hardwired hearts 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:27.119 that readily become idol factories 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.779 and latch onto things 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:30.539 and find our status, 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.679 our worth, 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:34.519 our identity from them. 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:37.039 Our short-sightedness 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:38.539 that adjusts our field of vision 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:40.299 to this world only 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:43.179 and not to the world that come. 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:46.059 All these are wrong. 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.279 The lust of the eyes, 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:48.179 the lust of the flesh, 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.899 and the pride of life. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.319 Why? 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.599 Because they don't originate 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.299 in a good God, 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.220 but they originate 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.240 in a fallen world. 00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:56.799 John says, 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.759 don't love the world 00:21:57.759 --> 00:22:00.220 because love for the world 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.039 stems and flows 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.819 from worldliness, 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.679 not from God. 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.559 Don't love the world 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.519 because you can't love God 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.099 and the world. 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.159 Don't love the world 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:09.319 because love for the world 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:11.119 originates in the world. 00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:11.879 And the third reason 00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:12.980 he gives us is this. 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:16.299 The world and its desires 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:18.579 are passing away. 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.519 It won't last. 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:25.480 It's not going to survive. 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.640 We observe this 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:29.200 in our lives all the time. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.599 That the stuff we buy 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:34.720 doesn't last as long as we want. 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:37.700 So in 2010, 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:39.000 I got my first iPhone, 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:40.380 the iPhone 3S. 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.839 I was really excited about it. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:43.539 I thought finally 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:45.519 my life would be complete. 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:48.740 Then in September 2010, 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:51.039 they bought out the iPhone 4 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:52.740 and I couldn't even look 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.880 at my 3S anymore. 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.100 But I thought, 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.500 you've done this to me before, 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.440 Steve Jobs. 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.920 I'm going to wait. 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.819 So I waited a whole year 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.100 and got the iPhone 5. 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:06.939 And then, 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:08.579 the iPhone 6 came out 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.139 and again, 00:23:09.939 --> 00:23:11.079 couldn't even look at it. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.639 And so I just got a new phone, 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.879 the 6 Plus, 00:23:14.939 --> 00:23:15.799 which is nice and big 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.599 so I can show it off 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.139 to everyone. 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.179 And I quite like it. 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.839 It's not completing my life 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.839 in the way that they promise. 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:26.459 But do you know what? 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.359 I don't even know 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:27.859 what's happened 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:29.240 to my iPhone 3S. 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:31.119 I dare say 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:31.899 it's in a rubbish 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:33.100 heap somewhere in India. 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.140 But at the time, 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:36.580 it was everything to me. 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.880 I had apps for everything 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:40.540 and isn't that the nature 00:23:40.540 --> 00:23:41.540 of all worldliness? 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.019 That we save 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.800 and we think 00:23:43.800 --> 00:23:44.840 and it's this one 00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:46.160 and now I'm complete 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:47.019 and then it's gone 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:48.860 and it's passed away. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:53.340 Everything is on a downward spiral 00:23:53.340 --> 00:23:55.080 to devaluing. 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.220 It will not last. 00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:57.040 The world 00:23:57.040 --> 00:23:58.720 is passing away. 00:23:58.720 --> 00:24:01.539 New cars 00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:03.100 hastily devalued, 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:03.880 new houses 00:24:03.880 --> 00:24:05.160 perpetually running down, 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.279 holidays consigned 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.420 to the Facebook album, 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:08.360 meals quickly digested, 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.579 gadgets superseded, 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:12.339 clothes rapidly worn out, 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:14.500 wealth consistently eroded. 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.940 Time is passing 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:18.140 and as time passes, 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:20.200 stuff passes away. 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.480 The world is 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.839 passing away. 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:25.399 We strive for it. 00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:27.480 We finally acquire it. 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:28.859 It's quickly defunct 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:30.019 and eventually dumped. 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.339 That's the way of the world. 00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:33.339 It is 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.599 passing away. 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:37.519 The temporal nature 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.379 of this life 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:39.299 makes investing 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.579 our lives in it 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:42.519 a bad move. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:44.859 Again, 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.960 classic Jesus. 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.339 It's almost like 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:49.180 John and Jesus 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.539 hung out all the time 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.480 and it was 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:53.779 John who actually saw 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.779 and actually touched 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.839 and actually looked upon 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.740 and actually heard 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.420 Jesus 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.400 because it's classic 00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.480 Jesus all the time. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:02.099 Do not accumulate 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:02.759 for yourselves 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.680 treasures on earth 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.519 where moth and rust 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:04.980 destroy 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.599 and where thieves 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.440 break in and steal. 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:08.319 But store up 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:08.839 for yourselves 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.740 treasures in heaven 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:11.019 where moth and rust 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:12.379 do not destroy. 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.019 And where thieves 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.200 do not break in and steal. 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.720 For where your treasure is 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:18.539 there your heart 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.160 will be also. 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.660 What does Jesus say 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:23.319 at the end 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:24.240 of the parable 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.059 of the rich fall? 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:27.119 What does it profit 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:29.240 a man to gain 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.259 the whole world 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:32.740 yet forfeit his soul 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.519 and the answer is nothing 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.539 because the world 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:36.839 passes away? 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.819 All this stuff. 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:41.240 iPhones, cars, 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:41.839 houses, 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.699 suits, 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.199 the end of the day 00:25:44.199 --> 00:25:44.819 are just going to be 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.740 moths and rust 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:47.519 if they last that long. 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:47.859 If not, 00:25:47.919 --> 00:25:49.119 they'll be stolen. 00:25:50.419 --> 00:25:51.459 That's what John is saying. 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.159 Loving the world 00:25:52.159 --> 00:25:52.699 is futile 00:25:52.699 --> 00:25:53.359 because the world 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.299 is passing away. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.579 So John says this. 00:25:56.679 --> 00:25:57.559 Do not love the world 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.619 or anything in the world 00:25:58.619 --> 00:26:00.059 because it's supposed 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.000 to love for the Father. 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:01.879 It originates not 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.439 from the Father 00:26:02.439 --> 00:26:03.339 but from the world. 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:05.220 And its outcome is 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:07.079 that the world ends 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:08.740 and then you've got nothing. 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.679 But I think this is where 00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.599 John's final point 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.399 is so important 00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:15.379 because he gives us 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:15.899 an incentive. 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.799 We cannot simply 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.899 avert our eyes 00:26:19.899 --> 00:26:20.720 from adverts, 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.619 put a filter 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.759 on our Amazon account 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:24.259 and set up 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.699 rigorous austerity measures 00:26:25.699 --> 00:26:26.519 in our spending. 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.960 They might tackle 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:30.159 the symptoms 00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:31.039 of worldliness 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.980 but they will not 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:33.119 tackle the heart issue. 00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:37.000 May alter our behaviour 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.740 but won't alter our being. 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:41.059 It may change 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.740 the manifestation 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.599 of our wants 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.299 but it will not 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:43.960 quell them 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:45.659 from inside us. 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:48.019 So I read this great rhyme 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.859 from the deep south 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.619 about worldliness. 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.440 It says this. 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.579 If you want to tackle 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.139 worldliness 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:53.779 do not drink 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.299 or smoke 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.779 or swear 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.379 or chew 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:56.700 and don't go out 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.599 with girls who do. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:00.099 It's just a sticking plaster 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:00.599 isn't it? 00:27:00.659 --> 00:27:01.000 It's just 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:02.099 dealing with the behaviour. 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:04.059 That's why John's 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.819 final incentive 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.599 is so helpful. 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:07.240 He says this. 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.159 Whoever does 00:27:09.159 --> 00:27:10.000 the will of God 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:11.000 will live 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.759 forever. 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.200 If you weigh up 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.839 what the world 00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:15.519 is offering 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:18.839 foolishness 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.680 futility 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:21.000 fatuousness 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:24.039 short life 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.639 and you add up 00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:25.799 what God is offering 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:28.000 there's eternal life 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.500 doing the will of God 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:31.000 and loving 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.559 loving God 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.180 is synonymous 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.799 in John. 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.920 Whoever loves me 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:36.200 will keep my commands. 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.659 If you love me 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:39.539 you'll do what I say. 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.519 He's saying the same thing 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.579 but whoever loves God 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.279 most 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:44.180 will live forever. 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:45.180 whoever 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:48.220 if you keep my commands 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.960 you will remain 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.799 in my love. 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:51.420 Whoever 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:53.019 has my commands 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.759 and keeps them 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.360 is the one 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:55.880 who loves me. 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.759 The way to disengage 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.539 from the world 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.640 is to love God 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.519 most. 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:05.259 As the chorus 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.560 says 00:28:05.560 --> 00:28:06.360 turn your eyes 00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:07.140 upon Jesus 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.840 look full 00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:09.299 in his wonderful face 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.839 and the things 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:11.200 of earth 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:11.619 will grow 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.399 strangely dim 00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:13.139 in the light 00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:14.500 of his glory 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.579 as grace. 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.519 So Chalmers 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:17.879 again 00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.700 says this 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:20.779 the way to disengage 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.519 the heart 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.259 from the positive 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.200 love of one 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.720 great 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.819 and ascendant 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:25.200 object 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:26.660 is to fasten 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.740 it in positive 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.880 love to another. 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.340 Then it is not 00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:31.100 by exposing 00:28:31.100 --> 00:28:31.960 the worthlessness 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.799 of the former 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:34.319 but by addressing 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.440 to the mental eye 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.420 the worth and excellence 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:37.200 of the latter 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:39.000 that all old things 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:40.259 are to be done away with 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.480 and all things 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.440 are to become new. 00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:43.860 We affirm 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.620 how impossible 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:46.180 it is for our hearts 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.660 through any innate 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.539 elasticity 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.500 of their own 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.720 to cast the world 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.539 away and thus 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.320 reduce itself 00:28:52.320 --> 00:28:53.100 to a wilderness. 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:54.539 The heart 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.240 is not so 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.039 constituted 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:57.539 and the only way 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.620 to dispossess it 00:28:58.620 --> 00:28:59.840 of an old affection 00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:01.039 is by the 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:01.980 expulsive power 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.759 of a new one. 00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.220 Thomas Chalmers 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:05.799 is saying 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.380 that the way 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:07.080 to love the world 00:29:07.080 --> 00:29:07.940 less is to love 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.380 God more. 00:29:10.600 --> 00:29:11.259 When God 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.140 takes his rightful 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.560 place 00:29:12.560 --> 00:29:13.500 the things 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.180 that we have 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:14.799 and the objects 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.440 we own 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.519 find their 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.500 rightful place. 00:29:18.120 --> 00:29:18.860 We must see 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:19.380 that clinging 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:19.900 to God 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.600 loving God 00:29:20.600 --> 00:29:21.160 and obeying 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.600 and fulfilling 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.320 God's will 00:29:22.320 --> 00:29:23.180 is the way 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:23.960 to supplant 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.640 our tendency 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.820 to love the world 00:29:25.820 --> 00:29:27.380 and to loosen 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:27.840 the grip 00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:28.420 of the world 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:29.039 and the things 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.900 of the world 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.920 on our fickle hearts. 00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:35.019 If you are prone 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.720 to worldliness 00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.980 what's the antidote? 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.259 Love for God. 00:29:41.100 --> 00:29:42.340 That we might say 00:29:42.340 --> 00:29:43.180 with the psalmist 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:44.400 who have I in heaven 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.560 but you 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:46.780 and on earth 00:29:46.780 --> 00:29:47.640 there is nothing 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.480 that I desire 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.460 besides you. 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.540 And so the big 00:29:51.540 --> 00:29:52.140 message is 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:52.660 do not love 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.320 the world 00:29:53.320 --> 00:29:55.320 do the will 00:29:55.320 --> 00:29:56.100 of the Father. 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.140 Do not love 00:29:58.140 --> 00:29:58.740 the world 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.620 love God 00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:02.080 because it pays 00:30:02.080 --> 00:30:02.660 a far more 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.480 eternal dividend. 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:06.220 So how do we do it? 00:30:06.280 --> 00:30:07.080 Well I want to give you 00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:08.019 a mnemonic 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.640 to finish 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.320 and the mnemonic 00:30:09.320 --> 00:30:09.980 is tag 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.720 and I think 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.120 it works 00:30:11.120 --> 00:30:11.700 with worldliness 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.519 because of things 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:13.539 like price tags. 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.079 So when we look 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.799 at a price tag 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.559 remember the word 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.160 tag 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:18.420 and the words 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:19.339 tag 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.160 are to remind us 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:21.180 of these three things. 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:23.120 So when we interact 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:24.019 with things of the world 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.759 be thankful. 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.960 Have a thankfulness 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.640 within you 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:29.019 that God 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.900 you are the source 00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:30.680 of all good gifts 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.779 and I thank you so much 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.660 for providing this 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.240 for me. 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:35.559 All good and perfect gifts 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.059 come from 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.980 the Father of lights 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.900 who does not change 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:39.220 like shifting sand. 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.240 If we can orientate 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.700 our hearts 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:43.279 not to worship things 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:44.099 but to worship 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:45.180 the giver of all things 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.700 that will build 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:48.519 a far more healthy 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.759 attitude to the world. 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:50.980 Thankfulness 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.700 first one. 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:53.740 Adoration. 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:57.019 Cultivate your devotional life. 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:57.819 Love God 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.819 most. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:02.140 Love God most. 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.460 Read his words. 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:05.140 Spend time in prayer. 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.500 All these things 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.720 to fuel our hearts 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.680 with love for God. 00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:10.539 And as our hearts 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.880 are as full as an egg 00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:13.039 with love for God 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.740 we'll find that 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:15.039 worldliness has no room 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:15.759 to creep in. 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:18.319 I read this book. 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:20.420 This has been the best book 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.279 except for the Bible 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:22.579 that I have ever read. 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:26.279 It is unbelievable. 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:29.539 It will do so much 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:31.779 to stoke the affections 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.400 of your heart 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.140 towards God. 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:35.240 And so 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.700 I managed to get them 00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.620 for two pounds each 00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:38.880 so buy them on the way out 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:39.800 and I think you'll find 00:31:39.800 --> 00:31:40.440 that affection 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:42.420 and adoration for God 00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:43.259 will be fueled. 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.680 Lastly, 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.040 G. 00:31:46.520 --> 00:31:46.960 Generosity. 00:31:48.620 --> 00:31:50.440 Use your material possessions, 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.759 money and resources 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:54.060 to show that 00:31:54.060 --> 00:31:55.080 they're not your God. 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.820 They're not your treasure 00:31:56.820 --> 00:31:57.960 but Jesus is. 00:31:57.960 --> 00:32:01.140 Hold your things loosely 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:03.039 so you're prepared 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.140 to use them 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:06.019 to further God's kingdom. 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:08.059 There is nothing wrong 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:09.480 with having a nice house 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:11.440 but to think 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:13.100 how can I use this generously 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:15.259 in order to have people 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:15.940 around for a dinner 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:17.400 to cultivate fellowship 00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:18.340 to encourage them 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:19.539 in their Christian life. 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:22.259 There's nothing wrong 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.340 with having nice things 00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:24.059 as long as we don't 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:25.019 cling to them 00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:25.920 so much 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.340 that we think 00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:27.200 we could never do 00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:27.779 without them. 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.640 And how can we practice 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.480 doing without them 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:32.460 by being generous 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:33.060 with them 00:32:33.060 --> 00:32:35.000 and lending them 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:36.800 and using them 00:32:36.800 --> 00:32:39.620 to further God's kingdom 00:32:39.620 --> 00:32:40.220 showing that 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.120 He is our treasure. 00:32:42.360 --> 00:32:43.120 Let me finish 00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:43.640 by telling you 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.840 the story of J.P. Morgan. 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.560 J.P. Morgan 00:32:45.560 --> 00:32:46.400 was the first 00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:47.840 billionaire in the world. 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:50.259 He had a ridiculous 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.080 amount of money 00:32:51.080 --> 00:32:53.180 and this is what he writes 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:53.720 at the beginning 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.460 of his will. 00:32:55.920 --> 00:33:00.000 Before he carves up 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.600 his estate 00:33:00.600 --> 00:33:01.220 and gives it 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:02.200 to his children 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:03.300 he writes this 00:33:03.300 --> 00:33:04.120 Article 1 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.500 J.P. Morgan's will 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:07.960 I commit my soul 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.759 into the hands 00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.680 of my Saviour 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:12.100 in full confidence 00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:13.320 that Him 00:33:13.320 --> 00:33:14.320 having redeemed it 00:33:14.320 --> 00:33:15.060 and washed it 00:33:15.060 --> 00:33:16.920 in His most precious blood 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:19.140 He will present me 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:19.660 faultless 00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.660 before the throne 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:22.240 of my Father. 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:24.900 That's a great attitude 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.299 isn't it 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:25.680 for a man 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.599 who had so much? 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:27.700 He said 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.559 I count it all rubbish 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.420 because the first thing 00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:30.339 I want to tell you about 00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:32.039 is that Jesus 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.740 is my treasure 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.559 and because of Him 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:35.759 I'll stand before God 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:37.000 blameless. 00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:38.259 Don't love the world. 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.700 You can't love God 00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.500 and the world. 00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:43.299 Love for the world 00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:44.460 originates in the world 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:44.960 and the world 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:45.839 is passing away. 00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:48.099 But if you love God 00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:48.640 you'll live 00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:49.799 forever. 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.720 It's a no-brainer. 00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:52.319 So let's pray. 00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:01.079 You have searched me Lord 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:02.639 and you know me. 00:34:03.639 --> 00:34:04.859 You know when I sit 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:05.759 and when I rise 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:07.159 you perceive my thoughts 00:34:07.159 --> 00:34:07.859 from afar. 00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:10.519 You discern my going out 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.460 and my lying down. 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.179 You are familiar 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:13.360 with all my ways. 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:16.000 Before a word 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:17.179 is on my tongue 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:18.679 you Lord 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:19.539 know it completely. 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:21.820 You hem me in 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.800 behind and before 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.680 and lay your hand 00:34:23.680 --> 00:34:24.160 upon me. 00:34:24.240 --> 00:34:24.880 Such knowledge 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:25.740 is too wonderful 00:34:25.740 --> 00:34:26.800 too lofty 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:28.320 for me to attain. 00:34:29.680 --> 00:34:30.740 And so we pray 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.740 search me God 00:34:31.740 --> 00:34:33.700 and know my heart 00:34:33.700 --> 00:34:34.360 test me 00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:35.800 and know my anxious 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.360 thoughts. 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.320 See if there are 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:39.420 any worldly ways 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:39.920 in me 00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:41.560 and lead me 00:34:41.560 --> 00:34:42.100 in the way 00:34:42.100 --> 00:34:42.760 everlasting. 00:34:42.760 --> 00:34:44.160 Amen.