Stumbling Blocks to Faith: The World

I. Introduction
   A. Matthew 16:21-23
   B. Peter as "Satan", stumbling block to Jesus
      1. Let his own thinking get in the way
      2. Did not know God's plan
   C. His thinking was according to "the things of men"
   D. What are the "things of men"?  
      1. They tend to be physical
      2. They tend to be carnal
      3. They tend to be the things of the world!
   E. The New Testament demonstrates that the world is a great stumbling 
      block to faith
   F. 1 John 2:15-17
      1. John establishes this clearly here
      2. Let us consider what John is saying

II. 1 John 2:15-17
   A. Do not love the world or the things in the world
      1. Important question-- what does John mean here?
      2. Rocks and birds and trees?
      3. No-- the creation was good (Genesis 1:31)
      4. Romans 8:19-23: creation groans to be clothed in incorruption
      5. Sin and its consequences, then, under discussion!
      6. Reason not to love it clear-- Matthew 6:24, Romans 12:2
   B. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him
      1. John is unequivocal: to love the world is death and 
         destruction!
      2. Death as separation from God (cf. Isaiah 59:1-2)
      3. We cannot compromise with the world and expect to be pleasing 
         to God!
   C. All that is in the world: desires of the flesh
      1. John begins to list the attributes of "the world" that cause 
         such difficulty
      2. He begins with the impulses of the flesh
      3. Such correlate with many works of the flesh-- sexually deviant 
         behavior, uncleanness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, fits of 
         anger, drunkenness, orgies (cf. Galatians 5:19-21) 
      4. Such is contrary to the spirit of sobriety and self-control 
         that should mark the Christian (Galatians 5:22-24, 
         1 Peter 4:7)
   D. Desires of the eyes
      1. The next attribute goes along with the lust of the flesh
      2. The desire to want based upon what is seen
      3. Such correlates to works of the flesh like lasciviousness and 
         envy (Galatians 5:19-21)
      4. We must always be on guard against such things!
   E. Pride in possessions
      1. Or, "the pride of life"
      2. Many a person has stumbled because of pride regarding himself 
         (James 1:22-24, Galatians 6:3; Luke 12:15-21)
      3. Correlates to works of the flesh like jealousy, rivalries, 
         idolatry (as covetousness, Colossians 3:5)
      4. Runs against the humility that should mark the Christian 
         (cf. Philippians 2:1-10)
   F. And the world is passing away with its desires
      1. 2 Peter 3:10-- all will be destroyed
      2. 2 Peter 3:11 the necessary conclusion
      3. It is so easy to focus on that which does not last to the 
         exclusion of that which is permanent!
      4. Matthew 6:19-20
   G. But whoever does the will of God abides forever
      1. Isaiah 40:6-8
      2. The word of the LORD remains, even though all else may be 
         destroyed
      3. Eternal life will be granted to those who follow God's will, 
         and who forsake sin!
   H. Illustration: Eve in the Garden, Genesis 3
      1. We see how these worldly attributes work with Eve's temptation
      2. Genesis 3:6
      3. Eve saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food -- lust of 
         the flesh
      4. Eve saw that it was a delight to the eyes -- lust of the eyes
      5. Eve perceived that it was desired to make one wise -- pride of 
         life
      6. Therefore, following worldly lusts, she ate

III. Avoiding Worldliness
   A. We have seen, therefore, what "the world" represents, and how it 
      operates
   B. How can we avoid worldliness?
   C. Romans 12:9-- abhor evil, cling to good
      1. We know what is good and evil from the Scriptures 
         (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
      2. Mature Christians discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14)
      3. We must strive to manifest the fruit of the Spirit; in so doing, 
         we avoid the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-24)   
   D. Romans 12:2-- mental transformation
      1. It is not sufficient to simply do better; we must also think 
         better!
      2. 2 Corinthians 10:5: capturing every thought!
      3. Mark 7:14-23
      4. Philippians 4:8
      5. One's actions follow from one's thoughts-- clean up thought, 
         actions will follow!
   E. 1 John 1:7-- association
      1. One must watch out for more than one's thoughts and actions-- 
         one must also consider his environment!
      2. 1 Corinthians 15:33: bad company can indeed ruin good morals!
      3. By whom are we being influenced?  With whom do we spend our 
         time?
      4. What relationships do we prize more highly?
      5. Are those according to the world or according to God?
      6. Consider the thrust behind Matthew 10:34-39, 12:46-50!

IV. Conclusion
   A. The world is perhaps the greatest stumbling block to faith
   B. Its way is wide and easy-- the majority way (Matthew 7:13)
   C. It is the way of sin-- the lust of the flesh, eyes, and the pride 
      of life
   D. We must strive to avoid this path by taking the narrow path of 
      obedience to Christ  Jesus (Matthew 7:14)
   E. We must cling to the good, transform our minds, and maintain godly 
      association
   F. Let us strive to obey God!
   G. Invitation/songbook