John 17:6-16 PARADOX 1 Corinthians 15:36-38 Romans 6:3-7 Romans 5:18

MANY PARADOXES IN THE BIBLE Not To Cause Confusion, But To Make Us Think Proverbs 1:5,6 “to understand a proverb & an enigma” “In the world, but not of the world” – John 17:14-16 Not to love world or things in it – 1 John 2:15-17 Friendship with world separates from God – James 4:4 Not conform to world – Romans 12:2

MANY PARADOXES IN THE BIBLE Not To Cause Confusion, But To Make Us Think At the Same Time We Must Live In The World Jesus came into world of men – John 1:10 Jesus was not of the world – John 17:14 We still must associate with sinners- 1 Corinthians 5:9,10 Cannot let world influence us

IN THE WORLD & OF THE WORLD Sin deceives into leaving God for world- Hebrews 3:12-14 If we follow sins of world, the world owns us – John 8:34 A Christian must cease sinning – 1 Peter 4:1-3 If we allow friends of the world to influence our choices, we become like them – 1 Corinthians 15:33

It is hard to do; yet it is what God is expecting of us Have you ever walked through a large crowd that is moving one way, while you are attempting to go in the opposite direction? It is hard to do; yet it is what God is expecting of us

The World Is Running Headlong To Hell We Are Going The Opposite Direction Matthew 7:13,14

TRYING TO AVOID THE WORLD WHILE IN IT Many people try to fight the influence of world by quarantining themselves Jesus came to world to heal it – Matthew 9:10-13 Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10 Jesus sent us into the world – Matthew 28:18-20 Not to become a part of it, but to teach it We are to be an example – 1 Peter 2:11,12

TRYING TO AVOID THE WORLD WHILE IN IT Avoidance sounds good, but doesn’t work – Colossians 2:20-23 Does not eating help a person avoid over-eating Do the celibate lives of Catholic priests help the avoid sexual sins? God does not isolate us from sin – 1 Corinthians 10:13 Does not keep bad things from happening to us – James 1:2-4; Hebrews 12:4-11

STRIKING THE BALANCE OF BEING IN THE WORLD WITHOUT BEING A PART OF IT Jesus was in the world, working with sinners Took time to separate Himself for prayer- John 6:15 He faced temptation but did not give in to sin – Hebrews 4:15 Strive to follow Him- 1 Corinthians 11:1; Matthew 5:13-16

Salt is worthless if it is no longer distinctive Light is worthless if it is not seen ADD A FOOTER

A Christian under control of World – Come back If you are not a Christian, it is past time for you to come out of the world A Christian under control of World – Come back ADD A FOOTER