Purity 3 Worldliness in the church NT Church 2017-2018

Worldliness IT is loving the world more than God “Worldliness” not found in scripture, but “the world” is! “World” (κόσμος, kosmos) can mean: 1) creation; 2) material realm; 3) all of mankind; 4) a moral reference in contrast with God’s ways

Worldliness 1 John 2:15-17, the world or things, lusts… James 4:4, friendship with the world is enmity with God Romans 12:1-2, not conformed to this world, but transformed…

Worldliness “Respectable worldliness” – things that society in general accepts as good (though it is worldly) Sometimes we may tolerate “degrees” of behavior. OR doing things not wrong within themselves (e.g. working, recreation, etc.), but being consumed with them crowds out God and righteousness GOD doesn’t make that distinction!

Worldliness We rightly apply such passages to individuals, but what about the church? Can a church be worldly?

Worldliness in the church When its members are worldly. If we are focused on “things above”, we can keep worldliness out of the church (Colossians 3:1-2) When we are more concerned about pleasing men, than God! - our standing in society (above God) - catering to what man wants 1 Samuel 8:20, “like all the nations” Galatians 1:10

Worldliness in the church Loosened standards of fellowship & truth - Soft preaching – 2 Timothy 4:2- 3, 1 Thessalonians 2:4 - Tolerating immorality – MDR, immodesty, social drinking, modern dance, sinful viewing, etc. Revelation 2:18-21 – Thyatira, Corinth, etc.

Worldliness in the church Loosened standards of fellowship & truth - Deemphasizing our differences – too many want to ignore that which divides us, without studying to determine the truth. Romans 14 does NOT address ALL doctrinal differences (e.g. moral issues, matters of salvation, etc.) It is very limited in its scope. IF all is subjective, why study?

Worldliness in the church Redefining authority, scripture, the church, etc. - the need for authority is not taught, why we do what we do, etc. 2 Timothy 2:15, do we “rightly divide the word of truth”? We must NOT handle God’s word deceitfully (2 Corinthians 4:2, 2:17)

Worldliness in the church Materialism (pursuit of things) - more concerned about building - externals of worship (entertainment) - attendance at any cost WE must always ask, what does God desire in these matters? (cf. Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 20:7, etc.)

Worldliness in the church Redefining the work of the church to social (material) pursuits - God has given the church a simple work and organization. Don’t turn it into what it was not intended to be – Romans 14:17 - many churches today are more interested in what men want than what they actually need! If it takes such to bring them in, what will it take to keep them?

Worldliness in the church Prosperity preaching - deceiving brethren into thinking it is about achieving material wealth and success. When we are selective with who we welcome – James 2:1-10, Luke 14:23 – will we go “into the highways and hedges” and compel them to come in?

Worldliness in the church When we as a church are filled with ungodly attitudes toward each other - carnal and behaving like mere men, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, James 3:13- 16, earthly and sensual James 4:1-4, Galatians 5:14-15 – do we bite and devour one another?

Worldliness in the church When God is not our priority! - are we indifferent toward Him and His work? Revelation 3:14-19, Laodicea; Revelation 2:4-5 – Ephesus Revelation 3:1-5 – Sardis (dead) Externals are not enough! We need a devoted heart!

Dealing with worldliness Never forget who the church belongs to – we must be Christ centered Matthew 6:24, Romans 12:1-2, Not of the world – John 17:14-16, 15:19-20 Seek to be pure as studied – Titus 2:12, James 1:27

Dealing with worldliness We need to convert people to Christ through His word – nothing more or less! Respect and follow God’s pattern! It is up to each of us – we are the church! Colossians 3:1-2, Matthew 6:19-20

What are we doing to keep worldliness out of the church here? NT Church 2017-2018