Rejecting the Fantasy Session 8

A Man Without God... is like an automobile without an engine.

A Man Without an “Engine”  The result is a profound emptiness and meaninglessness in every man apart from Christ.

Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

The Path to Emptiness Darkness in the understanding Ignorance in the intellect Hardness in the will & emotions Disconnection from God Emptiness in the whole being

The Downward Path  Ephesians 5:3-17

God’s Attitude Toward the World  The worldly Christian is separating himself from God’s ways and God’s plans.  The Scriptures speak much about the pull and debilitating influence of this “world.”

I Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

II Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live [sensibly], righteously, and godly, in this present world. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live [sensibly], righteously, and godly, in this present world.

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

I John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

I John 2:15-16, (cont.) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

The Effect of the World on the Heart  The great fantasy of worldliness is that a man can live his life independent of God.

Habits of the Heart A common approach among Christians [is to] worry that the content of popular culture will encourage certain behavior (e.g., disrespect to parents, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, proclivity to violence, etc.).

Habits of the Heart (cont.) While these are obviously legi- timate concerns, what should attract more attention is the effect of consistent exposure to popular culture, whether or not the content is objection- able, on the development of internal dispositions.

Habits of the Heart (cont.) The habits of the mind, heart, and soul—in short the qualities of character—that are encouraged or discouraged by the aesthetic dynamics of our cultural activities are at least as important to Christian reflection.

Two World-Views  Matthew 7:24-27  Foolish and wise men  These two worldviews promote opposing habits of the heart

The Effect of the World on the Heart  The twin disciplines of a wise heart are “hear” and “do.”  The twin culprits in a foolish heart are “desire” and “indulge.”  James 1:14-15

The Desire-Oriented Life of a Fool  The worldling is easily distracted.  He is driven to have something new.  He is also easily moved by what is now.

Have it NOW: No Wait  Express Lanes  Instant Relief  Easy Money  Fast Food  Instant Credit  Casual Sex

The Desire-Oriented Life of a Fool  The worldling is easily lured.  He has no objective, abiding principles.  This relativism is the most dangerous part.

“But I like it!”  Which being interpreted means, “I take pleasure in it.”  Ruled by pleasure not by principle

Philippians 4:8  Whatsoever things...  are true  are honest  are just  are pure  are lovely  are of good report  are virtuous  are praise- worthy

The Desire-Oriented Life of a Fool  They are left without principles and must live entirely by sensation and emotion.

The Indulgent-Oriented Life of a Fool  He is defiant to the created order in nature.  The worldling is defiant to the commanded order in God’s Word.

The Indulgent-Oriented Life of a Fool  The result of the foolishness of the world is death.  Everything dies when removed from the light of God.

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