1. Do the Will of God and Live Forever. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17

2. Do the Will of God and Live Forever. Our Scripture reading today is from 1 John 2:12-17 In these verses we have: 1. An Assurance 2. A Warning and 3. An Exhortation From the Apostle of love

3. Do the Will of God and Live Forever. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

4. Do the Will of God and Live Forever. What we are assured of (or their (and ours) spiritual sate) 2:12-14 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

5. Do the Will of God and Live Forever. Their Spiritual State (4 conditions listed) Sins forgiven (You can be saved!) They know God (You can know God!) They have overcome the wicked one (You can be an overcomer!) They are strong and the word of God abides in them (You can be strong!)

6. Do the Will of God and Live Forever. We are encouraged to NOT to love the world “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.” A paraphrase says: “Do not love the world’s ways or the world’s goods because this will squeeze out God’s love.” The World It is not the place we live Or the people around us It is a philosophy of life A system that is against God; A lifestyle that leaves God out

7. Do the Will of God and Live Forever. Do NOT love the world “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Ro.12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (NLT) The love of the world is incompatible with the love of God The world is temporary “The world’s sinful system is in competition with God’s; Operates counter to His character and commands.” (Faith Life Study Bible)

8. Do the Will of God and Live Forever. More about “NOT loving the world”.. “For all that is in the world..” The lust of the flesh- “lust” is the passionate desire for some thing good or bad. The lust of the flesh is sensual appetite. That desire which resides in the flesh. Works of the flesh (Gal. 5:20) The lust of the eye- seeks mental pleasure rather than physical gratification Pride of life- Pride in one’s status. Vain assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things, resulting in a contempt for divine laws. Those who love this world has a short term view; those who love God has a long term view. “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, (lust of flesh) that it was pleasant to the eyes, (lust of the eye) and a tree desirable to make one wise, (pride of life) she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

9. Do the Will of God and Live Forever. The antidote: Do the will of God “but he that does the will of God abides for ever.” “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Gal 5:16 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Ro. 13:14

10. Do the Will of God and Live Forever. “The World is passing away and the lust there of” We don’t deposit money in a failing bank We don’t buy a house with a sinking foundation Don’t live for a world that is passing away Do the will of God Abide forever! “He who does the will of God abides for ever”. This was the life verse of D. L. Moody.