Derek LevenduskySunday, May 26,

2013

How to Live in the World:

1 John 2:15-17

How do we live in this world?

Two poles:1. Escapists2. Materialists

1 John 2:15-17

15  Do not love the world or the things in the world.

World: kosmos (of…)

1) Physical world2) The world of mankind3) Godless people and the things they seek and the principles that drive them

What is the meaning in this passage?

15 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

This is theme throughout 1 John: God produces God.

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Desire = “Epithumia” meaning “over-desire”

The Over-Desire of the fleshThese are the things our flesh strives to find fulfillment in outside of Christ: money, things, entertainment, food, etc. These are things we think that will satisfy us outside of God.

Desire = “Epithumia” meaning “over-desire”

Over-desire of the eyesThis is primarily talking about sexual lust. Feeding an appetite with your eyes.

Boastful pride of lifeThis is the thing in us that wants to grab at glory. It’s anything we think makes us better than someone else.

CS Lewis said, “What does not satisfy when we find it, was not the thing we were desiring.”

Verse 16 says these are “not from the Father but [are] from the world”

What is from the Father? Jesus is

17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

What’s the will of God? To believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. To be satisfied with Him.

Derek LevenduskySunday, May 26,

2013

How to Live in the World:

1 John 2:15-17