Do Not Love the World (1 John 2:12–17)

Summary

In this sermon, John MacArthur emphasizes the Biblical command not to love the world, as outlined in 1 John 2. He explains that the world, governed by Satan, is in opposition to God's kingdom and is designed to tempt believers toward sin. MacArthur cautions Christians to lower their expectations of the world and not be seduced by its pleasures, pride, and materialism. He highlights that true believers belong to God's family and are called to focus on heavenly things, as the world is passing away. The message challenges believers to resist worldly influences and live for God’s eternal kingdom.

Takeaways

• 😀 The world system, led by Satan, is inherently opposed to God and operates in rebellion against Him.
• 😀 Christians should lower their expectations of the world, as it will not aid in building God's kingdom.
• 😀 Disappointment arises when Christians expect more from the world than it can provide, which aligns with Satan's goals.
• 😀 The world is a spiritual system dominated by evil, not simply the physical world or human society.
• 😀 Christians are called to not love the world because it is hostile to God, Christ, and godliness.
• 😀 The love of the world is incompatible with love for God, as worldly desires like lust and pride oppose God's will.
• 😀 Christians should not expect the world to embrace or listen to the truth, as it listens to lies and operates under Satan's influence.
• 😀 The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life are the primary temptations the world uses to seduce believers into sin.
• 😀 Christians are part of God's family, and their identity as overcomers of the world makes loving the world impossible.
• 😀 The world is in a state of disintegration and will ultimately be destroyed, so Christians should not place their hope in it.
• 😀 Loving the world means rejecting God's will, and the consequences of this are eternal separation from God and His kingdom.

Q & A

What is the primary message in the script?

The script emphasizes that Christians should not love the world because it is a system of rebellion against God, run by Satan. It argues that expecting the world to support God's kingdom leads to disappointment, and instead, believers should focus on their heavenly citizenship.

Why should Christians not love the world, according to the script?

Christians should not love the world because of what it is (a system of rebellion against God), who they are (members of God's family), and what it does (it incites sin). Additionally, the world is passing away, making it an unwise place to invest affection.

What does the term 'the world' refer to in this context?

'The world' refers to the spiritual system of evil that operates in the physical realm, which is opposed to God and His kingdom. It includes ideologies, behaviors, and systems that are hostile to God, Christ, and godliness.

How does the script explain the nature of disappointment?

The script suggests that disappointment arises from expecting too much from the world. If believers expect nothing from the world, they will avoid disappointment, as the world operates in opposition to God's will.

What does 1 John 2:16 say about the world?

1 John 2:16 explains that the world is characterized by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life, all of which are not from the Father but are from the world.

What is the danger of loving the world, as described in the script?

Loving the world is dangerous because it means giving affection to a system that is inherently opposed to God. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them, making it incompatible with being a true believer.

How does the script relate the fall of Adam and Eve to the world’s temptations?

The script compares the temptations faced by Eve in Genesis 3 to the three categories of sin the world presents: the lust of the eyes (seeing and desiring), the lust of the flesh (pleasure-seeking), and the pride of life (self-exaltation).

What does the script say about the role of Satan in the world system?

Satan is described as the ruler of the world system, which is designed to oppose God’s will and seduce people into sin. The world system is designed to tempt individuals toward immorality, pride, and self-centered desires.

What practical advice does the script give to avoid loving the world?

The script advises believers to focus on heavenly things, set their affections on things above, and avoid being seduced by the world’s pleasures, philosophies, and systems. It also encourages believers to measure their love for God by their love for His Word, fellowship, and service.

What does the script say about the fate of the world?

The world is passing away, as it is doomed to destruction. The script highlights that all worldly systems will eventually collapse, and believers should focus on doing the will of God, which leads to eternal life.