Sunday, March 31, 2019 am
LIGHTS IN A DARK WORLD
(12)
The Darkness Around Us (1)
As
we continue our study of what it means to be a proper example, we are in
the midst of addressing this dark world.
In our last 2 lessons we have discussed Satan and how to deal
with him. Today we want to
take a look at the darkness around us.
The purpose of this lesson is to help us see the seriousness of
the times we are in. This is
not something we can be flippant about.
Even though the New Testament was completed nearly 2000 years ago, it is
just as timely and true today as it was back then.
So much of what it addresses is in terms that describe this
generation. I want us to
consider a few verses and see how they describe this generation.
Today we want to address the wisdom of this world.
In our next lesson we will address some other prevalent areas and
what we need to do as we let our lights shine.
a.
The Bible contrasts
physical light and darkness in various places, including creation
(Genesis 1:2-5)
b.
Men loved darkness – we
also know that there is spiritual darkness which is where our light is
to shine.
The gospel of John introduced Jesus as the Light of the world at the
very beginning.
John 1:5 – addresses
darkness. While Jesus was that Light that shines in the darkness, the
darkness did not comprehend it.
John 3:19-20, this is the
condemnation, men loved darkness rather than light.
c.
Luke 11:35,
“The lamp of the body is the eye.
Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light.
But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore
take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your
whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be
full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”
(34-36)
d.
Ephesians 6:12
– our battle is described as darkness (as we noted last week), the
rulers of the darkness of this age… we are living in “hostile”
territory.
e.
Proverbs 4:19
says, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them
stumble.”
a.
1 Corinthians 3:19-20,
the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
We are living in a time of heightened enlightenment.
We have access to so much knowledge and wisdom.
With electronic media, we have access to virtually anything at
the tip of our fingers. And
that can be a good thing, if we are wise in our pursuit of wisdom.
And in particular, if we seek the wisdom of God.
But what typically happens is when man’s wisdom increases, he begins to
reason away God, His will and accountability.
That is what we are seeing today.
b.
Paul in 1 Corinthians
1-3 contrasted the wisdom of God with the wisdom of this world.
There are several passages that address worldly wisdom:
i.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 speaks of the foolishness of the message of the cross to
those of this world. Paul
deal specifically with Jews and Gentile and how it is a stumbling block
to Jews and foolishness to the Greeks
ii.
1 Corinthians 1:26 – warning, not many wise, noble or mighty according to the
flesh are called
iii.
1 Corinthians 2:14 – the natural man does not receive the things of the spirit
of God, they are foolishness to him.
And he cannot know them.
THIS text is not saying it is impossible for the natural man to
understand God’s word, but he often puts up a barrier that will not
allow him to hear. It is
like the hardened heart in the parable of the Sower.
Satan comes and snatches the word away before it can do anything.
iv.
Then our text – the
wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.
c.
Romans 1:21-25 – as Paul begins his letter to the Romans, he describes the depraved
wisdom of this world. They
reject God and exchange his truth for “the lie”.
Professing to be wise, they became fools.
d.
As noted, we have access
to great knowledge and education that gives us the ability to
investigate and learn. With
the internet and numerous other sources, it is at our fingertips.
But we must understand that not everything that is said is true.
Just because a supposedly
reputable website says something doesn’t mean we should not investigate,
nor that it is completely true.
Far too many sources are highly biased and that needs to be taken
into consideration.
We find that in our school systems with their attempts to promote
naturalism TO THE EXLUSION of other alternatives.
We see that in news media and resources that “conveniently” leave
out certain facts that might alter one’s perception of a particular
occasion.
The wisdom of this world says, “There is no God” or that He is
powerless. Humanism is
openly promoted with very little resistance or challenge.
The wisdom of this world says that we don’t need God, and especially His
message to us. Like Paul
said, the message of the cross is foolishness.
it says that all there is, is what you see – advocating naturalism.
Much of what is presented by the “experts” of naturalism is
inaccurate or extremely biased.
It is often presented as facts rather than theory.
But we are seeing the product of this teaching.
When man says we are nothing but a highly developed animal, with
nothing beyond this life, is it any wonder we have a generation that is
acting like mere animals?
The wisdom of this world says that you should do whatever you want
It says that “he who has the most toys wins”
The wisdom of this world says that you can choose which laws to obey.
The wisdom of this world provokes intolerance, but only toward those who
dare to challenge their definitions.
.
e.
The world calls good
evil, and evil good
–
Isaiah 5:20-21.
And many other things they teach and do.
When a legislature can vote the murder a child at 9 months in its
mother’s womb, AND THE BILL is applauded, we ought to grieve.
f.
James 3:13-18
– James contrasts the wisdom of this world with the wisdom of God.
The wisdom of this world is selfish and often bitter.
James described it as earthly (with worldly goals), sensual (appealing
to our own lusts and fleshly desires), and demonic (of the devil).
It is a wisdom that destroys and does great damage.
We see it all around us.
g.
Understand –
we need wisdom! In
fact, it is wisdom that will help us distinguish the wisdom of this
world from that which is pleasing to God.
i.
Proverbs 4:5-7 challenges to get wisdom and understanding.
He even notes it will preserve and keep you.
ii.
In
Proverbs 2:1-15,
Solomon describes the true value of wisdom – the wisdom of God in
contrast to man’s wisdom.
iii.
James 3:17-18 - After James described the wisdom of this world, he then describes the
wisdom from above – from God.
It character includes: First it is pure, THEN peaceable, gentle,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and
without hypocrisy.
THOUGHT: These are all undeniably good qualities, that EVEN the world
admits are best. IF that is
so, WHY is there so much ugly wisdom prevalent?
Could it have anything to do with the rejection of God as the
true source of that wisdom?
iv.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 1-3 appealed to the wisdom of God in contrast to the wisdom of
man.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 – Paul
is clear that his preaching was not human wisdom, but in the power of
God, so that their faith would NOT be in the wisdom of men.
v.
Colossians 3:16 calls for us to let the word of Christ dwell in us in all wisdom and
teaching
vi.
Colossians 4:5 challenges us to walk in wisdom toward those who are outside
vii.
James 1:5 –
if we lack wisdom, we ask of God!
This dark world has its own wisdom.
It rejects God, His ways and His people.
IF we are to shine as lights in this dark world, we need to
beware of what that wisdom looks like, and WITH wisdom from God we can
make the distinction. Are
you WISELY shining your light?