Sunday, September 30, 2018 am
OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO
THE WORLD
a.
Be reminded that this
world is the domain of Satan
John 12:31 describes Him as “the ruler of this world”
2 Corinthians 4:4 he is “the god of this age”
Ephesians 2:2 –
describes those walking according to the course of this world as
following “the prince of the power of the air”
Revelation 12:9, using figurative language made reference to the great
dragon, identifying him as the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole
world.
1 John 5:19 reminds us that the whole world lies under the sway of the
wicked one.
b.
It is sheer foolishness
to underestimate the influence of Satan in this world.
In fact we are warned that we are at war with him and his forces.
Ephesians 6:12 describes this “wrestling” against him and his
forces.
Anyone knows that if you have a fight ahead of you, no matter what it
is, you need to make ample preparation.
c.
Because of this, we
should not be at all surprised to see an ungodly world acting in ungodly
ways. And we need to act
accordingly. So WHAT ARE
some things we ought to do?
a.
Colossians 4:5 – we are
to walk in wisdom toward those who are outside. We need to be alert and
aware of what is going on. We are doing this to:
1) look for opportunities to have an impact on someone, and
2) to beware of the dangers around us, lest we be tempted and trapped.
b.
Matthew 10:16, Jesus
warned the 12 as He sent them out into the world, to be wise as serpents
and harmless as doves.
c.
Don’t be surprised at
how you may be treated by the ungodly world when you try to live as a
Christian - 1 John 3:13 – do not marvel if the world hates you.
Jesus warned His apostles of the same thing – John 15:18 – Jesus
noted that they hated Him, and thus not to be surprised when they hated
them. John 17:14 –
Jesus noted as He prayed that the different conduct of His disciples
would cause the world to hate them.
d.
But this doesn’t mean
you cannot be alert and cautious to what is happening! In fact, it tells
us that is something we MSUT be doing as we consider the world.
a.
Romans 12:1-2 – this
verse notes several things.
i.
We are not to be conformed to this world
– to conform to something means to assimilate, or mold to something.
We are to conform (a different Greek word – meaning to be like
something) to the image of His Son – Romans 8:29; in the end we will be
conformed to His glorious body – Philippians 3:21) but NOT to this world
or its ways
ii.
Be transformed
– to change into a different nature.
iii.
By renewing our minds
– it will begin with a mind that is following Him with our
all.
iv.
The point is –
being a Christian means we are changed.
This is a major theme of the Bible.
b.
Keep yourself unspotted
– do not let the world taint you.
Again that is emphasized in numerous passages.
James 1:27 – pure and undefiled religion… we keep ourselves unspotted
Colossians 2:20 notes that we died with Christ FROM the basic principles
of the world.
Titus 2:12 – the grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly
lusts
James 4:4 – friendship with the world is enmity with God
1 Peter 4:4 – speaks of how those of the world need to see a change in
you. In fact, for the
worldly they think it strange how different you are.
c.
Can the world see that we are different?
a.
We must not
underestimate the power of a godly example.
It is the single most important thing we can do to find
opportunities to teach.
Bad examples turn people away and godly examples can lead to
opportunities.
The previous point about being different is only PART of being a proper
example. The godly example
certainly is not just a changed life, but one that DOES what is
expected. In other words,
it’s not just what you DON’T do, but also what you DO because of who you
are.
b.
Jesus taught it
– Matthew 5:13-16 – we are salt – a great analogy as salt does
many things:
1) It preserves; 2) It flavors (don’t forget what too much salt can do
to food); and 3) It produces thirst; 4)
AND it can irritate – as God’s word will do to those who do not want to
be confronted with it.
All of these are good analogies to our life as Christians.
We are light – Jesus is described as “the light of the world”
John 8:12. Light is a reference to Him and His teachings & ways.
John 1:3-4 noted that He is the light of men that shines in the darkness
of this world.
Jesus taught we must let our lights shine and not hide it.
WHEN it shines, God is glorified.
c.
Paul taught it – Philippians 2:14-16 noting how we are to behave and the type of
disposition we are to have.
We live being blameless and harmless.
And as such, we shine as lights in the midst of this crooked and
perverse generation.
d.
Peter taught it
– 1 Peter
2:11-12 he spoke of conduct that was honorable among the Gentiles (i.e.
the world), that when they OBSERVE your good works, God is glorified.
1 Peter 4:3-4 – as previously noted, we are different and the world
notices, perhaps even speaking evil of you for changing.
But your example shows who you are.
e.
Sometimes being a proper
example is the ONLY thing you can do.
a.
Our final observation is
that we are called upon to win souls.
There are many passages that challenge us to look for
opportunities and seek to bring the lost to Him.
b.
Our example is a major
element in this. But that is
NOT enough. We eventually
need to bring them to the gospel and show what they need to do.
c.
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 -
we will all stand one day in judgment, knowing the terror of the Lord,
we need to persuade men.
Jude 22-23 – on some
have compassion, others snatch out of the fire.
1 Peter 3:15 – we are to be ready to give a defense for the hope within
us.
Matthew 28:18-20 –
Jesus’ final admonition was “the great commission”.
There are many other things we could add to this list, but these give us
a foundation. They remind us
that even though we are in the world, we are not OF the world.
Still, we have things to do.
Consider this with our upcoming Gospel meeting.
Are
you fulfilling your responsibilities to the world?
Think about it.