KEY VERSE John 15:18-21 ESV: If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

A CULTURE THAT IS INCREASINGLY DRIFTING FURTHER AWAY

Our culture is running headlong into greater and greater ungodliness! Specifically, the sexual revolution that started in the 1960’s has come to full fruition today!

CHRIST CALLED PEOPLE TO A RADICAL COMMITMENT

Christ called upon people to deny themselves and take up their crosses: Mt. 16:24-25; Lk. 14:25-27

When a person becomes a Christian they are a totally-new creation: 2 Cor. 5:17; Ga. 2:20

Believers are radically different from unbelievers in the most important ways: 2 Cor. 6:14-16; 11:14-16; Rom. 8:6-7

RC Sproul once said, “The greatest weakness in the church today is that the servants of God keep looking over their shoulder for the approval of men.”

THERE IS NO SCENARIO WHERE BEING FRIENDS WITH THE WORLD WORKS

Too many churches have sought to find “common ground” with the world specifically with regard to marriage, gender and sexual ethics!

Charles Spurgeon once said this, “I fear that sometimes, in our endeavors to be sweet in disposition, we have not been strong in principle. “Charity” is a word that is greatly cried up nowadays; but often, it means that, in trying to be courteous, we have also been traitorous.”

Making concessions with the world will not lead to “common ground,” only to “compromised ground.” Elijah was a man who left no room for any compromise--whatsoever--I Kings 18:21

There is a type of “tolerance” God hates: Rev. 2:14-16; 20-23; James 4:4

DON’T APOLOGIZE FOR LIVING A LIFE RADICALLY SET APART It’s 100% certain that the people of this world will find your holy life “strange:” 1 Peter 4:3-4

As believers we are to set our gaze straight ahead--never looking back--never looking around: Luke 9:57-62

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Where have you seen the church seeking to find “common ground” with the world?

Why do you think the church (and believers) have such a hard time remembering that it’s impossible to be friends with the world?

Where do you think the church needs to “hold the line” with regard to the truth of “God’s Word” right now?

How might you encourage other believers this week to stand strong?

Jan 17, 202241:20

What do You Worry About?

WORRIED ABOUT ALL THE WRONG THINGS

LEARNING TO CHOOSE THE “GOOD PORTION”

KEY VERSE

Luke 10:38-42 ESV… Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

ARE YOU WORRIED?

It has been said that about 85% of the things people worry about never come to pass. The world would be a different place if people could be “wiser” when it comes to “worrying”!

TWO SISTERS… TWO DIFFERENT CONCERNS

Mary and Martha perfectly illustrate how easy it is to be concerned about all the wrong things! Martha had the LIVING LORD… sitting in her LIVING ROOM! But Martha let the guest in her home distract her from being a guest at Jesus’ feet! There is nothing necessarily wrong with desiring to be a good host… Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9 It’s when we let “lesser-good things” crowd-out “better-eternal things”... that it becomes a “very-bad thing”.

CHOOSING THE GOOD PORTION

Jesus commend Mary for choosing the “good portion”... Luke 10:42 As human beings… we are naturally inclined to choose “good portions” The rich young ruler is a great example of choosing a “bad portion”... Mark 10:17-22 The Apostle Paul warned about letting the temporal override the eternal… 1 Timothy 6:10

THE DANGER OF LIVING IN THE LAND OF PLENTY

We live in the… “land of plenty”… Surrounded by “endless luxury”… In a culture that has “all the wrong priorities”... if ever there were a generation who could be focused on all the wrong things… while missing out on what truly matters… It’s our generation! Not to mention… that we also live in a land of… 24 hour news… Non-stop sports… Endless entertainment… And round-the-clock politics!

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Who do you relate more to… Mary or Martha? What “worldly worries” keep you from “Kingdom Priorities”? Can you think of a time when you choose the “good portion” spiritually speaking? What can we learn from Jesus’ encounter with the rich-young ruler? What can you do this week to focus on those things that truly matter!

Jan 10, 202236:03