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Can Christians be Friends With the World?
What I Wish I'd Known Sooner #2 | Learning what's truly important sooner rather than later. | Jan 16, 2022 | Pastor Bill Meiter | Arizona Community Church | http://az.church | Online giving: http://az.church/give
THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF BEING FRIENDS WITH THE WORLD
Come completely out and never look back!
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?
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By Arizona Community Church
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What I Wish I'd Known Sooner #2 | Learning what's truly important sooner rather than later. | Jan 16, 2022 | Pastor Bill Meiter | Arizona Community Church | http://az.church | Online giving: http://az.church/give
THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF BEING FRIENDS WITH THE WORLD
Come completely out and never look back!
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?