Well, that was the perfect song
for what I want to try to deal with tonight. Paul didn't say, charge them
that are rich that they be not high-minded. He said, charge
them that are rich in this world. And that's what I've entitled
this message, in this world. And I hope through this that
you and I can get a proper understanding of the world. You know, when
a fundamentalist preacher preaches on worldliness, everybody just
puts their head down and waits for the waves of anger to roll
over there. I'm not interested in bringing
a message like that. May the Lord deliver me from
that. I don't want to bring a message
worldliness. All we do is hear the word. We
just start thinking about things about us that's too worldly.
I know, I know. But that's not what I want to
deal with. Charge them the rich in this
world. That tells us that there is another
world. There's this world and there
is another world. When we were singing that hymn
and that one phrase, and that's what takes place in that other
world, when the hymn writer said, but just a smile from my Savior
I know. And I thought of the Lord smiled
at me and it just, that will be glory, to have the Lord Jesus
Christ smile at me in approval. I just can't imagine that. And
that is speaking of that other world. In Matthew chapter 12,
verse 32, the Lord warns us of those who do not have forgiveness
in this world or the world to come. Now, if there are three
words in the New Testament translated world. The one that's used the
least means the inhabited earth. You remember that passage of
scripture where there went out a decree of Caesar Augustus that
all the world should be taxed. It just means the whole Roman
population or the whole inhabited world. And the other two words
that are translated world are used almost interchangeably.
I don't know if I'm pronouncing them right. I remember one time
I pronounced this word Cosmos, I pronounce it Cosmos. I remember
somebody corrected me afterwards. And I thought, it's a dead language. How do you know? So I'm always
intimidated any time I try to pronounce a Greek word, but the
Greek word cosmos, world, or ion, A-I-O long N. And once both of these words
are used in the same verse, in Ephesians 2 too, it says wherein
times past you walked, according to the course of this world,
the age of this world, the world of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in
the children of disobedience. Now the world could mean the
earth. The world can mean the earth in contrast with heaven.
The world can mean the human race. Remember when the Lord
said, you are the light of the world. He's talking about you're
the light of the human race. If somebody is going to hear
the gospel, they're going to hear it through you. It can mean
Gentiles as distinguished from the Jews. I think of that passage
of scripture where John says he's the propitiation for our
sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole
world. Speaking not just of us Jews, but of the Gentiles as
well. The world can mean Jews as well as Gentiles, all types
of men. The present condition of human
affairs, the world means the present condition of human affairs
in alienation and opposition to God. It's The same world,
the Lord said, the world cannot hate you, but me it hateth, because
I testify of it, that the deeds thereof are evil. The world which
he said he was not of, he said, I'm not of this world. He said,
you're from beneath. I'm from above. You're of this
world. I am not of this world. The world could mean the sum
of temporal possessions. Remember when the Lord said,
what would profit a man if he gained the whole world? and lose
his soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for soul? The
word is used metaphorically regarding the tongue. I think of that scripture,
the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. What a definition
of the tongue, a world of iniquity. And I know my tongue is a world
of iniquity. And I think of that scripture
where it says the tongue in James chapter three, the tongue can
no man tame. I'd like to tame mine, but I haven't been able
to. I hope the grace of God tames it, though. A man can't tame
it, but God can tame it. The world as an age, a period
of time characterized by certain things. You know, we talk of
the old world or a brave new world or all those. We use that
word. Scripture uses that word in so
many different ways. This world. the world we're in
right now. Now I'm not talking so much about
the planet. I love this world. I love the
earth. I love the mountains. I love
the sea. I love the ocean. When we're talking, when preachers
talk about worldliness, they usually talk about, you know,
how you dress or what kind of music you listen to. It has nothing
to do with it. That's not what worldliness is. But John did
say this, he said, love not the world. Now he's not talking about
The planet or the beautiful mountains or all the blessings of this
life. We just read. where God has given us all things
richly to enjoy. And the Lord talks about, I mean,
Solomon talks about enjoying the fruit of your labor. And
the Lord means for us to enjoy life. You're not supposed to
be miserable and depressed all the time. I mean, there's so
much great blessing in this life to enjoy. And it says, he giveth
us all things richly to enjoy. I'm thankful for that, aren't
you? But John still says, love not the world. And he's talking
about that world that has no love for God. Love not the world. Now, the problem is that we have
something in us called the flesh that loves the world. I wish it wasn't that way, but
that's the way it is. Love not the world, neither things that
are in the world, for all that's of the world, 1 John 2, 15-17,
all that's of the world, the lust of the flesh Pleasure. Anybody here that doesn't have
any desire for pleasure? The lust of the eyes. That's popularity. That's what
other people see. Being concerned about what other
people think. That's the lust of the eyes.
And the pride of life. Power. Control. Thinking you
have some ability. is not of the Father, and that's
what we're told not to love, and yet you know that your whole
nature does love those things. And yet the command of the scripture
is love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man loved the world, the love of the Father is not in
him. James said, whosoever is a friend
of the world is the enemy of God. That's a strong statement,
isn't it? Whosoever is a friend of this
world, this world that stands in opposition to the gospel,
this world that stands in opposition to God, he is an enemy of God. Now we are in a dangerous place. I want you to listen to this
statement real carefully. We are in a dangerous place.
If we are comfortable in this world, We're strangers, the scripture
says, and pilgrims passing through. This world is not our home. Like David said in that psalm
we just heard read, I'd rather be a doorkeeper in the house
of the Lord than to dwell in the tents, the wide spaces of
wickedness. Turn with me to John 17. I want
you to look at this passage of scripture. I think this is. This
is so amazing. The Lord says in verse 14, I
have given them. Speaking of his elect and remember
why you're in John 17, look in verse nine. The Lord refused
to pray for the world in John 17, nine, he said, I pray for
them. Speaking of the elect, I pray for them. I prayed not
for the world, but for them, which thou has given me for they
are thine. Now Christ himself said, I do
not pray for the world. I pray for them, which you've
given me. Now look what he says regarding those whom the father
gave him in verse 14. I have given them thy word and
the world has hated them because They are not of the world. Now, of has to do with origin.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Now,
I wish I could explain what that meant. It's glorious, though. How is the Lord not of the world?
Well, I mean, he's of God. He's always been. He's not of
the world. He said, my kingdom is not of
this world. And it's not, oh, it's not in
any way. He said, if my kingdom were of
this world, he said to Pilate, if my kingdom was of this world,
you wouldn't with me. My servants would fight and I'd
be delivered from you. No way you, but my kingdom is
not of this world. And he says regarding every one
of his people, they're not of this world, even as I'm not of
this world. Now that speaks of union with
the Lord Jesus Christ, eternal union with Him, and that just
keeps getting more glorious the more I think about that. I've
always had personality before God in Christ. Do I understand
that? Of course not. Do I believe it?
With all my heart. They are not of the world even
as I am not of the world. Satan is called the God of this
world. That's a sobering thing to think
about, isn't it? The God of this world. Do you remember when Satan
showed Christ the kingdoms of this world in a moment of time,
the scripture says? And the devil said to him, all
this power, I'm quoting from the scripture, all this power
will I give to thee and the glory of them for that is delivered
unto me. Who delivered it unto him? God
did. God gave Satan that ability. And he said, Whomsoever will,
I will, I give it. If you worship me, all will be
thine. Now understand this, the world,
every unbeliever is under the control and the power and the
dominion of the devil. That's what the scripture says.
Ephesians 2.2, I've already quoted it. And you hath he quickened
who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in times past you
walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in
the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
the desires of our flesh and of our mind, and we were by nature
children of wrath, just like everybody else. That's the way
we were born into this world. And every unbeliever is under
the control of Satan. Now they don't know that. Most
of them are religious. Most of them think they worship
God, but every believer is under the dominion of the devil. In
Psalm 17, 14, we read where David spoke of men of this world, men
of this world. who have their portion in this
life. Now I don't want my portion just
in this life, do you? I don't want my portion, I want
my portion in the life to come. In the presence of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Turn with me to Colossians chapter 2. We're warned about the elements
of this world. Lest any man spoil you, verse
8, Colossians 2, verse 8. Beware, lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit after the traditions of men,
after the rudiments, the elements, the ABCs, the building blocks
of the world and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness
of the Godhead bodily and you are complete in him. which is the head of all principality
and power. Now beware, lest any man spoil
you from your completeness in the Lord Jesus Christ. Look in
the same chapter, verse 20. Wherefore, if ye be dead with
Christ from the rudiments The elements, the foundational truths
of the world, the way they think. Why, as though living in the
world, are you subject to ordinances? Man-made rules. Touch not, taste
not, handle not. There's man's religion. Don't
touch this, don't taste this, don't handle that. Everything's
going to be fine. It's a complete misunderstanding
of what sin is. And what does he say next? He
said, which all are to perish with the using. If that's your
religion, you're going to perish. That's worldly religion. Now
there's worldliness. You want to know what worldliness
is? Right there it is. Touch not, taste not, handle
not. Which things have indeed a show
of wisdom and will worship. I've got willpower to, I've got
control over these things. And in humility, a voluntary
humility and neglecting of the body, but not in any honor to
the satisfying of the flesh. There's nothing to that kind
of thinking. You know, we're warned of the
wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with God. Read Ecclesiastes if you get
an opportunity this week. You know, Solomon, for lack of a better word, tried
everything this world has to offer. He said, I gave myself
to this. I gave myself to that. I gave
myself to this. Things aren't good, but he gave
himself to every one of them. And you know what his conclusion
was with regard to everything this life has to offer. Behold,
all is vanity and vexation of spirit. We read, our Lord warns
us about the cares of this world. Remember the parable of the sower
and the thorn choked here? He says, the cares of this world. And there are cares of this world.
We got to deal with, we live in this world. I mean, we're
here. The Lord said, I pray not that
you take them out of the world, but that you deliver them from
evil. We're here and we deal with the cares of this world.
But our Lord warns us of the cares of this world and the deceitfulness
of riches, the promise that riches make and the lust of other things
choke the word and it becomes unfruitful. And there's no real
life there. The cares of this world. Paul
says we've not received, in 1 Corinthians 2.12, he says we've not received
the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God, that
we might know the things freely given to us of God. You know,
this world cannot understand the concept of grace. Not free
grace. Well, the only kind of grace
there is is free grace. You know, the world can understand Calvinism.
Again, it's a logical system. The world can understand Arminianism,
but the world just cannot understand the grace of God. The Lord has not given us the
spirit of the world, but the spirit, which is of God, that
we might know the things freely given to us of God. I love this
scripture. In John chapter 14, the Lord said, my peace I give
to you. Not as the world gives to you,
give I unto you. You know the world's got a piece
to give, don't they? You know, you get a windfall, get a bunch
of money, everything's good. You don't have any conflict in
your life, everything's good. Your circumstances are right,
everything's good. And you feel a sense of well-being.
You can really feel a piece that this world has to give. Everything's
great. But it can be taken away so easily. It's so fragile because
it's based on circumstances. The Lord said, My peace I give
you. Now, what's His peace? He says,
these things have I spoken to you that in me, you might have
peace in the world. You shall have tribulation in
the world. You shall have trouble in the
world. You shall have tribe and be a good cheer. I have overcome
the world. Here's where I have peace in
Christ. And here's the only thing that gives me peace. I can say
this with such depth of conviction. That all God sees when he sees
me is Jesus Christ. And that gives me peace. If you
tell me that, um, There's something I need to do in order to make
that peace mine. I don't have any peace. But if
you tell me that he is my peace, that he worked out my peace,
that he made peace for me by the blood of his cross, that
he is my peace. Here's peace. Where Judah said
regarding Benjamin, picturing the Lord Jesus Christ, the great
lion of the tribe of Judah, he said, I will be surety for him. of my hand shalt thou require
him. And if I bring him not unto thee and set him before thee,
let me bear the blame forever. Now, if the Lord says that regarding
me, I have peace. I love what David said. He said
in second Samuel 23, five, although my house be not so with God. That can mean so many things.
He can be talking about his relatives, his family, be talking about
this house. Although my house be not so with
God yet. There it is. Although, yet. hath
he made with me an everlasting covenant, a covenant made in
eternity. And it was ordered in all things.
There's no way I can mess anything up. It's already taken care of.
It's ordered in all things. And it's sure. And David said,
this is all my salvation. I love that. It's all mine too,
David. And it's all my desire. It's all I desire. In 1 John 5.19, John said, And
we know that we are of God, and the whole world, life, is made
its bed in wickedness. James said, Whosoever is a friend
of the world is the enemy of God. Turn with me to 2 Timothy
chapter 4, and I don't know if there's a sadder verse of scripture
in all the Word of God than this. 2 Timothy chapter 4, verse 10. For Demas, now Demas was a traveling
companion of the Apostle Paul. I mean, when Paul went preaching,
Demas went with him. He was a personal friend of Paul.
He was a greatly blessed man, seemingly. But look what he says
about Demas. For Demas hath forsaken me, having
loved this present world." He forsook Paul. You know, in Galatians
1.4, Paul says he had delivered us from this present evil world. But evidently, Demas wasn't delivered
because he loved this present evil world. The Lord said, what should it profit a man?
Think of this question. What should it profit a man?
What benefit would it be to him if he gained the whole world
and lose his soul? What will a man give in exchange
for his soul? Now we are in this world. that I've been speaking of, that
scripture says love not the world and don't be a friend of the
world. And we're carrying something with us that loves the world,
that loves the lust of the flesh, that's affected by the lust of
the eyes, that wants the pride of life. Somebody says, I don't
have problems with those things anymore. I don't believe that
for a second. I mean, that's just not so. If you've got flesh,
There's something attractive to you about the lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. No use denying it. Is there anyone
that doesn't have a problem with what they would call worldliness?
I have no problem with that. No, I don't believe it for a
second. But the Bible gives us some things
to understand with regard to this world. First of all, the new man doesn't love it. That new man that does not sin
don't love the world in the sense that you see it for what it is.
The world hates the Lord Jesus Christ. He said, the world cannot
hate you, but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the deeds
thereof are evil. Turn to John 15 for just a moment. John 15, verse 18, if the world hate you, You know that it hated me before
it hated you if you were of the world. The world would love his
own. But because you're not of the
world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the
world hateth you. Remember the word that I said
unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they
persecuted me, they'll also persecute you. If they've kept my saying,
they'll keep yours also. But all these things will they
do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that
sent me. If I'd not come and spoken unto
them, they'd had no sin, but now they have no cloak for their
sin. He that hateth me, hateth my father also. If I'd not done
among them the works which none other man did, they had not had
sin, but now they have both seen and hated. Both me and my father,
but this cometh to pass that the word might be fulfilled that
was written in their law. They hated me without a cause
freely. Now what kind of world hates
Jesus Christ without a cause? He's altogether lovely. He's
altogether glorious. He's the bright and morning star. He's the full ripley. He's God. He's the creator. He's the great
shepherd of the sheep and the world hates him. See the world
for what it is. Is it any wonder Paul said, if
any man loved not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema,
maranatha, damned upon the return of the Lord. Now, was Paul speaking
harshly when he spoke that way? No, he knows the Lord Jesus Christ
and his beauty and his glory. Turn to James chapter one. Verse 26. If any man among you seems to
be religious and bridles not his tongue, boasts of his own
works, he deceives his own heart. This man's religion is vain.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to
visit the fatherless and widows and their affliction and to keep
himself What? Unspotted from the world. Now that takes the grace of God. I want to be unspotted. I don't
want to be affected by this world's religion, by this world's values,
by this world's desires. I want to be unspotted. Now,
I know that takes the grace of God, but oh, that the Lord would
enable me to have this pure religion, which keeps me unspotted from
the world, the religion, the ways, the maxims, the desires,
the values of this world. In Romans chapter 12 verses turn
their Romans chapter 12. I beseech you, therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God. I love his argument. I beseech
you by God's mercy to you, his saving mercy that has saved you,
that you present your bodies. A living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed
to this world. Them that are rich in this world,
same world he's talking about. Be not conformed to this world.
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you
may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God. For I say through the grace of
God given unto me, here's the first thing we do when we're
not conformed to this world. Here's the first thing. I think
this is so interesting. First thing he mentions. For
I say through the grace given to me to every man that's among
you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think. You know, that's where we get in trouble. every time
not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think
you know it's a it's a glorious thing when i see i'm nothing
but a sinner and he's a complete savior it's wonderful i it's
it's a blessing Not to think of himself more highly than he
ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God had
dealt to every man, the measure of faith. Now, how do I go about
that? Not being conformed to this world. Let me give you what
I think is the best scripture regarding this. Turn to Galatians
chapter six. This is what Matt sang about
at the beginning of this service. Verse 12. As many as desire to make a fair
show in the flesh. Wouldn't that be a pretty accurate
description of man's religion? A fair show in the flesh. Would they constrain you to be
circumcised? And they have a reason and a
motive. It's only unless they should serve for persecution
for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who
are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised
that they may glory in your flesh. Look how I've influenced this
person for good. I've won a soul. I've done something good. I've,
I've, I've been a positive influence in somebody's life. Oh, I feel
good about myself. I that's all that is. That's
all it is. Verse 14. Now here's Paul. I
love what he says. Now, Paul, is the chief apostle. Paul is the man God used to write
most of the New Testament. Paul is the man God used more
than any other man to expound the gospel. He's the man that
was brought up into the third heavens and taught the gospel
directly from the Lord Jesus Christ. Now Paul, Paul, what
does Paul say? What does Paul say? I just forget
everybody else. What does Paul say? Paul says,
God forbid that I should glory, that I should have confidence
in, that I should rejoice in, that I should boast in, that
I should have assurance in anything save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ. What he accomplished on the cross,
what he meant when he said it is finished. My salvation. It was finished. It was completed. Nothing left for me to do. You
know, I do. That's all I glory in. That's
all I have confidence in. I don't have confidence in my
preaching. I don't have confidence in my praying. I don't have confidence
in my understanding. I have confidence in this. All
God requires of me, He looks to Christ for. And Christ accomplished
my salvation. I was saved 2,000 years ago.
I was saved before time again. Now that's what I have confidence
in. cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now look what he says next. By
whom the world is crucified unto me. In light of the cross of
the Lord Jesus Christ, the glory he achieved for his father, his
love to his people, the glories of the cross, I see this world,
it's crucified to me. It has no more value than a dead
man hanging on a tree. The world is crucified into me,
and because I believe this, the world sees me the same way I
see the world, as crucified, as useless, as worthless. Now, listen to this scripture. I want
to give two or three more scriptures regarding the world. In John
3, verse 16, God so loved. the world. I love that verse. God so loved
the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever and
that would actually be more accurately translated that the one believing
The one believing should not perish, but have everlasting
life. Now, if we would love the world
the way God loves it, we would not love it in the way we should
not love it, would we? Listen to this scripture. This
is a faithful saying and it's worthy. of everybody's welcome
embrace that Christ Jesus came into the world. This world we're
living right now. He invaded history. He came into the world. The word
was made flesh. And what did he come into the
world to do? Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I'm one of them. He came to save
me. Aren't you thankful that he came
into the world to save sinners? Of whom Paul said, I am the chief. And he now says, go ye into all
the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Now that's
his commission to me and you. to preach the gospel to every
creature. And he said, lo, I am with you
even to the end of the world. Let's pray.