Indiana Jones 3 – Choose Wisely.
This verses gives a contrast between two loves, two lives, two orientations toward life.
The core verse of this epistle.
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:17, ESV)
- ”And the world is passing away”
- It is only a puff, a phantom, a bubble, a mirage that will melt away as you try to approach it; there is nothing substantial in it.
- An empty imitation of God’s best.
- What seems to be the best, really isn’t.
- What seems to be of most value, isn’t.
- What seems to be of most importance, isn’t.
- APP: This is why sin is ultimately unsatisfying.
- APP: To love the world is to lose everything, including the thing loved. To love God is to gain him and his kingdom.
”along with its desires” –
- One day God will make a new heaven and new earth. Sin will be completely dealt with. All the craving of sin we feel we need so greatly will one day be consumed in judgment.
“whoever does the will of God abides forever” –
- This sounds amazing. What then is the will of God? How do we do it?
- ILL: A tightrope vs. A basketball court.
- Believe in him.
- Know him.
- Obey him.
- 6 Questions To Determine the Will of God: (Bridges/Me)
- 1 Cor. 6:12a – “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful?
- 1) Is it helpful? Physically? Mentally? Spiritually?
- 1 Cor. 6.12b – All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything?
- 2) Does it bring me under it’s power?
- 1 Cor. 8.1 – Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that all of us possess knowledge. This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.
- 3) Is it based on love? Or pursuit of freedom? Pride?
- 1 Cor. 8.12,13 – Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I win never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
- 4) Does it hurt others? Mentally? Physically? Spiritually?
- 1 Cor. 9.19 – For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
- 5) Does it hurt or help the Kingdom of God?
- 1 Cor. 10.31 – So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- 6) Does it glorify God?
- The idea of doing the will of God is to live as Jesus did when he was on the earth.
“Forever” –
- The death and resurrection of Jesus make “forever” possible.
- But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:20–23, ESV)…
- For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:53–55, ESV)
Conclusion:
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Those who invest their affections and resources primarily in worldly pursuits, to the point of crowding out a life of love and service to Christ, will meet with devastating disappointment as well as ultimate emptiness and loss.
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It ought not, then, to be difficult to make a choice between these fleeting shadows and the everlasting substance.