Worldliness

INTRO:

1. The church has internal dangers

2. The church has external dangers

3. Worldliness is an internal danger

4. The church is in the world - the world should not be in the church.

BODY:

I. What is worldliness? (How is the word "world" used in the Bible?)

A. Not material creation - Acts 17:24

B. Not people - John 3:16

C. Love not the "world" - evil sphere opposed to God and controlled by satan- 1 John 2:15-17; Eph 2:1-3.

II. Is there worldliness in the church?

A. Social dancing - Gal. 5:19-21

B. Social drinking - I Pet. 4:1-5

C. Profanity, dirty stories - Eph. 4:29

D. Fornication - I Cor. 5

E. Adultery - Matt. 19:9

F. Indecent clothing - Matt. 5:28

III. How strongly does the Bible condemn worldliness?

A. I Pet. 2:11-12

B. Titus 2:11-12

C. Jas. 1:27

D. II. Cor. 6:14-17

E. Rom. 12:1-2

F. II Cor. 7:1

IV. How can the church overcome worldliness?

A. Love God with our ALL - Mk. 12:29-30.

B. Put the Kingdom first - Matt. 6:33

C. Practice discipleship - Matt. 16:24

D. Stay busy - I Cor. 15:58

E. I Jn. 5:4; Rom 12:11