Two Digressions

God's Intervention

Series in 1, 2 & 3 John. 4^th in the series.

As presented by Rev. Jonathan Mills, Pastor at Kanata Baptist Church.

2008-09-28

Scriptures¹:

1 John 2:12-17

Reasons for Writing

 12 I am writing to you, dear children,
       because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

    13 I am writing to you, fathers,
       because you know him who is from the beginning.
       I am writing to you, young people,
       because you have overcome the evil one.

    14 I write to you, dear children,
       because you know the Father.
       I write to you, fathers,
       because you know him who is from the beginning.
       I write to you, young people,
       because you are strong,
       and the word of God lives in you,
       and you have overcome the evil one.

On Not Loving the World

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If you love the world, love for the Father is not in you. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful people, the lust of their eyes and their boasting about what they have and do—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Introduction

Announcement about Scent Free Worship

Before we get to the text of our message this morning, I want to update you on the status of our scent-free proposal.

Sometimes it is surprising how many people suffer silently without anyone really knowing about it. For instance – when we first started serving gluten fee bread at communion, we expected a few people to come forward. Surprisingly, many more come forward than we imagined.

With the issue of scent sensitivity, there are a few people who are significantly affected by scents – it's not an allergic reaction which can be controlled by antihistamine – it is a severe reaction which differs from person to person. Some get migraines – some have violent asthmatic-like reactions – others have different kinds of symptoms – but all are the result of a perfectly preventable cause: perfumes and other scented products that most of us wear.

The most important solution to this question is always education and awareness on the part of those of us who are not scent sensitive. Especially on Sunday mornings–but as a general rule—we can all choose unscented hair and cleanliness products. Unscented antiperspirants; unscented hairspray and hair gels and so on.

A few weeks ago, I was in the shower on a Sunday morning and realized that there was no soap. So, as I looked around, I could see that the teenage boys had left their Old Spice Body Wash in there –so I decided to try using that. Well, as soon as I got a lather—I had a perfume so strong that I found it an affront to my sense of smell. I knew at once that I could not go to church smelling like this ... so I ended up toweling off, then going on a search for some Ivory soap. Once I found it – I showered again, being careful to make sure that the strong scent of the body was removed as much as possible.

// A secondary precaution—and this is particularly important for those with severe sensitivities—is to try to create an area which is more protected than other areas of the church. We recently proposed the balcony, but the general consensus is that it is not a workable solution. So, we are proposing a new solution: that starting next Sunday we designate this area in the back corner as a special area for those with scent sensitivities. It's not putative for them—but intended to be an area where we have special awareness—and create a safe buffer from the rest of the congregation.

We will have direct, outside access from the back doors – we will keep the air circulation system moving the air throughout the services, and always have fresh air coming into the building – and we will encourage the ushers ... and anyone else who notices someone with a perfume or other scent, to please move to a different part of the sanctuary.

In the 1 Cor. 8, the Apostle Paul addresses the subject of food sacrificed to idols. Though it is a very different subject—I believe the principle is the same: it is our responsibility as Christian men and women to do everything we can so as not to put a barrier or stumbling block in the way of our brothers and sisters. Whether a spiritual barrier – as in food sacrificed to idols – or whether a physical barrier – as in wearing scented products ... it is thoughtful and responsible for us to bear up our brothers and sisters and make our worship services a safe place for all.

As we move forward, please do not hesitate to pass along your comments to Jason in the church office—as we continue to monitor this new proposal.

Introduction

Now, let's turn our attention to today's passage of scripture from 1 John.

¹⁵Do not love the world or anything in the world. If you love the world, love for the Father is not in you. ¹⁶For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful people, the lust of their eyes and their boasting about what they have and do—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Here we see a dichotomy between love for the world – and love for the Father.

These two relationships pull us in opposite directions.

It is reminiscent of Jesus words: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” mt. 6:24

A) Do Not Love the World

So we have this “either / or” kind of sitution – but instead of the contrast being between God and money – it is between the love of the Father, and the love of the world.

This morning we're going to look at these verses to determine what John means when he uses the Noun “the World”? And what are the implications of this verse for our relating to the world we live in?

// Let's take a closer look at this – starting with verse 16, and these three specific examples which are mentioned;

(vs. 16) the cravings of sinful people, the lust of their eyes and their boasting about what they have and do...

The cravings of sinful people

First; “... the cravings of sinful people.” This first word “cravings” -- also translated 'longing' or 'lusting' – speaks of a desire for something that is forbidden. In this case, it is literally the cravings of “the flesh.” The King James Version, familiar to many of us, uses the expression; “the lust of the flesh.”

Immediately, we are likely to understand this as meaning sensual or erotic desire. This may be included as a possible meaning, but in this context it seems to carry a broader sense – which is why the NIV translates it “cravings of sinful people.” It most likely refers to the base nature of human beings ... our lower, corrupt nature.

In the study guide that goes with 1 John, it describes the cravings of sinful people as; “godless desires, especially sensual ones: gluttony, moral laxity, love of pleasure and luxury, stinginess, materialism and so on.”²

The lust of their eyes

Next, “... the lust of their eyes.” This word “lust” is the same word translated “cravings” in the previous phrase—this time, it is the lust of their eyes. This refers to covetousness – the desire to have, and to be seen to have things. “Keeping up with the Joneses” as it were. Or in our modern context, conspicuous consumption. Bling bling.

To crave a sophisticated, glamorous or successful image.

Their boasting about what they have and do

Thirdly, “...their boasting about what they have and do.”

These sense of the words means to be boastful and puffed up about one's means of life or livelihood. It is to put others down, in order to make yourself feel superior.

There is a sense of accomplishment which we might call “pride” -- when we have done something of which we can be proud.

But there is a bad kind of pride – which comes from the need to show one's self as being better than others.

This kind of pride also is at the root of our human tendency to reject God and determine that we are sufficient in ourselves to succeed in life – I can stand on my own two feet.

What is “The World”?

So, these three things: (vs. 16) the cravings of sinful people, the lust of their eyes and their boasting about what they have and do... are illustrative of the larger concept of the corrupt World which John is warning us about.

Some would suggest that the world is summed up by the categories of Money, Sex and Power.

This is certainly a part of John's notion of the corrupt world which we are to refrain from loving ... but a broader definition is called for. One which is more similar to Paul's statement in Romans 1:25 “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator...”

Any time a person puts “things” in the position of the ultimate object of desire – when our hearts long for something other than God – when anyone or anything takes the place of God in our lives ... it is wrong.

And let's face it – ours is a world dominated by those who are motivated to succeed in their own strength – to achieve material wealth to excess – and to boast of their accomplishments ... without any acknowledgment of God's role or rightful place.

God's E-mail

// One day God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the evil that was going on. He decided to send an angel down to Earth to check it out. So he called one of His best angels and sent him to Earth for a time.

When he returned he told God, yes it is bad on Earth, 95% is bad and 5% is good.

Well, God thought for a moment and said, maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another point of view.

So God called another angel and sent her to Earth for a time too.

When the angel returned she went to God and told him yes, the Earth was in decline, 95% was bad and 5% was good.

God said this was not good. So He decided to E-mail the 5% that were good and He wanted to encourage them, give them a little something to help them keep going, and give them advice to hold on.

Do you know what that E-mail said?

// Oh, nobody else here got the e-mail either, Eh?

B) Intervention: Trying to Rescue an Addict

A Drug Addict: Losing the Battle for Life

We may joke about the sorry state of the world, but in reality, it's no joke. The suffering is real. The heartache is real.

I'd like to share something with you now that is a very real illustration of the destructive power the world in an individual's life.

There's a television program on A&E called Intervention. It is basically a real life documentary about a family who decide to try to help a loved one who is trapped in the downward cycle of drug or alcohol addiction. In each episode, they follow the life of an addict – documenting the troubling state of affairs in the addict's life – then they follow the work of a professional counselor who gathers the family together to create the meeting which is called the intervention. It's a meeting designed to try to get through to the individual – 'You are killing yourself. We love you. We want the “old you” back. Will you please get help?'

Then the addict has to choose.

It is a heart-wrenching program. Where some reality television programs are all about creating a “feel good” happy ending – Intervention is harsh and raw and true to the hellish life that the addict and their family members are going through.

Caylee's Story

Here's a glimpse into Caylee's story.

She is 21 – and she's been addicted to drugs for 6 years. You do the math.

She started playing violin when she was 3. She had a real talent for it – by the age of 13, she was ranked 2^nd in her state.

But she developed bolemia, made worse by her perfectionist mother, and before long she had turned to drugs.

Her friend Carly said to her; “You're going to die.”

And she replied; “I know.”

When confronted by her family at the intervention, she; “I'm not going to detox – I would rather die ... I would. I'd rather kill myself.”

Anyone who has watched a relative or a friend sinking into the nightmare of addiction will testify to how devastating it is to watch this human tragedy unfold before their eyes.

The addict's life becomes more and more narrowly defined until the drugs become their one, exclusive obsession. In Caylee's words: “I don't have any control over my addiction – it controls me.”

Addicts, without some kind of intervention, will spiral down and down until—one way or another—their addiction will kill them.

Caylee's story is an extreme example – but a real life story – about how dangerous this world and its desires can be. She has lost her way, and found herself entangled in a mess so big that there just does not seem to be any way out ... unless ... unless she has people around her – friends and family – who love her enough to make an intervention.

And fortunately for her, she did have that kind of loving family.

It's going to be a very hard road to recovery, but there is hope for Caylee.

3) God's Intervention

Shunning or Shinning?

So, if the world is so bad ... and so corrupt ... and such a terrible place ... what are we doing sticking around? If the world and its desires are passing away – wouldn't it be better for us to run as far away as we can? ... hide away in caves somewhere, protecting ourselves from the influence of the world and avoiding the world's contamination?

Perhaps that would be the answer if we believed that the world was beyond help. But that's not what the scriptures say.

Jesus said; John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

the world is corrupt. No question about it.

But God has not given up on the world ... he has overcome the world.

John3:16-17 “For God so loved [... what? ...] the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

God has made an intervention!

Into the darkness, God has shone his light.

No matter how dark and corrupt the world might seem – we know that its days are numbered ... and that Jesus has overcome the world. He has made a way through the darkness, so that all who receive him can walk in the light.

And most importantly – if Caylee's tragic life represents the devastating effects of this corrupt world – her intervention represents for us what God is doing about it.

God did not wash his hands of the world and say; “They're all going to hell in a handbasket – I've tried, but there's nothing I can do about it.”

No, he sent his Son ... not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

// We cannot run away from the world—the world is our Mission.

How do we Live in the World, without it Corrupting Us?

So, this brings us back to the first question: we have these two opposites competing for our affections – the love of the Father and the love of the World.

We know that we cannot give ourselves over to the cravings and desires of the world ... that we must hold fast to the love of the Father ... but how?

The human tendency that we have in response to this is to try to overcome the world by creating rules and regulations for ourselves to follow. “Do this ... don't do that!”

It's all reduced to a set of laws to be obeyed.

Bad idea.

One very clear message that we take away from the ministry of Jesus, it is that any time we reduce religion to a set of rules and regulations – even though we may be genuinely motivated to good – we will fail because we are going about it in the wrong way.

This was the Pharisee's plan—Jesus wasn't so keen on it. [more on a legalistic approach in the extra material “Church Covenants.”]

From Legalism to Love: Affection for God

Instead of legalism, these verses point us in a different direction – to an answer that is so simple it almost sounds too easy.

Are you sure it's not more complicated than that?

No, sorry. It's just this: we must love the Father ... and turn our affections, toward him, and our obedience will follow ... and as we do, we will walk in the light of Jesus Christ.

/We must love the Father ...

//That's it. That's the solution.

The Book of My Wife

In the Alpha Course, Nicky Gumble uses the following illustraiton.

I'll personalize it for this morning.

Suppose I went to a book store and picked up a stack of books with one in particular entitled: Jan, the Amazing Woman.

I could take it home and read it with great interest! Some of the chapters include;

Jan; the short order cook.

Jan: the household manager. Very good chapter, that one.

Jan: the high school athlete.

Jan: the longsuffering, committed wife. I've got a few paragraphs underlined in that chapter.

Jan: and computers. That's a very short chapter!

I could read the book, and I would have a pretty good understanding about this amazing woman named Jan.

But no book could ever replace the experience of the first time our eyes met. Or the first time we held hands...

Did I ever tell you that story? We were here in Ottawa, and there was some festival going on downtown ... but as we approached the main stage they said: “Goodnight everyone.” the show was over.

We turned to walk away, and i reached over and held Jan's hand for the first time ... and we heard a loud noise behind us. When we turned around, the sky was full of fireworks. That's absolutely true!

I could read a book about Jan. But nothing can compare to the personal relationship I have with her.

Love the World ... or Love God

All through John's letter we are invited to a relationship with God the Father. We are invited to embrace his love, and turn our affections toward him – because when we do this, we will be given the gift of life ... and we will be able to do our part in carrying out God's plan of redemption in the world.

So, here it is spelled out for us.

In this passage it is very clear; the greater the influence of the world in our lives, the less we will be influenced by God.

But, if we turn it around and grow in our love for God, then the process is reversed and the result is a life that reflects God's love and goodness, and which outlasts this world that is passing away because “... whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

Two relationships are before us – the world and everything in it ... a relationship that is ultimately corrupt, transitory and passing away. And the other, is a relationship with God – a life giving-relationship which brings goodness and peace and permanence to the believer.

Conclusion

¹⁵Do not love the world or anything in the world. If you love the world, love for the Father is not in you. ¹⁶For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful people, the lust of their eyes and their boasting about what they have and do—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷The world and its desires pass away but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Additional Scripture References:

2 Pet 2:18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for "people are slaves to whatever has mastered them." 20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.

Rom 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

1 Pet 4:2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

Notes and Additional Material:

These verses in 1 John have been used to justify a very narrow kind of pietistic interpretation of “resisting the world.”

The Days of Church Covenants

In the first congregation that I was involved as their Pastor, there were documents going back over 100 years. In some ways, the church had locked into a way of doing things which was from a bygone era.

One of the things that was common among Baptist churches in the 1800's and early 1900's was the use of a church covenant. Essentially, this was a one page document which outlined the commitments and responsibilities of living out the Christian faith according to their common understanding.

Here is a section of a church covenant from the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in the Chicago area:

“We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently the word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance ; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good will towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith.”³

Broad and Narrow

Church covenants are helpful documents because they spell out the common commitments of the membership of a local church.

In years gone by, these commitments included activities which we might question in our day. For example, it was normal for Baptist church covenants to have statements about avoiding alcohol, movies, playing cards or dancing.

There was one clause that was common in Maritime Baptist churches that was something like “... we will refrain from sinful activity on the sabbath.”

When you say that today, people generally snicker and say; “What about the other 6 days a week? Does this mean it's okay to sin on those days?”

Of course the intent of the clause was not to suggest that we could go ahead and sin the rest of the week – but rather – to ensure that the faithful understood that there were certain activities which were okay on other days, but were considered sinful on the Sabbath. For instance, mowing the lawn, doing laundry, any household chores and things of that nature – basically, anything that was considered 'work' since the Sabbath was to be a day of rest.

Legalism

Unfortunately, these statements can lead to a kind of legalism which is contrary to the spirit of the mission and ministry of Jesus. (don't want to be too hard on church covenants as they are very helpful in spelling out the commitments of the church people).

Endnotes