Lesson 11: Separation I, "What is Wrong with the World?"

Transcription

1 Lesson 11: Separation I, "What is Wrong with the World?" by: David Roseland, Pastor of Preston City Bible Church I. Key Scripture passages for Separation I 1 John 2:15-17 II. Lesson Notes Introduction: Spiritual reception of spiritual truth requires dependence upon God the Holy Spirit. Summary: What is wrong with the world? A. John 14:16-31: Jesus Separate Categories of Himself, His Disciples, and the World vv16-21: Separation by Giving the Holy Spirit to the disciples: vv22-24: Separation in Behavior/Love: Jude s question and Jesus Restatement vv25-27: Separation in Gifts: The Lord s Gifts vs. the World s vv28-31: Separation from the World to the Father B. Word study of KOSMOS: 187X in 152 Verses 3 Main ways the world is used (KOSMOS, κοσμος) 1) Geography: The Location of a, Mt 4:8 2) Population: The human subjects of a realm, John 3:16 1

2 3) System of Governance: The system of principles, power, and allegiances which is now under the dominion of Satan, the enemy of God, as a consequence of the fall of Adam. C. The Angelic Conflict Summary Principle: This war is between personal powers, not just the ideas of those persons. Satan is identified as the deceiver who rules the world. 2

3 Satan s identification: DECEIVER Deceiver of the Whole World: Revelation 12:9 (NASB95) 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Deceiver of the Nations: Revelation 20:3 (NASB95) 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. Deceiver of Eve: 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NASB95) 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. Deception by Disguise: Today: 2 Corinthians 11:13 15 (NASB95) 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. In the Tribulation: 2 Thessalonians 2:9 11 (NASB95) 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 3

4 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, Satan s Identification: RULER OF THE WORLD John 12:31 32 (NASB95) 31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. John 16:11 (NASB95) 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. Ephesians 6:12 (NASB95) 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces (kosmokrator) of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Satan s Identification: GOD OF THIS AGE 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NASB95) 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Satan s Identification: The PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR Ephesians 2:2 (NASB95) 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 4

5 D. Separation Results of the Fall: In Adam s Fall We Sinned All Position In Adam: 1 Corinthians 15:22 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. Position In Sins: Ephesians 2:1 1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, Position in the Domain of Darkness: Colossians 1:13 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, E. Separation Results of Conversion: For Me, to Live is Christ Crucified to the world and the world to me: Galatians 6:14 14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Flesh crucified: Gal 5:24, Rom 6:6 Galatians 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; Living is Christ: Gal 2:20, Phil 1:20-21, 3:8-9 Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Philippians 1:20 21 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be 5

6 exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 3:8 9 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, F. Application of this New Position and its Responsibilities: So What? We must separate from the world in our Affections: 1 John 2:15-17 Lust of the flesh Lust of the eyes Boastful pride of life We must separate from the world s influences and impact in our Personal Relationships: 2 Cor 6:14-18 We must separate from the world and submit to the Lord in Every area of life: 2 Cor 10:3-5 G. Next Lesson: Introduction to Worldview Studies III. Questions for Reflection and Interaction: 1. Can you explain the difference between the world as the object of God s love in John 3:16 and the world which we are not to love in 1 John 2:15-17? 6

7 2. What are some popular caricatures of the Christian s responsibility to separate? How does the world try to get us to reject this doctrine of separation from it? 3. Can you equip young people to stand firm against those caricatures in #2? 4. Can you list and interact with some deceptions from Satan that are popular today? This is a very important area of interaction between counselors and their campers. You know an idea is from Satan because it goes against the clear statements of God s Word. Think across the spectrum of human endeavor: philosophy, biology, politics, ethics, morality, etc. Example: The popular model of worship in churches today that departs from the sufficiency of Scripture and accommodates the animalistic version of mankind expressed in popular biology and coddled by popular media culture. In other words: redefining corporate worship as entertainment instead of training in God s Word. 7

8 5. Distinguish between the biblical doctrine of separation and self-righteousness or legalism. IV. Looking to the Future: Today s Choices and Tomorrow s Consequences The doctrine of separation is very unpopular in our secular culture today, and it suffers from misunderstanding even among Christians. Many believers either think they must retreat from engagement with the world or they must accept and absorb what the world promotes. The Bible, however, clearly shows that in this present darkness we have to prepare our minds for action and THINK clearly about the war we wage. One vital truth that motivates our performance in this battlefield of ideas is this: It s Temporary. The war of ideas between God and His fallen creatures is coming to an end. We must make our present decisions and negotiate the difficulties of this life in view of the coming relief of God s promised Kingdom. In the here-and-now we have to choose to separate from satanic thinking. In the coming kingdom, Jesus will rule over planet earth, and all the nations will stream into Jerusalem to be taught by Him. They will also take what they learn back home. While today s world governance is characterized by darkness, the coming Christ-ruled world order will be characterized by the light of truth. Read Isaiah 2, 4, 9, and 11 to get a pretty clear summary of what life will be like on planet earth in those days. There will be and eternal separation of God from the world Satan s governmental system of rebellion against God. It is prophesied, and it is promised, but we do not experience that permanent separation now. We are, however, to choose it now. Believers who don t make this choice look like unbelievers, for they prefer the darkness of Satan s deception to the light of God s revelation. And believers who have eternal life and cannot lose it yet walk in the functional death of carnality in time forfeit the blessings and rewards of their eternal inheritance. Living out this doctrine today has eternal consequences. V. For Further Reading (works suggested/cited) You might enjoy the following lessons, books or articles on Separation: Lahaye, Tim and David Noebel. Mind Siege: The Battle for Truth. Word Publishing: Nashville

9 Noebel, David A. Understanding the Times: The Collision of Today's Competing Worldviews. Summit Press: Manitou Springs, CO Jeremiah, David. I Never Thought I d See the Day: Culture at the Crossroads. Faith Words (David P. Jeremiah): New York