‘Tensions in the Christian life’ #4 In the world vs Of the world

In thie last of this series on ‘tensions’ in the Christian life, this message explores the tension the believer faces by simply being ‘in the world’. If this is a world that ‘God so loved’ (John 3:16), how is it that we are urged to ‘not love the world’ (1 John 2:15)? How can this tension be resolved? Perhaps by understanding 1 John 2:15-17

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Christ in Thee
00:20 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
02:28 Bible reading: 1 John 2:7-14
Song: 10,000 Reasons
03:43 Shorter Catechism Introduction
05:11 Catechism Questions 193-196
10:35 Bible reading: 1 John 4:1-14
Song: Consider Christ
Sermon: 1 John 2:15-17
Song: When We Walk With the Lord
12:57 Closing

Outline

• This series
• Walking a fine line…
• Attitudes to this tension
• Why does John write this?

  1. Because of what the world is (v.15)
  2. Because of what the world does (v.16)
  3. Because of where the world is heading (v.17)

The boat in the water
The problem with our hearts

‘Prayer: Through the Son’ (Mark 14:32-42, 1 John 1:5-2:2)

Prayer is something that should be fundamental to every Christian, yet we often neglect prayer while also taking prayer for granted (1 John 1:5-2:2). In this message, Ryan Smith reminds us again of the amazing provision that enables us, sinners, to come before a holy and righteous God, with confidence, and call on him as our Father (Mark 14:32-42). The good news transforms our understanding of prayer!

‘Timely reminders for our ANZAC Centenary’ (Psalm 46, John 15:13, 1 John 5:5)

Though it is right to remember those who fell in times of war, especially at the time of the ANZAC Centenary, it is even better to remember that Psalm 46 reminds us that the security of the nations depends not upon man and his machine, but upon the Lord of Hosts. Further to this, though Jesus’ words about ‘greater love has no man’, are often used to highlight the cost of freedom won by the sacrifice of many, they really refer to how we ought to understand His sacrifice on the cross for our sin. Then also, the Bible describes a war that we are all involved in and declares those who have faith in Jesus as the ones who are on the winning side.