Keeping Ourselves unspotted from the world (Lesson 37)
Introduction:
1. In order to practice "pure and undefiled religion before God" we must "keep ourselves unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). 2. 1 John 5:4 is a key passage that relates to keeping ourselves unspotted from the world. 3. As we examine this passage, we see that John mentioned a special "victory." 4. The victory John wrote about is "overcoming the world." 5. According to this verse, "overcoming the world" involves 2 steps. a. Step #1: We must be born of God -- "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world." b. Step #2: We must live by faith -- "And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 6. In our lesson we are examining passages that relate to these 2 steps. Discussion: I. TO OVERCOME THE WORLD, WE MUST BE "BORN OF GOD"
A. According to John 1:12-13, Christ gives us the power to become God's children when we are born of God. B. Jesus discussed this birth process in John 3:3-5. C. Some additional information about this birth is found in Titus 3:3-7. 1. It is by this birth that God saves us by His mercy and grace. 2. This birth consists of "the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit." D. Notice how this harmonizes with Acts 2:38-41. E. The first step in overcoming the world is being "born of God." F. This brings us to the second step. II. TO OVERCOME THE WORLD, WE MUST LIVE BY FAITH
A. When we become God's children we enjoy great blessings, but we must understand that God's children have an adversary. 1. This adversary is identified in 1 Peter 5:8. 2. (1 Peter 5:9) He must be steadfastly resisted "in the faith." 3. We must resist Satan because he wants the world to overcome us. B. As we endeavor to live by faith, we will face challenges. C. To continue living by faith as we face these challenges, we must "cast away" certain things. D. Let us consider several things we must cast away so we can live by faith and overcome the world. 1. We must cast away anything that will cause us to stumble (Matthew 18:7-9). 2. We must cast away "the works of darkness" (Romans 13:12) [John showed why in 1 John 1:5-7]. 3. We must cast away our cares (1 Peter 5:6-7) [Paul also dealt with this in Philippians 4:6]. 4. We must cast away fear (1 John 4:18) [love is the alternative].
