Babylon the Great

Gary DeLashmutt

Revelation 18

Babylon the Great is the ultimate expression of human empires that defy God's rule. It seduces governments and businesses thorough the allure of material wealth. It seduces individuals by turning good things into idols that corrupt and enslave. As believers, we are not citizens of this world system and so should not get caught up in arguing the relative value of different political systems but instead should make the ongoing decision to resist the seductive influence of Babylon the Great.

Jesus Tempted

Ryan Lowery

Matthew 4:1-21

Matthew 4 tells the story of Jesus' successful struggle against temptation in the wilderness, as he was confronted by Satan who sought to entice him. Satan used 3 approaches that are the same approaches he uses with us: the "lust of the eyes," the "lust of the flesh," and the "boastful pride of life." Jesus demonstrates how we can successfully counter the deception of temptation by knowing the truth, being on our guard, and fighting against it, in part, by examining our thinking.

What Is Wrong with the World

Ben Foust

2 Timothy 3:1-15

Paul charges Timothy to confront false teachings in the church. Paul tells him the false teachers are on a path divergent from Timothy's path. The false teachers' path is based on lies and will not lead to fulfilling God's purpose, but Timothy is on a true and better path that, though it includes suffering and persecution, will accomplish God's purpose. \r\nPaul calls Timothy to do three things: To realize, to avoid and to continue. \r\nTimothy must realize the trajectory of the world. Because people are fallen and have rejected God, the world will only go from bad to worse. The world is full of people who are lovers of self rather than God. \r\nTimothy must avoid the influence of the way of the world. Do not be captivated by the worldly allure of living for self. It is a powerful current that must be resisted. \r\nInstead, continue in the better way, the way Timothy had been taught since youth, the way of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the antidote to the life built on self.

The Importance of Patience

Ryan Lowery

James 5:7-11

As James has demonstrated through his book, the world in which we live can prove unfair and harsh for believers in Jesus, but a mature Christian has learned to be patient in the midst of difficulty. James offers that someday Jesus will return, and the world will be put right. We should cling to that promise as our only true hope, and should wait patiently for now, engaging in the good works that will draw people to God, the only source of true good. We should also speak truthfully about God, even if we encounter opposition.

The Backward Wisdom of God (Part 2)

Ryan Lowery

James 4:1-11

The Kosmos--the world system that stands in opposition to God and His will--draws people toward a selfish point of view and lifestyle, which leads to destruction in their life. The Kosmos distracts us away from the good life that God has created us to have, and away from the true needs of others that He wants us to help meet. For Christians, James describes obedience to the Kosmos as being spiritual adultery, and calls on us to take these failings seriously. The good news is, as we turn to Him for mercy, God offers us forgiveness and a restoration to usefulness.

The Problem Behind All the Other Problems

Scott Risley

James 4:1-10

James warns the church not to love the world system--a paradigm that values pride, temporary pleasures, achievement and possessions in order to distract us from God's eternal values. He uses the strong language of spiritual adultery to describe a person trying to follow both Christ and the world system, which the Bible is clear is impossible. Christians need to be aware of the subtle pull of the world system and invest in their relationship with God to protect against spiritual adultery.

Draw Near to God

Conrad Hilario

James 4:1-10

James warns the church not to love the world system--a paradigm that values pride, temporary pleasures, achievement and possessions in order to distract us from God's eternal values. He uses the strong language of spiritual adultery to describe a person trying to follow both Christ and the world system, which the Bible is clear is impossible. Christians need to be aware of the subtle pull of the world system and invest in their relationship with God to protect against spiritual adultery.

The World-System

James Rochford

James 4:1-10

James warns the church not to love the world-system--a paradigm that values pride, temporary pleasures, achievement and possessions in order to distract us from God's eternal values. He uses the strong language of spiritual adultery to describe a person trying to follow both Christ and the world-system, which the Bible is clear is impossible. Rather than being double-minded, we should flee evil desires and in humility align our values the God's.

Being Different

Ben Foust

1 Peter 1:13-23

Since Christians are now children of God living as "resident aliens" on earth, whose true home is heaven, Peter charges us to be different than the world around us. We should be holy and not conformed, have a reverent fear of the Lord, enjoy freedom from sin, and be generous.