(Galatians 4:13-16)
A. If we are Friends with the World, We are Enemies with God.
1. God wants us to separate from the world 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (14)Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
B. We may not WANT to know the distinction (enemy or friend)
1. Truth is light Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (John 17:17) Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.
2. Light dispels darkness (truth dispels ignorance)
3. We may LIKE our friendships with the world and may not WANT them illuminated.
a. Many were like this in Paul’s day Philippians 3:18-19 (18)For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
4. If we ignore the separation that disallows friendship with the world we become the world’s “friends” and God’s “enemies” (1) (2)
B. What IS Best?
1. Health?
a. NO --- is transient/will not stay (Ecclesiastes 12)
2. Fame (Popularity)?
a. NO --- it is fleeting, not of God (Galatians 1:10)
3. Wealth?
a. NO --- It is not true profit (Mark 8:36) Matthew 6:19-21 (19)Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
C. What IS best for all?
1. Forgiveness of sins Romans 3:21-25 (21)But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (22) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
2. Adoption INTO God’s Family John 1:10-13 (10)He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 17)Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
3. Eternal Life in Heaven 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (16)For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (3)
A. Preach the word 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (1)I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Be Gentle, Patient 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (24)And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
C. DON’T EXPECT GLORY!
1. I may plant the seed, you may water, but GOD will give the increase. (Luke 8:11)
2. It is NOT by our power, but by God’s (Romans 1:16)
D. LOOK for opportunity
1. Constantly watching for chance to talk about God’s word
B. ARE WE INFLUINCING THE ENEMIES OF GOD?
1. OR, are THEY influencing US?
C. DO WE WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR OURSELVES AND THOSE AROUND US?
1. A life FOR God here on earth
2. A life WITH God in heaven Obey the gospel of Christ, be faithful “until death”