Camouflaged Christians or Love not the World
1 John 2:15-17
INTRO: Camouflaged Christians? Why would Christians want not to be seen? If they were trying to be hidden from the enemy, that would be one thing. Yet they are hiding from God, themselves, and their Christian brothers and sisters. There are many that are so hard at disguising themselves they disappear from our ranks.
1 John 2:15-17 15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Eavesdropping Awareness of the world
Desire to know, take part in, fit in, etc.
Enamored Enchantment
Fascinated, longing, etc. – believing a lie that the world is better than serving Christ.
Entangling Acceptance
Without regard of costs - slowly becoming more like them, etc.
Eclipsing Exposure (because they allow it)
Because they are in the shadow it changes their life. They need to be exposed to more of Christ and His ways and love than the ways of the world.
Easing Earnestness (less serious)
Erratic Environment (less attendance – more ungodliness)
Eroding Enlightenment (less aware of their actions – less light shed from God’s Word – like Samson who knew not his strength was gone)
Ebbing Eagerness to serve (less desire to do things for the Lord – great desire to please the flesh)
Ebbing/ending Economic support (often replace God’s support with their support of their newfound hobbies, games and fun)
Embargo of God and His Work (slide from skimpy attendance to less attendance than even many unbelievers do – yet they can justify it)
Eventual Estrangement from God (God has been closed or shut out of their lives)
Culmination of camouflaging
Life that is defeated
Life without fulfilling enjoyment
Life filled with lack of respect – by the world and themselves
Life of numerous regrets
Life without a proper end
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church - First used 080998am