1 John 2:15-18
“15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh
and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides
forever. 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now
many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.”
What does idle mean?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary Definition:
Adjective sense: Not having any real purpose or value.
Verb Sense: To run at low power and often disconnected usually so that power is not used for
useful work.
What does church mean?
First definition: A building for public religious services and especially Christian worship.
Second definition: A body or organization of religious believers.
Greek definition: Ekklesia: Which refers to an assembly or gathering of people.
What really is the church?
We are the church—the collective body of believers God has called to Himself, brought together
through Jesus Christ, and given a purpose to fulfill.
The Heart Check.
1 John 2:15
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love
of the Father is not in him.”
We have to ask ourselves: Have the things of this world taken a place in my heart that
belongs to God?
The Three Things That Keep Us Idle
1 John 2:15 16
“For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes
and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world.”
First: The Desires of the Flesh. Second: The Desires of the Eyes. Third: The Pride
of Life.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
1 John 2:17
“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does
the will of God abides forever.”
The Time Is Now.
1 John 2:18
“Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now
many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.”
Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is
easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and
the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Take Aways
Jesus tells us in Matthew 12 verse 36 and 37, that we will give an account for
every idle word we speak.
If God holds us accountable for the words that come out of our mouths, shouldn’t we also
examine the lives we’re living before Him?
What about the things He’s called us to do that we’ve left undone?
What about the obedience we've delayed, the purpose we’ve neglected, and the time we’ve
allowed the world to consume?
Church, there are people who may never see the light of Christ through your life if you remain
idle in your walk with Him.
There are lives God wants to touch, hearts He wants to reach, and people He wants to draw to
Himself.
And He may choose to do it through your surrender, your obedience, and your willingness to
finally say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
When we finally say those words, we are not stepping into emptiness.
We are stepping into the very will of God—the place where we abide forever.
The place where our lives start carrying eternal weight.
The place where the next generation can see Jesus through us
