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Women, Wealth and Worldliness
Song: 1. Take the world and give me Jesus (x2) A. Introduction The Lord in His infinite mercy keeps teaching us everyday and I believe that our hearts are open to learn new things from him also. 17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. (Ephesians 4:17-20) 21Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. 23You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to. 25Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. 27Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. 28But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 29What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. (1 Corinthians 7:21-31). I will be looking at these three points: 1. Warning against strange women 2. Danger of ill-gotten wealth 3. Judgment against worldliness B. Warning against strange women These women are so deceptive so much so that you might think she’s indispensable. These women caused the downfall of Samson, Solomon, and even today many are still falling prey of them. There are husband snatchers! They ruin the lives of young and promising men. Be careful!!! 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, 11 Discretion will protect you, 12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, 13 who leave the straight paths 14 who delight in doing wrong 15 whose paths are crooked 16 It will save you also from the adulteress, 3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, 4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, 5 Her feet go down to death; 6 She gives no thought to the way of life; 7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; 8 Keep to a path far from her, 9 lest you give your best strength to others 10 lest strangers feast on your wealth 11 At the end of your life you will groan, 12 You will say, "How I hated discipline! 13 I would not obey my teachers 14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin 15 Drink water from your own cistern, 16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, 17 Let them be yours alone, 18 May your fountain be blessed, 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer— 20 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? 24 keeping you from the immoral woman, 25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty 26 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, 27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap 28 Can a man walk on hot coals 29 So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; 24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; 25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways 26 Many are the victims she has brought down; C. Danger of ill-gotten wealth 15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15). “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11). “Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.” (Proverbs 10:2). “Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool.” (Jeremiah 17:11). "Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his countrymen work for nothing, not paying them for their labour.” (Jeremiah 22:13). 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:6-10). “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). D. Judgment against worldliness “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” (John 17:14). “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27). “You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4). 16 The LORD says, 17 Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; 18 In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, 19 the earrings and bracelets and veils, 20 the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, 21 the signet rings and nose rings, 22 the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses 23 and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls. 24 Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; 25 Your men will fall by the sword, 31 "Suppose a man says to God, 32 Teach me what I cannot see;
God bless you Evang. John B. Oseh |