091014: James' 4x4 #2 -- Don't You Know That Friendship With the World Is Hatred Toward God?

Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?

I.                    Introduction

a.       This year we want to help you get more rooted in Christ and grow closer together.  One way we are doing that is through these messages, as we look at a question from the Bible. 

II.                 Body

a.       Read James 4:4-5 – “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.  Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?”

                                                             a.      “Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?”

                                                                                i.      What is the world?

a.       The world means the moral system of the world, it isn’t the people but the sin or what things are viewed as good or acceptable.

                                                                              ii.      What does friendship mean?

a.       The word used here is Philia (where we get Philadelphia from) meaning Love (but in this sense platonic (no romantic) love)

(So if we put it together love toward the world’s system of right and wrong is hate toward God)

                                                             a.      Why is this so extreme?

1.      Can’t you be friends with two people that don’t like each other?  Why not God and world system?

2.      The next verse says, “Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely.”  It could also be translated, “God jealously longs for the spirit that he made to live in us.”  Meaning that this is a fight over you and your soul.  

3.      This is a fight over eternity, not a matter of being a buddy, this is a fight in which both sides are completely opposed in every way, and there is no middle ground or hope of reconciliation.

b.      God wants your spirit (soul)

c.       God wants your undivided Spirit, he wants all, not a portion, not the leftovers.

                                                            b.      Illus: Car Ownership

                                                                                i.      Let’s say you purchased a car.  But that car randomly allows others to drive it.  Would this get frustrating quickly?  Who defines who gets it, when they get it, how long they get it, how they will treat it when they drive it?  You would want that car, you paid for it, you own it, yet it is being used by many in ways you might have never intended it to be used and maybe even getting hurt by those other drivers.

                                                                              ii.      God bought you, by dying on the cross for your sins, he wants to be in charge of you, and he doesn’t want to share you with others who may bring about harm and use you in ways you were never intended to be used.

b.      So how can we be friends of God instead of the world?

                                                             a.      Read James 4:6-8 – “But he gives us more grace.  That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

                                                            b.      Humble ourselves by submitting to God

                                                                                i.      Establish His position and yours in relation to Him

                                                                              ii.      He is in charge you are not, so you will do what he asks

                                                             c.      Resist the devil

                                                                                i.      The word means “Stand Up Against” like a giant wind is blowing into you, but you remain standing firm in your spot, not falling into temptation.

                                                                              ii.      The promise is that when we resist he will flee, not that he won’t return but that victory in a battle can happen, if we resist.

                                                            d.      Draw near to God and allow God to draw near to us

                                                                                i.      Pursue God with abandon, make him the central focus of your life, and do what is necessary to draw near to him

                                                                              ii.      When we do he comes near to us…but we also must allow him to draw near to us, let him into every area of your life, let him bring healing to your wounds, be open with Him.

                                                             e.      Get cleaned

                                                                                i.      Allow God to point out where you are dirty, then allow God to clean it (you can’t do it, but he can) “He gives us more grace.” This isn’t about you becoming amazing, it is about allowing God to give us more of his grace. 

III.               Conclusion

a.       How many of you would say you have been a friend of the world?  How many of you want to instead be a friend of God?

b.      This starts at salvation, a rejection of the ways of the world and instead accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  Is there anyone here tonight that would like to take the first step and make Jesus their Lord and Savior?

c.       This continues as we allow God to change us, can I pray for you that God would help you to be his friend?