ARE WE LISTENING?

                                                     1 John 2:15-17 (900)

  Introduction

       A.  The apostle John teaches us to stop loving the world. V15

             1.  Not God’s creation, but the sinful elements of the world.

       B.  We can’t love the world and our Heavenly Father.  V15

       C.  God expects us to be different from the people under the control of satan.

       D.  A challenge:

   I.  Lisen to what God desire us to think.

      A.  Let’s think spiritually. Colossians 3:1-3 (871)

            1.  Since we’ve been buried and resurrected with Christ.  Colossians 2:12-13;

                 Colossians 3:1

            2.  Set our minds on that which is spiritual.  “Set” means an on-going decision.

      B.  Areas in which that which is spiritual differs from that of the world:

            1.  Literature             2.  Movies and t.v.             3.  Songs

      C.  Our thoughts make us who we are.  Proverb 23:7

II.  Practice what God desires us to do.

      A.  Jesus teaches us to be hearers and doers.  Matthew 7:21-27 (708)

      B.  Let’s test ourselves:

            1.  Matthew 7:12   2.  Galatians 6:1-2 (862)  3.  Ephesians 4:32   4. Mt. 6:33; 22:34-39

III.  Our lesson demands self denial and sacrifice.   

      A.  Listen to what Jesus said in Luke 9:23-26 (760)

      B.  We have the help of the Holy Spirit.  1 John 4:4 (901); Ephesians 3:20 (864)

Conclusion

      A.  “ I thought ….. but.”  Let’s not just think, let’s try to do.