Living Godly In An Ungodly World

1. Living Godly In An Ungodly World God’s Will For His Children: For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thess. 4:3). But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves through-out the time of your stay here in fear (1 Pet. 1:15-17). Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… (Rom. 12:2).

2. The World Can Destroy A Christian • Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Cor. 15:33). • Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD (Jer. 6:15).

3. “Lead Me Not Into Temptation” Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 6:14 - 7:1).

4. Some Seek Approval For Their Sin • An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end? (Jer. 5:30-31). • For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Tim. 4:3-5).

5. Be Alert! • Satan is subtle: • but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13). • Satan is sly, cunning: • For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). • Described as a various animals: • Snake (Rev. 12:9) • Dragon (Rev. 12:1-4) • Lion (1 Pet. 5:8)

6. Areas of Attack • Dress and Summertime • In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works (1 Tim. 2:9-10). • Adorn – “to put in order, make ready” • Modest – “orderly, well-arranged, decent, seemly” • Propriety – “indicates a sense of shame; rooted in character” • Having regard to others; reflects upon an act’s consequences and the shame it would bring. (Trench)

7. Areas of Attack • Dress and Summertime • Gen. 3:9 – “chagorah” – aprons • Covered but still naked! • Gen. 3:21 – “kethoneth” – coats; tunics • Covered from neck to knee or even ankle! • And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs (Exod. 28:42). • Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your veil, Take off the skirt, Uncover the thigh, Pass through the rivers. Your nakedness shall be uncovered, Yes, your shame will be seen; I will take vengeance, And I will not arbitrate with a man (Isa. 47:2-3).

8. Immodesty • Puts out our light • Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). • Causes others to sin: • Then He said to the disciples, It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones (Luke 17:1-2).

9. Areas of Attack • Social Drinking • For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries (1 Pet. 4:3). • Strong Drink Condemned • Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Prov. 20:1). • Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine (Prov. 23:29-30).

10. Areas of Attack • Strong Drink Condemned • Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them! (Isa.5:11) • Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink (Isa. 5:22) • But they also have erred through wine, And through intoxicating drink are out of the way; The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, They are swallowed up by wine, They are out of the way through intoxicating drink; They err in vision, they stumble in judgment (Isa. 28:7).

11. Areas of Attack • Jesus Turned Water Into Wine! • When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" (John 2:9-10). • Thus says the LORD: As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, “Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,” So will I do for My servants' sake, That I may not destroy them all (Isaiah 65:8).

12. Social Drinking Questions • Do you believe you can convert your neighbor with a beer in your hand? • Do you think that drinking modern alcoholic drinks and true service to God are compatible? • Does drinking intoxicating drinks advance or hinder the cause of Christ? • Could the preacher own a liquor store?

13. Areas of Attack • Vacation from the assembly • Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Heb.10:23-25). • But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matt. 6:33).