Topical Sermons 

Power Point Show    MP3 audio

Scripture Reading: 3 John 9-12

Do Not Imitate Evil

 

Intro.

1.  The temptations to sin (to be like the world) are strong, but they can be overcome in Christ, 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 2:18; Jas. 1:12; 2 Pet. 2:9.

2.  Worldliness: Given to the things of this world; System of evil in opposition to God, 1 Jno. 2:15.

  a.  Christ saves us from the world, Gal. 1:4; 6:14.

  b.  We are to put off the things of the world, Rom. 12:2; 1 Jno. 2:16-17.

3.  What and who we choose to imitate will either keep us from evil or lead us into sin, Matt. 6:13.

 

I.  DO NOT IMITATE EVIL.

  A.  Fleshly Lusts, 1 Pet. 2:11-12 (Gal. 5:19-21); 4:1-5.

     -Means changing our hearts, Matt. 5:28; Rom. 12:2.

  B.  Popular Sins (“Everybody’s doing it”), Exo. 23:2 (1 Sam. 8:19-20).

     1.  Evil language, Eph. 4:29 (profanity, lying, gossip, euphemisms, etc.).

     2.  Drinking, Prov. 20:1; 23:29-32; 1 Pet. 4:3 (prohibition against the moderate, social use of alcohol; damages body and influence; impedes soberness and speeds loss of self-control).

     3.  Lasciviousness (Behavior: “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence”), Rom. 13:13; 2 Pet. 2:18-19.  (cf. Modern dancing, pre-marital foreplay, leads to fornication)

  C.  False Worship, Deut. 12:29-31 (Jno. 4:24).

     1.  Lip-service, Matt. 15:8 (“in spirit”).

     2.  Additions of men (“in truth”), Col. 2:20-23: Instrumental music in worship (Eph. 5:19); Lord's Supper (Lk. 22:17-19; Acts 20:7).

  D.  Worldly (Evil) Examples, Deut. 18:9 (Matt. 23:2-3).

     1.  Evil ways are learned by contact with sin, 1 Cor. 15:33 (Prov. 22:24-25).

     2.  Do not consent to be drawn into sin by evil examples, Psa. 1:1-2; Prov. 1:10.

 

II.  IMITATE WHAT IS GOOD, 3 Jno. 11 (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 1 Ths. 1:6-7).

  -Who are your role models?

  -Christ, His apostles, truth, Christians who are obeying truth.

 

Conclusion

1.  Christians are under obligation to Christ to separate ourselves from worldly relationships, practices and influences, 2 Cor. 6:17; Eph. 5:11.

2.  Do not imitate evil, 1 Thess. 5:22; 1 Pet. 2:11. Abstain: “to hold one's self off” (Strong).

3.  It can be done: "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matt. 6:13); Jas. 1:12.

 

 

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: November 6, 2015