1 John 5:1–5 (NIV84) 4/June 24th 1 Everyone who believes that is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

We Have Overcome the World 1. What is the world 2. In what way have we overcome the world

• Galatians 5:24 (NIV84) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. • Romans 6:1–4 (NIV84) 1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

• And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world.

• 1 :15–17 (NIV84) 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world— the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

• Ephesians 6:12 (NIV84) 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV84) 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. • Romans 8:6–7 (NIV84) 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 21 • Genesis 8:21 (NIV84) The LORD said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. • 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV84) 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. • Galatians 5:19–21 (NIV84) 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• Self can involve a number of things: 1. Selfish pride. Pride is opposed to glorifying God. It takes many forms. We are proud of our looks, our mental ability, our talents, our position in life, our bank account, our home and property, our success. This pride looks for praise. It is opposed to any form of criticism. It detests humility. 2. Self-reliance. We believe that we are the masters of our fate. We are the controllers of our destiny. We are the discoverers of the secrets of the universe and possess the ability to harness it. We trust our abilities and intelligence. 3. Selfish ambition. The desire to have for ourselves and no one else. We develop a hardness in our being. We develop develop an unkindness in our speech and our thoughts toward others so that we can get what we want.

• :18–21 (NIV84) 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.