181002AM
REV 1-5-3
Short Clip
(1) Loving Jesus Most: The saints in Ephesus were not being obedient to the central truth of the Scriptures Old and New Testament: Love the Lord Your God MOST. That is what had been taught them from God’s Word by their faithful pastors over the years—listen to what Christ said: Revelation 2:4
(2) Separating From Sin The saints in Pergamos were not being obedient to what had been taught them from God’s Word by their faithful pastors over the years—listen to what Christ said: Revelation 2:14-15
(3) Un-Friending Worldliness: The saints in Thyatira needed to stop their friendship with the world that led them to be displeasing to God. Rev 2:19-20
To Un-Friend Worldliness: Submit to God
What does a lifestyle look like that “Un-Friends” worldliness? James says it is made up of the ten conscious choices we looked at last week in James 4:7-10.
Avoiding a pleasure-dominated lifestyle is avoiding anything that distracts us from worship, ministry, and devotion! Whatever is pulling us away from devotion to God causes us to be God’s enemy. Remember James said in v. 6a But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, NKJV . The word “opposes,” or “resists,” is antitassetai, a military term meaning “to battle against.”
To be a friend of God is to seek: His pleasures, His friendship, and His humility. These areas of our lives will be in line with God.