Christians must be intentional about living a separate life, reading God's Word, and seeking discernment to avoid conforming to the world's values.
Vance Havner addresses the tension between Christians and worldliness, emphasizing that believers are not of this world but are called to live in it with purpose. He highlights the importance of spiritual separation from worldly influences while also recognizing the need for engagement with the world. Havner warns against conforming to worldly standards and encourages Christians to seek joy and truth in their relationship with God. He reflects on the challenges faced by believers in maintaining their distinctiveness in a culture that often prioritizes worldly success and acceptance.
Full Transcript
In terms of John 17, I don't think I've ever heard anybody ever use that chapter. But John says more about the world, and anybody else would be amazed if you go through the Gospels. And in this chapter, he gives us, of course, that it was too sweet a reason for them which thou hast given.
Holy Father, keep true, that they might have my joy. So, they are not of the world, but for their sake. Now, we have two extremes today on this business of separation.
We have some people who fear the Lord and serve the worldly Christians. They're told, the sheep may fall into it. Jesus said, my sheep, hear my voice.
We need to brush up on our Bible, but the mule is a mule. But it's very expensive. We're not the church people, of course.
Birds of a feather flock together. But if you feel at home, where you find that Peter and John being let go, when Peter got out of jail, you naturally gravitate. Now, why does the Bible say that if we love this world away? But when the Bible says, the church is out in heaven.
Out in proposal. In extending with the angel. Old Matthew, Henry said this word.
Here have we no continuing sin. The next time this world falls, well, they must have. Then they all sat down.
I don't know if we have, but we have caves, which you don't make. I mean, all day, you must pray that. And you will.
But he was criticizing. He associated, they are not of the world. We're not to be confused.
The fact is, it's always the same thing here. And be not conformed. But look how much worse.
The ambition of the Bible. They are from this evil world. Jesus said that it wasn't.
They were eating and drinking and marrying and giving and marrying. It's about eating and drinking and marrying. But he's just making a living.
His world, isn't it? That's all. Anything is. It's all you do to the neglected.
The musical term. This is the impossible. There's no harm.
He's done that. Cantor Morgan says that Christian life is living. And even an evangelical church.
Bill McDougall. This thing keeps up, I expect. Alexander McClaren.
It's you, but me. It's the world. You can be respected.
You can be a success. This, my Lord. There everyone in the world thinks you're pretty good.
The major in which the world. The major in which we're on. You remember a year or so ago that you came down here to die.
Somebody wrote to Billy Graham. Says that. Many of our young people.
There are two ways of handling you. The argument is, you don't do these things enough. The other is to build a youth program around.
And then finally, my Lord says. As I was thinking into the world. He was into the world.
We are different. And that's not easy today. President of the senior class.
He wouldn't go to the junior senior prom. Two years later, I was informed. Nobody ever got saved.
That same thing did. And most certainly the Lord didn't. The other day, I heard of a chap who was.
You just might change the world. Patrice Fleming. The champion girl skater.
You live for skating. Cut out just about everything else. Ridiculous.
Discipline. And then the slob. Let me ask one.
I said. I'm told. The thing I noticed.
You know. It's always a walk along with dancing. A walk along with.
Why doesn't somebody say hi?
Sermon Outline
- I. The World's Influence on Christians
- A. The world's influence can be subtle and insidious
- B. Christians must be careful not to conform to the world's values
- II. Separation from the World
- A. Christians are not of the world, but for the world's sake
- B. Separation is not about being isolated, but about being distinct
- III. The Dangers of Worldliness
- A. Worldliness can lead to compromise and conformity
- B. Christians must be intentional about living a separate life
- IV. The Importance of Discernment
- A. Christians must be able to discern what is of the world and what is of God
- B. Discernment requires a deep understanding of God's Word
Key Quotes
“Holy Father, keep them true, that they might have my joy.” — Vance Havner
“We're not the church people, of course.” — Vance Havner
“Birds of a feather flock together.” — Vance Havner
Application Points
- Christians must be intentional about living a separate life, distinct from the world's values.
- Reading God's Word is crucial for discerning what is of the world and what is of God.
- Seeking discernment requires a deep understanding of God's Word and a willingness to apply it to daily life.
