The World of Appetites

1. The World of Appetites James 4:1-10

2. James’ Complaint 4:1-10 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

3. James’ Complaint 4:1-10 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy?

4. James’ Complaint 4:1-10 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

5. Spiritual Adultery • The most hurtful pain in a marriage. • Betrayal, deceit, broken trust, treasonous… • Far-reaching effects… • The most dangerous spiritual disease. • Completely unaware of its poisonous effects.

6. “World” = Kosmos(Kosmos) • Used over 160 times in the NT “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

7. “World” = Kosmos(Kosmos) • Cosmeticin appearance Kosmos “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

8. “World” = Kosmos(Kosmos) • A system that shuts out God “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

9. “World” = Kosmos(Kosmos) • A system of hatred • "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. John 15:18 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10 • Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 1 John 3:13 “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?” “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

10. “World” = Kosmos(Kosmos) • A system of values “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

11. “World” = Kosmos(Kosmos) Temporal Values • A system of values Why can’t I just play around with these cool things? Guaranteed won’t last “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

12. “World” = Kosmos(Kosmos) • Owned by the god of this Kosmos… You formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air… Ephesians 2:2 “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” John 12:31 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. John 5:19 “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

13. The Power of Seduction

14. The Power of Seduction What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:1-2 Self-Deceived

15. The Power of Seduction • The things of God lose their fizz • Spiritual events become a burden • We believe following God is too restricting • We look for like-minded people • Our though life is obsessed with the temporal… • Anxiety over money & temporal goals The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. Matthew 13:22 (NLT

16. The Power of Seduction • The things of God lose their fizz • Spiritual events become a burden • We believe following God is too restricting • We look for like-minded people • Our though life is obsessed with the temporal… • Anxiety over money & temporal goals • Deceived by Kosmos mythology • Lack of fruitfulness

17. Solution • “He gives a greater grace” • You’re not stuck! • God’s arms are always open!

18. Solution • “He gives a greater grace” • “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble…” • “I don’t see any problem here!” • Means God can’t help!

19. Solution • “He gives a greater grace” • “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble…” • Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

20. Solution • “He gives a greater grace” • “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble…” • Resist the devil, and he will flee from you • Come near to God and he will come near to you.

21. Solution • “He gives a greater grace” • “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble…” • Resist the devil, and he will flee from you • Come near to God and he will come near to you. • Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

22. Solution • “He gives a greater grace” • “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble…” • Resist the devil, and he will flee from you • Come near to God and he will come near to you. • Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded • Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up

23. Solution • “He gives a greater grace” • “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble…” • Resist the devil, and he will flee from you • Come near to God and he will come near to you. • Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded • Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up

25. “World” = Kosmos(Kosmos) • Cosmetic in appearance • Used over 160 times in the NT