SINGLES FOR CHRIST
GUSA CHAPTER 1
chapter
TEACHING
TOPIC #5
FOUNDATIONS FOR
CHRISTIAN LIVING
OVERCOMING
THE WORLD
MANY ARE IN
bondage
Many people today, including Christians, are in
bondage. To depression, loneliness, anger,
frustration. To sex, alcohol, drugs. To fears.
The sources of problems are fourfold:
the world,
our flesh,
the devil, and
our personal wrongdoing.
01
PROBLEM:
the world
02
IS THE
EVIL?
03
”Do not love the
world or the things
of the world. If
anyone loves the
world, the love of
the Father is not in
him.” 1 John 2:15
“God looked at
everything he had
made, and found it
very good. Evening
came, and morning
followed—the sixth
day” Genesis 1:31
WHAT IS
THE WORLD?
"World" does NOT refer to the
physical universe.
"World" does NOT refer to "all men".
The "world" mentioned in 1 John is a
system of relationships, ideas and
values opposed to the kingdom of
God.
04
AREAS OF THIS
WORLDLY SYSTEM
PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS
WORLDLY IDEAS
WORLDLY VALUES
05
PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS
COMPETITION, MISTRUST,
RESENTMENT,
MANIPULATION
06
PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MEN AND
WOMEN, BASED ON FLEETING EMOTIONAL
ATTACHMENTS, ARE POISONED BY
SUSPICION, FEAR AND EXPLOITATION
07
PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS
AUTHORITY RELATIONSHIPS IN FAMILIES,
JOBS AND GOVERNMENTS ARE BENT BY
REBELLION AND THE WILL TO DOMINATE
08
WORLDLY
ideas
Some popular philosophical, psychological and artistic theories
such as existentialism and humanistic psychology view man as a
completely independent unit, sovereign in himself, with no goals
other that self-realization and the exercise of freedom
MANY CONTEMPORARY THINKERS DISMISS OBJECTIVE TRUTH.
09
WORLDLY
v a l u e s
MATERIALISM (MONEY AND
POSSESSIONS), HEDONISM
(PLEASURE), THIRST FOR POWER
AND PRESTIGE (DOMINATION).
CORRUPT FORMS OF
INDEPENDENCE AND
COMPETITIVENESS.
10
where is the world?
The world and the kingdom of God exist
side by side in the same physical
environment.
Thus we must be able to discern the
presence of worldly relationships, ideas
and values in our day-to-day lives. At
times it will be clear. We need little
discernment to tell that murder, civil
war, gross violation of human rights,
etc., are wrong.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE WORLD OFTEN
ELUDES EASY DETECTION.
11
where is the world?
THE INFLUENCE OF THE WORLD
OFTEN ELUDES EASY DETECTION.
“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises
himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11: 14
12
discernment
To discern, ask: "Is Jesus honoured here? Is Jesus
the Lord here? Do people in this environment
openly proclaim and acknowledge him?"
However, we should be careful not to use this test to make judgments about
situations. We merely want to discern patterns of relationships, ideas and values
which are non-Christian in origin and which may cause problems in our personal
lives.
13
EFFECT OF THE WORLD ON
christians
No one can grow up today and remain uninfluenced
by the world. Environments mold people.
We pick up from the world many values, ideas and
ways of relating which come from non-Christian
sources and which hinder our growth in the Christian
life.
Only a truly Christian environment can reshape our
worldly patterns of relating, thinking and valuing.
14
SOLUTION: CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
A Christian community, such as ours in SFC, is a group of people who openly proclaim the
lordship of Jesus and declare their love of God by sharing their lives with other Christians.
MEANS OF PERSONAL GROWTH:
Teaching
Teaching reinforces community life, and community life reinforces teaching. The learning
process thus combines both formal instruction and personal experience.
Personal relationships
Receiving God's love through other Christians is one of the most effective means of
healing and change in the Christian life.
Pastoral guidance
We have the help of our household leaders, couple coordinators and other mature
brothers and sisters.
15
SOLUTION: CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
In SFC we can become free from bondage to the
world. But SFC has another purpose, ultimately
more central to God's plan of salvation.
SFC HAS TWO PURPOSES: TO FREE MEN FROM
THEIR BONDAGE TO THE WORLD, AND ALSO TO
BE A SOURCE OF LIFE FOR THE WORLD.
Matthew. 5:14. “You are the light of the
world. A city set on a mountain cannot be
hidden. “We are to be a light to the world.
Thus a Christian community does not stand isolated
from the world, but instead stands in the world as a
visible, tangible witness to the love of God.
16
If you want to become a new person, commit
yourself to our Christian community, to your
covenant, to the life and mission of SFC. Make
these your priority.
Jesus wants to free us from bondages. We can
grow in a new life in the Spirit. SFC is our help and
God's gift to us.
Thank
You