"The Pursuit of Pleasure"

The pleasures of this world are both fleeting and misleading.

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
- 1 John 2:15-17

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
- 1 Peter 2:11

The greatest pleasure we could ever experience is hidden in God.

20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
- Philippians 1:20-21

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
- Psalm 16:11

We need to grow our desire for God.

“...but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
- 1 John 2:15-17

"In the Zone"

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
- 1 John 2:15-17

Perfection is a spiritual problem that we can’t solve

20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
- Romans 3:20

God can make us whole only when we admit we aren’t perfect

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
- Romans 3:21-24

Comfort is unrealistic

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- John 16:33

“Approval Addicts”

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
- Proverbs 29:25

People can be addicted to approval.

“You shall have no other gods before me.”
- Exodus 20:3

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
- Galatians 1:10

God’s love sets us free from our addiction to approval.

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Galatians 2:20

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Romans 12:2

"Living with Eternal Perspective"

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
- 1 John 2:15-16

Loving the world will cost you

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
- 1 John 2:15-16

3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
- Revelation 2:3-4

The world is passing away

17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
- 1 John 2:17

Focus on eternal things

17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
- 1 John 2:17

"Living Under the Influence (of God)"

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
- Psalm 1:1-3

Obedience

3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go
- 1 Kings 2:3

Trust

17 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
- Jeremiah 7:17

Humility

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
- Matthew 23:12