Introduction: This morning John will give us a direct command or a prohibition. There is something in this life that we must avoid and it should really get our attention because it is all around us. It’s everywhere. 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. • Things God Hates: • What is the World: The Material Creation- The People of the World- The Worldly System- God’s love of this world is a love that rescues and directs our affections away from the decaying, sinful and corrupted world and toward a future home that is eternal and uncorrupted and ruled in righteousness. Our hearts are to burn for the creator and not the creation. Our actions are to lovingly direct the creation to look to the creator for its ultimate fulfillment and meaning. While doing this, we will be in the world but are not to be of the world. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. • The Temptation of Adam and Eve (Gen 3) • The Temptation of Jesus (Luke 4 & Matthew 4) 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. • All our worldly pursuits will be . Nothing can be retained. • Only we can be saved who seek the of our Creator rather than the of His creation.