Do Not Love The World

Board games are a big deal when you’re a kid. The points, cards, and pieces become all-important. But they get packed up and forgotten when the game ends. The only things that last are the relationships you built with the other players.

After learning how reality really works in Revelation, John views life much the same way adults view games. It’s only a short phase of our existence, and our wins and losses don’t matter nearly as much as we think. When John says, “Do not love the world,” he’s warning us not to get caught up in the game—fixating on worldly winnings that look good, feel good, or are nice to have (1 John 2:15–17). Like points in a board game, things like money and power won’t matter when eternity begins. What will matter are our relationships with each other and with our Heavenly Father. Devoting ourselves to temporary things pushes out our love for God and keeps us from forming those lasting relationships.

So as we live, we should keep our minds focused on what comes next. Struggles in this life are painful, but they’re temporary; successes are nice, but Jesus matters more.

That mindset isn’t easy to keep, which is why John warns us about antichrists—those who deny that Jesus is the Son of God and the only path to salvation, and who try to lead others astray (1 John 2:19–23). Many movements today do this by denying essential truths, removing uncomfortable teachings, and offering worldly benefits that won’t last.

But Jesus offers something eternal: His presence living within us, guiding us now and forever (1 John 2:20). So lean into that relationship. Do what He says, and don’t let anything distract you.

Watch the full sermon here.