Welcome back.

Monday.

I mentioned that we were going to look at self-denial in this episode.

Actually, I postpone that conversation to October 10th.

We'll get to it.

I promise.

The Christian heatness is all about seeking our own joy.

Do we practice self-denial?

It's a great question that needs to be addressed and it will be.

But today we're looking at the topic of worldiness, a theme

address many times here over the years especially when it comes to worldly

media and just glance at the APJ book here on pages 291 to 307 to be reminded of how big of a theme worldiness has been for us over the years

Pastor John is a permanent challenge for the church but not one every preacher wants to address in the pulpit, it seems, according to this note of concern from an anonymous young woman who sees worldliness creeping in around her in the lives of professing Christians in her life. She wrote us this. Pastor John, thank you for the

innumerable ways in which this ministry blesses me and other Christians around the

world as well as for your and Tony's books, which also contribute to that.

I don't want to exclude myself. I'm sure I have blind spots as well,

but when I see the ways in which Christians today use their free time

and celebrate events in their lives.

My heart feels heavy and saddened because of what I perceive to be worldiness.

The celebrations are just like those of unbelievers.

They often go to concerts by popular artists, stay out late on Saturday nights, and then skip church the next day or arrive one hour late.

They're usually absent from prayer meetings, they vacation without giving Sunday worship so much as a moment of consideration.

...