https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+John+2%3A12-17&version=NRSVCE (I John 2:12-17) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A18-21&version=NRSV (What is your greatest desire in life? Someone might say it is recognition, to be admired. Someone else might say possessions, or success. A parent might say it is to be a good parent. Someone might respond it is to have a satisfying career using their gifts and to have financial security as well. Others are looking for meaningful relationships. The apostle John tackles this topic in our passage for today.) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A18-21&version=NRSV (Remember John’s concerns for this congregation he is writing to. He wants them to have a deeper walk of faith, a solid theological foundation, and to walk in the light of obedience. In today’s text he talks about the desires of life.) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A18-21&version=NRSV (John begins this section of Scripture by reminding them of what they already possess as followers of Jesus Christ. He thinks of the various age groups in the congregation – little children, elders, young people – and reminds them as Christ followers of what they already have in Jesus Christ. It’s almost like a little singsong text.) Little children, I write to you because your sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ. Fathers (that’s the elderly), I write to you because you know Him who is from the beginning. (That is, they have a personal relationship with God.) Young people, I write to you because you have conquered the evil one! (These people have not only said yes to Jesus, but they also share in Christ’s victory.)

John seems to enjoy it so much that he does a repeat. Let’s do it again! Little children, I write you because you know the Father as children of God. Fathers (elders), because you know Him who is from the beginning. Young people because you are strong in the Word of God. Jesus abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. You share in the victory.

John is basically saying to them, You are rich in Christ. You hit the jackpot when you became connected with Jesus Christ. In this new life, you have forgiveness for your sins, a relationship with God, and victory over the evil one. You have the Word of God at work in your life. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A18-21&version=NRSV (But then the tone changes as bit as John moves into another section. It a word of caution with a command.) “Do not love the world or the things of the world.” Don’t trade down, John seems to be saying. You are rich in Christ. Don’t trade down. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A18-21&version=NRSV (When we read the phrase, “Do not love the world” in this text, it seems puzzling to us. In John 3:16 he says, “God so loved )the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). In Genesis we read, “God saw all He had made – the world – and it was good.” We love to sing the old hymn, “This is my Father’s World.” Let me explain this puzzle. John’s use of the phrase “the world” in this letter basically refers to all that stands against God and God’s ways. John is referring to the world as it is in rebellion against God. A world hostile or indifferent to God. Don’t love that kind of world, he says. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world. This reminds me of when Jesus said to the disciples, “You cannot serve God and mammon,” which means God and wealth. When John says “the love of the Father is not in those who love the world,” we need to dissect the word “love” a little bit as well. When Jesus said love in this context, He is using it to mean laying down one’s life. It means giving yourself up for something or someone. Jesus is asking, Are you going to live your life for