Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Dealing with the World” -- John 15:18-16:11
I. The public teaching and ministry
II. The Private teaching and ministry of Jesus 13-17
It is not too difficult to discover the purpose behind the principles taught by Jesus in theses last days and hours before his crucifixion.
13:19 He said I am speaking these things before they happen so that you might believe.
15:11 I have spoken these things that my joy may be in you and your joy may be full.
14:29 I have spoken these things that you might believe and your faith be strengthened when they come to pass.
14:31 I have spoken the things commanded by my father so the world may know my love for the father.
16:1 I have spoken these things in order to keep you from stumbling.
16:4 I have spoken these things so that you might remember how I predicted.
16:33 I have spoken these things that you might have peace I the midst of tribulation
14:25 The Holy Spirit will continue to speak
16:12 They couldn’t bear to hear everything at once.
16:13-15 The Holy Spirit will continue to speak
16:25 Sometimes spoke in figurative language.
A. Forgive as Jesus forgives
B. Love as Jesus loves
C. Practice pertinent truths that soothe the troubled soul 14:1-31
D. Stay connected to the True Vine to bear lasting fruit 15: 1-8
E. Receive and reciprocate God’s love
Jesus next alerts them to the trouble ahead of them as his faithful followers. Mainly that w\they will continually have to contend with a hostile world. There are some essential things necessary to face that kind of opposition.
Looking back through this passage one can easily identify the necessary resources for living in a fallen world.
1. A settled realization of the depth of God’s love for them.
2. A deepening understanding of His word (My words abide in you)
3. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit who guides and empowers.
4. Unity among other followers.
We will find that it is just these things that Jesus prays in his prayer for them in John 17. Jesus addresses our dealing with the world in the rest of this section and on into chapter 16.
F. Deal wisely with the World
Jesus addresses the “R” section of our CPR mission statement. Resist the evil of the world the flesh and the devil.
1. Defining and describing the “world”
John employs the Greek word “kosmos” which includes a broad range of meaning from the created “earth” to the group of beings holding to a common philosophy or following a common ruler.
• The entire universe as created by God
• Mankind in general
• The theatre of human history
• A devil-directed society of beings dedicated to devil-dictated philosophies, principles and practices.
In this last sense it may be the same concept as a “kingdom”. Jesus does not refer to the earth but to the collection of beings committed to a philosophy or view entirely opposed to Jesus. We have been inundated with a barrage of verbal and visual political propaganda.
Each party holds to a philosophy or way of government they deem to be the best. They continue to push that philosophy though all means in order to win the minds and hearts of those listening and watching. Satan is the ultimate politician. Promising everything delivering nothing. Paul indicated that everyone born on earth is born a citizen of this kingdom.
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Eph 2:1-3
Jesus spoke of this world ruler’s agenda earlier in chapter 12.
"I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; John 14:30
The world in this sense is a society of devil-deceived and devil-directed beings.
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 Joh 5:19
The world operates according to a particular philosophy and course energized by Satan.
Satan dictates a philosophy that goes against everything God stands for and peddles and promotes it through an elaborate system. Everything in that system is designed to appeal to the fallen fleshly nature. It results in a society of people based on self-exalting, self-glorifying independence rather than God-exalting God-glorifying dependence and service
It is a society based on self-satisfying desire and lust rather than self-sacrificing devotion and love. Satan appeals to these fallen fleshly drives of the soul.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, soulish, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. James 3:14-16
In pursuit of the world’s enticement one may loose his soul.
And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:34-36
Worldliness has lest to do with actions than with attitudes and philosophy.
Good Christians don’t …Yet they may be as worldly as any in the world when their lives seek life apart from devotion to Jesus. The war between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan centers in where life is found.
Today’s passage provides some help in our struggle to keep a proper eternal perspective.
2. Understand the believer’s relationship with the world
a) The Word toward Jesus
Ingnorance, hate, unbelief.
"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. John 15:18
"Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:20
but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. John 15:24
"These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. John 16:3
"Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. John 16:20
"O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; John 17:25
Eventually the world killed Jesus thinking to stamp out his life-changing message or repentance. Satan’s world will always demonstrate hostility to Jesus right to the very end.
b) The World toward us
The world hates us as it did Jesus
"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. John 15:18-21
"These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. "These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. John 16:1-3
"But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. John 16:6
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. John 16:32
All around the earth, people who represent the devil-directed world system persecute and try to eliminate the followers of Jesus. We have only seen the beginnings of such treatment here in America.
God wants the world to observe the foundation of his world, his kingdom – love and unity.
that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:21
God will cause the world to know that we are deeply loved by him.
'Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Rev. 3:9
c) Jesus toward the world
Brings culpability
"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. "He who hates Me hates My Father also. "If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. "But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, 'THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.' John 15:22-25
Those who refuse to bend the knee to God will be without excuse for four basic reasons.
• Nature demonstrates the divine attributes of an all-powerful God.
• God installs an instinctive knowledge of Him in every person.
• God reveled His word in His Word through the prophets.
• The person, work and witness of Christ.
Jesus died for it.
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29
and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:2
Jesus overcame it.
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Of utmost importance is the Biblical admonition concerning our relationship with the World.
d) Us toward the World
Jesus called us out of the world
"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain… "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. John 15:16, 19
"I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. John 17:6
This calling and the work it took to get us out of the world is this whole thing called salvation. We were called out of darkness to light. Paul referred to it in Ephesians after explaining how everyone was born into this devil-directed world system.
BUT GOD even when we were dead made us alive.
God enlightened the mind to see the truth.
God softened the heart to respond to him.
God wooed the will to follow him and devote ourselves to him.
As a result of this calling there is a new reality.
We are in world but not of it.
"I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. John 17:11
"But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. "I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. John 17:13-15
Jesus does not say that we should not be of it. By reason of our calling we are by nature not of it anymore. We are new creatures. Our whole outlook is renewed.
We have been regenerated. Our citizenship no longer resides in this world. We are strangers and aliens.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Philip. 3:20
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11
We have been given a new spirit.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 1 Cor. 2:12-13
Just as Jesus is not and never will be connected to any part of Satan’s kingdom (although Satan tempted Him to join forces against the Father) we have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness.
We are to bear witness in it by our differences not hide.
As such we are called to bear witness of this to the world even if it doesn’t listen. Just as Isaiah was called to take the word of faith to those who wouldn’t listen, we are called to bear witness to Jesus.
"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:18
We bear witness both by our life and by our lip as long as we are here.
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
As the end comes near they will listen less and less.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. 2 Tim. 4:3-4
We are to take courage in the face of tribulation not let our hearts be troubled
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
We are not to love the world or be friends or partners with it.
Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:1-6
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 1 Cor 6:14
The reason we have trouble here is that we don’t understand the temporary nature of the things in the world or how temporary Satan’s way of life really is. I could be happy if I just had this or that. If I could only win the lottery. We sometimes drool over and covet the lifestyles of the rich and famous.
The writer of Psalm 73 Asaph tripped over this very same issue. Read it sometime. Pray it.
We must continue to keep the future in mind if we are to keep a proper perspective on the present. All that the world offers as life is only a dream and illusion. When you hear… “This is really living”…run!
We are not to be conformed to the world but be transformed
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Col. 2:8
Don’t believe the propaganda. The philosophy of this nation of people hostile to Jesus is everywhere. It has come to the point where sending our children to universities is as dangerous as sending them to China. A particular philosophy, the philosophy and empty deception of the world will be drilled into their very soul if possible. We loose a vast majority of our young people after high school. They never return to the church partially due to the teaching they receive through the professors of the world. Grab the minds you capture the soul. We are inundated by the principles of the “course” of this world everyday. Radio, TV, music, books, conversation, your mailbox.
That is why the bible says we are to gather together all the more as we see the day approaching. That is why we are instructed to encourage one another daily lest our hearts become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. How much of the way we believe and live life looks just like the world. In a survey of thinking and beliefs of those claiming to be Christian a disturbing percentage of those surveyed were no different than those in the world.
We are to deny not desire worldly desires.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Rom 13:14
We overcome the world by our faith.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4
Faith continues to embrace God and therefore reject and renounce the world.
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Hebrews 11catalogues many that demonstrated their faith in God in the midst of terrible tribulation. The following chapter tells us how we, like them can overcome – it is by faith.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
How do we rise above the lure of the world?
Jesus unfolds the resources for living in a hostile world all through his final moments with his followers.
1. Develop a settled realization of the depth of God’s love.
2. Deepen your understanding of His word (My words abide in you)
3. Wait for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who guides and empowers.
We will explore some more of the Spirit’s ministry in relation to the world next week.
4. Live in unity with and love for other followers.
Specifically
Understand just what the world stands for and its end.
We trip when we forget the true nature of the world.
We forget how hostile it is to all that we hold dear.
We forget how wonderful it is to be called out and delivered from such a horrible fate.
Satan masquerades as an angel of light and goodness and makes evil look so good until we become swept by the tide of the fallen world in which we live but are not of.
Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Consider His life.
Consider His example of commitment.
Consider His relationship with the world.
Lay aside every sin and encumbrance
Run the race God gives you with endurance.
Today
What did God say to you today?
What changes does he want?
What changes in my thinking?
What changes in my feelings?
What new choices did he encourage me to make?
Later and Further
• Go back over the notes again.
• Look again at the section concerning our relationship to the world.
Does that represent my life? (Am I being obedient to the Word in this area?)
Ask yourself the “hard” questions.
What changes do I need to make?
How much am I of the world as well as in it?
• Look at the final application section.
Specifically pray thought each of the four elements in dealing with the world and ask God how you are doing and how you can improve.
Gain a clearer understanding of the true nature of the world.
Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Lay aside every sin and ENCUMBRANCE (things that get in the way of the goal)
Run the race with endurance.
• Remember the resources offered by God to deal with the world.
His all-encompassing love
His life-changing word
His indwelling Spirit
His body of other believers
Thank God for them and continue to learn more and experience more of them.
• Prepare yourself for next week!
o Spend some time in prayer for God’s work in our family.
o Consider how you personally can be used of God to stimulate others to love and godly living in obedience to Hebrews 10. It is not an option. It is why we gather together.
o Read the section John 16:7-15 on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
o Think about God’s faithfulness in your life and consider sharing a brief word of testimony during the planned testimony time next Sunday.
