In The World But Not Of The World Series

How we, as followers of Christ, view the world truly does matter. As a follower of Jesus, as one who has been saved from sin and eternal destruction, the Scriptures tell us that we have become a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. We must remember where we came from.

Ephesians 2:1–2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 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.

Every one of us was once part of this world’s evil system, but Jesus clearly tells us that we were chosen out from the world:

John 15:19b … but I chose you out of the world …

Today we are going to look that perspective of our worldview, in that while we are in the world, we are not of the world.

In Jesus’ High Priestly prayer to the Father (all of John 17), the prayer he prayed the night before He went to the cross, Jesus prays for His disciples and for all those who will follow Him in the years to come. In a very real sense, Jesus prayed for us. In this prayer, as recorded by John, we will look at what Jesus’ prayed for us, that though we are in the world, we are not of the world.

John 17:13–21

Where is our home? What is our mindset? As Christians, how do we differ from the world in the things that matter? Think about it.

What things disturb us more?

A soul lost in Hell … or a scratch on your new car?

You missing the worship service … or missing a day at work

A sermon 10 minutes too long … or lunch half hour late?

A church not growing … or your investments not growing?

Your Bible unread … or your unread text messages?

The church work being neglected … or housework neglected?

Missing a good Bible study … or missing your favorite game on TV?

The millions who do not know Christ … or your inability to keep up with the neighbors?

The cry of the multitude for bread … or your desire for another piece of German chocolate cake?

Your tithes decreasing … or your income decreasing?

Your family being late for Sunday School and Church … or late for school and work? [1]

What defines your attitudes and outlook of the world? Which world do you belong to? The fact is, we are not like the rest of the world. We have been called out from this world with its cares and concerns. Our focus should be on Jesus and on fulfilling His will.

John 17:13 “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.

Jesus said in the world you will have trouble. But in His word, we can find joy.

John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

We are to have the joy that Jesus has. And remember Jesus faced the cross with Joy.

Hebrews 12:2b … 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.

Jesus had joy, because He knew what lied beyond.

John 17:14 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.

Here is what makes true Christians different. We have God’s word in us. God word and His Holy Spirit transforms us. We are different from the world and because of that the world hates us. The things of this world are not of God. The world hates what is not theirs.

1 John 2:15–16 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. 16 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.

Jesus calls us to be light in a dark world. As light we show the evil in the world and the evil does not want to be uncovered:

John 3:20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

But we are told we are not of this world:“they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Can you see why Peter says we are just sojourners, and pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11)? We are not of this world. This world is not our home. We are in Jesus and Jesus is not of this world. Yet here we are, in the world. And the world hates us.