Title: Not of this World
Theme:
Text: John 17:15 - 16
Prayer & Praise Time
Psalms 150:1-6 Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! (2) Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! (3) Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! (4) Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! (5) Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! (6) Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Offering
2Co 9:6-8 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (7) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Opening Scripture
Jesus in his last recorded prayer speaks of his disciples and of those who would become his disciples. It is as if He is praying and giving words of encouragement. A battle cry out.
John 17:15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Jesus said in John 8:37 that he was “not of this world”. Then he says here in John 17:16 that his disciples are “not of this world”. We know how Jesus is not “of this world” because he is from above but how about the disciples.
John 3 and Nicodemus. “You must be ‘born again’”. When we are reborn in Christ then we are no longer of this world.
Why must we not be of this world, it will die out soon. It cannot last.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or 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, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. (17) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Choose the side you will serve. You cannot last like this forever. The longevity and true life fulfillment is found in living for Christ.
We are Ambassadors for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
This is why we are challenged to be ready to stand up for the Lord:
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Meekness – humility because we know that He has chosen us and not we ourselves. He saved us and we are who and what we are because of him.
Fear- because we want everyone to accept him.
Because of this we have all rights and authority in Christ
Rights to share about His Kingdom
Rights to cast out demons in His name
Mar 16:17-18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) they [86] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
John_14:13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask [82] anything in My name, I will do it.
Worship Beyond Sunday
Colossians 3:16-23 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (18) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (19) Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. (20) Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (21) Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (22) Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. (23) And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
The enemy wants to destroy us.
John_10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
How to Overcome the Enemy
We Must Resist the Enemy
James_4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Know that Jesus is Praying for Us
Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, [141] "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. (32) But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
We need to pray ourselves - Our Prayer – The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (10) Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread. (12) And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. (13) And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
