In the World But Not of the World

?Text: John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to thee, Holy Father. Keep through thine own name those which thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are one.

Introduction:

In the high priestly prayer, Jesus states that he is returning to God the Father as he faces crucifixion. He prays first for himself, and then for his disciples. He thanks God the Father for giving them to him, and he prays for them as he is leaving them in the world. However, although they are living in the world, they are not of the world system. Earlier hat same week, in John 12:31, Jesus had said: Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out. He goes on to predict his crucifixion, and that as he is lifted up, he will draw all men to himself.

In the world, there is a real Satan:

Despite the fact that many do not believe in a literal devil, the Bible clearly states that there is a fallen angel, Satan, who is identified by many names – the devil, the adversary, the god of this world, the prince of the powers in the air, and the prince of this world. He contrasts with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The world system is built on self, “me first” as a guiding principle, rather than God’s will first. All men are born into the world and its world system. However, when we receive Jesus Christ as savior, we are moved (translated) from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.

?The Holy Spirit is at work:

?God is working in this world through the power of the Holy Spirit. John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. 9. Of sin, because they believe not in me. 10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. The one sin that will send us to hell eternally separated from God is to reject Jesus Christ as savior. He is the only truly righteous one, and we need his righteousness imputed to us. Judgment is coming. Satan has already been judged. He is still active in the world, but his doom is sure.

?We can expect tribulation in the world:

?Just after speaking about the work of the Holy Spirit in the world, Jesus concludes with the following statement just before praying his High-Priestly prayer. John 16:33 These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might find peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. He does not say “ye might have tribulation” but he says “ye shall have tribulation.” It is a promise. We can expect trials and troubles.

?The purpose of tribulation:

?Tribulations reveal to us that there are situations in life which we cannot handle on our own. We need the Lord, and our trials send us to him. We should not expect to escape trials. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. The world is getting worse, and the godly should expect persecution.

?God calls us to come bring our trials to him. Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” God is teaching us that we cannot handle all our problems, but He can.

?While we are in the world, we are to serve the Lord:

?The world is full of hurting souls. We can lead them to Christ. We can witness not only of our salvation from the penalty of sin, but the power of the Holy Spirit enabling us to live a victorious life here on earth. We can face our trials with courage, knowing that the Lord is with us. When Moses was facing death, he charged Joshua with the task of leading the entire nation of Israel into the promised land. There were giants to face, and enemy nations to be defeated. God encouraged him. Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee. 6. Be strong and of good courage: for unto this people shall thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. The same God that promised Joshua is the same God we serve today. Let us also be strong and of good courage, serving Him.

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