In, But Not Of, part 2
2016-05-22
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Memory Verse:
Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
Last week, we began looking at a prayer. A prayer that Jesus offered for us as we face the challenges of this world. Today, we’re going to continue looking at this prayer as we see how His words can guide us day by day.
John 17:7 NLT
Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8 for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me. 9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold. 13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
Last week,
* we have authority
* we have a future
* we can make an everlasting impact
* the answer is Christ
1. The Message is clear (vs 7-8)
7 Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8 for I have passed on to them the message you gave me.
* The World needs to hear the Gospel
* The church must be the one to tell them
Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
2. We must stand in unity (vs 11)
11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.
* a church that is not unified in message is a church that will never be unified in mission
3. Standing on the Word of God (vs 14-18)
14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.
* it really does matter that we read, learn and know God’s Word if we are going to be light in a dark world.
4. Only in Christ do we have hope (vs 19)
19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
Ephesians 5:1
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.