Posted: 7/26/06
Family Bible Series for August 6
Set apart by God for service, righteousness
• John 17:9-23
By Greg Ammons
First Baptist Church, Garland
I recently visited Meteora in northeastern Greece. It is an impressive formation of natural rock pillars in the Pindus Mountains, ascending hundreds of feet into the air. In the 15th century, hermits would ascend these rock formations in baskets while being hoisted with ropes. Once on top the pillars, the hermits would live out the remainder of their days, either in fissures of the rocks or in a monastic order. They felt it was the best way to draw closer to God while not being influenced by the world.
Is this lifestyle what Jesus had in mind for believers? Before his death, our Savior prayed to the Father on behalf of his disciples. In this prayer, Jesus gave us insight into how he expects us to live as his followers. He shows us how God sets us apart for his service.
In the world (John 17:9-13)
In this beautiful prayer, Jesus poured out his heart to his father. As a part of this prayer, he realized his children would be living in a hostile world. Jesus prayed specifically for his followers and not for the world in general (v. 9). “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world. … Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name … so that they may be one as we are one” (v. 11). Jesus stated that he protected his disciples and kept them safe while he was with them (v, 12). But after his death, Jesus would be taken out of this world, and his followers would remain in it.
Today, believers must live out their faith in the world. They are not to retreat to a high mountain in order to escape from civilization. Believers are to make a difference in the world in which God has placed them. Jesus stated we are to be in the world but not of the world.
It has been my privilege to grow up in church. From my earliest childhood days in Honey Grove to my current ministry in Garland, God has allowed me the privilege of being in his church. It is our responsibility as churches to make an impact for Christ upon the world around us. It is our reason for being in the world. We are God’s representatives to a world that desperately needs him. He has blessed us with the privilege of being in his church to carry out this mission.
Different from the world (John 17:14-19)
Jesus continued his prayer to God for his followers, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world” (v. 14). He reminded us we are to be different from the world. Interestingly, Jesus prayed not that God would take his followers out of the world but that they would be protected from the evil one (v. 15). He also prayed for his followers to be sanctified by the word of truth (vv. 18-19).
Several members of my congregation are scuba-diving enthusiasts. Scuba is an acronym for “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.” This acronym was coined in 1939 by the U.S. Navy. Scuba divers submerge themselves into a body of water, yet they breathe their own air while in the depths. They take their own environment with them as they dive. Their life source comes from their own environment while they are immersed into that of another.
In similar fashion, Christians are different from the world in which they live. Believers are living in an environment much different than their new nature in Christ. They are submerged in the world and making a difference in it for Christ, yet their vital life source comes from elsewhere.
United in divine purpose (John 17:20-23)
Jesus did not simply pray for his immediate followers. He prayed also for all believers in the ages to come who would believe in him (v. 20). He prayed they would be unified in their purpose. Our Lord prayed: “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me …” (v. 23).
It is God’s will that all believers be united in their purpose of affecting this world for Christ. It is a difficult task because the world often makes sin look normal and righteousness look strange. As believers bind together in purpose, they are more powerful in their witness.
This task is made more difficult when believers desire to become like the world. Many Christians allow the trappings of this world to blind them to their greater task. The fiery evangelist of the mid-19th century, D.L. Moody, said some believers have one eye on the Lord and one eye on the world. As a result, their vision becomes blurred.
May you have a clear vision of your divine purpose to impact your world for Jesus Christ.
Discussion questions
• What are some practical ways Christians can affect their world?
• How are Christians different from the world?
• In what ways can believers work together to impact their world?
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