Next Step Christian Church
Worship 9/5/26
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  • Here I Am To Worship
  • Yours (Glory And Praise)
  • We often hear “not of the world” and strive to ensure that we are different from the world. Jesus says that we already are fundamentally and forever NOT of the world. Instead he sends us in to the world. It is our direction, our mission, the invading glory of God.

    Dry Land

    Something a little different. I want you to hear a snippet of a song. Just the chorus here and the first verse. This is a quick sample, a song my friend Ben Calhoun was playing around with a new version of.
    <Play track>
    This is fun for me, because I wrote the original song back in 1998 and we recorded it with Stained Glass. Ben thought it had some potential and was playing around with doing it with Citizen Way. That’s fun, but not the point.
    The point is what he changed:
    Hear the lyric there.
    In the world, not of the world Opposition left this heart unstirred
    Those aren’t the original lyrics, Ben changed those. But for such good reason. The original lyrics are:
    In the world, not of the world A balancing act while Satan’s darts are hurled
    Now, “hurled” is a better rhyme for “world”… but worse in every other way. There’s a reason you don’t hear “hurl” a lot.
    And a song about “Satan hurling” gives me a very different mental image now.
    I wrote that song something like 1997 or 98, 17 years old maybe. And thinking LOTS of about this idea: what does it mean to be in the world… but not of the world.
    How does that work? What does it look like?
    The VERY clear narrative in the 90s was some combination of Culture War, political alignment, not cursing and abstinence.
    A step further than my world, you could go to a Christian school, listen to only Christian music, bought at a Christian bookstore, and stay in the Christian bubble exclusively so you are “in the world” technically, physically, but in every other way disassociated. Unattached and unengaged.
    We still have that option. And I think about this a lot, as my kids are in high school and college especially. And instinctively I want to protect them and shield them from every possible negative influence.
    And there’s a whole lot of things I should be worried about, things that are of real concerns.
    So… as people who are making disciples. Disciples on purpose. Disciples by name. What is and what should be the relationship of disciples to the world?

    Disciples and the World

    John 17:6 ESV
    6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
    God, the Father, looking at all the humans in the cosmos, in the world. And even though they have abdicated their own authority and power to the “god of this world”… they can’t give true ownership. They still belong to the Father.
    And the Father chooses people and gave them to Jesus… and then they kept the Father’s Word. Jesus gave them the Words of Life, his very self the “Word”, the Logos, of God.
    John 17:7–10 ESV
    7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
    Okay, now he goes back to the disciples current relationship with the world:
    John 17:11 ESV
    11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
    Now, that on its own is an interesting statement to me. Jesus is “no longer in the world.” At that moment he is, physically, in the world, on the planet, in human incarnation, in the cosmos in every way we know. And he will appear again and again over the next 40 days, but he has been looking forward to his resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father.
    And, fascinating when you think of the size and scope, the ludicrous distance of the cosmos… Jesus’ place at the right hand of the Father is not located within the cosmos. It is somehow beyond, outside. My sci-fi brain goes to alternate dimensions or universes, because in no sense is he far away as the Father is omni-present, as close as our next breath… but he is not in the world as we are.
    Hold that thought.
    And, again, as we reflected on last week, I think it is beautifully profound, sometimes tragically so, that Jesus prays for his disciples unity. For our unity. To be “one” as Father and Son of God are one. That is the heart of Jesus. I think our division breaks the heart of Jesus, and he continues this prayer for his bride, the Church. And one day, we will be one, united in worship before the throne of Christ.
    John 17:12 ESV
    12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
    Jesus “kept” them. “Guarded” them. Those are fascinating words. How?
    My head goes to spiritual warfare for the sake of his disciples. And… yes! We’ll see, that is even what Jesus is doing now, interceding for their sake with the Father. Praying for them, that God the Father would protect them.
    AND, “guard” here also means to “watch” or even to “observe.” He is observing their lives, aware of, awake to their sin and struggle, the condition of their hearts, their “keeping” of the Word.
    That’s some discipleship right there. This is core, how can you train someone if you don’t know where they are at, how strong they are, and what weak points they need to work on? How can you coach someone if you don’t know what sport they are playing, what aspect of their game needs to grow? Jesus knows, and his disciples are on the path.
    Not perfect, by any means, but not lost. Except the son of destruction, Judas. And he is lost to temptation, lost to the evil one (we hear elsewhere). But Jesus knew the whole time, and Scripture prophesied long before.
    John 17:13 ESV
    13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
    Jesus reminds us, again and again, I think because the words don’t feel joyful… but that is what this is all for. That your joy may be full.
    And here it is:
    John 17:14–15 ESV
    14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
    Just note the phrase “they are not of the world.” That will be repeated in a moment, but note it because it’s important. We know that because Jesus says this again and again. “Of the world” 7 times and “in the world” another 3 times.
    But hear Jesus do some spiritual battle for the disciples here: keep them from the evil one.
    Say a prayer right now for the folks you are discipling on purpose by name. “Father, keep them from the evil one!” That’s a good prayer.
    This phrase is reminiscent of Jesus’ prayer with the Parable of the Sower. He uses this same phrase. The sower sows the Word, the Gospel, Faithful to just keep sowing. And it falls on different kinds of soil.
    He hits both of those notes hear:
    Matthew 13:19 ESV
    19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
    The evil one comes and snatches it away. Father protect these disciples from the evil one. Let them understand the Word, keep the Word, that was part of Jesus’ pray just a few verses up. This one applies to:
    Matthew 13:22 ESV
    22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
    In light of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples, that parable takes on a way more personal tone. Jesus himself is Sowing and sees his disciples. Praying, even for Judas who he knows is “seed on the path.” Praying for his disciples, that they be protected from the evil one, and from the thorns of the world, the cares of the world.
    But this is fascinating: this is not an entreaty to the disciples to “be good soil.” It is not a command to the Sower to “sow better!” “Plant better, till deeper, weed and spray to kill those thorns!” It is a prayer to the Father, for God alone can change the heart.
    Jesus does spiritual battle for his disciples, and models to us how to lift disciples before the Father.
    And then he says this again John 17:16
    John 17:16 ESV
    16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
    This is an existential statement. Not “let them be not of the world.” Not a command to them “be not of the world.” A simple statement of fact: they are not of the world in the very same way that Jesus is not of the world.
    This does not mean they are perfect. Or holy. There is still work to be done. In fact his next statement is all about that ongoing work of Sanctification:
    John 17:17 ESV
    17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
    And more of that in John 17:19
    John 17:19 ESV
    19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
    But fundamentally, existentially, spiritually, profoundly… they are not of the world. We are not of the world.
    AND they are actively, ongoingly, being “sanctified” (ie made holy) by the Word, by the Logos, by the Truth.
    It is both Done and being Done. Love it.
    But right in the midst of that “sanctification” work, Jesus says this:
    John 17:18 ESV
    18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

    In the World, not of the World

    John 17:16–18 ESV
    They are not of the world, … I have sent them into the world.

    A Balancing Act

    … while Satan’s darts are hurled.
    Ignore the “hurled” for a minute. The picture here is that there is this balance to be struck. A bit of the world, balanced with a bit of Jesus.
    Some from column A, some from column B, a balance. Not too much, that would be out of balance, not too much of one or the other.
    And then, we laugh at anyone who strikes a different balance than me. My friends who live in a Christian bubble. Hah, so over sheltered.
    My friends who listen to Nirvana and drop an F-bomb. Sinners.
    Anyone who strikes a different balance than mine is out of balance. And Satan’s strategy is to knock us off balance.
    Is that the picture that Jesus presents here?
    NO. What does he say?
    John 17:16–18 ESV
    They are not of the world, … I have sent them into the world.
    They are not of the world. Declarative. If there’s a process, it is in their sanctifying in the Word, in the Truth, in the footsteps of Jesus.
    They simply are NOT of the world. That isn’t a symptom of how they dress or talk or walk or associate with. They are fundamentally changed by the call, by the Word, by the death and resurrection and the PERSON of Jesus Christ!
    But they are in the world. Why? Because Jesus sent them.

    The World is our Destination

    Not the vector, the direction of movement. Jesus says we are not of the world, because Jesus has already rescued us, pulled us out in that sense.
    Our starting point is “not of the world”. That’s where we are. We aren’t of the world. Not as an outcome of our actions but because we are his and he is not of the world. We are already not of the world and it has nothing to do with our behavior!
    But Jesus has sent us into the world. Into the world is our direction.
    So we aren’t playing defense, striving to be “not of the world.” We are the Navy Seal team on an rescue mission. We are going behind enemy lines and rescuing those who need it. Perhaps punching up when absolutely necessary at the powerful, the hypocritical… but always reaching down to those who are still lost in sin.
    And it is in that context that Jesus gives his message.
    While you are on mission into the world, you will face opposition. In the spiritual dimension from the adversary. In the political dimension as your message challenges those in power and authority. In the religious dimension as your message challenges those in power and authority.
    The “world hating you” is a warning of what will occur as you pursue your mission. It is not the goal or the mission. It is neither proof that you are or are not on the right mission.
    Our mission is into the world… and that is a world that rejects Jesus as Son of God, as Savior, as Lord.
    Our mission is into the world… and to offer saving love and eternal life to sinners trapped and enslaved by that world.
    Now you may find the “hatred of the world” expressed in the eyes, in the words, in the hearts of individuals. But we must ask ourselves this question. Am I on mission?
    Is there a place for tanking up, for being sure you are getting wise counsel, support from fellow Christians, not allowing the world to be influencing you? Absolutely. Jesus talks about Salt and Light. Stay salty, salt up, don’t let your salt get adulterated by all kinds of other nonsense… and this is a place where we “salt up.” And the Word, above all, is where we get Sanctified. Stay Salty.
    And then be light! In the world! As Jesus sends you!
    Acting in abiding loving obedience, informed and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and remember those two things form the rest of the context for this whole teaching.
    If I am on mission, than we just say “haters going to hate, man.” Only then can we say, they hate the Jesus in me.
    Our mission is into the world. Warning: it isn’t going to be easy.
    But guess what:
    John 16:33 ESV
    33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

      • John 17:6NIV

      • John 17:7–10NIV

      • John 17:11NIV

      • John 17:12NIV

      • John 17:13NIV

      • John 17:14–15NIV

      • Matthew 13:19NIV

      • Matthew 13:22NIV

      • John 17:16NIV

      • John 17:17NIV

      • John 17:19NIV

      • John 17:18NIV

      • John 17:16–18NIV

      • John 17:16–18NIV

      • John 16:33NIV

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Next Step Christian Church
pastordusty@nextstepchurch.org
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