Exiles Called to a Transformed Life

Opening Prayer of Intersession

John 17:16–19 LSB

16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. 18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world. 19 “For their sake I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

KEY QUESTION: What does it mean that the LORD builds His Church?

The Church is Built through Transformed Lives. (v.16)

Hebrews 7:26 LSB

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

The disciples of the LORD are individuals who are gospel-transformed.

The church makes no sense to the sin-stained, spiritually dead people of the world.

What offends the World is what gives the Church its power.

The Truth is the Landmark of the Living Church. (v.17)

1 Thessalonians 2:13 LSB

13 And for this reason we also thank God without ceasing that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.

Jesus asks the Father to separate us from the world, in the truth.

Jesus also clarifies what is truth. The Word of God.

As people of God, as a Church, we are called to grow in the Word and to love the Word.

The fullest expression of God’s perfect word is in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church is an Exclusive Outreach Organism. (v.18)

Hebrews 3:1 LSB

1 Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession—Jesus,

Jesus uses the word apostolos, meaning, sent one, as a way to convey what the Church is meant to do.

As the Father sent the Son to die for the Church, so the Church is sent to proclaim Him and Him alone.

The undertone of the message is that of acquaintance with with the world, yet full embrace of God’s will for each of us.

Disciples are Called to Mission Living. (v.19)

Joshua 24:15 LSB

15 “If it is evil in your sight to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”

Jesus highlights His obedience before the Father as the example for His Bride.

Because He was willing to live and die in obedience to God’s plan of redemption, we are called to obey Him, as our LORD.

As ambassadors, and messengers of the Truth, we are to go and proclaim it boldly, in grace and mercy.

As Part of the Living Church:

—I am called to live under the Word of God.

—I am a disciple called to live as an emissary of Jesus Christ.

—I live under the ministry of the Risen Jesus Christ.