Who is influencing who?

In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus declared that His Disciples were not of the world, but that He was sending them into the world ()

Explanation: On the way to the Cross, Jesus stops to pray in the Garden. This takes place immediately following the Last Supper in the Upper Room, and just prior to His arrest in the Garden. In this prayer the heart of Jesus is seen. He talks with the Father about their unity and their shared glory in Eternity past, and then Jesus prays for His disciples. Jesus first prays for the 11 Disciples that were with Him ( vv. 6-19), and then He prays for all of the future believers (vv 20-23) which includes us.

As Jesus is praying for the 11, He asks the Father to keep them from the evil one, but He does not ask the Father to remove them from the world (v. 15). Then Jesus reaffirms their mission: He is sending them into the world, just as He (Jesus) was sent into the world (v. 18)

Argument: Even though these words were specifically directed to the Eleven, the principle still applies to us as His followers. In every generation, the followers of Christ are called to make inroads into the darkness of sin with the Gospel of Christ. Christ-followers are not taken out of the world when they are redeemed because the mission is not yet complete.

The popular rendering of this ideal is captured in the statement, “we are in the world, but not of the world.” This is a true statement as far as it goes, but a better thought would be, “not of the world, but sent into the world. (Blog article from Desiring God, Aug 29, 2012)

The popular rendering of this is captured in the statement, “we are in the world, but not of the world.” This is a true statement as far as it goes, but a better thought would be, “not of the world, but sent into the world. (Blog article from Desiring God, Aug 29, 2012)

The difference is subtle, but important, and it bears on our mission. Being in the world but not of the world can lead believers to withdraw from the world and retreat into our holy huddles of safety. This seige mentality, fostered in the practices of the monasteries, brings comfort to some. But, as Dr. Corts states: “we are called to carry a cross, not a cushion.”

Application: Ask yourself this question: Does the world system, of which I am in, hate me? Look at again. If the world system around you either ignores you or cozies up to you, there is a need for separation and consecration.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that His Disciples were to impact the culture around them ()

Explanation: Jesus taught that it wasn’t enough to just be a believer and take it easy until the end. He made declarative statements that specifically addressed a believer’s expected impact on the surrounding culture. Jesus declared His followers to be salt and light.

Salt served as a preservative in the ancient world. While it could not stop the deteriorating effects on meats, it slowed down the process. And as a flavor enhancer, salt added a much needed spice to every day life.

Light is almost self-explanatory. Light is the brightness that dispels darkness. Very simply, Jesus people are to live life in a way that shines the light of the Gospel into the darkness around them. When we live life on purpose for Jesus, those in the darkness will sense the glory of God in and through us.

Argument: These two metaphors are graphic reminders of a believer’s mission to the lost world in which they are a part. Jesus declared believers to be such; He did not give it as an option. And just to make sure the point wasn’t missed, He declared salt that wasn’t doing its job was to be thrown out and trampled.

Application: Are you being salt in your sphere of influence? You can be an active agent in slowing down the decay.

Is your light shining in your sphere of influence? Do lost people act and talk different when they are in your presence, or do they simply include you as part of the group? Light exposes darkness (Ephesians 5:11)

We can make a difference in the darkness

Explanation: Just looking at these 2 passages (and there are many others), it becomes clear that believers are supposed to be different from the world. But believers are to be different in intentional ways and for the specific purpose of expanding the kingdom. It’s not hard to be different just to be different: just dye your hair orange or start using a made up language with your co-workers.

The point is to be on mission, to live with a sense of being called to make a Gospel difference. So, how do we actually accomplish this? What will it look like? These are helpful questions that will get us started.

First, we can be hopeful in that Christ is still in the business of saving souls and advancing His Kingdom through His Church. Reminding ourselves (or becoming aware of) the growth of Christianity in other places around the world is both helpful and hopeful. This awareness, however, does require that we remove our “american lens” of looking at Christianity. As we remain focused solely on the Church in America, we may be drawn to the idea that Christianity is fast becoming a thing of the past.

Second, we can trust in the Power of Christ. The Jesus that is working in the global South is the same Christ who resides in the American Church. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever () Jesus is able to do the same things here that He is doing elsewhere.

Third, we can surrender to the mission of living for Jesus. This is where the real issue is for most believers. We are very comfortable and we don’t want to be disturbed by the claims of Christ on our life. We are good with attending Church, being somewhat engaged while present, and then going on about the remainder of our week as practical atheists. this does not have to be the sum of our Christianity.

Remember Jesus prayed for our success

He has given us his Word and His Spirit

We have the community of the faithful for encouragement

Start the day with by praying for opportunities for Gospel Conversations

popular culture Southern culture

b: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization

a corporate culture focused on the bottom line

c: the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic

studying the effect of computers on print culture

Changing the culture of materialism will take time …— Peggy O'Mara