In, not of, and sent (Youth)

Things to Get

Bowl and water

Connect Cards

Game of point and look away

Intro

Have you ever heard the saying, “In the world, not of it?

Someone tell me what that means

Listen to prayer Jesus prayed in front of his disciples:

John 17:14-17

John 17:14–17 The Message

14 I gave them your word; The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn’t join the world’s ways, 15 Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways. I’m not asking that you take them out of the world But that you guard them from the Evil One. 16 They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world. 17 Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth.

This is where we get the saying “in but not of”

Jesus in his prayer was saying that the goal is not to be taken out of this world, but we are not to be of it…or in other words, let it define us and our lifestyles

Why? Because the world (sinful ways) wants to take you down....

sin’s goal is always to destroy you....but it never makes it obvious…sin looks good, it can taste good, it can feel good, but in the end it will only produce death.

Let me illustrate this (Bowl and plastic container)

The world takes good things and will distort it

Do what you want with sexuality

Do what you want with gender

Cussing

Disrespect parents

Drugs

Greed

When we fill ourselves and participate in the world, we will drown in our sin

This is not to say that every time we make a mistake we are closer to destruction

To make a mistake or to fail does not mean you are a part of this world…this is talking about a consistent, intentional pattern of behavior and priorities.

Now many talks might stop there, and say alright that’s it “just don’t be worldly”

But I believe God has far more for you…you are made for more

Made For More

We tend to have this mentality that the Christian life is all about what we can’t do

The goal of the Christian life is not to simply “not be something or a part of something”

More importantly, we are called to “be a part of something”

For example, my identity is not determined by who I am not, it is determined by who I am.

Earlier I read a prayer that Jesus prayed in John 17, but I left the very next verse....so let me read that again with the last verse.

John 17:14-18

John 17:14–18 The Message

14 I gave them your word; The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn’t join the world’s ways, 15 Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways. I’m not asking that you take them out of the world But that you guard them from the Evil One. 16 They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world. 17 Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. 18 In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.

For Jesus being “not of the world” isn’t the destination, but the starting place.

It’s not where things are moving toward, but what they’re moving from.

Someone suggest that the popular phrase should not be “in, but not of” but rather, “not of, but sent into.”

The beginning place is being “not of the world,” and the movement, the mission, the purpose is being “sent into” the world.

God has every single one of you here for a purpose…here on this earth, at this time

in the families he’s put you in

in the community he’s put you in

Let me sum up the mission that God has us all on

Love God, and Love People

Each one of you in this room has been privileged to hear the greatest news in the history of the world. That Jesus died to bring salvation and forgiveness to those who will place their trust in him

There are two things that we are going to start doing that I believe is going to bring transformation to this youth group....and you all will get to be a part of it!!!

Prayer

Serving

What is the next step you can take in loving God and loving people?

Not everyone is going to preach from a stage, but we can all be a part in small ways

What is your next step?

Greet on Sunday morning

Help with the Kids on Sunday morning

Come early on a youth night to help setup

Help organize games

We are going to take the next 5 minutes and give space to pray into this thought, and on your seats are cards.

But in order to be a part of that mission first you need to be a part of His family.

ABC’s of salvation

Prayer (pray this in your heart, as I pray it out loud)Dear Lord Jesus I believe you're the son of God. I believe that on the cross you took my sin, my shame, and my guilt, and you died for it. You faced hell for me so I wouldn't have to go. You rose from the dead to give me a place in heaven, a purpose on earth, and a relationship with your father. Today Lord Jesus I turn from my sin to be born again. God is my father, Jesus is my savior, the Holy Spirit is my helper, and heaven is my home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.