Notes

Slide Show

Outline

1	Our Relationship to the World John 15:18-16:33
2	Introduction What should we expect in our relationship with the world? What does God expect of us in our relationship with the world?
3	I. A Ministry of Presence. John 15:18-25
4	The Christian’s relationship with the world will not be easy.
5	There are three reasons the world is hostile to Christians. We are different. We don’t belong to the world. We belong to Christ. Verses 18-20 Ignorance. They don’t know the Father. Verse 21 Rejection. They reject Jesus’ claims and his standards. Verses 22-25
6	What does God want us to do? He wants us to go into the world and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:18 He wants us to be in the world and yet not of it. John 17:15 and Romans 12:1-2 He wants us to be salt and light. Matthew 5:13-16
7	“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
8	There are many different ways to let your light shine, just by being present in our world. As individuals and as a church we are to be a savoring influence for Christ by our life and actions.
9	II. A Ministry of Proclamation. John 15:26-16:16
10	The Holy Spirit, the Counselor, will testify about me. Verse 26 He will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. Verses 8-11 He will guide believers into the truth. Verse 13
11	Jesus wants us to be his witnesses too. Verse 27
12	“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
13	Without the Holy Spirit, our witness has no power. Without us (Christians), His witness is limited.
14	“How can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Romans 10:14
15	It takes a voice – in every area of life. Where has God called you to be a voice for him?
16	III. A Ministry of Prayer. John 16:17-33
17	All the way through the Upper Room Discourse, Jesus has been encouraging the disciples to pray. John 14:12-14 – “I will do whatever you ask in my name.” John 15:7-8 – “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you.”
18	John 15:16 – “The Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 16:23-24 – “I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 16:26-27 – “The Father himself loves you, because you have loved me.”
19	Prayer can change our world. The disciples prayed and God turned their world upside down for Christ.
20	“God opened the floodgates on the greatest movement in history.” Max Lucado It was all because they were willing to wait and pray.
21	Why are we so reluctant to do what they did?
22	“You can do more than pray, after you have prayed. But you can’t do more than pray until you have prayed.” A J Gordon
23	Conclusion God wants us to be involved in our world as change agents.