Taking Life in Christ

John 17:14-23
Take a Step Part 3 - January 19th

It is appropriate that we would hear from our Lead Pastor from Thailand this morning, visiting some of our missionaries, on the Sunday we are emphasizing taking life in Christ to the heart of Ohio and beyond.  

Review Life in Christ Triangle

• Three relationships - with God, other believers, and the world
  • Enjoy God Together - UP - GROWING IN INTIMACY
  • Grow in Grace and Truth - IN  - GATHERING IN COMMUNITY
  • Take Life in Christ - Out - GOING MISSIONALLY

Main Idea: We are called to take a step by living as missionaries for Jesus. 

1. We are Missionaries (17:14-17, 19)

2 Corinthians 17:14-17 -  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. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 

IDENTITY - Who we are. Doing often flows out of being.

-We have a different citizenship

• “Not of the world” - three times in this passage. 
• Citizens of heaven - Philippians 3:20
• In enemy territory - “keep them from the evil one.” 
• Ambassadors - 2 Cor 5:20 - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
• Identity in Christ. 

-We are called to live a different lifestyle - our sanctification is the platform of our mission. 

• In the world but not of the world
• Our Holiness, Christ-likeness, verifies the gospel!
• John 17:19 - And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
• We are meant to stick out like salt and light! See Matthew 5 - “let your light shine…that they may see your good works”
• Mission is inextricably tied to our lifestyle.  Do you practice what you preach? 

-Called to share a Different Truth - “sanctify them in your truth”
In what ways has the gospel transformed your life? 

Main Idea: We are called to take a step by living as missionaries for Jesus. Starts with realizing WHO YOU ARE. 

2. We are Sent (17:18)

17:18 - As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

-PURPOSE - Our task. Our mission. Why are we here? God why would you leave me in this broken world?

• Illustration: In Junior High working at a Christian Camp. Ground that was soft/muddy. Make it harder. Weren’t given gravel, or really more soil. Level it out. “Why am I doing this? FRUSTRATING. Hindsight: Keep those junior high boys busy for a couple of hours. Not having purpose will drive you crazy.
• We are made to work, to achieve…remember work was established before the fall, before sin came into the world. Not only are we called missionaries, sent ones, we are tasked with a MISSION. 
• Commanded in the Great Commission - Matthew 28:18-20
• Modeled in the early church - Acts 2:41-47 - Lord added to their number daily
• Acts 1:8
1. Taking life in Christ to the heart of Ohio and beyond
2. Local and Global
• Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21

3. We are Better Together (17:20-23)

17:20-23 - “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 

-BELONGING - We are called to be a team. 

• Too often we hear “ME” where Scripture says “WE”
  • Todd Engstrom - pastor/leader at Austin Stone Church, “we realized that when we aimed at community, we got neither community nor mission.  But when we aimed at mission, community almost always resulted.”
  • Think about the brotherhood formed in the military. Or the comradery that can build in a healthy work environment or sports team. Why does that community form? Because it is a group of people coming together with a common identity, and a common purpose. 
  • The command is communal - we are to go on mission together! 
• Look at all the pronouns in our text today! “Sanctify them,” “I have sent them,” etc.
  • Mission creates unity (community)
  • Our love draws others to Jesus
  • Our lives, our love, and our fellowship with one another are one of the best apologetics. 
  • John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
• In what ways does your love for others create a platform for the gospel?
• What message does our love for one another, our fellowship with one another, send to the world. It should be a light! As we take life in Christ to the heart of Ohio and beyond.

Main Idea: We are called to take a step by living as missionaries for Jesus.  And we do this best together.

Conclusion:

How will you take life in Christ to the heart of Ohio and beyond this year? What step will you take?

It starts with seeing yourself as a missionary (identity). Understanding you have a purpose (you are sent!). And it involves being committed to a community of Christ followers who will live this out together. Who is your team? 

1. Pray - Locally, Globally
   -Pick one person far from Jesus - write their name down on bulletin “who is your one?”
   -Pray that they would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior THIS year. 
   -In the last 5 years we have seen over 100 people baptized! Amazing! Praise God for every one of those people who took that step. But think about this…if all of us prayed for one person this year to come to know Jesus, and only 1 out of 10 of us saw that prayer answered we would see that many baptisms just THIS year in 2025. Who is your one? 
   -Write it down, cut it out and put it somewhere you will see it, and pray at least every week for that person. 
   -Adopt a missionary or an unreached people group to pray for.
   -Take a step this year by praying!
2. Give - support the mission sacrificially. 
   -Think about the return on investment for eternity. How are you investing your resources in God’s mission on earth. A mission that has eternal implications
   -Mission requires sacrifice 
   -Laying up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6)
   -Maybe you are sitting here today and you have not partnered with us financially yet. Take a step! You can Go on our website and set-up recurring giving. 
   -This year take a step by giving sacrificially towards the mission of Jesus. 
3. Go - Live Missionally - show and share Jesus with others. 
   Practical ways to live missionally:
   -Where has God sent you to? Work, Live, Eat, and where you Play. See yourself as a missionary there. 
   -Tip well - ask server how you can pray for them
   -Pray weekly - who is your one? (young people, you can be leaders at this!). Look for open doors to share with them. 
   -Ask questions - do you have any spiritual beliefs?
   -Invite someone into your home or to our church

Main Idea: We are called to take a step by living as missionaries for Jesus.  

What step will you take in 2025?