WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD

5/20/2025

"I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:14).

Don't be taken aback when you are mocked for your faith in Jesus.  On the contrary, be concerned when the world embraces you as one of its own. Jesus said to the Father, "I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:14). In other words, hatred and mockery from the world should be expected, and when not present, you should look at yourself in the mirror and examine if you are still in the faith. 

Saints, we don't have to be like the world to win them. We don't have to act or speak their language of fear to bring them to salvation. Romans 1:16 says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." It is the gospel alone that brings salvation, nothing more or less. This idea that we have to clone ourselves to be like the world before we can win them is a doctrine from Hell. The world is dark, we are light, and light is all that the world needs right now. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "You are not the same as those who don't believe. So don't join yourselves to them. Good and evil don't belong together. Light and darkness cannot share the same room." 

Someone may say, "Pastor, why then did Paul say, 'I became as a jew that I may win some?'" Apostle Paul here was referring to being positioned to see things from their perspective, not becoming one them in their darkness. "And unto the Jews, I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you" (1 Corinthians 9:20-23). In verse 27 of the same chapter, he said, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." In other words, "I will not jeopardize my salvation in the process of saving a soul." 

The world, today, does not need light to become darkness; they already have enough darkness. What they need is light. So be the light that you are.

Faith-Filled Confession:

As light, I limit the operation of darkness in my region. I refuse for darkness to have a field day in my home, community, and nation. I declare that every strategy of the evil one to destroy lives with fear, sickness, and sin in my community is frustrated. I declare that lives in my region are preserved unto salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen 

Prayer Point

Prayer for those who are facing intense temptations

Jude 1:24-25 says, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Pray for those whom Satan is stirring off the course of their calling in Christ through various temptations and trials.

Pray that their faith fail not, and prevails in all circumstances.

Declare that they hold fast to their calling, living in and by the Word, irrespective of circumstances, that they may finish their course with joy, bringing glory to the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Prayers Partners and Residents

2 Thessalonians 2:3 AMPC says Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the [a]apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition), 

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Pray for our brethren, that more than ever they will stay focused on Christ and the things of the kingdom, and they would not be distracted by the transient pleasures of this world.

Declare that our brethren are established in Christ, deeply rooted and founded in Him. They remain steadfast, unmoveable, doing the work of the Lord with joy.