In the World-Not of the World

Have they really become the same thing? Let's be scientists and find out. We'll set this bottle down and wait a few minutes to see what happens.

While we wait, let me ask you something: Have you ever been in a situation where your friends were doing something you knew wasn't right? Maybe they were being mean to someone, or cheating on a test, or saying words they shouldn't say? What did you do? How did it feel?

Look at our bottle now! What's happening? The water and oil are separating again! Even when they were all mixed up and looked like one thing, they never actually became the same. The water stayed water, and the oil stayed oil. They kept their own special qualities, even when they were shaken up together.

This bottle teaches us something really important about how Jesus wants us to live. Before Jesus died on the cross, He prayed a special prayer for His disciples - and that prayer was for us too! He prayed that we would live "in the world but not of the world." But what does that mean exactly?

Think about it this way: We have to live in this world - we go to school here, we have friends here, we play sports and do activities here. We can't just hide away from everyone! But Jesus doesn't want the world to change who we are on the inside. Just like the colored water added some color to the oil but stayed separate, we can add God's love and goodness to the world around us without letting the world change our hearts.

Here's what this looks like in real life: When your friends are gossiping about someone, you can choose not to join in - and maybe even say something kind about that person instead. When everyone else is cheating on a test, you can choose to be honest. When others are being mean to the new kid at school, you can choose to be friendly and welcoming. You're living in the same world, but you're making different choices because you belong to Jesus.

Jesus said, "Just as my Father sent me into the world, I am sending you into the world" (John 17:18). That means we have a mission! We're like undercover agents for God's kingdom. We live in the regular world, but we carry God's love, truth, and kindness with us everywhere we go.

Sometimes this is really hard. People might not understand why you make different choices. They might even make fun of you or try to pressure you to be just like everyone else - just like shaking our bottle tried to mix the water and oil together. But remember: just like the water and oil always separated again, God will help you stay true to who He made you to be.

Think about some of the heroes in the Bible who lived this way: Daniel didn't eat the king's food even when everyone else did. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wouldn't bow down to the golden statue. Queen Esther stood up for her people even when it was dangerous. They all lived in their world, but they stayed faithful to God.

So here are some questions for you to think about: What are some ways you can be "in the world but not of the world" at your school? How can you show God's love to your friends without copying their bad choices? What gifts has God given you that you can share with others, just like the colored water added color to the oil?

Dear Jesus, thank you for sending us into this world as your representatives. Help us to be brave when it's hard to make the right choice. Help us to show your love to everyone we meet, but keep our hearts focused on you. When the world tries to pressure us to be just like everyone else, remind us that we belong to you and help us stay faithful to who you made us to be. Amen.

Based on a sermon by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild SERMONS & SERMON - LECTIONARY RESOURCES Used by permission.