(#1565) Day 11. We Are Still In This World (29/9/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (currently posted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as we continue our 9-week series: Fresh Vision From Jesus' High Priestly Prayer from John 17. 

Over the next three weeks, we focus on John 17:6-19, the second section of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, where we will see that genuine Christian fellowship is essential to God's vision for the local church.

To watch this devotional, go to:

Please read John 17:6-19

Have you ever been on holiday and crossed a border into another country? As you cross, many things change - currency, language, customs, even the side of the road you drive on. Things change when you enter a different kingdom!

In a similar (but deeper) way, Jesus teaches that Christians live in this world while belonging to another. We are not of the world, yet we are still in the world.

In our last devotional, we focused on how we are no longer of this world. Today we consider what Jesus means when He says we remain in it.

In Jesus prayer, He says:

And again:

To remain in this world means a number of very crucial things:

1. We remain in the world to bring Jesus glory

We are still here so that Christ may be glorified through our lives and so that others may come to know Him.

Jesus says:

Our presence in the world is intentional. We are not here by accident, but by divine purpose.

2. We remain in the world as those sent on a mission

We are in the world because we have been sent. Just as the Father sent the Son, so the Son sends us.

Jesus says: 

This language is rich and repeated elsewhere in John’s Gospel:

This teaches us three important truths:

i. We are commissioned by the Father

We are in this world on God’s business, not our own.

ii. We are empowered by the Spirit

The same Spirit who filled and sustained Jesus now dwells in us to strengthen and guide us.

iii. We are part of Christ’s continuing work

Jesus continues His mission in the world through His people. We are His witnesses, His ambassadors, and His instruments of grace.

3. We remain in the world as pilgrims

To remain in the world is also to remember that we do not ultimately belong here. We are pilgrims and exiles, travelling toward our true home.

Peter writes:

This shapes how we live. We are not settling permanently in this world’s values, priorities, or desires. We are passing through, living for something greater.

Moment To Reflect

Jesus’ vision for His church is not withdrawal from the world, but faithful presence in it for His glory.

• Why do you think God has placed you in this world at this time? Do you see your life as primarily for Jesus’ glory and mission?

• Jesus calls us ‘sent ones’ and ‘foreigners and exiles.’ How should this shape the way you use your time, talents, and resources?

• Are there areas of your life where you have become too comfortable in this world, rather than living as someone sent by Christ into it?

Download the booklet

Below is the link to download the devotional booklet: Fresh Vision From Jesus Prayer. This is a series of 27 devotionals based upon Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John 17.

This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:

Community Group Study

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

You might want to use the icebreaker: How has God been speaking to you from His Word recently, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our series, Fresh Vision From Jesus’ Prayer, and began our three-week focus on John 17:6-19, the second section of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, where we will see that genuine Christian fellowship (One-another) is essential to God's vision for the local church.

Read John 17:6–19 together and discuss:

• What spoke to, challenged or inspired you from Sunday’s message?

• Has anything from the series of devotions particularly encouraged or helped you? If so, what could you share with the group?

• What does it mean to be in the world, but no longer to be a part of it?

• In our message, we saw that : 'Like Jesus, We Will Not Look Like This World', and this will effect three areas in particular:

  i. Up - Those Who Are Not Of This World Know God Differently  

  ii. In - Those Who Are Not Of This World Understand Community Differently  

  iii. Out - Those Who Are Not Of This World Live Differently

Discuss each of these areas - particularly how you feel challenged personally.

Let’s pray together: 

In our prayers together, we continue with some of the same themes as last week: 

• For students and twenties: Please continue to pray for the young people in our church - for Samuel and Lucia, Cole and Abby who are leading in this area.

• Gift days: Pray for our 30k target to be met at our upcoming gift days on 11th and 18th October.

• Community Groups: Pray for our Community Group life to flourish at CCP (for info on groups, go to https://www.communitychurchputney.com/community-groups )

• General Prayer: Let’s also pray for one another based on our study, and bringing before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

SIV: 

• Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Pray for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives, asking God to open their hearts and give us the Love and boldness to share His love as He opens opportunities.