Turning the World Upside Down

1
Turning the World Upside Down
2
In the World, But Not of the World

• Note the balance in John 17 in the world not
  of the world (vv.11-23)
• We need to teach about avoiding worldliness
  being on the defense (Rom. 122 Gal. 614 2
  Tim. 410 Tit. 212 Jas. 127 44
  2 Pet. 14 220 1 Jn. 215-17 54-5)
• But, we also need to teach about advancing into
  the world being on the offence

3
Christians Are In the World

• For God and Jesus Sake
• We show God to the world (1 Pet. 29
  1 Jn. 417)
• We show Jesus to the world his gospel
  (Mk. 1615 2 Cor. 518-19 2 Tim. 22) and his
  image (1 Cor. 111 Phil. 120 Gal. 617)

4
Christians Are In the World

• For Others Sake
• We are a light to the world through our
  influence (lit. in flow) and example (Mt.
  513-16 see Jn. 94-5)
• We are to turn the world upside down through
  teaching the light of Gods word (Acts 176 2
  Cor. 43-4 Phil. 215-16)

5
Christians Are In the World

• For Their Own Sake
• Why does God not take us out of the world right
  after becoming a Christian? Any good reasons?
• We are in the world to grow and mature to become
  Christ-like (Eph. 413 Col. 310)
• We are in the world to pass the test
  (Jas. 13-4 1 Pet. 16-7 58-10)

6
Christians In the World

• Like Jesus, we associate with (worldly) sinners
  without associating with the sin (Mk. 215-17
  Lk. 736-50 151-2 1 Cor. 1510)
• Good judgment must be used
• Bible authority must not be violated
• We must be careful not to be like the Pharisees
  who disassociated themselves from sinners and
  condemned Jesus for his association with them
  (Mt. 1119)

7
Christians In the World

• We must be careful not to have the retreat or
  isolation approach to life (monastic?)
• What about dating a non-Christian and converting
  them?
• What about being a positive Christian example in
  public school, the workplace, the neighborhood,
  the organization, etc.?
• What about personal evangelism?