THE BIBLE IS A CODE BOOK, TO GIVE GOD'S SECRETS TO THE GODLY, BUT TO DENY THEM TO THE WORLDLY-WISE

1. The secret of the Higher Life is in Separation from this world, its motive drives, interests, joy
2. Christ does not wish us to withdraw from the world and our contacts with the people- all kinds
3. But Jesus prayed for us to other-worldly, kept from the Evil One, and changed by His Word;

If we fail to understand what He wants of us in this- we defeat His prayer-crush His heart

I.- THE CHRISTIAN IS IN THE WORLD v. 11b

When Christ sought us, and saved us- we were very much in the world- some of world's worst sinners

A.- WE ARE PLUCKED AS "BRANDS FROM THE BURNING" AND GIVEN TO CHRIST "OUT OF THE WORLD" John 17:6b

1. The World (Kosmos) means this World system- ruled by its God- selfishness, ambition, pleasure
2. We used to be "children of this world"- Eph 2:1-3 -But God called us, many answered- came to Jesus
3. When we come to Jesus and are Saved- We need to seek those things above- Col 3:1-3

B.- BUT WE ARE YET VERY MUCH "IN" THIS WORLD, FOR OUR HABITATION, AND OUR MISSION IS HERE - V.11

1. The Medieval Christians often fled to a monastery- Nunnery- to escape the World- took it with them
2. The Reformation Christians sought to establish God's Kingdom -cf. Geneva -But Jesus not there
3. They both missed the Great Commission- and the Parable of Salt and its Savor - mystery hidden

C.- WE ARE NOW IN A WORLD THAT IS VERY STRANGE AND ALIEN TO US, BUT WE HAVE A PURPOSE HERE!

1. Jesus warned His own that the World would hate them- v.14, and we put our feelings on our sleeve?
2. People in the World cannot understand our motive, our change of life, our mission- new joy.
3. Hebrews 11 tells of the struggle of Men of God in a strange world - here for a purpose

If you are a Christian, do not flee the purpose for which God placed you in this World!

II.- THE CHRISTIAN IS NOT OF THIS WORLD v. 16a

The Christian is to be different- and Separation is vital as a part of God's plan for our joy

A.- AS CHILDREN OF GOD, WE ARE PILGRIMS AND STRANGERS, EVEN IN THAT WHICH IS OUR INHERITANCE!

1. We are forbidden to seclude ourselves- but we are now so different the World cannot hold us
2. As Abraham- Heb 11:9- was a sojourner even in His land of Promise- As Israel today struggles
3. Every step he took- he was looking for a city- v.10 -so he walked by Faith, tested & tried

B.- HOW CAN WE ESCAPE THE CORRUPTION THAT IS IN THE WORLD WHEN IT TOUCHES US EVERY MOMENT?

1. Our Daily Prayer should be- "Lord, Deliver us from Evil"- External can be washed- but Internal?
2. Moses refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter Heb 11:24- for a joy set before him
3. He was perfected through suffering- and he missed the Promised Land here- but has it forever

C.- DO YOU HAVE A CHANGE IN YOUR HEART THAT PLACES A STRANGE PULL OF ANOTHER WORLD ON YOU?

1. You are bought with a price,- You are the Temple of God- Present your bodies -living sacrifice
2. If you still have the World's language, fashions, pleasures, and pet sins- check up II Cor 13
3. If you a re saved, yet worldly- this means you are carnal- I Cor 3:1 -Salt without savor

America needs a revival of a godly difference between the Sacred and Secular- Separation

III.- JESUS PRAYED "KEEP THEM FROM EVIL" v.15b

The Evil One seeks to entangle us again in his web of influence, Use us, abuse us, destroy us

A.- THE EVIL ONE SEEKS TO SIFT AND TEMPT YOU- SO THAT YOU WILL BETRAY CHRIST, ANDYOURSELF

1. All our temptations come from World, flesh, & Devil - So guard against these in your life
2. Too many comforts, luxuries, and pleasures -and we find ourselves with Property of Evil One
3. If you place too high a value on this World's goods- you defeat Christ's prayer in your life

B.- JESUS PAYED, SANCTIFY THEM THROUGH THY TRUTH: THY WORD IS TRUTH v. 17

1. To Sanctify means to cleanse- and It is God's Word that cleanses past sins, & future- Seek it
2. Spend Time in the Word- for it is your open window into the next world- fill mind with good
3. Soon we will start BMA again- if World crowds out your time- the Word is ineffective for you

C. JESUS PRAYED" FOR THOSE WHO SHALL BELIEVE ON ME THROUGH THEIR WORD" v. 20

1. The World has changed- New tricks- Alcohol, tobacco, TV, Movies, Radio, Wealth- & Madison Ave.-
2. But Faith in Christ still changes lives- & Holy Spirit guides men's minds- If you trust Him
3. The Lord has sent you into the World- v.18- Not easy, but a blessing, your purpose in Life

Jesus sends us as Ambassadors- II Cor 5:25 to seek and save the Lost - fight His battles

EVEN THOUGH JESUS HAS GIVEN YOU SOMETHING GREATER THAN THIS WORLD, HE HAS SENT YOU BACK AS HIS AMBASSADORS

1. If you are a native of just this world- with all its evils- why not Accept Christ today!
2. If you are too worldly for Christ to use you- why not let Him change your heart today
3. If you belong to Jesus- let Him use you as an example, an ambassador, or invading army.-