Sent

"SENT" will look at John 17. Jesus' prayer for the disciples and for all future believers.  Jesus prays NOT that we'd remove ourselves from the world, but that God would keep us safe from the evil one.  So many people think that means that we won't be tempted to look at porn, or drink, or sleep around - but the evil one's intentions are for us to live life apart from God.  So whatever form it takes - his desire is for us to say NO to God and YES to our ways.

When we understand that we aren't OUT of the world... we have a decision to make, will we be isolated?  Will we be accommodating?  OR will we be transformative?  For too long the church has adopted a posture of "If you can't beat them, run away from them!"  OR even worse, "If you can't beat them, join them!"  But there is a distinct difference that arises in a group of people that believe the Gospel... not simply an invisible difference, but a visible, tangible, loving reach of a people that believe that God can transform me AND He can transform others.

Simply put - As Jesus was sent, so we are sent (and as Jesus revealed the Kingdom, so we reveal the kingdom).  We are a people that first believe the Good News, are shaped by the Good News, and as a result believe that the Good News can shape others and our world.