2026.08.16 In the Shadows of Betrayal

 

Strength in the Shadows of Betrayal

John 18:2-11

In the shadows of betrayal, Jesus stood sovereign and unshakeable. Jesus made his final "I AM” declaration, revealing power over all in the Father’s redemptive and foreseen plan.

Have you ever felt betrayed, double-crossed, hurt, lied about. We are living in an age of growing toxicity, isolated by social media, with access to more communication than ever before in history, but in many ways, we are entrapped in silos of echo-chambers and polarization not seen since maybe the civil war era, and in some ways even beyond that.

Routinely, one side demonizes the other side with hyperboles, exaggerations,  dehumanizing others so much that violence, explosive emotionalism, and overreactions result.

Where is God in all of this? Right where He has always been, on the throne, overseeing with His godly omnipresence every breakdown and sin. God is sovereign ruling with His holy omniscience every thought and action. With Christ at His right-hand side, the Heavenly Father is in control of all thing with His powerful omnipotence.

Scottish author, American pastor, and radio speaker Allistair Begg cites this passage as one of the most dramatic scenes of the New Testament. Would you stand as we read John 18:2–11.

·        A powerful betrayal, fulfilling a thousand year prophecy.

·        A tremendous amount of self-control and courage as the sovereign Son of God boldy confronts the soldiers.

·        A supernatural falling down of the soldiers that could have allowed for an escape.

·        A foolhardy attack by Simon Peter

·        A stern rebuke and reminder that this was why Jesus came.

Let’s first look at Judas and the Scriptural fulfillment

1. The Scriptural Fulfillment of Judas (18: 2–4)

² And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. ³ Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. ⁴ Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

Let’s first look at Judas and the Scriptural fulfillment. It is likely between verses 3 and 4 that Judas came forward and betrayed him with a kiss, in the other gospels. Matthew records Judas calling Jesus Rabbi in Matthew 26:51. Jesus replied and called Judas friend, which brings to mind Psalm 41:9, Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Jesus knew Judas would betray Him from the beginning and chose him anyway. Jesus knows the problems you are facing right now, this week, later this month or year.

What’s more, Jesus knows the problems our world is facing and He is getting ready for His return.

#1 The Bible predicts all the nations of the world will come against the Jews in Jerusalem. Zech 12:3

All nations of the earth have never come against Israel and Jerusalem. But if and when America collapses or falls to Communists, Islamic radicals, or Democratic socialists, all nations of the earth will come against it, bringing about the fulfillment of Rev. 16:14, For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Rev. 17 says, ¹² “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. ¹³ These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. ¹⁴ These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

This may sound like I am chasing a rabbit, but this is no rabbit. If Jesus could trust the Scriptural prophecy about Judas’ betrayal, then we can trust what the Bible says about the end times.  

#2 The Bible predicts that in the end times there will be a strong delusion. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

Well that’s not very nice is it? Why would God send a strong delusion? Verse 11 tells us “for this reason” which is found in verse. 9 and 10. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, ¹² that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

It is theologically called “Judicial hardening”, meaning God will give you up and give you over to sinful mind-set (“debased mind”, (1:28), sinful emotions (“vile passions,1:26), and sinful will actions (unclean desires of the heart”, 1:24). Romans 1:24-32.

Okay, that was not a rabbit and it wasn’t a squirrel. GracePointe #1 If Jesus could trust God in the Scriptural fulfillment of the betrayal of Judas, then we can trust God to fulfill Scriptural promises even as  _the end times_ come to pass.

2. The Sovereign Final I AM (5–9)

⁵ They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. ⁶ Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. ⁷ Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” ⁸ Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” ⁹ that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

I AM Personal in Relations. (John 4:26)

I AM Perfect in Love. (John 6:20)

I AM Preeminent in Judgment. (John 8:24)

I AM Provider of Salvation. (John 8:28)

I AM Perpetual in Existence. (John 8:58)

I AM Prophecy Fulfilled. (John 13:19)

I AM Power over All. (John 18:5)

The final “I AM” declarative statement shows that Jesus is more powerful than man’s armies or soldiers, more powerful than betrayal and that through it all, the great “I AM” can cast any opposition onto their backs. God is sovereign, and no one can oppose Him.

You can picture the scene. Soldiers approaching, bearing torches, lanterns, and clubs. The disciples huddle around Jesus, instinctively protecting the one who needed no protection. Judas emerges, shocking them all, only now dawning on them that he was the betrayer whom Jesus predicted.

Judas weaves through his once friends, finding Jesus.

Psalm 109:8 says, “May his days be few; may another take his office.” A verse which Peter explicitly applies this verse to Judas in Acts 1:20.

He could have called more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). At the mere utterance of His statement “I AM”, the soldiers fell backwards.

GracePointe #2 One day, just as Judas and the soldiers fell, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess He is Let’s say it all together) Lord.

3. The Sword of the Foolish (18:10)

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

Now isn’t it interesting that John gives the servant’s name, but not that Jesus healed him? I know you may be asking for some profound theological reason why that would be included, but to be honest with you I got nothing.

Well, I have something but I guess you thought that. Later on, twice we will see that John was personally known to the High Priest (18:15-16). What’s more, John is the only one who notices it was his right ear. Again, I think if nothing else, this is a tell-tale sign of the gospel’s authenticity and that John was truly there.

Secondly, why does only one gospel explain that Jesus healed the servant’s ear? Well, since Luke was a physician, he likely thought it was relevant, for sure. And while it is interesting, John’s point is Jesus’s protection of the disciples, not the restoration of a servant.

But the main reason that every gospel includes this event is that it shows that while we may have the best of intentions, it is foolish to fight the spiritual battle with fleshly weapons. Peter didn’t think. He acted rashly. What’s more, Simon could have been killed.

2 Cor. 10:4 says, ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

In Eph. 6,  Paul said, ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

In other words, don’t bring a sword to a spiritual fight. I love the song Nobody by Casting Crowns where Moses had stage fright; When David brought a rock to a sword fight; You picked twelve outsiders nobody would have chosen; And You changed the world

GracePointe #3: Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight. Don’t bring a sword to a spiritual fight. The armor of God is not optional, so get on your knees and fight like a godly man and a godly woman.

4. The Strength of the Foreseen Plan (18:11)

¹¹ So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

Jesus had just been praying about the cup, although this is the as much as John mentions his Gethsemane prayer. Not only was Peter’s action foolish, impulsive and was not thought through

Matthew adds a detail missed by the others but implied by John. He asks Peter did not he think that Jesus could call 12 legions of angels to rescue him.

GracePointe summation – “Who delivered up Jesus to die? Not Judas, for money; not Pilate, for fear; not the Jews, for envy; but the Father, for love!” and but Christ, for submission.
                                                                 --Octavius Winslow, Baptist minister (1808-1878)

2026.08.09 The Crushing of the Christ

Jesus in Gethsemane

The Crushing of the Christ

John tells us that Jesus “went forth” with His disciples across the Kidron Valley into a garden. Luke places it at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Matthew and Mark give us its name: Gethsemane — the oil press. The place where olives were crushed under weight, UNDER PRESSURE until oil flowed.

Stand with me as we read our focal passage.

John 18:1–2 ¹ When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. ² And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.

Father, bless the reading of Your Word. Lead us into the places where You press us, even crush us, as You did Your Son. Teach us to respond in prayer, in surrender, and in obedience. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

1. The Place of Crushing (John 18:1–2)

Jesus chose Gethsemane deliberately. He wasn’t hiding. He wasn’t running. He intentionally and willingly went to the place where the Father’s will would press Him.

The olive press crushed olives under enormous weight until oil flowed. In the same way, the weight of divine wrath pressed upon Christ until His blood flowed, first in Gethsemane and then on the cross, where He would experience the judgment that our sins deserved.

Gethsemane is not punishment. Gethsemane is preparation. It is where God crushed Jesus’s self‑will so that His will might ultimately flow through us.

Just days earlier, Jesus walked down the road beside the Mount of Olives to shouts of “Hosanna” and “Blessed be the Name of the Lord”

On this evening, He walked up the same mount, through Gehenna, a 24-hour a day burning pit of trash and refuse, reminding Him of the reality of Hell that would be experienced by those if Jesus succumbed to His own will of letting this cup pass.

The ancient olive press had three pressings: The first produced pure oil VIRGIN OIL for anointing, reserved and used only for Priestly Service.

The second pressing produced oil for food and daily use.

The third was the hardest pressing, getting the last bit of oil, but also the most impure of oils, which was really on good for soaps, or for cleansing, and also for burning in lamps, or used for light.

Jesus prayed three times. And on the third, He sweat great drops of blood. Three pressings — holiness, sacrifice, cleansing, and light for the world.

Slides / then Show Video

Christ went to Gethsemane, the place where the Father pressed Him. Where is your Gethsemane? Where is God pressing you to fall on your face, surrender your will, and obey Him?

Is it forgiveness? Purity? Pride? Greed? Fear? A relationship? A habit? A calling? A sin you’ve excused?

GracePointe #1 — Gethsemane teaches us that in God’s hands, the place that crushes us releases our transformation. The Place of the Crushing does not make us useless, it’s where God converts us to become useful.”

Maybe it is an obedience you’ve delayed and that leads us to point #2

2. The Purpose of Obedience Matthew 26:36–46

Gethsemane reveals the purpose of obedience: to bring our will into submission to God’s will.

Three times, Jesus prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done.” THIS second Prayer is the hinge of redemption.

The One crushed in the garden would conquer in the tomb. The garden of pressing empowered the endurance of the cross. Only the garden of Gethsemane could lead to the garden of resurrection.

The first pressing was the beginning of the Priestly service, His initial surrender, the second prayer and the second pressing was the food of obedience. Your remember in John 4:34 Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”

GracePointe # 2 — Obedience is not the death of our will; it brings our will into alignment with God’s will. The path may be hard, even humanly impossible, it is the path that leads to true joy in Him.

Our will bows to God’s will.”

 3. The Prayer of Submission

Luke 22:41–44

Matthew says Jesus was sorrowful and distressed. Mark says He was troubled unto death. But only Luke says He was in agony.

Only Luke records the medical reality of hematidrosis blood vessels bursting under extreme stress, mixing blood with sweat.

Only Luke records the angel who strengthened Him — just as angels ministered to Him after His forty days in the wilderness.

Jesus asked His disciples to pray. But they slept.

This is third and final prayer was one of submission and ultimate surrender. Like the third pressing was the heaviest in weight, squeezing out the last ounce of oil from the olives, This is the prayer of submission was the prayer that made Calvary possible.

And now the question comes to us: Are your prayers simply asking God to change your circumstances? Or are they asking God to change you? Or are you praying at all? Are you sleeping?

Gethsemane teaches us to pray until our will bends. Until our desires yield. Until our hearts say, “Father, Your will be done.”

Prayer is not trying to change God. Prayer is surrendering to let God change us.

 Before we step out of the garden this morning, I want to tell you that since this is likely the last time I will ever preach on the prayer of Gethsemane, what you’re about to hear comes from my devotional book. It’s a reflection born out of sitting with John’s words slowly letting the story breathe, letting the weight of Gethsemane settle on my own heart.

Gethsemane was not an accident. It was the place where the Father allowed the weight of the world to squeeze the Son until His obedience flowed like blood.

After months and even years of reflecting of the Gethsemane’s Place, Gethsemane’s Purpose, and Gethsemane’s Prayer, I wondered when Simon saw when The Savior as The Son of God was crushed into obediently surrendering to become The Sacrifice of the Son of Man.

 Peter pulled his outer garment tight against the cool spring wind as they walked beneath the brilliant Passover moon. Its silver glow washed the path in quiet light, the kind of night where everything feels still—except the heart of Jesus. His steps were slower, heavier, as though each one carried the weight of heaven.

Gethsemane rose ahead like a dark silhouette. The disciples followed, unsure of the destination but certain of the Leader. Peter had proclaimed Him the Messiah months earlier, yet tonight the Rabbi felt like an enigma wrapped in sorrow.

Jesus stopped. Eight disciples sat. Peter, James, and John followed Him deeper into the grove. Miracles often happened when the four of them were together, but tonight felt different—charged, trembling, holy.

Jesus lifted His hand. “Wait here… while I go and pray.” He stepped into a small clearing, knelt, and then collapsed to the ground. The Son of God—face in the dirt.

Peter tried to pray, but exhaustion pressed him like a weight. The Master’s voice drifted through the trees, strained and trembling: “Abba… Father… take this cup from Me… yet not My will, but Yours.”

The moon broke through the clouds and lit Jesus’ face. Peter had never seen such agony—eyes lifted, jaw clenched, body shaking under invisible pressure. It was as if the whole world was squeezing Him.

Peter whispered the same prayer, but his eyelids betrayed him. Sleep stole over him like a thief.

A voice thundered near him. “Simon… are you sleeping?” Not Peter. Simon.

The name cut deeper than any rebuke. Jesus’ eyes were not angry—only sorrowful. “Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you fall into temptation. The spirit is willing… but the flesh is weak.”

Jesus returned to the clearing. Peter sank to his knees, then to his belly, trying to pray, trying to stay awake, trying to be the Rock Jesus said he was. But memories flooded him—his calling, his failures, his bold promises at supper, his insistence that he would never deny the Lord. Never.

He pressed his face into the cold earth. “Is this my crushing?” he wondered.

Suddenly Jesus’ form blurred in the darkness. Something—someone—stood beside Him. A figure not human. An angel. Strengthening Him. And still Jesus writhed, trembling under a burden no man had ever carried.

Then Peter saw it—dark drops falling to the ground. Not sweat. Blood. The crushing had begun.

The weight of the world pressed the Son of God until His pores burst with agony. The sin of humanity squeezed Him like olives beneath a press, and the oil that flowed was blood.

Peter tried to move closer, but terror froze him. He felt swallowed by the night—fear, sorrow, wine, exhaustion, prophecy, failure—all swirling like a storm inside him.

Then a command shattered the darkness. “Get up.”

Jesus stood, resolute now, strengthened by surrender. The disciples gathered around Him—except one.

Judas approached. With soldiers.

And the crushing of the Christ moved from the garden to the cross.

GracePointe # 3 — Gethsemane and the prayer of submission teaches us to push past physical weariness and spiritual sleepiness to pray until resistance surrenders to submission.

“Heavenly Father, I confess to You that my prayer life needs to be more passionate and even agonizing as Jesus’s was. I also lay my requests before You, knowing that the greatest desire is that Your will and not mine be done. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.”

2026.08.02 “I Will”… Jesus’s final Priestly Prayer Request

 John 17:24–26

Bill Gaither had an interview with Cliff Barrows, the famed singer with Billy Graham.

He had had some health issues with a tumor and Barrows had a lady come into the doctor's office, said, oh, she said it's awful. I just heard the report about Cliff Barrows. It said he's gonna be dead in one year

And the nurse said, "you heard what?"

And she repeated. "Yes, it’s just terrible he's gonna be dead in one year."

And the nurse said, "No, it's not dead in one year...It's that he’s going to be deaf in one ear!"

And the lady, "Oh, well, there's a lot of different."

Barrows later asked the lady "well, would you like you to make an appointment with the doctor? You might better have your hearing checked too."

Our text this morning is John 17:24-26. But I want to read a familiar passage before we read what is the seventh of seven prayer requests that our Lord made in John 17.

In Matthew 26:39 we read, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

“not as I will, but as You will.”

It reads similarly in Mark and Luke but not in John.

In John, we don’t have the Gethsemane prayer, but we do have John 17, “I will” “I desire” the same word in Greek is used here, recalling that while it was not Jesus’s will to take the cup, it was the will of the Father.

And while Jesus did not desire to drink the cup, He did will, he did desire that all believers “may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

²⁴ “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”

²⁵ “O righteous Father! The world has not known You but I have known You and these have known that You sent Me. ”

²⁶ “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

 

It is the same word used in the Lord’s Model Prayer, Your Kingdom Come, Your will YOUR THELO be done.

In 1888, just three years before he died, Charles Hadden Spurgeon, in the throes of gout and much agonizing pain, made the connection between the prayer of John 17 and the Gethsemane prayer

Spurgeon said  “It is the same Man, and an unchangeable Man, too, as to his essence, who uttered both prayers; yet see how different were his frames of mind, and how different the prayers he offered. …He used these two expressions almost at the same time. I do not know how many minutes intervened between the wonderful high-priestly prayer, and the agonizing cries of Gethsemane….At one end of the walk, Jesus prays, “Father, I will;” and at the other end of it, he says, “Not as I will.”

Spurgeon gave an illustration of a godly woman who lay near to death, and one said to her, “Do you not expect soon to die?”

She answered, “I do not know whether I shall live or die; and what is more, I have no concern which way it is.”

Then the friend asked, “But if you had your choice whether you should live or die, which would you choose?”  

She replied, “I would rather that the Lord’s will should be done.”

“But suppose the Lord’s will were to leave it entirely to you to choose whichever you liked?”

“Then,” she said, “I would kneel down, and pray the Lord to choose for me.”

And I do think that is the best way to live; not to have any choice at all, but to ask the Lord to choose for you. You can always have your way, you know, when your way is God’s way.

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24 NKJV)

“I Will”… Jesus’s final Priestly Prayer Request

John 17:24–26

1. Jesus’s Desire (Will) for Us

²⁴ “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”

    a. The    WILL   of Jesus is that we be with Him for all eternity (2 Pet. 3:8-9)

    b. so they may see His   GLORY    given by the Father

    c. given because of the Father’s     LOVE      for the Son

2. Jesus’s Seventh Request to the Righteous Father

²⁵ “O righteous Father! The world has not known You but I have known You and these have known that You sent Me. ”

    a. The world does not know the Father

    b. Jesus knows the Father (Matt. 11:27, Jer. 31:31–34)

    c. We know the Father sent      JESUS     (17:3, 8, 18, 23; 7:29; 15:21)

3. Jesus’s Revelation of His Relationship

²⁶ “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

    a. The Revelation’s Proclamation

    b. The Revelation’s Power in the Father’s Name

    c. The Revelation’s Purpose

      1) The Father’s love for the Son revealed in us

      2) The Son’s Presence revealed in us

 

 

There’s a story from the world of Christian music that reminds us how deep the Father’s love runs, even when His children fall hard. It’s the story of Michael English, a man whose voice filled arenas with worship, but whose life collapsed almost overnight.

For years, Michael English stood on the biggest stages in Christian music. He sang with the Gaither Vocal Band. He recorded songs that lifted hearts toward heaven. He won award after award. In 1994, he swept the Dove Awards, Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year. He was at the very top. But one week later, everything fell apart.

News broke of an extramarital affair. Christian radio pulled his songs. His label dropped him. Stores removed his albums. The man who had been celebrated by the church was suddenly rejected by the church. And Michael English spiraled, into addiction, into shame, numerous suicide attempts, into a darkness he had never known. He later said that he felt like a man who had “lost everything but breath.”  And yet, this is where grace walked in.

In the years that followed, God began to rebuild what Michael had shattered. Not quickly. Not easily. But faithfully. Michael entered treatment. He slowly returned to faith. He wrote a book called The Prodigal Comes Home, because that’s exactly what happened, the Father ran to him

He eventually returned to singing, not from a pedestal, but from a place of humility. He sang not as a man who had never fallen, but as a man who had been picked up by grace.

More than a decade after his fall, English slowly regained his faith and penned one of the most glorious songs of How we want to see the glories of heaven.

I dreamed of a city called Glory,
So bright and so fair.
When I entered the gates I cried, "Holy"
The angels all met me there:
They carried me from mansion to mansion,
And oh the sights I saw,
But I said, "I want to see Jesus,
The One who died for all."

Then I bowed on my knees and cried,
"Holy, Holy, Holy."
I clapped my hands and sang, "Glory,
Glory to the Son of God."
I bowed on my knees and cried,
"Holy, Holy, Holy."
Then I clapped my hands and sang, "Glory,
Glory to the Son of God."

They took me down the streets of Heaven;
Such scenes were too many to tell;
I saw Abraham, Jacob and Isaac
Talked with Mark, and Timothy
But I said, "O Timothy I want to see Jesus,
'Cause He's the One who died for me."

Then I bowed on my knees and cried,

"Holy, Holy, Holy."
I clapped my hands and sang,
"Glory, Glory, Glory."
I clapped my hands and sang, "Glory"
"Glory to the Son of God"
I sang, "Glory to the Son of God."

I share this song and lyrics because Jesus’s final request, He wants to see us there. And according to Zeph 3:17, he will sing over us.

“The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”     

Zephaniah 3:17

 

 

 

2026.07.19 We are Not Of This World

 

We’re NOT OF THE WORLD

“The Disciple’s Relationship to the WORLD”

John 17:14–23

INTRODUCTION: The South Korea Crackdown & Our Calling

Last Wednesday I was not in church so I watch Jack Hibbs out of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, in San Bernidino County California. The church he pastored did not shut down during Covid but the South Korean Church where the pastor he prayed for serves had a rope tied around it by the government.

The timing on this for us in America is relevant because it illustrates the very tension Jesus prays about in John 17.

According to reporting from The Korea Herald and Yonhap News Agency, South Korean authorities carried out raids and investigations into churches, claiming the churches are having too much “political involvement.”

These actions began on January 25, 2025, under the previous presidential administration in South Korea.

But that leader was later impeached and Even though South Korea later elected a new president, Lee Jae‑myung, the video clip we saw earlier was of Pastor Son Hyun‑bo, a pastor who was arrested this year.

His arrest shows that pressure on churches continues, and that the tension between faith and public life is not new.

These events highlight a biblical reality:

When the church attempts to influence its world with truth, the world often pushes back.

This is exactly what Jesus describes in John 17:

The South Korean church’s experience reminds us that we must be:

So we turn now to Jesus’ prayer, using the acrostic WORLD to understand our relationship to the world.

W ;  Witnesses Who Are NOT OF THE WORLD

John 17:14, 16, 18

Jesus holds two truths together:

11 Now I am no longer IN THE WORLD, but these are IN THE WORLD, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them IN THE WORLD, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak IN THE WORLD, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are NOT OF THE WORLD, just as I am NOT OF THE WORLD. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are NOT OF THE WORLD, just as I am NOT OF THE WORLD. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

We are witnesses; sent, visible, purposeful. But we are NOT OF THE WORLD; We are Wholy holy, distinct, set apart.

This is the tension of discipleship:

GracePointe #1: We should be IN THE WORLD in a very real practical, spiritual, influential and yes in a political sense as an influence for good.

Not partisan; Not combative; Not worldly. But present; Faithful; Truthful.

We engage our world, not to gain power, but to bear witness to Christ’s truth and righteousness.

The South Korean situation shows this clearly: When believers speak truth into their society, they must be both distinct and present.

1. Washington said religion and morality are essential to political prosperity

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

2. He warned against removing religious influence from public life

“Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

 

In the Movie this Friday, (SPOILER ALERT) Benjamin Franklin is accurately quoted as saying the following,

“I have often and often in the course of the session… looked at that sun behind the President without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting sun.”

 

O - - Opposed by the World

John 17:14

14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are NOT OF THE WORLD, just as I am NOT OF THE WORLD. 

Jesus said plainly that “The world has hated them…”

Opposition is not a sign of failure; it is a sign of faithfulness. Why does the world oppose disciples? Because we carry truth into a world that prefers lies. Because we represent Christ in a world that rejected Him. Because light exposes darkness.

GracePointe #2: When the church influences its world, the world often resists.

 

R -  Reserved From the World’s Evil

John 17:15

15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 

Jesus did not pray for escape, “I do not ask that You take them out of the world…”

He prayed for protection, not from evil per se or bad circumstances or unhappiness , but from the Evil ONE  “…but that You keep them from the evil one.”

We are not promised comfort. We are promised keeping.

GracePointe #3: God’s protection is not isolation; it is empowerment. He guards us so we can stay IN THE WORLD and fulfill our mission.

 

L --Loved Into Unity for the World’s Sake

Now earlier Jesus said “I don not pray for the world , verse 9, but he does still care and want the church to influence the world so that the world might be saved. In fact, lets go back to John 3:16-19

John 17:21–23

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 

Jesus prayed: “…that they may all be one… so that the world may believe…”

GracePointe #4 Unity is not sentimental; it is missional. The world believes the message when it sees the miracle of unity. When churches face pressure, unity becomes even more essential.

 

D  - - Declared to the World

23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:23

Jesus prayed, “…that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them…”

This is declaration. Not through political power. Not through cultural dominance. But through the revelation of Christ in His people.

GracePointe #5: We are not responsible for the world’s response. We are responsible for the world’s opportunity to hear.

CONCLUSION: The WORLD Jesus Sends Us Into

Jesus does not pray for the world (v. 9), but He prays that the world will be reached through His disciples.

And now, church family, Jesus sends us into our world; Springtown, Azle, Parker County; with the same calling:

Witnesses who are NOT OF THE WORLD. Opposed but faithful. Reserved from evil. Loved into unity. Declared to the world.

This is the WORLD Jesus prayed for. This is the WORLD we are sent into. This is the WORLD we must reach.