WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.960 All right, well we are continuing on through the Gospel of John. 00:00:03.339 --> 00:00:08.620 So if you have your Bible with you, you can open it up to the Gospel of John, chapter 15. 00:00:15.380 --> 00:00:17.000 It's the night of Jesus' betrayal. 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:20.839 Jesus is now with the eleven disciples. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:23.240 Judas has left to put the plan into motion. 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:26.900 This is before they go into the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:00:26.899 --> 00:00:34.159 And Jesus is continuing to encourage and comfort and teach these eleven men. 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:37.659 And this whole chapter is just Jesus speaking to them. 00:00:37.719 --> 00:00:38.700 It's his words to them. 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:43.239 We're picking it up this morning in John, chapter 15, verse 18. 00:00:43.379 --> 00:00:44.399 Jesus says to them, 00:00:45.939 --> 00:00:51.960 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 00:00:51.960 --> 00:00:58.520 If you belong to the world, it would love you as its own. 00:00:59.880 --> 00:01:03.060 As it is, you do not belong to the world. 00:01:03.660 --> 00:01:06.980 But I have chosen you out of the world. 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:11.079 That is why the world hates you. 00:01:11.079 --> 00:01:15.599 Remember what I told you. 00:01:16.679 --> 00:01:19.980 A servant is not greater than his master. 00:01:21.179 --> 00:01:25.780 If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:30.180 If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 00:01:31.180 --> 00:01:33.939 They will treat you this way because of my name. 00:01:34.579 --> 00:01:38.239 For they do not know the one who sent me. 00:01:38.239 --> 00:01:44.099 Much of what Jesus has to say at this point in the evening is rather sobering. 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:48.640 These first words of verse 18 really set the tone for this section. 00:01:48.759 --> 00:01:54.119 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 00:01:54.819 --> 00:01:58.679 We've been hearing Jesus talk about our relationship with him. 00:01:59.179 --> 00:02:00.899 Vine and branches and fruit. 00:02:01.459 --> 00:02:04.099 And love and joy. 00:02:04.099 --> 00:02:07.819 But now the subject changes and the tone gets serious. 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:12.019 Jesus is beginning to prepare these men for what's coming. 00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:17.039 The world will hate you, says Jesus. 00:02:17.799 --> 00:02:27.939 There's going to be hatred, animosity, opposition, and yes, even persecution coming your way. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:31.539 Things are going to get nasty. 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:37.759 But as Jesus tells them this, there's some comfort in his words as well. 00:02:38.620 --> 00:02:41.799 And it's not that kind of empty, feel-good assurance. 00:02:41.979 --> 00:02:44.019 Don't worry, everything's going to be all right. 00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:50.139 Instead, Jesus gives the kind of comfort, I'm going to call them anchoring truths. 00:02:51.079 --> 00:02:53.060 Or guiding lights. 00:02:53.060 --> 00:03:02.219 Because when things get difficult, when the storms of life hit, we sometimes find ourselves disoriented. 00:03:04.060 --> 00:03:07.439 Wondering which way's up, which way's down. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:09.240 Searching for answers. 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:12.900 Trying to understand what's going on and why. 00:03:13.580 --> 00:03:14.520 Why is this happening? 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:20.719 And in those moments, we need something to really anchor onto and get our bearings. 00:03:21.500 --> 00:03:25.560 We need a guiding light, a fixed point in the midst of the darkness. 00:03:26.840 --> 00:03:29.500 And that's the kind of comfort Jesus offers them here. 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:33.020 The world will hate you, says Jesus. 00:03:33.660 --> 00:03:35.920 But there is a reason. 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:40.759 And understanding those reasons will help you through it. 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:46.859 So Jesus gives his disciples at least three reasons why the world will hate them. 00:03:47.919 --> 00:03:55.419 Reason number one, he says, the world will hate you because you do not belong to the world anymore. 00:03:55.419 --> 00:03:57.919 Verse 19. 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:02.759 If you belong to the world, it would love you as its own. 00:04:03.959 --> 00:04:06.979 As it is, you do not belong to the world. 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:09.279 But I have chosen you out of the world. 00:04:10.459 --> 00:04:13.539 That is why the world hates you. 00:04:15.079 --> 00:04:19.599 The world here generally means the people of the world. 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:26.080 And Jesus makes it clear that each of the disciples themselves were, at one time, part of the world. 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:29.620 Jesus says, I have chosen you out of the world. 00:04:29.700 --> 00:04:31.360 Meaning, you used to be part of it. 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:34.900 But now Jesus does an interesting thing. 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:41.040 He seems to kind of draw a line in the sand between them, the disciples, and the world. 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:45.939 He sort of creates two groups here. 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:57.860 He says to the disciples, if you were literally of the world, if you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:02.220 But I have now chosen you out of the world. 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:11.839 To put it in our way of saying things, the world will hate you because you are no longer one of them. 00:05:11.839 --> 00:05:16.939 And we can talk about that word hate. 00:05:17.099 --> 00:05:20.519 Hate in our English language, it's a very strong word. 00:05:20.619 --> 00:05:23.079 It's like the strongest form of dislike. 00:05:25.019 --> 00:05:27.679 But it can also include everything below it, too. 00:05:27.799 --> 00:05:29.179 It can include disdain. 00:05:29.599 --> 00:05:31.979 It can include dislike. 00:05:32.479 --> 00:05:35.659 It can include people that would insult you. 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:38.719 I mean, all of that's kind of lumped in under there. 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:43.660 The world will hate you, says Jesus, because you are no longer one of them. 00:05:44.700 --> 00:05:46.020 And this is quite the statement. 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:52.560 Jesus has come into this world, and there is this separation taking place here. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:57.840 There are now the followers of Jesus, and there is the world. 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:03.600 And Jesus seems to be suggesting you can be either one or the other. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:11.920 This kind of hinges on whether or not you accept Jesus and are going to follow him or not. 00:06:12.700 --> 00:06:17.879 And probably Jesus uses the world to describe those who are not his followers, 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:25.040 because it's the majority, really, who do not receive Jesus or who are opposed to Jesus. 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:29.560 So it's as if he's saying, you can belong to the world and be one of them, 00:06:30.020 --> 00:06:34.220 or you can belong to me and be one of mine. 00:06:35.220 --> 00:06:41.960 And you, my disciples, now that you are no longer one of them, one of the world, 00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:44.280 you are mine. 00:06:44.820 --> 00:06:47.900 For I have chosen you out of the world. 00:06:47.899 --> 00:06:58.719 And that is why the world hates you, disdains you, despises you, does not love you. 00:07:00.279 --> 00:07:03.819 Jesus lays it plainly before them and before us. 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:06.120 There is a cost to following him. 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:11.599 It will include a change in your allegiance, 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:17.279 a change in sides, a change in who you would call your people. 00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:23.899 You, my disciples, are about to realize, if you haven't already, 00:07:24.479 --> 00:07:28.679 that you're no longer one of them, says Jesus. 00:07:28.779 --> 00:07:29.899 Not like you used to be. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:32.519 And that's why the world hates you. 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:36.479 Following Jesus requires a change in your very identity, 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:41.199 a change in your camp, your tribe, your people. 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:47.839 And that separation is at the heart of this opposition, 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:52.759 this hatred, this treating you with contempt, says Jesus. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:56.060 So that's the first reason that Jesus gives. 00:07:56.159 --> 00:08:00.620 The world will hate you because you do not belong to it anymore. 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:04.079 The second reason Jesus gives, he says, 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:07.680 the world will hate you because it hates me. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:10.699 We see this in verse 18. 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:17.240 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 00:08:18.340 --> 00:08:19.500 And verse 20. 00:08:20.220 --> 00:08:24.040 Remember what I told you, a servant is not greater than his master. 00:08:24.460 --> 00:08:29.160 If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. 00:08:29.160 --> 00:08:34.040 They will treat you this way because of my name. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:41.240 So there is a deeper reason why the world will hate, despise, disdain Jesus' followers. 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:43.879 And it's not just because they're different. 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:48.720 Not just because they're separate and weird and, well, I don't like that about them. 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:49.300 No. 00:08:49.420 --> 00:08:55.259 At the root of their contempt is me, says Jesus. 00:08:55.259 --> 00:09:01.000 They will have a problem with you because they have a problem with me. 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:04.220 Look at how this story has gone so far. 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:11.860 Many have come to hate Jesus so fiercely up to this point in the story 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:15.379 as he's been going about and doing things and teaching. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:19.679 In fact, tomorrow, the crowd will be shouting, 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:21.039 Crucify him! 00:09:22.259 --> 00:09:23.759 Kill him on a cross! 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:27.600 And so Jesus levels with them. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:31.740 Peter, James, Nathaniel. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:35.059 This is to be expected. 00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:37.980 If that's how they've been treating me, 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:41.819 they're going to treat you in the same way. 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:44.200 Because you are my followers. 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:50.080 If they hate the master, they will hate his servants as well. 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:53.080 For the servants have pledged themselves to the master's service. 00:09:53.759 --> 00:10:02.559 If they hate the leader, they will hate his devoted followers too, says Jesus. 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:07.980 And again, we're seeing this truth come out that there's a cost to following Jesus. 00:10:09.179 --> 00:10:11.220 Many people despised him. 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:13.420 And so Jesus says, 00:10:13.540 --> 00:10:15.420 That contempt that they have for me, 00:10:16.160 --> 00:10:18.300 it's coming your way. 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:22.860 The world will hate you 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:25.399 because it hates me. 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:34.059 The third reason Jesus gives for why the world will hate his disciples 00:10:34.059 --> 00:10:36.659 is this. 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:40.639 The world will hate you because it does not know God. 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:45.000 We see this here in verse 21. 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:48.419 They will treat you this way because of my name 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:53.360 for they do not know the one who sent me. 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:59.480 This is an even deeper reason for why people reject and hate Jesus 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:01.919 and by extension his followers. 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:07.080 Jesus says it's because they don't know God. 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:10.940 Now this might sound a little strange to our ears. 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:12.680 We might think, huh? 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:14.800 Which comes first? 00:11:15.920 --> 00:11:16.680 Knowing God? 00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:19.400 Or accepting Jesus? 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:20.500 Believing in Jesus? 00:11:20.660 --> 00:11:23.680 And we can easily get all tied up with this thing that Jesus said. 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:25.080 And I'll admit it to you. 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:27.420 I probably don't have the authoritative final word 00:11:27.420 --> 00:11:30.700 on how this works and what this means. 00:11:30.700 --> 00:11:31.780 But here's a few thoughts. 00:11:32.920 --> 00:11:36.480 First of all, we have to watch that word, know. 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:39.660 What does Jesus mean when he says, 00:11:40.300 --> 00:11:42.700 they did not know God? 00:11:44.400 --> 00:11:46.960 One of the threads that runs through the Bible is that 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:48.480 to know someone, 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:53.759 often it means more than just to know about them. 00:11:54.280 --> 00:11:59.820 A very literal translation of Genesis chapter 4 verse 1. 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:02.879 I'm looking back at the old King James. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:06.140 Now Adam knew Eve, his wife, 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:08.720 and she conceived and bore Cain. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:13.600 So knowing a person, at least in the Bible, 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:17.740 often refers to having a significant relationship with them, 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:20.000 even an intimate relationship with them. 00:12:20.920 --> 00:12:23.540 We see this clearly again in John 17.3 00:12:23.540 --> 00:12:25.820 where Jesus is praying and he says to the Father, 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:27.400 now this is eternal life, 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:29.220 that they know you, 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:32.100 the only true God. 00:12:33.199 --> 00:12:35.419 So I don't think Jesus means to say 00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:36.939 that the world hates him 00:12:36.939 --> 00:12:39.899 because it's just unaware of who sent him. 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:42.559 This hatred towards Jesus 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:45.000 is not born out of ignorance. 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:49.259 It's not that they don't know that God sent Jesus. 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.480 And so, oops, 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:53.799 we made an honest mistake. 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:57.719 Jesus will make this even clearer in a minute 00:12:57.719 --> 00:12:59.039 when we get to the next section. 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:00.599 Rather, 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:02.899 Jesus seems to be suggesting 00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:04.359 that they do not have 00:13:04.359 --> 00:13:06.339 a relationship with God 00:13:06.339 --> 00:13:07.659 as they ought to, 00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:09.439 as they should, 00:13:09.579 --> 00:13:10.779 leading up to this 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:14.159 and Jesus coming and speaking to them. 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:16.139 And that's why they hate his son. 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:17.659 There were some in Israel 00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:19.439 who knew God 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:21.699 even before Jesus came. 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:24.180 There was Zachariah 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:25.320 and Elizabeth. 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:27.800 There was Mary and Joseph. 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:30.660 There was Anna 00:13:30.660 --> 00:13:32.000 and Simeon. 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.080 All these were people 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:36.180 who had real faith in Yahweh, 00:13:36.560 --> 00:13:37.540 the God of Israel. 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.940 And there were a good number of people 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:41.040 who also heard 00:13:41.040 --> 00:13:43.040 the words of John the Baptizer 00:13:43.040 --> 00:13:44.020 out in the wilderness. 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:46.720 He was calling the people to repent, 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:48.340 to turn back to God. 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:50.080 And some of them responded 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:50.900 and they did. 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.020 They believed. 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:52.780 They were baptized. 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:53.660 And then later, 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:55.920 they went on to follow Jesus 00:13:55.920 --> 00:13:58.480 as John pointed them to him. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.759 These were the people 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:05.360 who knew God. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:08.259 They had a relationship with God 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:10.020 based on faith. 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:11.580 Just like Abraham, 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:12.220 Isaac, 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:12.820 Jacob, 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:13.900 King David. 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:16.679 and so now that 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:18.919 Jesus has come, 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:21.199 these people that knew God, 00:14:21.319 --> 00:14:22.439 they recognized him. 00:14:23.459 --> 00:14:24.720 They believed him. 00:14:24.819 --> 00:14:25.639 They loved him. 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:29.019 After all, 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:29.459 Jesus, 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.819 as John has told us 00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:31.860 in this gospel, 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.319 was God 00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:35.659 who had come down 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:37.240 and taken on human flesh 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.740 and lived among us. 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:40.620 But the world, 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.299 the majority, 00:14:43.180 --> 00:14:44.000 many of them, 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.680 they weren't all too concerned 00:14:45.680 --> 00:14:46.240 about God. 00:14:46.299 --> 00:14:48.060 Even before John was baptizing 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:49.320 in the wilderness, 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:50.620 the sense we get 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.240 from the scriptures 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:51.860 is that 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:53.360 the Pharisees 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.379 and religious leaders, 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.180 some of them, 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:56.659 they were wicked hypocrites 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.940 all along. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:00.299 They didn't love God. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:01.940 They were corrupt 00:15:01.940 --> 00:15:04.120 and self-interested. 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:05.720 They were going through 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:06.960 the religious motions 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.960 to benefit themselves. 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:11.460 They loved the praise 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.539 of other people. 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.960 They craved power. 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:15.399 They loved money. 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:18.200 And so when John came preaching, 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:20.480 they laughed at him. 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:23.100 They rejected him. 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.700 They made fun of him. 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:27.560 And then when Jesus came on the scene, 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:29.419 they rejected him also. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:32.940 They already had a certain posture 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:34.460 of the heart towards God. 00:15:34.540 --> 00:15:36.080 They did not know God. 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:36.920 They did not have 00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:38.420 that relationship with him. 00:15:39.280 --> 00:15:41.100 And as we'll see in a moment, 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:44.420 they didn't want to know God. 00:15:46.260 --> 00:15:47.240 Through this lens, 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:48.640 I think it makes a little more sense, 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.160 doesn't it? 00:15:50.280 --> 00:15:52.780 This is why they hated Jesus. 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:57.920 Because Jesus is the embodiment of God. 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:01.520 The same God that they've been ignoring 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:03.100 and snubbing 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:05.340 and pushing off all along. 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:08.980 And now here's Jesus 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.639 more and more 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:10.939 exposing the truth 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:12.059 about the kind of people 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:12.759 that they are. 00:16:14.439 --> 00:16:15.720 About their wickedness 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.319 and corruption. 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.919 He's putting the spotlight 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:18.819 on their sins 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:21.539 and they're not repenting. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.939 They're stubborn. 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:25.939 Instead, they want to get rid of Jesus. 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:26.899 They want to kill him. 00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:30.000 They hated Jesus. 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.220 And Jesus says, 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.639 they will hate you also. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:36.840 They will persecute you also. 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:38.240 For the same reason, 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:41.500 because they do not know God. 00:16:46.939 --> 00:16:48.699 So these are three reasons 00:16:48.699 --> 00:16:49.840 Jesus gives 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:52.000 to why the world will hate you. 00:16:52.079 --> 00:16:54.100 Why the world will persecute you. 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:55.080 They will hate you 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:56.100 because you are not 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:57.620 one of them anymore. 00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.700 They will hate you 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:00.960 because they hate me. 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.320 And they will hate you 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.700 because you do not know, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.519 they do not know God. 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.240 And as we'll see, 00:17:09.360 --> 00:17:10.819 they do not want to know God. 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:13.120 Now we come to the second section here, 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:15.019 verses 22 to 25. 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.579 And Jesus now shifts 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:17.640 away from 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:19.460 the world 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.799 hating his disciples 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.619 to talk now 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.899 about his relationship 00:17:22.899 --> 00:17:24.519 to the world. 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:26.740 We'll hear a little more 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.680 about how the world 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:29.119 has hated Jesus. 00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:31.740 And Jesus makes it clear 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:33.680 that God will hold them guilty 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:37.319 for how they have treated him. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:41.460 Let's read it in verse 22. 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:44.460 If I had not come 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.359 and spoken to them, 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.980 they would not be guilty of sin. 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:48.940 But now, 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.460 they have no excuse 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.220 for their sin. 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:54.019 Whoever hates me, 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:55.819 hates my father 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:56.759 as well. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:59.460 If I had not done 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.259 among them 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:00.779 the works 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:02.140 no one else did, 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.420 they would not be guilty 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:04.900 of sin. 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:07.220 As it is, 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.299 they have seen 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.460 and yet, 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.519 they have hated 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.620 both me 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:13.880 and my father. 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:16.560 But this is to fulfill 00:18:16.560 --> 00:18:17.160 what is written 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:17.940 in their law. 00:18:18.800 --> 00:18:19.700 They hated me 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:21.860 without reason. 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:25.760 Let's start here 00:18:25.760 --> 00:18:26.860 in verse 22. 00:18:27.060 --> 00:18:28.380 If I had not come 00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:29.500 and spoken to them, 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.420 they would not be guilty 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:31.880 of sin. 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.720 But now, 00:18:33.280 --> 00:18:34.700 they have no excuse 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:36.520 for their sin. 00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:36.760 Now, 00:18:36.820 --> 00:18:37.640 I know that this 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:39.140 raises some major questions 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:40.060 for some of us. 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:40.960 But, 00:18:41.060 --> 00:18:42.080 let's start with 00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:42.840 what's clear. 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:44.940 What is clear 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.420 that Jesus is saying here? 00:18:47.280 --> 00:18:48.720 If I had not come 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:50.340 and spoken to them, 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:52.640 but I have. 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.480 I have come. 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:57.740 I have spoken to them. 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:00.560 And they have not listened. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.580 They have rejected. 00:19:02.080 --> 00:19:02.340 And so, 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.180 now they have 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.440 no excuse 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.120 for their sin. 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:06.640 They are guilty 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.780 for their sin. 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:08.420 That's what's 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:10.120 clear here 00:19:10.120 --> 00:19:11.180 that Jesus is saying. 00:19:12.080 --> 00:19:12.320 Now, 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.179 I know what some of us 00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:13.700 are wondering 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.319 and thinking. 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.159 We're wondering, 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.619 is Jesus saying 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:18.740 that we wouldn't be guilty 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.500 for our sins 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.559 if he'd never come? 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.779 And if you 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:24.039 just read it 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.019 just like that 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.899 all by itself, 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:27.179 I know that 00:19:27.179 --> 00:19:28.000 you could come 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:28.740 to that idea. 00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:31.359 But I don't think 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:32.399 Jesus means to say 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:33.159 that we would all 00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:34.079 get a free pass 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:34.579 to heaven 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:36.019 if Jesus 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.819 had never come. 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:37.720 This is where 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.639 we have to take care 00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:39.399 to listen to 00:19:39.399 --> 00:19:40.899 the whole Bible 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:41.759 and what Jesus 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.299 has said 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:43.000 all throughout 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.379 the story, 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:44.879 all throughout 00:19:44.879 --> 00:19:45.899 the Gospels 00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:47.439 about human sin 00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:48.079 and guilt. 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.700 And it's absolutely 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.779 clear throughout 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.559 all the scriptures 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.759 that we all 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.659 are guilty 00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:54.659 of our sins. 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.379 We stand 00:19:55.379 --> 00:19:57.159 guilty before God 00:19:57.159 --> 00:19:57.899 and we deserve 00:19:57.899 --> 00:19:58.659 his punishment, 00:19:58.859 --> 00:19:59.460 his just 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:00.619 punishment. 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:04.319 if Jesus 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.079 hadn't come, 00:20:05.979 --> 00:20:06.939 the message 00:20:06.939 --> 00:20:07.659 from everywhere 00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.599 else in the Bible 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.459 is that we would 00:20:09.459 --> 00:20:10.839 all have perished. 00:20:12.979 --> 00:20:13.839 And so what 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.739 does Jesus mean 00:20:14.739 --> 00:20:15.599 here when he says 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.859 if I had not 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.619 come and spoken 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:18.159 to them, 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.079 they would not 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.659 be guilty 00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:20.419 of sin? 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.579 Well, I'll give 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.059 you the short 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.419 answer, 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.259 I don't know. 00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:25.679 But my best 00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:26.819 guess here 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:29.579 is that Jesus 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.339 is referring 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:32.179 to a very 00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:33.179 specific sin. 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.419 Not that they 00:20:34.419 --> 00:20:35.139 wouldn't be guilty 00:20:35.139 --> 00:20:36.399 of any sins 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:36.959 that they've 00:20:36.959 --> 00:20:37.240 committed, 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:37.839 but that they 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:38.439 would not be 00:20:38.439 --> 00:20:39.259 guilty of the 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.039 very specific 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.980 sin of how 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.619 they have been 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.459 responding to 00:20:43.459 --> 00:20:44.319 God since he 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.399 has come and 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.159 treated him. 00:20:47.179 --> 00:20:47.839 A grievous 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.759 thing for which 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:50.619 they are left 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.619 with absolutely 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.619 no excuse 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:54.259 before God. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.819 This is a big 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.379 perhaps, 00:20:59.380 --> 00:20:59.440 perhaps, 00:20:59.600 --> 00:21:00.300 but had 00:21:00.300 --> 00:21:01.060 Jesus not 00:21:01.060 --> 00:21:02.040 yet come, 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:02.880 there is 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.540 perhaps an 00:21:03.540 --> 00:21:04.300 objection that 00:21:04.300 --> 00:21:04.700 could be 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.160 raised, 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.160 a measure of 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:07.960 ignorance that 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.460 could be 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.880 pleaded for 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:10.580 why God should 00:21:10.580 --> 00:21:11.260 forgive them 00:21:11.260 --> 00:21:11.580 and be 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:12.040 merciful, 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:12.720 a sort of 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:14.100 desperate plea 00:21:14.100 --> 00:21:15.460 perhaps that the 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.000 judge make 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.400 absolutely clear 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:18.260 what we're 00:21:18.260 --> 00:21:19.000 convicted of 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.540 and give us 00:21:19.540 --> 00:21:20.260 one last 00:21:20.260 --> 00:21:21.340 opportunity to 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:22.920 repent before 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:23.720 he passes the 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.500 final sentence 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.240 and hand us 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.180 over to 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.600 judgment. 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:28.480 perhaps, 00:21:28.719 --> 00:21:29.579 that's my 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.359 best guess, 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.299 but the main 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:31.799 point of 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.519 Jesus is not 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.159 so much what 00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:34.039 would be or 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.659 could be, 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.819 but what is. 00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:37.379 He says, 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.459 I have come 00:21:38.459 --> 00:21:39.899 and I have 00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.579 spoken to 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:42.500 them and 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:42.899 they have 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.619 rejected me 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:43.879 and are 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.419 treating me 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.019 this way, 00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:47.259 so be sure 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:49.219 they will be 00:21:49.219 --> 00:21:50.319 held guilty 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.859 before my 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:53.099 father for 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:53.639 their sins. 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:53.980 they will 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.600 have no 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.220 excuse. 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.100 It's as 00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:57.560 though Jesus 00:21:57.560 --> 00:21:58.120 is saying, 00:21:58.340 --> 00:21:59.280 I am that 00:21:59.280 --> 00:21:59.940 final, 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.340 gracious, 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.360 and merciful 00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:03.360 opportunity 00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:05.680 and they 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.360 have spurned 00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:07.800 me and 00:22:07.800 --> 00:22:08.640 rejected me. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.720 With the 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.180 coming of 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:11.520 Jesus, 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.180 no one who 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:14.060 has heard 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:14.680 what he has 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.380 to say can 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:16.140 plead ignorance. 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:18.720 Jesus has 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.360 made it clear 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.180 what we must 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:20.880 do to be 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.520 restored to 00:22:21.520 --> 00:22:22.759 God and 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.319 have his 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.140 forgiveness 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:25.940 and be in 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.559 his kingdom. 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:27.480 And so 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.039 Jesus, I 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.519 think, is 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.299 acknowledging, 00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:31.299 yes, the 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.059 world will 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:32.640 hate you 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:34.160 and yes, the 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:35.000 world hates 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:36.839 me and God 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.579 will hold the 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.200 people of the 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:39.500 world guilty 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.200 for this. 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:40.799 There is no 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.720 pleading ignorance 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:43.099 because I have 00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:44.240 left them with 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:45.079 no excuse, 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.579 says Jesus. 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.279 I have come, 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.539 I have spoken 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:51.019 to them and 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:51.379 they have 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:52.240 spurned and 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.400 rejected and 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:54.019 hated me. 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.980 And then 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.620 Jesus makes 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.980 this incredible 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.859 statement that, 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:02.480 wow, verse 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.640 23, he says, 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:05.279 whoever hates 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:08.140 me hates my 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.700 father as 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.000 well. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.620 There is no 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.160 wiggle room 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:12.440 here. 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:13.599 There is no 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.559 option to say, 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.900 well, I love 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:17.640 God, I love 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.440 the father but 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.099 I don't like 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:19.519 Jesus. 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:20.900 I don't want to 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.539 have anything to 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:22.099 do with him. 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:22.579 I don't want to 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.319 listen to him 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:25.339 or do what he 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:25.740 says. 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.599 No, we can't 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.139 make that 00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:28.740 excuse. 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.039 It doesn't 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.440 work. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.539 Jesus leaves us 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.399 no wiggle room. 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.279 And if we even 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.119 try it, we 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:36.579 misunderstand who 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.420 Jesus is. 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.279 He's not just 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.799 a man. 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.680 Jesus has been 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:44.799 claiming to be 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.539 one with the 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:45.899 father. 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:46.700 I and the 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.839 father are one, 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:49.180 said Jesus. 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:51.060 I am in 00:23:51.060 --> 00:23:51.860 him, he is 00:23:51.860 --> 00:23:52.380 in me. 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.240 As we 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.140 mentioned earlier, 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.640 right at the 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.259 beginning of the 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.120 gospel of John, 00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:57.360 he said that 00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:58.259 Jesus is the 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.519 word who was 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.580 God and became 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:01.660 flesh and lived 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.340 among us. 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:04.360 And so this 00:24:04.360 --> 00:24:05.320 here is the 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:05.799 creator. 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:07.060 This is Yahweh 00:24:07.060 --> 00:24:08.940 in human flesh 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:10.060 walking among 00:24:10.060 --> 00:24:10.480 us. 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:13.140 And so there's 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:13.960 no option to 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.700 love God and 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.539 hate Jesus. 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:18.059 it can't be 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:18.359 done. 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.859 If you hate 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:21.099 me, says 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:22.960 Jesus, you 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.420 hate my 00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:24.779 father also 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:26.019 as well. 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.200 What is 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.859 Jesus doing 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.200 here? 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.700 He seems to 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.740 be stripping 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.579 away all of 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.299 our excuses. 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.519 Now that 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:37.180 he's come, if 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.680 we do not 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.480 accept him for 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.379 who he is and 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:40.659 listen to the 00:24:40.659 --> 00:24:41.279 things he has 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.240 said, then 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:42.839 there will be 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.599 no hope for 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:45.059 us on that 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.680 final day. 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:48.259 our verdict 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:48.980 will continue 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:50.339 to be guilty. 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.819 Jesus then 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.480 goes on here 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.579 in verse 24 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.379 to strip away 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:57.099 one final 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:57.619 excuse. 00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:58.639 He says, 00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:00.180 if I had not 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:00.779 done among 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:01.240 them the 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.259 works no one 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.019 else did, 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.139 they would 00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:04.899 not be guilty 00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:05.420 of sin. 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.619 As it is, 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.700 they have 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:10.079 seen and 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.200 yet they 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.940 have hated 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.740 both me 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.799 and my 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.180 father. 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.240 father. 00:25:15.560 --> 00:25:16.180 But this 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:16.480 is to 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.060 fulfill what 00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:17.420 is written 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:17.779 in their 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.080 law. 00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:19.700 They hated 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:21.120 me without 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:21.660 reason. 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:23.660 These are 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.100 sobering 00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:24.440 words. 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.340 We might 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:25.620 wonder 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.160 sometimes, 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:26.640 but what 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:26.920 if they 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:27.539 just honestly 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.240 misunderstood 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:30.180 and didn't 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.019 just ended 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.480 up on the 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.000 wrong side 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.380 of things 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:32.840 and didn't 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:33.560 see that 00:25:33.560 --> 00:25:34.340 Jesus was 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:35.180 really the 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:35.519 son of 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:35.720 God? 00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:35.980 What if 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.299 they just 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:36.640 made a 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.100 mistake? 00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:37.940 What if 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.160 they were 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.539 trying to 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:38.960 protect 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.519 God's 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.140 name from 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.840 blasphemy 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:41.199 and they 00:25:41.199 --> 00:25:42.139 just ended 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:43.119 up accidentally, 00:25:43.379 --> 00:25:43.879 innocently, 00:25:43.959 --> 00:25:44.459 on the wrong 00:25:44.459 --> 00:25:44.879 side, 00:25:45.159 --> 00:25:45.639 condemning 00:25:45.639 --> 00:25:46.279 this man, 00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:47.199 Jesus? 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.019 Well, 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.639 Jesus strips 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:49.199 away any 00:25:49.199 --> 00:25:50.220 chance for 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.119 honest 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.819 misunderstanding 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.539 with these 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:52.959 words. 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.539 If I had 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.259 not done 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:55.799 among them 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.339 the works 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:57.220 no one 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.019 else did, 00:25:59.199 --> 00:25:59.539 they would 00:25:59.539 --> 00:25:59.980 not be 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:01.179 guilty of 00:26:01.179 --> 00:26:01.500 sin. 00:26:02.959 --> 00:26:03.959 As it is, 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.379 they have 00:26:04.379 --> 00:26:06.500 seen and 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:06.879 yet they 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:07.779 have hated 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.559 both me 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:10.259 and my 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.599 father. 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.619 Jesus did 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.519 countless 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:14.039 signs and 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.579 miracles, 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.519 acts of 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.359 divine power 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:16.779 that are 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.720 impossible for 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.399 any mere 00:26:18.399 --> 00:26:19.000 man to 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.319 do. 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:21.220 And they 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.679 are the 00:26:21.679 --> 00:26:22.099 confirmation 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:23.000 from God. 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.119 They are 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.939 the evidence 00:26:24.939 --> 00:26:26.279 that Jesus 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.199 really is 00:26:27.199 --> 00:26:28.199 the son of 00:26:28.199 --> 00:26:28.480 God, 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:29.939 the Messiah. 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.099 It's not as 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.459 though God 00:26:32.459 --> 00:26:33.000 has left it 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.459 open to 00:26:33.459 --> 00:26:34.039 misunderstanding. 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:36.480 The miracles 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.039 were so 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.500 utterly 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.639 undeniable. 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:40.039 We've seen 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.480 this as we 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.039 went along. 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.200 Even 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:43.099 Jesus' 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.720 fiercest 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.319 opponents 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:44.880 couldn't 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:46.319 deny the 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:47.299 things that 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.599 he was 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:47.940 doing. 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.299 They didn't 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:49.579 know what 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.099 to do with 00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:50.500 the people 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:50.839 that were 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.579 there healed 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.160 right in 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:52.599 front of 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:53.299 their faces. 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:54.339 They 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:54.620 couldn't 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.140 deny it. 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.019 They 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.700 admitted it. 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.180 And let's 00:26:59.180 --> 00:26:59.700 remember the 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.200 kinds of 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.920 miracles and 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.579 signs Jesus 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.140 was doing. 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:02.680 We're talking 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.240 acts of 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.839 compassion. 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:05.839 Healing the 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.200 sick, 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.819 the lame, 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:09.200 blind, 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.000 the deaf, 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.439 people with 00:27:11.439 --> 00:27:11.960 diseases, 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.019 freeing people 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.579 from demon 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.179 possession, 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.339 feeding the 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.439 masses food 00:27:16.439 --> 00:27:16.779 when they 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.379 were hungry, 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.799 all wonderful 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.399 things, 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.720 all good 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.319 things. 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.460 And Jesus 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:22.960 says, 00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:23.759 the world 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.679 has seen 00:27:24.679 --> 00:27:25.519 those things 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.740 and yet 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.259 they have 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.039 hated me, 00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:30.419 both me 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:32.019 and my 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.379 father. 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.419 And so 00:27:33.419 --> 00:27:33.879 there's no 00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:34.379 excuse, 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:34.919 says Jesus. 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:35.580 they will 00:27:35.580 --> 00:27:36.100 be held 00:27:36.100 --> 00:27:37.460 guilty for 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.140 their sins 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.560 against me. 00:27:40.300 --> 00:27:40.720 And then 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.300 he quotes 00:27:41.300 --> 00:27:42.940 a psalm 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.640 of David. 00:27:44.820 --> 00:27:45.500 And the 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:45.980 gist of his 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:46.500 point there 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.120 I think is 00:27:47.120 --> 00:27:48.140 to say 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.700 something like 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:48.940 this. 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.460 Just like 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:49.840 there were 00:27:49.840 --> 00:27:50.700 wicked people 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.320 in King 00:27:51.320 --> 00:27:51.980 David's 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.960 day who 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.580 hated him 00:27:53.580 --> 00:27:53.860 without 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:54.440 reason, 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.840 unjustifiably 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.840 for no 00:27:57.840 --> 00:27:58.380 fault of 00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:59.560 David's in 00:27:59.560 --> 00:27:59.960 the same 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.180 way. 00:28:00.300 --> 00:28:00.600 That's 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.720 what's 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.120 happening 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:03.300 now in 00:28:03.300 --> 00:28:03.560 an even 00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:04.440 greater sense. 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.380 in an 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:05.700 ultimate 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.180 sense. 00:28:06.340 --> 00:28:06.680 I am 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.180 God's 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:07.740 anointed 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:09.240 chosen 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.000 king 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.160 for his 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.560 people 00:28:11.560 --> 00:28:12.500 and they 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.060 are totally 00:28:13.060 --> 00:28:14.039 unjustified 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:15.220 in their 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.580 treatment 00:28:15.580 --> 00:28:16.160 of me. 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.820 God 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:19.320 will hold 00:28:19.320 --> 00:28:19.779 guilty 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.420 all 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:21.120 who 00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:21.560 spurn 00:28:21.560 --> 00:28:23.080 and hate 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:23.820 and reject 00:28:23.820 --> 00:28:24.340 Jesus 00:28:24.340 --> 00:28:26.019 and God 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.420 will hold 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:26.779 guilty 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.259 all who 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.620 do the 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:27.920 same 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.380 to his 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:28.740 beloved 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.340 followers. 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.820 Now 00:28:31.820 --> 00:28:32.140 this is 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.460 not the 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:32.740 end of 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.180 the comfort 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:33.759 that Jesus 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.400 is bringing 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.380 he's going 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:35.680 to say 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.440 more in 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:36.960 the sections 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.580 ahead to 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:38.200 lift their 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.000 spirits and 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.720 to encourage 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.340 them and to 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:41.259 fill them with 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.180 joy and 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:44.360 hope as 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:44.800 they face 00:28:44.800 --> 00:28:45.400 what's coming. 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.120 But we're 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:46.700 nearly out of 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.259 time for this 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:48.080 morning so we're 00:28:48.080 --> 00:28:48.500 going to pick 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.420 this conversation 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:50.640 up again next 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.040 Sunday. 00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:52.900 But I want to 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.400 take a couple 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:54.580 minutes here to 00:28:54.580 --> 00:28:55.380 just apply what 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.519 we've heard so 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:56.820 far. 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.060 Sometimes it 00:28:59.060 --> 00:28:59.700 might be difficult 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.259 to know what 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.180 to do with 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.880 these words of 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:02.200 Jesus. 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:04.060 We tend to 00:29:04.060 --> 00:29:04.580 read these 00:29:04.580 --> 00:29:05.180 words as if 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:05.680 Jesus is 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.940 speaking directly 00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:07.600 to us. 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:10.000 But I want 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:11.000 to encourage 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.300 you. 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.040 We do well 00:29:12.040 --> 00:29:12.500 here to 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.380 think first 00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:14.120 of how 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:15.040 these words 00:29:15.040 --> 00:29:16.640 applied to 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.080 the eleven 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:18.680 men that 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.300 Jesus is 00:29:19.300 --> 00:29:20.120 with that 00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.420 night. 00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:21.620 What are 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.140 they about 00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:22.540 to go 00:29:22.540 --> 00:29:23.500 through here? 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.520 Think about 00:29:26.520 --> 00:29:26.700 it. 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:28.000 They're about 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.560 to watch 00:29:28.560 --> 00:29:30.400 Jesus be 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.040 ripped away 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.680 from them, 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.399 ridiculed, 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.139 mocked, 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.480 falsely 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.139 accused, 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:40.819 slandered, 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:42.639 beaten 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:43.180 brutally, 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:45.359 and violently 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:45.920 put to 00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.259 death. 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.000 These are 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.319 going to be 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.680 some of the 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.379 hardest days 00:29:50.379 --> 00:29:50.680 of their 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.159 lives. 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.319 Days in 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.700 which they're 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.259 going to be 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:54.980 wondering which 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:56.159 way's up and 00:29:56.159 --> 00:29:56.779 which way's 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:58.139 down and 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:58.700 what's just 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.379 happened here. 00:29:59.480 --> 00:29:59.960 And now here 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.539 we are in 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:00.960 the midst 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.340 of all 00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:01.660 this. 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.299 Jesus, 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:06.180 most well-known 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.779 disciples, 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:08.019 most loyal, 00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:08.480 devoted 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.120 followers, 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:13.740 and they've 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.819 hated him so 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.440 much that they 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:15.980 killed him. 00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:17.039 Are we next? 00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:18.279 What's going to 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.059 happen to us? 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:19.579 What do we 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:19.880 do? 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.160 That's why 00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:22.819 Jesus has 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.360 given these 00:30:23.360 --> 00:30:23.779 words. 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.299 First and 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.680 foremost, 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.220 they're to the 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:26.779 eleven men 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.380 with him that 00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:27.680 night. 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:29.460 he's telling 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:29.759 them in 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:31.120 advance what 00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.700 will happen. 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.500 Yes, 00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:34.720 they will 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.259 hate you. 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:36.680 And he's 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.120 telling them 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:37.460 why. 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:39.080 Because you're 00:30:39.080 --> 00:30:39.779 not one of 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:41.380 them anymore. 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:43.340 They will 00:30:43.340 --> 00:30:43.799 hate you 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:46.039 because you 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.960 are a 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.460 follower of 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:47.940 me and 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.480 they hate 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:48.940 me. 00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:49.740 That's the 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.240 underlying 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:51.140 reason. 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:51.900 And they 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.400 will hate 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:52.620 you, 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.340 my followers, 00:30:53.560 --> 00:30:54.779 for they 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:55.200 do not 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:55.819 know God. 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.980 But because 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.380 I have 00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:58.880 come and 00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.460 spoken to 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.240 them and 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:00.640 done the 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:01.279 signs and 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.900 miracles I 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.340 did among 00:31:02.340 --> 00:31:02.559 them, 00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:03.180 they are 00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:03.519 without 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.860 excuse and 00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:05.340 they will 00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:05.960 be held 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.819 guilty for 00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:08.460 the rejection 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:09.900 and persecution 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:11.740 of me and 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.140 for their 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:13.200 hatred and 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:14.980 persecution of 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.200 you. 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.500 I think we 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.120 need to pause 00:31:19.120 --> 00:31:19.480 and just 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.539 appreciate how 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.420 these words 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.120 would have 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.720 been helpful 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.600 to the 00:31:23.600 --> 00:31:24.160 eleven men 00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:24.660 with Jesus 00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.279 that night. 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:27.579 Yes, 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.600 there is 00:31:28.600 --> 00:31:29.180 a measure 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.920 in which 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:30.759 these words 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.799 are for 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.519 all of us, 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.640 all followers 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:34.299 of Jesus, 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:36.180 you and 00:31:36.180 --> 00:31:36.440 me, 00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:37.839 but probably 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.480 these eleven 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.160 men had it 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:39.880 far worse 00:31:39.880 --> 00:31:41.140 than most 00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:41.880 followers of 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.539 Christ ever 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:44.100 did in the 00:31:44.100 --> 00:31:44.839 centuries that 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:45.220 followed. 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.339 These men 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.860 became the 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:49.720 pillars of 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.240 the church 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:50.779 of Jesus 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.339 Christ, 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:52.279 Paul's words, 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.819 not mine. 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.220 They had 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.099 bigger targets 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.579 on their 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.700 backs than 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.200 most would 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.000 ever have 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.359 because they 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:00.839 were the 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:01.920 eyewitnesses 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:03.759 of Jesus. 00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:04.639 And so 00:32:04.639 --> 00:32:05.079 many of 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.399 them were 00:32:05.399 --> 00:32:05.859 brutally 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:06.839 persecuted 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:08.639 and killed 00:32:08.639 --> 00:32:09.139 as well. 00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:13.839 Now it 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:14.259 is true, 00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:14.639 there have 00:32:14.639 --> 00:32:15.220 been Christians 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.680 all through 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:16.240 the centuries 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:16.819 who have 00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.759 suffered 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:19.139 and been 00:32:19.139 --> 00:32:19.519 killed 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.180 because of 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:21.619 their faith 00:32:21.619 --> 00:32:22.279 in Jesus' 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:22.699 name. 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.639 And I 00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:25.039 think these 00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:25.439 words are 00:32:25.439 --> 00:32:25.799 for them 00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:26.119 too, 00:32:26.719 --> 00:32:27.039 in a 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.659 special way. 00:32:27.899 --> 00:32:28.279 Those who 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:29.259 are suffering, 00:32:29.699 --> 00:32:30.019 those who 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.719 have suffered, 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.879 I know 00:32:32.879 --> 00:32:33.379 these words 00:32:33.379 --> 00:32:33.939 are probably 00:32:33.939 --> 00:32:34.739 very precious. 00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:37.019 But for us 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.439 here in this 00:32:37.439 --> 00:32:37.939 room today, 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.599 these truths, 00:32:38.979 --> 00:32:39.679 let's be honest, 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.179 they probably 00:32:40.179 --> 00:32:40.699 hit us a 00:32:40.699 --> 00:32:41.379 little differently. 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:43.799 Some of us 00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.199 might even 00:32:44.199 --> 00:32:44.500 say, 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.539 well I've 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.119 never really 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.899 been hated 00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:48.680 because I'm 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.140 a Christian. 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:50.920 And if 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.480 that's you, 00:32:52.540 --> 00:32:53.540 praise God. 00:32:55.040 --> 00:32:55.720 Isn't that 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.180 wonderful? 00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.620 If we have 00:32:57.620 --> 00:32:58.280 freedom to 00:32:58.280 --> 00:32:59.100 worship Jesus 00:32:59.100 --> 00:33:00.700 and openly 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.500 claim the 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:01.880 name of 00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:02.360 Christ 00:33:02.360 --> 00:33:04.360 for a 00:33:04.360 --> 00:33:04.800 season 00:33:04.800 --> 00:33:05.500 in a 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.100 certain place 00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:06.380 of the 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:06.860 world and 00:33:06.860 --> 00:33:07.780 nobody is 00:33:07.780 --> 00:33:08.480 upset with 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:09.380 us or 00:33:09.380 --> 00:33:10.160 after us, 00:33:10.280 --> 00:33:11.000 that's a 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.580 good thing. 00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:13.759 That's a 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:14.400 gift of God. 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.440 In fact, 00:33:15.540 --> 00:33:15.940 Paul even 00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:16.580 encouraged us 00:33:16.580 --> 00:33:17.060 to pray and 00:33:17.060 --> 00:33:17.620 ask for that 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.360 in 1 Timothy 00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:18.700 2, 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.140 verse 1 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:20.060 to 3. 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:22.880 But maybe 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:23.220 there are 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.640 some of you 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.080 here this 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:24.540 morning who 00:33:24.540 --> 00:33:25.540 have experienced 00:33:25.540 --> 00:33:26.460 some kind 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.080 of resentment 00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:28.980 or disdain 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.460 or poor 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:31.019 treatment from 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.800 someone because 00:33:31.800 --> 00:33:32.640 of your faith 00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:33.740 in Jesus. 00:33:34.540 --> 00:33:35.200 Maybe you've 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:35.720 got the cold 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.320 shoulder at 00:33:36.320 --> 00:33:36.900 work or 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:38.300 someone has 00:33:38.300 --> 00:33:39.560 made fun of 00:33:39.560 --> 00:33:40.220 your faith or 00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:41.120 mocked you or 00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:43.000 insulted you or 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.820 just been unkind 00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:44.320 to you. 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:46.480 And if that's 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:46.940 happened to 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:47.280 you, then 00:33:47.280 --> 00:33:47.759 yes, I 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.220 believe that 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:48.940 these words 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:50.180 are for you. 00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:51.420 They are for 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:52.060 all of us for 00:33:52.060 --> 00:33:53.200 when those 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:53.820 times of 00:33:53.820 --> 00:33:55.220 opposition and 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:55.800 mistreatment 00:33:55.800 --> 00:33:57.440 come because 00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:58.019 of our faith 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.519 in Jesus. 00:34:00.040 --> 00:34:00.920 Jesus wants 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:02.100 you too to 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:02.560 be able to 00:34:02.560 --> 00:34:03.160 get your 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:03.980 bearings in 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:04.680 the midst of 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:06.140 that when 00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:06.800 those feelings 00:34:06.800 --> 00:34:07.580 are welling up 00:34:07.580 --> 00:34:08.320 inside of you 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:09.940 and you're on 00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:10.460 the defensive 00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:11.700 feeling what 00:34:11.700 --> 00:34:12.780 is going on 00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:13.019 here. 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:13.900 There are 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:15.240 reasons why 00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:15.840 we come 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.440 under fire, 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.260 why we are 00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:19.180 treated in 00:34:19.180 --> 00:34:19.700 this way. 00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:20.780 Number one, 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.000 if you belong 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.639 to Christ, 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.440 you are not 00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:24.960 one of them 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.380 anymore. 00:34:26.700 --> 00:34:27.559 Number two, 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:28.400 their bad 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:29.059 attitude or 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.539 treatment of 00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:30.039 you may 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:31.039 reflect not 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.599 so much a 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.160 problem with 00:34:32.160 --> 00:34:34.460 you, but a 00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:35.000 problem that 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:36.019 they have with 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:39.720 Jesus, the 00:34:39.720 --> 00:34:40.180 one that you 00:34:40.180 --> 00:34:41.160 identify with. 00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:43.239 we might not 00:34:43.239 --> 00:34:43.779 know what's 00:34:43.779 --> 00:34:44.319 going on in 00:34:44.319 --> 00:34:45.319 their thoughts, 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:45.779 in their 00:34:45.779 --> 00:34:47.119 minds, but 00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:47.899 perhaps every 00:34:47.899 --> 00:34:48.480 time they are 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:49.059 reminded of 00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:49.699 Jesus, they 00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:50.500 feel convicted 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:51.219 of the sins 00:34:51.219 --> 00:34:51.779 that they are 00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:52.619 hanging on to 00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:52.980 in their 00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:53.420 lives. 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:55.159 And then they 00:34:55.159 --> 00:34:55.940 see you, they 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.839 bump into you, 00:34:56.899 --> 00:34:57.319 and you are 00:34:57.319 --> 00:34:57.960 that living, 00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:59.059 breathing reminder 00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:01.420 of where they 00:35:01.420 --> 00:35:02.179 stand before 00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:03.519 God, before 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.019 Christ. 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:04.079 Christ. 00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.460 And number 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:09.300 three, if they 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:10.039 treat you poorly 00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.820 and disdain you 00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:11.400 for being a 00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:12.320 Christian, we 00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.079 have to remember 00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:14.400 it's because they 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:16.320 don't know God. 00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:18.659 There is a 00:35:18.659 --> 00:35:20.019 spiritual reality 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:21.579 that runs deeply 00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:21.880 here. 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:22.259 There's an 00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:23.420 aversion to God 00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:25.059 bound up in the 00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:25.719 human heart 00:35:25.719 --> 00:35:27.300 because of sin. 00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.380 And so what 00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:30.059 should we do in 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:31.019 those relationships 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:33.340 with those 00:35:33.340 --> 00:35:34.039 people in our 00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:34.460 lives? 00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:36.599 I want to 00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:37.099 encourage you 00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:37.800 this morning to 00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:38.559 have the same 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.420 attitude that 00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:40.179 Jesus had. 00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:42.619 What did he 00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:44.500 pray while they 00:35:44.500 --> 00:35:45.280 were killing him 00:35:45.280 --> 00:35:46.559 on the cross? 00:35:48.300 --> 00:35:49.920 Father, forgive 00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:51.860 them, for they 00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:52.639 don't know what 00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:53.139 they're doing. 00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:57.280 Yes, Jesus 00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:57.940 says that the 00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:58.780 persecutors are 00:35:58.780 --> 00:35:59.480 guilty of their 00:35:59.480 --> 00:35:59.860 sins. 00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:01.739 He has come, 00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:02.519 He has spoken, 00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:03.320 He has done the 00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:04.259 miracles, and 00:36:04.259 --> 00:36:05.000 they have rejected 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.280 Him. 00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:06.619 But God is so 00:36:06.619 --> 00:36:08.440 patient, so 00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:09.059 merciful. 00:36:09.920 --> 00:36:10.480 Yes, they are 00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:11.420 guilty, but even 00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:12.559 at this point in 00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:13.619 the story, the 00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:15.460 persecutors, it's 00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:16.699 not too late for 00:36:16.699 --> 00:36:16.940 them. 00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:22.219 In fact, after 00:36:22.219 --> 00:36:23.199 Jesus is crucified 00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:24.139 and rises from the 00:36:24.139 --> 00:36:25.400 dead, He ascends 00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:26.079 to heaven, the 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:26.900 Spirit comes down 00:36:26.900 --> 00:36:28.619 at Pentecost, Peter 00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:29.900 preaches his 00:36:29.900 --> 00:36:31.660 sermon in front 00:36:31.660 --> 00:36:32.780 of many of the 00:36:32.780 --> 00:36:34.079 Jews, probably 00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:34.920 some of them who 00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:35.780 witnessed the 00:36:35.780 --> 00:36:36.700 crucifixion of 00:36:36.700 --> 00:36:37.039 Jesus. 00:36:38.320 --> 00:36:39.780 He says, let all 00:36:39.780 --> 00:36:40.720 Israel be assured 00:36:40.720 --> 00:36:41.039 of this. 00:36:41.160 --> 00:36:42.059 God has made this 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:42.860 Jesus whom you 00:36:42.860 --> 00:36:43.820 crucified, both 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:44.680 Lord and Messiah. 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:46.740 And when the 00:36:46.740 --> 00:36:47.500 people heard this, 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.260 they were cut to 00:36:48.260 --> 00:36:48.720 the heart. 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:51.579 Many repented 00:36:51.579 --> 00:36:53.079 after and 00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:53.680 believed. 00:36:54.280 --> 00:36:55.079 They were forgiven 00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:55.840 and they were added 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:57.320 to the number of 00:36:57.320 --> 00:36:58.720 Jesus' followers. 00:37:01.580 --> 00:37:02.640 Paul said this to 00:37:02.640 --> 00:37:05.220 Timothy, 2 Timothy 00:37:05.220 --> 00:37:06.539 2.25, he said, 00:37:06.640 --> 00:37:08.200 opponents must be 00:37:08.200 --> 00:37:10.019 gently instructed in 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:11.860 the hope that God 00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:12.600 will grant them 00:37:12.600 --> 00:37:14.280 repentance, leading 00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:15.880 them to a knowledge 00:37:15.880 --> 00:37:16.600 of the truth. 00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:21.039 Jesus said it this 00:37:21.039 --> 00:37:23.000 way, but I tell you, 00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:24.200 love your enemies 00:37:24.199 --> 00:37:26.099 and pray for those 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:27.199 who persecute you. 00:37:28.699 --> 00:37:29.739 And then you 00:37:29.739 --> 00:37:30.779 will be sons, 00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:32.039 children of your 00:37:32.039 --> 00:37:33.699 Father in heaven 00:37:33.699 --> 00:37:35.519 who is gracious 00:37:35.519 --> 00:37:37.079 and kind and 00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:38.359 loving even to 00:37:38.359 --> 00:37:38.960 those who don't 00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:39.819 deserve it, both the 00:37:39.819 --> 00:37:41.159 righteous and the 00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:41.779 unrighteous. 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:44.799 There is at times a 00:37:44.799 --> 00:37:45.599 cost to following 00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:47.199 Jesus, especially 00:37:47.839 --> 00:37:48.559 when it comes to 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:49.339 our relationships 00:37:49.339 --> 00:37:50.339 with other people 00:37:50.339 --> 00:37:50.939 in the world. 00:37:50.940 --> 00:37:52.800 But rest assured, 00:37:53.860 --> 00:37:55.079 no matter how 00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:56.139 badly we are 00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:57.700 treated, we 00:37:57.700 --> 00:37:59.079 belong to 00:37:59.079 --> 00:38:00.059 Christ Jesus, 00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:01.360 the King. 00:38:01.720 --> 00:38:02.179 And there is 00:38:02.179 --> 00:38:03.559 nothing more 00:38:03.559 --> 00:38:04.679 valuable than 00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:06.460 that in this 00:38:06.460 --> 00:38:06.740 world. 00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:09.559 Let's pray. 00:38:13.179 --> 00:38:14.220 Father in heaven, 00:38:14.340 --> 00:38:15.139 we thank you for 00:38:15.139 --> 00:38:15.880 your word. 00:38:18.200 --> 00:38:19.260 As we hear 00:38:19.260 --> 00:38:20.059 these things and 00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:21.079 reflect on your 00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:22.079 words, we 00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:23.019 especially turn our 00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:24.179 hearts' attention to 00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:25.500 those who are 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:27.779 suffering intensely 00:38:27.779 --> 00:38:29.739 in our world 00:38:29.739 --> 00:38:30.460 today, in other 00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.159 places in the 00:38:31.159 --> 00:38:32.079 world, countries 00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:32.619 that are very 00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:33.519 difficult to be a 00:38:33.519 --> 00:38:33.820 Christian. 00:38:33.960 --> 00:38:34.579 And we pray and 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.139 ask that you 00:38:35.139 --> 00:38:36.639 would be gracious 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:37.500 to them, that you 00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:38.239 would strengthen 00:38:38.239 --> 00:38:38.840 them, that you 00:38:38.840 --> 00:38:39.500 would encourage 00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:40.820 them in the face 00:38:40.820 --> 00:38:41.519 of the opposition 00:38:41.519 --> 00:38:42.199 that they are 00:38:42.199 --> 00:38:43.159 going through. 00:38:44.779 --> 00:38:45.699 We ask that you 00:38:45.699 --> 00:38:46.539 would help them 00:38:46.539 --> 00:38:47.619 to hold fast to 00:38:47.619 --> 00:38:48.360 the hope that you 00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:49.539 have given, the 00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.259 promises that 00:38:50.259 --> 00:38:52.460 you've made, and 00:38:52.460 --> 00:38:52.940 that they would 00:38:52.940 --> 00:38:54.320 even find that 00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:55.779 power inside of 00:38:55.779 --> 00:38:57.920 them to love. 00:39:01.980 --> 00:39:05.400 And to keep 00:39:05.400 --> 00:39:07.059 treating those who 00:39:07.059 --> 00:39:07.779 are doing these 00:39:07.779 --> 00:39:09.259 things with 00:39:09.259 --> 00:39:09.659 kindness. 00:39:09.659 --> 00:39:09.799 forgiveness. 00:39:12.599 --> 00:39:13.639 Lord, for us in 00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:14.440 our relationships, 00:39:14.719 --> 00:39:17.399 help us, help us 00:39:17.399 --> 00:39:18.279 not to give up on 00:39:18.279 --> 00:39:19.079 those who seem 00:39:19.079 --> 00:39:19.920 cold or who have 00:39:19.920 --> 00:39:20.859 said unkind things 00:39:20.859 --> 00:39:22.579 to us, but give us 00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:24.719 a fresh strength and 00:39:24.719 --> 00:39:26.119 love for each of 00:39:26.119 --> 00:39:26.879 those people in our 00:39:26.879 --> 00:39:27.239 lives. 00:39:28.579 --> 00:39:29.679 May they know that 00:39:29.679 --> 00:39:31.159 we are Christians 00:39:31.159 --> 00:39:32.639 and that you are a 00:39:32.639 --> 00:39:33.500 God who loves them 00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:34.339 through us. 00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:36.059 We ask this in 00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:37.960 Jesus' name, for 00:39:37.960 --> 00:39:38.519 his glory. 00:39:39.240 --> 00:39:39.579 Amen.