WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.560 Good morning, church. 00:00:02.300 --> 00:00:03.300 It's good to see you all. 00:00:03.359 --> 00:00:05.379 If you're on the live stream, we're glad you joined as well. 00:00:06.100 --> 00:00:10.820 Our sermon text today starts in John chapter 15, verse 18. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:16.359 And we'll go up to the first half of verse 4 in chapter 16. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:21.179 If you're here in the sanctuary, that's page 848 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:22.140 You can follow along there. 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:28.760 Today's text is actually a good reminder that the chapter and verse divisions of our Bibles 00:00:28.760 --> 00:00:30.460 were added much later to the text. 00:00:30.540 --> 00:00:35.179 And sometimes that means the chapter breaks don't always capture the units of thought perfectly. 00:00:35.300 --> 00:00:38.939 So that's why we're kind of looking at the end of 15 and the beginning of John 16. 00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:43.280 Well, let me pray for us, and then I'll read. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:44.400 Let's pray together. 00:00:48.400 --> 00:00:56.640 Our Father in heaven, as we have just sung, we humble ourselves before you, and we wait on you. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:01:02.579 God, we wait on you because we know that in our own strength and in our own wisdom, 00:01:03.179 --> 00:01:05.219 God, we can truly do nothing apart from you. 00:01:06.540 --> 00:01:12.060 So we ask for your spirit to come and to illuminate your word once again, 00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:13.680 as you have done throughout the ages, 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:20.079 that you would be moving and speaking to us through the passage we read 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:23.039 and through the words that I share. 00:01:24.920 --> 00:01:29.980 God, raise us up, we pray, and strengthen us for the mission that you have for us to glorify you and your Son. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:33.459 Pray this in Jesus' name and in the power of the Spirit. 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:34.159 Amen. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:40.679 All right, so remember, these are the words of Jesus to the apostles on the night before he was arrested 00:01:40.679 --> 00:01:42.859 in the midst of what we call the farewell discourse. 00:01:43.219 --> 00:01:45.640 So, John chapter 15, verse 18. 00:01:47.039 --> 00:01:47.579 Jesus says, 00:01:47.579 --> 00:02:05.659 Remember the word that I said to you, 00:02:05.659 --> 00:02:08.139 A servant is not greater than his master. 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:12.159 If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:16.099 If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:20.079 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, 00:02:20.359 --> 00:02:22.340 because they do not know him who sent me. 00:02:23.460 --> 00:02:26.560 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:28.900 but now they have no excuse for their sin. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:32.120 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:35.819 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, 00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:37.060 they would not be guilty of sin. 00:02:37.340 --> 00:02:40.480 But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:44.439 But the word that is written in their law must be fulfilled. 00:02:45.539 --> 00:02:46.939 They hated me without a cause. 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:50.319 But when the Helper comes, 00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:52.780 whom I will send to you from the Father, 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:53.700 the Spirit of truth, 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:55.340 who proceeds from the Father, 00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:57.480 he will bear witness about me. 00:02:58.480 --> 00:02:59.960 And you also will bear witness, 00:02:59.960 --> 00:03:01.980 because you have been with me from the beginning. 00:03:03.080 --> 00:03:06.039 I've said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 00:03:06.860 --> 00:03:08.599 They will put you out of the synagogues. 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:11.060 Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you 00:03:11.060 --> 00:03:13.039 will think he's offering a service to God. 00:03:13.980 --> 00:03:15.400 And they will do these things, 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:17.560 because they have not known the Father, 00:03:18.300 --> 00:03:18.819 nor me. 00:03:19.920 --> 00:03:21.640 But I have said these things to you, 00:03:22.340 --> 00:03:23.700 that when their hour comes, 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:27.400 you may remember that I told them to you. 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:31.719 Well, so not long ago, 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:33.680 there was a popular book series 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:38.080 called The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook. 00:03:38.680 --> 00:03:39.659 Do you remember those books? 00:03:40.040 --> 00:03:41.700 The idea of this series was that 00:03:41.700 --> 00:03:44.340 they would describe just terrible events. 00:03:44.700 --> 00:03:47.939 Earthquakes, shark attacks, alien invasions. 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:51.379 And the book would offer sort of illustrated instructions 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:54.000 on how to survive that worst case scenario. 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:56.759 So for example, they made a parenting edition. 00:03:57.359 --> 00:03:58.479 And one of the chapters was 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:01.719 how to deal with a screaming baby on an airplane, 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:04.439 which kind of feels like a worst case scenario, 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:05.579 sometimes for parents. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:07.099 And here are the instructions. 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:11.419 First, make highly visible efforts to quiet your child. 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:15.539 Two, create confusion and distraction. 00:04:16.540 --> 00:04:19.120 Three, do not panic if your child will still not calm down. 00:04:19.719 --> 00:04:20.980 Four, use the laboratory. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:24.459 Five, bribe fellow passengers for forgiveness. 00:04:25.219 --> 00:04:28.879 Six, and last, remember and remind yourself 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:31.420 that you will never see these people again. 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:35.959 But on a serious note, 00:04:35.959 --> 00:04:37.639 in the life of faith, 00:04:37.859 --> 00:04:39.339 as followers of Jesus, 00:04:39.739 --> 00:04:41.659 what is the worst case scenario? 00:04:42.659 --> 00:04:43.819 When things get hard, 00:04:43.919 --> 00:04:45.000 when opposition comes, 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:47.339 what's the worst thing that can happen? 00:04:48.719 --> 00:04:50.099 Near the end of our passage, 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:50.919 Jesus says, 00:04:51.299 --> 00:04:52.939 I've said all these things to you 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:55.399 to keep you from falling away. 00:04:56.979 --> 00:04:57.919 According to Jesus, 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:00.399 the worst case scenario for his followers 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:01.579 in trial, in hardship, 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:03.560 isn't a loss of reputation. 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:05.359 The worst case scenario 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:06.900 isn't ridicule or rejection. 00:05:07.100 --> 00:05:08.580 The worst case scenario 00:05:08.580 --> 00:05:09.780 isn't even death. 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:11.420 The worst case scenario 00:05:11.420 --> 00:05:12.379 for Jesus for us 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:14.040 is falling away. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:15.199 That is, 00:05:15.520 --> 00:05:16.460 departing the faith, 00:05:16.920 --> 00:05:18.900 no longer holding to Jesus as Lord, 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:19.819 walking away 00:05:19.819 --> 00:05:20.740 from the only 00:05:20.740 --> 00:05:22.379 source of eternal life. 00:05:23.259 --> 00:05:24.939 The worst case scenario 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:26.319 is falling away. 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:29.280 Now remember, 00:05:29.400 --> 00:05:30.740 in this part of John's gospel, 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:32.879 Jesus is preparing the disciples 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:34.860 for his upcoming departure 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:35.699 through the cross 00:05:35.699 --> 00:05:37.759 and for their upcoming mission 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:38.960 through the Holy Spirit. 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:41.180 And in the first half of John 15, 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:42.800 that mission is described 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:45.540 as bearing fruit in love 00:05:45.540 --> 00:05:47.040 by abiding in Jesus. 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:49.060 This kingdom community 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:50.780 rooted and connected 00:05:50.780 --> 00:05:51.740 to Jesus, 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:52.840 the true vine, 00:05:53.079 --> 00:05:54.139 will be a community 00:05:54.139 --> 00:05:56.139 of missional love, 00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:57.819 drawing men and women 00:05:57.819 --> 00:05:59.860 into a relationship 00:05:59.860 --> 00:06:00.860 with God in Christ. 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:03.180 But the question arises, 00:06:03.540 --> 00:06:04.959 how will the world 00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:06.959 respond to this community? 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:08.300 How will the world 00:06:08.300 --> 00:06:09.420 respond to this community 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:10.379 that abides in Jesus 00:06:10.379 --> 00:06:11.139 as the true vine, 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:12.519 that holds to him 00:06:12.519 --> 00:06:13.159 as the only 00:06:13.159 --> 00:06:14.180 and true source of life, 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:15.759 as the only and true God? 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:18.600 Well, Jesus is clear. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:20.879 As the mission goes forth, 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:23.039 there will be opposition. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:25.060 And when faced 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:25.960 with that opposition, 00:06:26.280 --> 00:06:27.300 we will face 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:28.620 the worst case scenario. 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:29.600 We will be tempted 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:30.800 to fall away. 00:06:32.540 --> 00:06:34.120 So Jesus tells us 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:35.240 three things 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:36.379 in this passage 00:06:36.379 --> 00:06:38.120 so that we might not 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:38.740 fall away 00:06:38.740 --> 00:06:40.000 when opposition comes. 00:06:40.400 --> 00:06:41.439 As our loving shepherd, 00:06:41.580 --> 00:06:42.620 he prepares the apostles 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:43.340 and us 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:44.220 to stand firm 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:45.600 to not fall away 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:46.820 when opposition comes. 00:06:46.900 --> 00:06:47.780 And the three things 00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:48.700 that Jesus tells us here 00:06:48.700 --> 00:06:49.140 are this. 00:06:49.879 --> 00:06:50.400 He says, 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:51.039 first, 00:06:51.939 --> 00:06:53.279 the world's hatred 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:54.839 is inevitable. 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:57.199 But second, 00:06:57.899 --> 00:06:59.379 the Spirit's ministry 00:06:59.379 --> 00:07:00.019 among you 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:01.419 is countercultural. 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:03.120 And then third, 00:07:03.859 --> 00:07:04.339 he says, 00:07:04.699 --> 00:07:05.179 my word, 00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:06.000 the word of Jesus 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:07.120 is reliable. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:08.439 So we're going to look 00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:09.359 at those three things. 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:10.699 So first, 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:11.859 Jesus says to the apostles 00:07:11.859 --> 00:07:12.500 and to us, 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:13.560 don't fall away. 00:07:14.159 --> 00:07:14.879 The world's hatred 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:15.419 is inevitable. 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:16.519 Now we see this 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:17.799 in verses 18 through 25. 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:19.479 Now in any relationship, 00:07:19.479 --> 00:07:20.259 it's important 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:21.240 to have the right 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:22.480 expectations, right? 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:23.379 When you're preparing 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:24.339 to take a new job, 00:07:24.599 --> 00:07:25.500 it's good to clarify 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:26.339 the expectations 00:07:26.339 --> 00:07:27.159 with your employer 00:07:27.159 --> 00:07:27.819 to talk through 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:28.579 your job description 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:29.819 to get on the same page. 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:31.019 When you're preparing 00:07:31.019 --> 00:07:31.800 for marriage, 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:32.899 it's really good 00:07:32.899 --> 00:07:34.300 to clarify your expectations 00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:35.480 with your future spouse. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:36.579 And some of these, 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:37.339 you don't even realize 00:07:37.339 --> 00:07:37.839 you have 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:39.420 until conflicts come, right? 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:40.079 Well, I thought you 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:40.860 were going to do the dishes. 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:41.620 Well, I thought you 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:42.399 were going to pick up the kids. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:43.259 Oh, I thought we'd always 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:43.879 live in the city. 00:07:45.719 --> 00:07:46.819 But in the same way, 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.060 as followers of Jesus 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:48.939 on mission, 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:50.439 we have to get 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:52.319 clear expectations 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:53.420 on our relationship 00:07:53.420 --> 00:07:54.500 with the world. 00:07:56.199 --> 00:07:57.300 Now what does Jesus mean 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:57.980 by the world 00:07:57.980 --> 00:07:58.939 here in John's Gospel? 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:00.360 Well, the world 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:01.459 doesn't mean 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:02.139 the sort of whole 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:02.980 created order, 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:03.600 what we would call 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:04.560 the natural world. 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:05.779 Rather, the world 00:08:05.779 --> 00:08:06.680 in John's Gospel 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:07.300 is a somewhat 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:08.759 technical term 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:11.279 referring to human society, 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:12.399 human culture, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:14.360 running and operating 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:15.899 without any reference 00:08:15.899 --> 00:08:16.779 to the true God. 00:08:16.779 --> 00:08:18.779 The world 00:08:18.779 --> 00:08:19.899 in John's Gospel 00:08:19.899 --> 00:08:21.119 is the human world 00:08:21.119 --> 00:08:22.359 in rebellion 00:08:22.359 --> 00:08:24.579 to its true God. 00:08:24.859 --> 00:08:25.479 Human culture 00:08:25.479 --> 00:08:26.139 and society 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:27.759 arranged and lived 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:29.539 according to the idols 00:08:29.539 --> 00:08:30.559 of its own choosing. 00:08:32.459 --> 00:08:32.899 Now, 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:34.299 what should the church 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:34.899 expect 00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:36.100 in its relationship 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:37.079 to the world? 00:08:38.059 --> 00:08:38.899 Well, at one point, 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:40.039 Jesus says to his followers 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:41.240 in Matthew chapter 5, 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:41.720 for example, 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:42.819 that you're going to be 00:08:42.819 --> 00:08:43.519 salt and light 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:43.980 in the world 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:45.039 and people will see 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:45.759 your good deeds 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:46.740 and glorify 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:47.620 your Father in heaven. 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:49.079 So on the one hand, 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:50.079 if the church 00:08:50.079 --> 00:08:51.799 is truly being the church, 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:53.059 there will be times 00:08:53.059 --> 00:08:54.000 when the culture 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.459 that we find ourselves in 00:08:55.459 --> 00:08:57.079 will have to admit 00:08:57.079 --> 00:08:58.179 that there's something 00:08:58.179 --> 00:08:59.599 there to admire. 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:01.639 After all, 00:09:01.699 --> 00:09:02.240 Jesus just said 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:03.419 in John chapter 13, 00:09:03.719 --> 00:09:04.159 by this, 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:05.059 all people will know 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:05.919 you are my disciples 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:07.019 if you love one another. 00:09:07.839 --> 00:09:08.919 So in every culture, 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:09.899 there'll be some things 00:09:09.899 --> 00:09:10.559 about the church 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:11.399 that are admired. 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:13.419 But Jesus makes it 00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:14.639 crystal clear here 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:16.100 that that can't be 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:17.899 our only expectation. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:20.039 At the same time, 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:20.740 Jesus says, 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:22.759 the world's also 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:23.579 going to hate you. 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:26.720 Verse 18 begins by saying, 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:28.120 if the world hates you. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:28.480 Now, 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:29.279 that sounds somewhat 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:30.199 conditional, right? 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:31.159 Sometimes we'll be hated, 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:32.120 sometimes not. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:32.939 But then at the end 00:09:32.939 --> 00:09:33.939 of the very next verse, 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:34.860 we realize that what 00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:35.519 Jesus is saying 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:36.340 isn't that the world's 00:09:36.340 --> 00:09:37.179 hatred is conditional, 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:38.779 it's actually inevitable. 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:38.980 Therefore, 00:09:40.459 --> 00:09:41.299 verse 19 says, 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:43.139 the world hates you. 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:46.539 And as Jesus says here, 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:47.279 we will be hated 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:48.399 in the same ways 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:49.699 that Jesus was hated 00:09:49.699 --> 00:09:50.259 by the world. 00:09:50.339 --> 00:09:51.360 A servant is not 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:52.419 above his master. 00:09:54.079 --> 00:09:55.139 Jesus was misunderstood 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:56.519 during his ministry. 00:09:57.299 --> 00:09:58.500 And so at times 00:09:58.500 --> 00:09:59.779 will we be as a church. 00:10:00.939 --> 00:10:02.220 Jesus was called crazy 00:10:02.220 --> 00:10:03.480 and out of his mind 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:04.500 more than once. 00:10:05.079 --> 00:10:06.379 So at times will we be 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:07.179 as we faithfully 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:07.919 follow Jesus. 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:10.000 Jesus was rejected 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:10.720 and ridiculed 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.439 by his family, 00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:12.079 his neighbors, 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:12.879 his friends. 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:14.220 And so at times 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:14.860 will we be. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:16.539 Jesus was called 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:17.620 an enemy of the people, 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:18.759 bad for society. 00:10:19.319 --> 00:10:20.500 So at times 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:22.039 has and will the church. 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.819 Jesus was falsely accused, 00:10:25.199 --> 00:10:26.079 falsely condemned. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:28.019 He was physically beaten, 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:28.600 tortured, 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.259 and shamefully executed. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.459 The world hated Jesus 00:10:33.459 --> 00:10:34.740 in all these ways. 00:10:35.579 --> 00:10:36.819 And so the world 00:10:36.819 --> 00:10:38.559 will hate his followers. 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:40.500 in all those ways. 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:42.959 Even today, 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:43.639 there are Christians 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:44.679 being put to death 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:46.339 for their faithful allegiance 00:10:46.339 --> 00:10:46.879 to Jesus. 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:49.279 And whereas you or I 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:50.559 may not face persecution 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:51.279 like that, 00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:52.699 our brothers and sisters 00:10:52.699 --> 00:10:54.000 in many parts of the world 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:54.399 are. 00:10:54.939 --> 00:10:56.379 And we must be praying 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:56.799 for them. 00:10:58.539 --> 00:11:00.159 But what Jesus is saying here 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:01.179 doesn't just apply 00:11:01.179 --> 00:11:02.759 to our brothers and sisters 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:03.860 in other parts of the world, 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:05.100 but it applies to us too. 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:07.100 Don't be surprised 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:08.620 if the world, 00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:09.220 yes, 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.340 hates you, 00:11:10.940 --> 00:11:11.540 rejects you, 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:12.279 ridicules you, 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:13.300 misunderstands you, 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.080 excludes you, 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:14.899 penalizes you, 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:15.620 ignores you, 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:16.980 even condemns you. 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:20.820 The world's hatred 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:21.259 is inevitable. 00:11:22.800 --> 00:11:23.620 But why? 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:25.539 Why is it inevitable? 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:27.940 Well, Jesus answers 00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:28.779 that question too. 00:11:29.060 --> 00:11:29.539 And the answer 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:30.379 has two parts. 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:31.840 On the one hand, 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:32.639 the world will hate us 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:33.539 because we don't belong 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:34.460 to the world anymore. 00:11:35.420 --> 00:11:36.600 Look at verse 19. 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:37.500 Jesus says, 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:48.620 Friends, 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:49.259 what does it mean 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:50.080 to be the church? 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:53.620 It means to experience 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:55.419 the free grace 00:11:55.419 --> 00:11:57.519 of Jesus' choosing love, 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:59.259 setting his love on you, 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:00.480 freeing you from sin, 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:01.759 bringing you into 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.500 a whole new kingdom 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.960 where he is king. 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:06.940 Being the church 00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:08.200 means being a new 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:09.800 community of love 00:12:09.800 --> 00:12:11.100 right in the midst 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:11.660 of the old. 00:12:13.060 --> 00:12:13.860 And that means 00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.820 we're not of 00:12:14.820 --> 00:12:15.640 the world anymore. 00:12:16.300 --> 00:12:17.280 We don't march 00:12:17.280 --> 00:12:18.140 to the same drummer, 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:18.960 we don't bow 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:19.840 to the same idols, 00:12:19.940 --> 00:12:20.600 we don't live 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:21.560 for the same goals, 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:23.080 and in doing so, 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:24.260 we're salt and light 00:12:24.260 --> 00:12:24.720 to the world, 00:12:24.780 --> 00:12:25.460 as Jesus says. 00:12:26.540 --> 00:12:26.980 But, 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:28.660 it's a bit like 00:12:28.660 --> 00:12:29.540 a heart transplant. 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:30.880 You know, 00:12:30.920 --> 00:12:31.700 when a surgeon performs 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.380 a heart transplant, 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:33.800 this whole new organ 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:34.700 is being placed 00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:36.280 into the body's system, 00:12:36.420 --> 00:12:36.620 right? 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:37.980 And that organ 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.540 is being put 00:12:38.540 --> 00:12:39.340 into that system 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:40.200 to bring life 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:40.720 and health 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:41.140 and to keep 00:12:41.140 --> 00:12:41.840 the thing going. 00:12:42.760 --> 00:12:43.980 But the reality is 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:45.500 that the old system 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:47.180 doesn't always accept 00:12:47.180 --> 00:12:48.240 the new heart. 00:12:49.440 --> 00:12:50.220 Sometimes the body 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:50.960 will turn against 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:51.580 the new organ 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:53.440 and reject it 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:54.120 and attack it 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.200 as different and alien. 00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:57.580 And it's the same way 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.100 with the church 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:58.600 and the world. 00:12:59.420 --> 00:13:00.400 The church is a whole 00:13:00.400 --> 00:13:00.940 new thing 00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:02.080 in the middle of the world 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:02.820 to bring life 00:13:02.820 --> 00:13:03.340 to the world, 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.980 but it's not of the world, 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:05.460 and the world 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.759 constantly rejects it. 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:10.180 We live for a different king 00:13:10.180 --> 00:13:11.960 and a different kingdom. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:14.899 But now, 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:16.180 here's the really surprising thing 00:13:16.180 --> 00:13:16.779 about what Jesus 00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:17.360 is saying here. 00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:19.180 When you think of 00:13:19.180 --> 00:13:20.039 the world, 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:21.420 society arranged 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:22.000 without reference 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:22.680 to the true God, 00:13:22.680 --> 00:13:23.779 who or what 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:24.920 comes to mind for you? 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:27.779 Now, 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:28.620 it's initially easy 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:30.000 to sort of think about, 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:30.639 well, 00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:31.200 you know, 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:31.820 it's those people 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:33.240 who just reject God 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:33.680 altogether. 00:13:33.900 --> 00:13:35.060 It's the really obvious, 00:13:35.280 --> 00:13:37.100 openly godless folks 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:37.500 out there, 00:13:37.540 --> 00:13:38.379 like I used to be. 00:13:39.760 --> 00:13:40.500 But consider, 00:13:41.300 --> 00:13:43.180 look at chapter 16, 00:13:43.280 --> 00:13:43.820 verse 2, 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:46.200 where Jesus says 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:46.900 about the world, 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:47.920 they will put you 00:13:47.920 --> 00:13:48.940 out of the synagogues. 00:13:49.540 --> 00:13:49.720 Indeed, 00:13:49.800 --> 00:13:50.440 the hour is coming 00:13:50.440 --> 00:13:51.300 when whoever kills you 00:13:51.300 --> 00:13:52.040 will think he's offering 00:13:52.040 --> 00:13:52.900 service to God. 00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:55.120 So you see, 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.320 it's not just 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:58.320 openly irreligious people 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.960 who constitute the world. 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:01.680 it can also be 00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:01.980 really, 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:03.320 really religious people too. 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.860 The ones in the synagogues 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.680 who think they're offering 00:14:06.680 --> 00:14:07.560 a service to God. 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:09.600 You see, 00:14:09.660 --> 00:14:10.180 what this means, 00:14:10.280 --> 00:14:10.400 friends, 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.180 is that the world 00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:12.420 can sometimes wear 00:14:12.420 --> 00:14:14.639 a mask of relativism, 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:16.800 but the world 00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:17.800 can also wear 00:14:17.800 --> 00:14:19.379 a mask of conservatism 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:19.940 as well. 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:23.639 And our king 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:25.180 tells us to live lives 00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:26.879 that challenge the world 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:28.519 in all of its forms. 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.460 After all, 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.820 as followers of Jesus, 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.780 we care about the oppressed 00:14:34.780 --> 00:14:35.420 and the poor 00:14:35.420 --> 00:14:36.200 and the fatherless 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:36.660 and the widow. 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:37.680 We care about injustice 00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:38.280 and oppression 00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:38.860 and wrong, 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.220 but that doesn't make 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.639 Christians quote-unquote 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.300 progressives, 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.360 as the world likes to say. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.920 We also care about 00:14:45.920 --> 00:14:46.420 the unborn 00:14:46.420 --> 00:14:46.980 and family 00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:47.500 and marriage 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.300 and religious liberty, 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:49.420 but that doesn't make 00:14:49.420 --> 00:14:50.220 Christians conservatives, 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:52.000 as our culture likes to say. 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.960 Following King Jesus 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:54.860 means that we won't 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.460 fit easily 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:57.259 into any of the world's molds. 00:14:57.259 --> 00:15:00.080 And that means 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.879 Christians will be 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.620 disliked 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.439 and even hated 00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:03.019 at times 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.919 by so-called 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.539 progressives 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:05.539 and conservatives. 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:08.799 After all, 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:10.000 the Roman establishment 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:12.980 and the Jewish 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.960 religious establishment 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:16.000 both had their reasons 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.899 for wanting Jesus 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.580 out of the way. 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.179 And it will be 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.100 the same for us too. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.799 We are not 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:24.799 of the world 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:26.859 in any of its forms. 00:15:28.359 --> 00:15:29.639 The world rejects Jesus, 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.679 so it will at times 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:31.559 reject us too. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.939 But a little deeper, 00:15:35.839 --> 00:15:36.740 why does the world 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.439 reject Jesus? 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.159 Well, that's what 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.959 verses 21 through 25 00:15:41.959 --> 00:15:42.599 are all about. 00:15:43.219 --> 00:15:43.979 Look at verse 21, 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:44.620 but all these things 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.120 they will do to you 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:46.019 on account of my name, 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.899 because they do not 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.879 know him who sent me. 00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:51.059 Jesus says here 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:52.079 that his words, 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.020 in verse 22, 00:15:53.280 --> 00:15:54.320 and his works, 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.360 in verse 24, 00:15:55.780 --> 00:15:58.060 gave abundant evidence 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:59.700 of his divine identity 00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:01.220 and his saving power. 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.820 His words and his works 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:04.240 gave so much evidence 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:04.879 that now 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:06.139 there's no excuse. 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:08.220 No one can plead ignorance. 00:16:09.280 --> 00:16:10.100 That's what Jesus means 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:10.600 when he says, 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.040 if I hadn't done these things, 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:13.259 they would not be guilty of sin. 00:16:13.420 --> 00:16:14.420 That's a way of saying 00:16:14.420 --> 00:16:15.220 they now have 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:16.660 all the evidence they need, 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:19.379 and yet they still reject it. 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:19.860 Why? 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.879 Well, Jesus says, 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:24.820 because they're blind 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:25.860 to the reality 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:27.040 of the true God. 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.300 So much so that, 00:16:29.400 --> 00:16:30.740 like David said in Psalm 69, 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:31.820 so Jesus can say, 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.600 they hated me 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.840 without a cause. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.800 The world rejects Jesus 00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:38.600 and then rejects 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.400 the followers of Jesus 00:16:39.400 --> 00:16:41.639 not because of some kind of fault 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:43.320 or lack of evidence in Christ, 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:46.320 but because they're blinded 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:48.379 and trapped by sin's power, 00:16:49.280 --> 00:16:50.900 just like all of us were 00:16:50.900 --> 00:16:53.140 before God's grace came to us. 00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:55.980 Now, sin, you see, 00:16:56.520 --> 00:16:58.379 at its deepest level 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:59.379 isn't just sort of 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.760 particular actions 00:17:00.760 --> 00:17:02.140 that break God's law. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.420 Sometimes I like to think about sin 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:08.100 as sort of this giant, 00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:09.880 false narrative 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:12.000 that captures our minds 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.920 and imaginations. 00:17:13.580 --> 00:17:14.760 It's this giant, 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.500 false narrative 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.120 that says, 00:17:16.840 --> 00:17:18.260 your happiness is found 00:17:18.260 --> 00:17:19.880 by putting yourself 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:21.680 in the center of your story 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:23.980 or by putting your family 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:25.240 in the center of your story 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.380 or by putting your nation 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.800 in the center of your story. 00:17:28.100 --> 00:17:29.300 Sin is like this giant, 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.480 false narrative 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.280 that tells us 00:17:31.280 --> 00:17:32.480 life should be lived 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.900 for anything other 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:34.420 than the glory 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:35.220 of the triune God, 00:17:35.280 --> 00:17:36.320 and it shapes everything 00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:37.320 we think and see 00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:38.200 and love and do. 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.860 And we buy into 00:17:39.860 --> 00:17:40.600 that false narrative 00:17:40.600 --> 00:17:41.660 so deeply 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:44.940 that our eyes are closed 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:46.279 to the reality of God 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:47.640 and the reality of Christ. 00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:49.799 And that's why 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.519 the world's hatred 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.779 is so inevitable, 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:54.500 because sin's power 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:56.140 has been rampant 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:56.980 in our world. 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:00.420 The world's hatred 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:00.920 is inevitable, 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.160 and Jesus tells us this, 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.700 so we might not fall away. 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.680 So, fellow Christian, 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.140 let me ask, 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:08.440 what are your expectations? 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:11.080 Now, it is very natural 00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:12.220 to want to be liked, 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:14.000 to want to have a good report 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.100 with those around us. 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.200 And praise God, 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.820 many of us do. 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.860 But as a follower of Jesus, 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.780 do you expect the world 00:18:21.780 --> 00:18:22.180 around you 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:23.240 to always like you, 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:24.620 to always approve of you, 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:26.020 to always affirm you? 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.780 If so, 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:31.000 then you are in 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.960 for a rude awakening. 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:34.740 Like a foolish employee 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.420 who never read 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:36.220 the job description, 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:38.059 or the foolish husband 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:38.940 who never talked 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:39.500 to his wife 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.579 about what sort of life 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:42.019 they wanted to live together. 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:43.960 If we as Christians 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.940 always expect 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.079 the world around us 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:46.960 to like us, 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:47.840 we are headed 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:49.259 for a painful surprise. 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.860 So, brothers and sisters, 00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:53.620 don't set your heart, 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.460 your trust, 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.400 on the approval 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:56.019 of the world. 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.720 If you're being true 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.340 to Jesus, 00:18:59.120 --> 00:18:59.900 then you'll never 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:01.000 always get it. 00:19:03.320 --> 00:19:04.740 But here's the good news. 00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:07.340 If you're being true 00:19:07.340 --> 00:19:07.860 to Jesus, 00:19:08.560 --> 00:19:10.160 then you won't ever 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:11.480 really need it. 00:19:14.800 --> 00:19:15.540 Because what does 00:19:15.540 --> 00:19:16.320 the gospel say? 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.600 The gospel says 00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:19.560 that even if 00:19:19.560 --> 00:19:21.080 the entire world 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:22.500 were to rise up 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.600 in hatred against you, 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.960 you have 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:27.580 the only approval 00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:29.500 that really matters. 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.519 The God 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.640 who made you 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:33.940 and who made 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:35.300 everything that we see. 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.660 The God 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.580 whose glory 00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:38.900 can satisfy 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.800 your soul forever. 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.340 The God 00:19:40.340 --> 00:19:41.019 who is so 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:43.080 unbelievably holy 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:44.280 that his presence 00:19:44.280 --> 00:19:45.100 would melt 00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:45.980 the earth. 00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:46.800 The God 00:19:46.800 --> 00:19:47.300 who is so 00:19:47.300 --> 00:19:48.759 unbelievably loving 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.800 that his presence 00:19:49.800 --> 00:19:50.460 would melt 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:52.019 even the hardest heart. 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:53.160 That God, 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.700 the triune God 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.920 known in Jesus, 00:19:56.280 --> 00:19:56.840 that God 00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:57.400 in the gospel 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:57.900 has set 00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:59.180 his favor on you. 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:01.240 Even though 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:03.660 you and I 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.500 have rejected him. 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.480 Even though you and I 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.100 have lived without 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:08.080 any reference to him. 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:08.960 Even though we've 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.740 bought in 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:11.360 to the giant false narrative 00:20:11.360 --> 00:20:12.660 that life can be lived 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.880 for something other than God. 00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:15.700 Even so, 00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:17.539 God 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:19.180 has let 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.580 his full 00:20:20.580 --> 00:20:21.560 hatred 00:20:21.560 --> 00:20:22.620 of human sin 00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:23.120 and evil 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:23.720 and injustice, 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:25.299 including your and my sin 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.200 and evil and injustice, 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.840 God has let 00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.400 his full 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:28.600 hatred of sin 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:29.319 fall 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:31.640 on his own 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.100 person 00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:33.580 in our place. 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:35.920 God took on 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.539 our human nature 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:36.940 in Jesus 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:37.900 to bear 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:38.779 the just 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.759 hatred of our sin 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.400 so that 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.140 all who 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.319 turn from sin 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.680 and trust in Christ 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.000 might have 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.400 full favor 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:45.940 with God 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:47.000 completely free 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.580 of charge. 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.980 And that means 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.720 if we've placed 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.480 our trust in Jesus, 00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:52.460 if we become 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.720 his follower, 00:20:53.840 --> 00:20:54.400 if we've joined 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:54.900 his family, 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.540 if we become 00:20:55.540 --> 00:20:56.300 a part of the church, 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.240 then we don't need 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.140 the world's approval. 00:21:00.820 --> 00:21:01.620 Because we have 00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:02.019 an approval 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:02.720 that nothing 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.740 can compare to. 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.200 I mean, 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.759 think about it. 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:08.360 If you're at work 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:09.860 this summer 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.960 and the summer 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.540 intern 00:21:11.540 --> 00:21:12.320 comes to you 00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:12.759 and says, 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:13.640 man, 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.240 well done. 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.340 It's great to have you 00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:15.880 around here. 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.080 You will think to yourself, 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:18.700 well, 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.060 that's nice. 00:21:21.040 --> 00:21:21.840 But their opinion 00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:22.560 doesn't really matter 00:21:22.560 --> 00:21:23.060 all that much, 00:21:23.080 --> 00:21:23.420 does it? 00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:24.000 I mean, 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.779 by the end of the summer, 00:21:25.060 --> 00:21:25.720 the summer intern 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.500 isn't even going to be 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.300 around anymore. 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:29.580 Who cares what they think? 00:21:30.320 --> 00:21:31.259 It's nice to be liked, 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.420 but... 00:21:33.300 --> 00:21:34.420 But, 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.720 if the founder 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.480 of the company 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:38.100 comes to your office 00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:39.200 after a big presentation 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.779 and says, 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:40.980 well done. 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.420 It's good to have you 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:42.940 on the team. 00:21:44.340 --> 00:21:44.759 Well, 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.480 that means something, 00:21:45.560 --> 00:21:45.940 doesn't it? 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.279 But friends, 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:48.759 consider, 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.180 in Christ, 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:52.299 we have an approval 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:53.660 infinitely greater. 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:56.019 It's so great 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.400 that nothing in this world 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:58.299 can shake it. 00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.340 The CEO 00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:01.600 of the universe 00:22:01.600 --> 00:22:03.240 has called you 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:03.900 into his office 00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.519 and said, 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.759 well done. 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.420 It's good to have you here. 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.360 So even though 00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:11.000 the world's hatred 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.580 is inevitable, 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:11.960 friends, 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.759 don't fall away. 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.320 That's Jesus' 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.100 first point. 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:18.179 But I think that raises 00:22:18.179 --> 00:22:19.000 a natural question, 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.240 right? 00:22:19.459 --> 00:22:20.859 How should we respond 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:22.119 to the world's hatred? 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.839 If we expect it 00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:25.819 as inevitable 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:27.199 and if we don't fall away, 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.619 how should we respond? 00:22:28.719 --> 00:22:29.759 How should we react? 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.259 Now, 00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:32.019 if we're honest, 00:22:32.199 --> 00:22:33.519 I think too often 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.839 in those moments, 00:22:35.179 --> 00:22:35.679 it's like 00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:36.659 our fight 00:22:36.659 --> 00:22:37.559 or flight 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.839 response kicks in. 00:22:39.399 --> 00:22:40.939 When the world hates us, 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:42.779 we either return the favor 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.980 and hate them back, 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.740 we fight, 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.620 or 00:22:45.620 --> 00:22:46.940 when the world hates us, 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.720 we just withdraw 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:49.740 and we quietly go away. 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.599 That's flight. 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:53.920 But you know, 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:55.240 neither response 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:57.440 is what Jesus calls us to. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.859 And this brings us 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.920 to our second big point 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:01.559 of the passage. 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.620 The world's hatred 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.140 is inevitable, 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:03.740 yes, 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.140 but Jesus says to us, 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.819 the Spirit's ministry 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.500 in us 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:09.620 is counter-cultural. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.559 Look again at verses 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.720 26 through 27. 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.640 Jesus says, 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.980 but when the helper comes, 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:15.279 whom I will send to you 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.940 from the Father, 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.839 the Spirit of truth, 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:18.440 who proceeds from the Father, 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.380 he will bear witness 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.160 about me. 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.799 And you also 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.559 will bear witness 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.759 because you've been with me 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.400 from the beginning. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.180 So you see, 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.319 in the face of opposition, 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.579 we can respond 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.660 with neither fight 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.660 nor flight. 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.380 Rather, 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.099 the Spirit empowers us 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.779 to do something 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:36.000 very counter-cultural 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.920 and very different. 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:38.019 He empowers us 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:39.120 to bear witness. 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:41.739 We don't return 00:23:41.739 --> 00:23:42.679 evil for evil. 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.939 We don't retreat 00:23:43.939 --> 00:23:44.859 into the safety 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.719 of a holy huddle. 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.159 No, 00:23:46.439 --> 00:23:47.959 we bear witness 00:23:47.959 --> 00:23:49.359 to Christ. 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.539 Now, 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:51.959 what does it mean 00:23:51.959 --> 00:23:52.619 to bear witness? 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:53.979 Well, 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:54.679 it's kind of like 00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:55.500 giving a testimony 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.419 in a court case. 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:58.179 Jesus is speaking 00:23:58.179 --> 00:23:59.419 to the apostles 00:23:59.419 --> 00:24:00.679 here in John 15. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.959 And as he says, 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.799 they've been with him 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:03.500 from the beginning. 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:04.859 So now, 00:24:04.959 --> 00:24:06.039 as they enter out 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.859 into the courtroom 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.639 of the world, 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.939 they can give 00:24:08.939 --> 00:24:10.419 their eyewitness testimony 00:24:10.419 --> 00:24:11.759 to all that Jesus is 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:13.199 and all that Jesus has done. 00:24:14.699 --> 00:24:15.339 But you know, 00:24:15.419 --> 00:24:16.299 in a derivative way, 00:24:16.459 --> 00:24:17.899 in a related way, 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.559 today, 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:20.599 we as followers of Jesus 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:22.259 still bear witness. 00:24:22.479 --> 00:24:24.459 We stand on the eyewitness testimony 00:24:24.459 --> 00:24:25.159 of the apostles. 00:24:25.459 --> 00:24:26.339 We are empowered 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:27.619 by the same Holy Spirit. 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.899 And we have our own 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:29.619 first-hand experience 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.019 to share 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.599 of the saving love of Christ. 00:24:33.219 --> 00:24:34.699 And so we can speak 00:24:34.699 --> 00:24:36.019 about who Jesus is 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:37.279 and what he's done. 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.279 Now, 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:40.799 as the church, 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:42.139 I think we need to pray 00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:44.619 to become more adept 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.980 at turning 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:47.639 cultural conversations 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:49.519 into witness-bearing 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.960 gospel conversations. 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.839 Too often, 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.779 we get mired 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.980 in sort of the cultural issues 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.599 of the day 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:57.019 without really 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.480 bearing witness. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.639 Now, 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:01.440 how do we do that? 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:03.960 Well, 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:06.080 let me just offer 00:25:06.080 --> 00:25:07.580 some simple suggestions. 00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:10.059 I think witness-bearing 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.640 in this way 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.240 requires 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:12.600 that we pray, 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:13.920 that we ask, 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.920 that we listen, 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:15.940 and that we speak. 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:17.480 So first, 00:25:17.580 --> 00:25:18.059 we pray. 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.860 We pray that the Holy Spirit 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:20.860 will be at work 00:25:20.860 --> 00:25:21.960 in us and through us 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.960 and in and through 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:24.380 those around us 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.320 to whom the Lord 00:25:25.320 --> 00:25:26.120 has sent us. 00:25:26.580 --> 00:25:27.299 In a couple weeks, 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:28.240 we're going to dive more 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.019 into the ministry 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.279 of the Holy Spirit's 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.559 work in the world 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:33.379 in the rest of John chapter 16. 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.599 So we'll get more into that. 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.339 But first, 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.839 we have to be praying. 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.740 And then second, 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.700 we ask. 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.660 Too often, 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.139 as Christians, 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.819 we're just talking. 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.579 But we need to ask. 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:47.759 Ask open-ended questions 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.500 to the people 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.819 that God has put in your life. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:52.200 Show genuine interest in them. 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.400 What are they into? 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.879 What motivates them? 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:56.079 What are they afraid of? 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.779 What are they hoping for in life? 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:58.920 Ask. 00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:00.000 Get to know them. 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.500 And then, 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.279 we listen. 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.740 Don't be quick to speak. 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:09.039 Be quick to listen. 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:10.579 And then, 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:12.359 don't be afraid to ask 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.740 another question. 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.460 We're really bad at this 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.180 culturally, right? 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:17.319 Oftentimes, 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.359 we ask a question 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:19.240 only to sort of 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.299 buy us enough time 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.279 to figure out 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.180 what we can say, 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:22.819 right? 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.980 But no, friends. 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:27.440 Ask and listen. 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.660 And then listen 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.300 listen some more. 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:31.380 Really hear 00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:32.640 the people around you. 00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:35.560 It's such a profound way 00:26:35.560 --> 00:26:37.180 to actually love someone, 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:39.180 to actually listen to them. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.640 But after we've prayed 00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:42.259 and asked 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.820 and listened 00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:43.779 and listened some more, 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.259 finally, 00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:44.900 we speak. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.320 And don't be afraid 00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:48.100 in your speaking, 00:26:48.300 --> 00:26:48.519 friends, 00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:49.500 to start 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:51.320 at square one 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:52.320 of the gospel. 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:55.019 that there's a God 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.799 who created us 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.599 and who loves us. 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.099 And all our life 00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:58.839 is meant to be lived 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.799 in fellowship with him. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.899 And that's what flourishing 00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:01.599 really means. 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:02.899 But none of us 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:03.659 have lived that way. 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:05.419 And there's a great chasm 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:06.099 that's opened up 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.079 between us and God. 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.679 We've turned away from him 00:27:08.679 --> 00:27:09.639 and we try to live 00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:10.240 our own way. 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.339 And that's what the Bible 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.000 calls sin. 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.879 And that sin 00:27:12.879 --> 00:27:13.980 has resulted in death. 00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:16.119 But rather than 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:16.779 leave us there, 00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.939 God has made a way 00:27:17.939 --> 00:27:19.259 to forgive our sin 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.680 and reconcile us 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.140 to himself 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.940 through his son. 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.359 And Jesus 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.839 lived a perfect life 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:26.019 and died the death 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.720 that we deserve 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:28.240 so we could be reconciled 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.000 to God on the basis 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.700 of what he did 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.359 and not on the basis 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:31.059 of what we do. 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:32.420 So then now 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.079 when we admit 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.720 that we're sinners 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.819 and we trust in Jesus 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.980 alone to rescue us, 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:37.220 we're given a whole new 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.079 status and fellowship 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:38.579 with God 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.200 and we're given 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:40.039 a whole new power 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.839 by his spirit 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.859 to love God 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.660 and love each other. 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.819 So in life, 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.799 we follow Jesus 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.480 as our Lord, 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.900 gladly conforming 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.740 all of our life 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.180 to him, 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.440 because he made us 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.099 and because he knows 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:52.119 what's best for us. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.619 And after all, 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.460 if he died for us, 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.680 then surely he loves us. 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.539 Now here's the thing. 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.519 You're never going 00:27:59.519 --> 00:27:59.980 to be able to have 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:01.019 that conversation 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.519 with everybody 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.279 you interact with, 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:02.539 right? 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.819 But you can have 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.980 parts of that conversation. 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:07.400 You can start 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.099 at square one 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:09.039 and just start 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:10.599 sowing seeds. 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.680 Witness bearing 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.279 isn't easy. 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.779 It's easier to kick 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.819 into fight or flight, 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:17.180 right? 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.640 But listen to what 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.700 Paul says in Romans 12. 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:20.800 Paul says, 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.640 bless those who 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.400 persecute you. 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:23.940 Bless and do not 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.460 curse them. 00:28:24.800 --> 00:28:25.960 Repay no one evil 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.460 for evil, 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.360 but give thought 00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:28.259 to do what is honorable 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.080 in the sight of all. 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.360 If possible, 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.520 so far as depends on you, 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.759 live peaceably with all. 00:28:33.560 --> 00:28:33.840 Beloved, 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:35.040 never avenge yourselves, 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:36.000 but leave it to the wrath 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.380 of God, 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.000 for it is written, 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.180 vengeance is mine, 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:38.920 I will repay, 00:28:39.040 --> 00:28:39.640 says the Lord. 00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:41.180 To the contrary, 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:42.300 if your enemy is hungry, 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:42.780 feed him. 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:43.940 If he's thirsty, 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.740 give him something 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.259 to drink, 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.279 for by so doing, 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:48.539 you'll eat burning coals 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.079 on his head. 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:51.140 Do not be overcome 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:51.940 by evil, 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.779 but overcome evil 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.620 with good. 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:57.620 And Jesus promises us 00:28:57.620 --> 00:28:58.440 that the Holy Spirit 00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:59.880 will be with us, 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.460 empowering us 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:03.220 for this countercultural work. 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:06.100 But lastly, 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:06.779 Jesus tells us 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.640 not just that the world's 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.360 hatred is inevitable, 00:29:08.860 --> 00:29:09.839 not just that the Spirit's 00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:10.700 ministry among us 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.400 is countercultural, 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.220 but finally, 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.740 that his word 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:15.380 is reliable. 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.380 Our sermon text 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:18.039 ends with Jesus 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.680 saying this, 00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:19.660 but I've said 00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:20.640 these things to you 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.839 that when their hour 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.460 comes, 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.620 you may remember 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:25.100 that I told them 00:29:25.100 --> 00:29:25.519 to you. 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:28.140 But what difference 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:28.740 does that make? 00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.039 You know, 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:30.339 we can see how having 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:31.200 the right expectations 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:32.000 about the world, 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:33.039 that's easy to see 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.799 how that helps us 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.960 not now fall away, 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.339 knowing how to respond 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.139 through the Spirit's 00:29:37.139 --> 00:29:38.220 witness-bearing ministry 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.019 that helps us not 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.980 to fall into fight 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.500 or flight. 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:42.359 But how does Jesus 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.460 telling us all this 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.859 beforehand help us 00:29:44.859 --> 00:29:45.799 not fall away 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:47.159 when the opposition comes? 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.399 Well, 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:51.920 what Jesus is showing us here 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:53.700 is that no matter 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.759 what the world 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.539 throws at us, 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:58.460 no matter how painful 00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.579 the opposition gets, 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:01.379 no matter how costly 00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:02.000 it becomes 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.859 to follow Jesus, 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:04.599 no matter what comes, 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:07.359 Jesus is still 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:08.440 the King. 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.460 His word 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.980 is still sovereign. 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.519 His plan 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:15.319 is still going forth. 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:17.440 Not even the world's 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:17.859 hatred 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:19.000 can thwart 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:20.099 the sovereign, 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.779 gracious plan 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.940 of King Jesus 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.960 for the Kingdom 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.559 to come 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.519 and for His will 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.180 to be done 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:27.200 on earth 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.980 as it is in heaven. 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:30.839 Remember, 00:30:31.360 --> 00:30:32.519 when opposition comes, 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.400 this is exactly 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:33.980 what He said 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.480 would happen. 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.420 At the end of John 16, 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.240 Jesus will say, 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:39.539 in the world 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.559 you will have tribulation, 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.460 but take heart, 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:43.140 I have overcome 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:44.079 the world. 00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:45.400 You know, 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:45.960 when Jesus went 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.460 to the cross, 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:48.279 it looked like defeat, 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:48.819 didn't it? 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:49.819 It looked like 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.839 the world had won. 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.939 It looked like 00:30:51.939 --> 00:30:52.679 the grand 00:30:52.679 --> 00:30:53.959 false narrative 00:30:53.959 --> 00:30:54.500 of sin 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:56.279 just might be true 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:56.980 after all. 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:59.159 But when Christ 00:30:59.159 --> 00:31:00.879 rose from the grave 00:31:00.879 --> 00:31:02.259 on Sunday morning, 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:04.199 it all became clear. 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:07.019 the cross wasn't 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:08.019 our Lord's 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.799 greatest defeat. 00:31:09.360 --> 00:31:09.920 It was His 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.740 greatest victory. 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.819 He had overcome 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:14.120 the world. 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:16.039 He had swallowed up 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:16.880 all the evil, 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.740 pain, and death. 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:19.220 He had taken the worst 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:20.840 the world had to give. 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:22.000 And in return, 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.559 He gave us life. 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:26.559 And if we join Him 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.640 in His suffering, 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.559 we will join Him 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:30.799 in His glory. 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.200 Remember again, 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:33.720 the words of the 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.360 Apostle Paul 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:35.420 in Romans 8, 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.200 for I consider, 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:36.680 he says, 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.440 that the sufferings 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.380 of this present time 00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:39.640 are not worth 00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:41.380 comparing with the glory 00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:42.700 that is to be revealed 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.299 to us. 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.860 Jesus' word, 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.380 friends, 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:47.539 is reliable. 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:50.019 That word, 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:51.620 above all 00:31:51.620 --> 00:31:52.900 earthly powers, 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:54.700 no thanks to them 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.839 abideth. 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.759 The Spirit 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.740 and the gifts 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.720 are ours 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.740 through Him 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.940 who with us 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:02.700 sideth. 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:04.299 let goods 00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:05.759 and kindred go. 00:32:06.620 --> 00:32:07.759 This mortal life 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.259 also, 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:09.640 the body 00:32:09.640 --> 00:32:10.960 they may kill. 00:32:11.840 --> 00:32:12.720 God's truth 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:14.080 abides still. 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.600 His kingdom 00:32:15.600 --> 00:32:17.620 is forever. 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.120 Amen. 00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:20.980 You see, 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.600 the world's hatred 00:32:21.600 --> 00:32:22.240 isn't the worst thing 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:22.880 that can happen to you, 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.180 friends. 00:32:23.840 --> 00:32:24.740 Losing worldly goods 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:25.140 and wealth, 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.840 that's not the worst 00:32:25.840 --> 00:32:26.420 case scenario. 00:32:27.600 --> 00:32:28.440 Losing kindred, 00:32:28.580 --> 00:32:28.819 friends, 00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:29.380 and family, 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.700 losing even your life, 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.519 it isn't the worst 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.140 case scenario. 00:32:32.299 --> 00:32:33.660 Having God 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.620 in Christ, 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:36.460 never losing Him, 00:32:36.620 --> 00:32:37.380 that's all that 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:38.080 really matters 00:32:38.080 --> 00:32:39.380 because His kingdom 00:32:39.380 --> 00:32:40.220 is forever. 00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:43.140 And Jesus 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:43.980 has said these things 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.480 to us 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.680 to keep us 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.460 from falling away. 00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:48.340 The world may hate us, 00:32:48.620 --> 00:32:49.400 but the Spirit 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.420 will empower us, 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.900 and the Word of Christ 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:52.779 will sustain us 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:54.039 as we go out 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:54.539 on this mission 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:54.880 of love 00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.680 that He sent us on. 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.900 Let's pray together. 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.640 Lord Jesus, 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:01.700 we pray for a fresh 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:02.519 filling of Your Spirit 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.060 this morning. 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:04.960 Lord, 00:33:05.060 --> 00:33:05.700 too often 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.380 we are tempted 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:08.759 to just retreat 00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:10.100 when You call us 00:33:10.100 --> 00:33:10.779 to advance. 00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.180 Lord, 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:12.660 too often 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:13.320 we are tempted 00:33:13.320 --> 00:33:14.960 to wage war 00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:16.539 with worldly weapons 00:33:16.539 --> 00:33:19.039 and to become 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.840 like our old selves 00:33:19.840 --> 00:33:20.180 again. 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:21.860 So, Lord, 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:22.440 we need You 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.480 and we need Your Spirit 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:24.519 to empower us 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.279 to be gracious, 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:27.119 to be bold, 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.539 to bear witness, 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.879 and to hold fast. 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.420 Jesus, 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:32.859 thank You 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.519 that You complete 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:34.059 the good work 00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.720 that You start 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:36.180 and we can rely on You. 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.799 We pray this in Your name. 00:33:38.139 --> 00:33:38.359 Amen.