WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.500 Good morning, everybody. Good to see you all. Could you please turn your Bibles to John chapter 15. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:29.400 ! John chapter 15, that's page 1083. John chapter 15, we're going to start at verse 18. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:41.920 Just a little bit of context before Socrates comes to read it. Jesus is speaking these words on the night before he goes to die for us. 00:00:42.740 --> 00:00:57.760 And he speaks these words to his original apostles. Judas has left the room at this point. He's gone out to betray Jesus into the hands of the rulers, the chief priests. 00:00:57.759 --> 00:01:13.060 Matthias would later replace him some weeks later. Paul, we know, was later added to the number of the apostles after being called by Jesus in person on the Damascus Road. 00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:26.760 Now, these apostles, they had a very special, they had a unique role in the early church because they were the eyewitnesses of Jesus' life and his teaching. 00:01:26.760 --> 00:01:36.820 And he gave them a very special authority to speak his message to the world. 00:01:36.819 --> 00:01:43.599 And it was an authority that was to be obeyed. It laid the foundation for the church. 00:01:44.539 --> 00:01:48.259 And it was just for those few apostles. 00:01:48.260 --> 00:01:53.719 Their accounts were written down as authoritative scripture. 00:01:54.180 --> 00:01:55.700 And that's what we're reading today. 00:01:56.200 --> 00:02:02.300 That's the New Testament that we have. It was written by them or by people who walked with them and recorded what they said. 00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:09.979 So, we've got to know that because as we read these words today, Jesus is speaking these words directly to his apostles. 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:13.599 So there's some things that may not directly apply to us. 00:02:14.099 --> 00:02:24.699 But there is so much here that still does apply to all disciples of Christ in every age and us here today. 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:33.179 So what Jesus is doing, he's giving us a prior warning about something that's going to happen in the future. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:39.479 And it's something hard, which will happen in all of our lives as his disciples. 00:02:40.079 --> 00:02:42.739 Now, we all appreciate weather warnings, right? 00:02:44.019 --> 00:02:54.019 If a storm is coming, we'd much rather know about it than be caught in a flash flood on the Belay Road on the way home from work. 00:02:54.020 --> 00:02:57.700 Okay? Thank you, Matt Aaron, for weather warnings. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:03.700 A red weather warning may not be good news, but we need to hear it. 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:13.180 Well, Jesus is forewarning his disciples today about difficulty that is coming. 00:03:13.939 --> 00:03:18.560 So that when it happens, we'll understand why it's happening. 00:03:19.560 --> 00:03:22.840 And we won't fall away or give in. 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:26.140 So, listen for that warning. 00:03:26.200 --> 00:03:27.240 What is he going to warn us about? 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:30.960 Listen up for that as Socrates comes and reads. 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:32.060 Thanks, Socrates. 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:43.219 John chapter 15, verse 18. 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:49.159 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:53.780 If you belong to the world, it would love you as its own. 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:57.280 As it is, you do not belong to the world. 00:03:58.079 --> 00:04:00.039 But I have chosen you out of the world. 00:04:00.740 --> 00:04:02.240 That is why the world hates you. 00:04:03.419 --> 00:04:04.620 Remember what I told you. 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:07.920 A servant is not greater than his master. 00:04:07.920 --> 00:04:12.360 If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. 00:04:12.360 --> 00:04:16.920 If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:21.020 They will treat you this way because of my name. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:23.560 For they do not know the one who sent me. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:29.660 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:33.180 But now they have no excuse for their sin. 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:37.640 Whoever hates me hates my father as well. 00:04:38.640 --> 00:04:44.880 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. 00:04:45.940 --> 00:04:48.260 As it is, they have seen. 00:04:48.840 --> 00:04:52.020 And yet, they have hated both me and my father. 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:57.379 But this is to fulfill what is written in their law. 00:04:58.159 --> 00:04:59.740 They hated me without reason. 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:07.859 When the advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the father, 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:11.740 the spirit of truth, who goes out from the father, 00:05:12.359 --> 00:05:13.740 he will testify about me. 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:17.000 And you also must testify. 00:05:17.859 --> 00:05:21.099 For you have been with me from the beginning. 00:05:22.019 --> 00:05:26.419 All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 00:05:27.479 --> 00:05:29.000 They will put you out of the synagogue. 00:05:29.779 --> 00:05:36.659 In fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 00:05:37.639 --> 00:05:41.939 They will do such things because they have not known the father or me. 00:05:42.539 --> 00:05:46.319 I have told you this so that when their time comes, 00:05:46.719 --> 00:05:48.759 you will remember that I warned you about them. 00:05:52.019 --> 00:06:07.139 Well, as people, we all long to be accepted. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:09.359 We long to fit in. 00:06:10.359 --> 00:06:11.419 Just to belong. 00:06:11.979 --> 00:06:13.319 Whether it's our families, 00:06:14.539 --> 00:06:15.680 friendship groups, 00:06:15.959 --> 00:06:16.519 the workplace. 00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:18.740 We're always searching for our people. 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:21.719 The ones who will welcome us, 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:24.399 understand us, 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:26.199 accept us just for who we are. 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:29.240 And that's not a wrong desire to have. 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:33.500 But what Jesus says today is sobering. 00:06:33.500 --> 00:06:39.639 The world will hate you for bearing my name. 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:48.759 Now, the world here refers to people who are outside of God's rule and his reign. 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:49.959 And Jesus says, 00:06:49.959 --> 00:06:52.779 the world is going to undermine you, 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:54.899 overlook you, 00:06:55.859 --> 00:06:58.279 exclude you because of me. 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:01.959 You're going to be misunderstood by family members 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:06.719 just because you've chosen to give your life to Jesus. 00:07:08.079 --> 00:07:12.099 You're going to be excluded in different ways by classmates 00:07:12.099 --> 00:07:16.139 because you're choosing a life of obedience to him. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:18.939 And you're going to be criticized in the workplace 00:07:18.939 --> 00:07:21.620 for living a life of integrity 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:24.339 rather than selfish gain. 00:07:25.219 --> 00:07:27.039 Now, you may be painfully aware 00:07:27.039 --> 00:07:28.899 of how it feels 00:07:28.899 --> 00:07:30.860 to be rejected by people in the world. 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:32.519 I'm sure we could go around the room 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:33.919 and ask for stories. 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:36.199 We have hundreds of stories. 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:38.620 And in those moments, 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:40.939 it just feels easier, doesn't it, 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:43.000 to stay quiet 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:45.060 about Jesus. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:48.659 Or just compromise a little. 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:52.180 Or even just to give in 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:54.959 to whatever is happening around us. 00:07:57.279 --> 00:07:58.519 Two summers ago, 00:07:58.819 --> 00:08:00.599 I went to Poland 00:08:00.599 --> 00:08:02.879 visiting friends. 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:03.860 At their church, 00:08:03.919 --> 00:08:05.599 I got talking to a woman from Belarus. 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:08.899 And she began to tell me her story. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:12.500 She had fled her country 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:15.919 with her three-year-old daughter 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:17.080 just earlier that year. 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:20.660 Her husband 00:08:20.660 --> 00:08:23.340 had stood up for justice 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:24.259 and for truth 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:26.580 in the face of a corrupt government there. 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:29.160 And he'd been imprisoned. 00:08:30.160 --> 00:08:31.080 And he knew 00:08:31.080 --> 00:08:32.700 they'd come for her next. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:34.639 So he said, 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:35.300 you have to leave. 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:38.180 She fled across the border. 00:08:38.300 --> 00:08:39.240 Her little daughter was there, 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:40.980 was playing around her feet. 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:43.879 And your heart would go out for her. 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:45.539 You know, 00:08:45.940 --> 00:08:49.159 you think about the great cost 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:51.039 to that woman's life. 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:54.420 Just being married to this man. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:57.200 She'd been forced to leave her home, 00:08:57.840 --> 00:08:58.440 her family, 00:08:58.580 --> 00:08:59.399 everything she knew. 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:02.740 And all because she bears his name. 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:05.399 Would she resent him? 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:09.100 Or somewhere deep inside, 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:09.720 just wondering, 00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:12.199 what if I'd married someone else? 00:09:14.679 --> 00:09:15.299 No. 00:09:15.939 --> 00:09:17.819 She was resolute. 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.480 She could cope 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:20.220 with the hatred 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:21.720 of her government 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:22.399 and people 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:24.539 for the sake 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:25.579 of her husband. 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:28.100 In fact, 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:30.420 despite the great costs, 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:32.820 she counted it 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:34.200 an even greater privilege 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:34.840 to be married 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:35.520 to that man. 00:09:36.400 --> 00:09:37.360 A man who would stand up 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:38.139 against evil 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:39.200 and oppression. 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:39.600 You see, 00:09:39.680 --> 00:09:40.420 there were two things 00:09:40.420 --> 00:09:41.379 side by side. 00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:42.960 There was a great cost 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:44.759 and there was 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:46.720 great privilege. 00:09:48.800 --> 00:09:49.620 And I think 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:50.960 that's just a little glimpse 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:52.540 of what Jesus 00:09:52.540 --> 00:09:53.900 is telling us about here. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:55.480 About our lives 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:56.720 as his disciples. 00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:57.019 You see, 00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.379 Jesus says 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.519 we are his bride. 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:02.580 And he is 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:03.740 our bridegroom. 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:05.080 We are united to him 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:05.820 in his life, 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:06.200 death, 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:06.960 resurrection. 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:08.159 Everything he has, 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:09.379 he shares with us. 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:11.879 And yet, 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:13.440 Jesus is up front 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:15.360 about the cost, 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:17.240 the great cost 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:20.399 of bearing his name. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:21.879 The world 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:23.580 will hate you. 00:10:23.580 --> 00:10:26.240 they will persecute 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:28.400 you because of me. 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:31.000 Yet also, 00:10:32.160 --> 00:10:34.440 what a great privilege 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:35.940 alongside the cost. 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:38.060 Because, 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:40.480 you will testify 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:41.379 about me, 00:10:41.580 --> 00:10:42.220 Jesus says. 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:44.060 And many will believe. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:46.240 Being rescued out of this world 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.780 just as you were, 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:49.540 there is great cost. 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:53.199 there is great privilege. 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:55.299 This word is to comfort 00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:55.980 those of us 00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:57.059 who felt the pain 00:10:57.059 --> 00:10:57.919 of the world's rejection. 00:11:00.079 --> 00:11:01.500 It's also to challenge 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.099 those of us 00:11:02.099 --> 00:11:02.740 who haven't. 00:11:04.219 --> 00:11:05.139 And I've been afraid 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:06.759 to stand up for Jesus 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:07.939 and count that cost. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.899 Would you pray with me 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:11.159 that we would listen 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:12.039 and hear 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:13.559 what Jesus has to say? 00:11:14.319 --> 00:11:14.959 Let's pray. 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:17.280 Lord Jesus, 00:11:17.420 --> 00:11:18.519 we belong to you. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:20.040 We bear 00:11:20.040 --> 00:11:21.240 your name. 00:11:23.560 --> 00:11:24.560 And you are up front 00:11:24.560 --> 00:11:25.720 today with the cost 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:26.300 of that. 00:11:27.420 --> 00:11:28.240 Comfort us 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:30.420 and strengthen us 00:11:30.420 --> 00:11:32.400 as we stand 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:33.400 for you. 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:35.900 And encourage us 00:11:35.900 --> 00:11:37.920 with the privilege 00:11:37.920 --> 00:11:38.620 that it is 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.320 to be known 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:40.200 as yours. 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:42.080 Holy Spirit, 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:42.680 speak now 00:11:42.680 --> 00:11:43.720 into the deepest places 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:44.879 of our hearts. 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:45.960 Would you convict us 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:47.460 where we need 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:48.160 to be convicted 00:11:48.160 --> 00:11:48.759 of sin? 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:50.960 And comfort us 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:52.200 where we need comfort. 00:11:52.540 --> 00:11:53.540 In Jesus' name. 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:54.820 Amen. 00:11:56.960 --> 00:11:57.920 So first, 00:11:58.340 --> 00:12:01.120 the great cost. 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:02.820 You will be hated 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:04.379 by the world. 00:12:05.300 --> 00:12:06.100 Jesus gives us 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:06.860 three reasons 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:09.139 why we're hated 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:09.700 by the world 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:11.300 so that we can understand 00:12:11.300 --> 00:12:12.360 what is happening 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:12.779 to us 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:13.579 when it happens. 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.459 And the first reason 00:12:14.459 --> 00:12:15.399 why we're hated 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:16.019 by the world 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:17.459 is that the world 00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:18.259 rejects those 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:19.539 who are not part of it. 00:12:19.699 --> 00:12:20.879 Have a look in verse 19. 00:12:22.839 --> 00:12:23.699 Chapter 15, 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:24.939 verse 19. 00:12:25.079 --> 00:12:25.519 Jesus says, 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:26.539 If you belong 00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:27.179 to the world, 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:28.600 it would love you 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:29.199 as its own. 00:12:30.579 --> 00:12:31.299 As it is, 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:32.720 you do not belong 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:33.279 to the world. 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:34.879 But I have chosen you 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.240 out of the world. 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:37.199 That is why 00:12:37.199 --> 00:12:38.360 the world hates you. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.440 Now, 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:41.379 we know it's easy 00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:42.039 to earn 00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:43.080 the world's love 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:43.580 and acceptance. 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.560 Just agree 00:12:46.560 --> 00:12:47.120 with what everyone 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:48.080 else believes. 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:50.060 Just do what 00:12:50.060 --> 00:12:51.019 everyone else does. 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:53.460 So if a friend 00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:54.000 is sharing 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:55.360 some juicy gossip, 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.259 just get stuck in. 00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.919 If your colleagues 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:01.120 are affirming 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.360 a sexual ethic 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.300 you know is wrong, 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:06.719 just nod along 00:13:06.719 --> 00:13:07.819 with everyone else 00:13:07.819 --> 00:13:08.500 and stay quiet. 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:11.000 If your college friends 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:12.799 are having one drink 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:13.359 too many 00:13:13.359 --> 00:13:14.479 on a night out, 00:13:14.819 --> 00:13:15.059 well, 00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:18.139 just order another drink 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.240 and be able to laugh 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.059 about it the next day. 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:22.059 If your peer group 00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:23.639 are spending excessively 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:24.559 on their own pleasures, 00:13:25.079 --> 00:13:27.339 just do the same. 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:28.079 You can compare 00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:28.639 what you bought. 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:29.359 Listen, 00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:30.699 the world's acceptance 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:32.579 is so easy to earn. 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:35.879 But Jesus says, 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.879 you do not belong 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.620 to the world. 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:38.879 I've chosen you 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.659 out of the world 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:42.339 to belong to me. 00:13:43.599 --> 00:13:44.399 Colossians says this, 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:45.099 the Father 00:13:45.099 --> 00:13:46.979 has rescued us 00:13:46.979 --> 00:13:48.159 from the dominion 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:48.740 of darkness 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:50.259 and brought us 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.259 into the kingdom 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.899 of his Son. 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:55.779 You know, 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:56.939 Jesus says it straight 00:13:56.939 --> 00:13:57.819 in John chapter 8. 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.099 He says, 00:13:58.099 --> 00:13:59.379 before you were chosen 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.059 and adopted 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:02.279 by God the Father, 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.699 you belonged 00:14:03.699 --> 00:14:04.480 to your father, 00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:05.259 the devil, 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.740 and you wanted 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.539 to carry out 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:09.339 his desires, 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.639 you were enslaved 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:11.500 to whatever 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.819 he wanted you to do. 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.899 That describes 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.519 all people 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:15.339 in the world 00:14:15.339 --> 00:14:16.899 outside of Christ. 00:14:17.459 --> 00:14:18.419 But now, 00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:20.439 God has chosen 00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:21.539 you to be free 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:23.480 from your slavery 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.759 to sin 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:26.279 and to the crooked 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.279 belief systems 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:28.139 of this world, 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:30.240 and the second 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.120 that you or I 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:31.939 stand up 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.899 against that tide 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.960 of popular opinion, 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:36.620 we're going to 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.319 unsettle people 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:37.899 around us. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:38.600 It's just going 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:38.980 to happen. 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:40.960 Nobody wants 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:41.699 to be challenged. 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:43.500 Nobody wants 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:44.279 to be confronted 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.600 in their sin. 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:46.580 Light 00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:48.039 exposes 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:48.980 darkness. 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.419 You will be hated 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:52.100 in various 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.879 different ways. 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:53.980 If you belong 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.460 to them 00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:54.939 and do what 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:55.600 they wanted you 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:55.899 to do, 00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:56.600 they just love 00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:57.439 you as their 00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:57.720 own, 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:58.799 but as it is, 00:14:59.000 --> 00:14:59.919 you've been 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:00.639 chosen out 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.100 of the world. 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.159 That's the first 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:02.919 thing Jesus 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.579 wants to say. 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:03.899 Now, 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.819 question for us. 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.120 Do we live 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:09.759 as if we still 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.559 belong to the world? 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.139 Like, 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:13.519 practically speaking? 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.079 Do your words, 00:15:16.199 --> 00:15:16.539 actions, 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:16.980 or beliefs 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:17.639 ever challenge 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.399 people around you? 00:15:19.579 --> 00:15:20.519 I'm not talking 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.139 about deliberately 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:22.079 provoking people. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:25.879 And, 00:15:26.040 --> 00:15:27.000 to be fair, 00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:28.200 I can think 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:28.680 about times 00:15:28.680 --> 00:15:29.080 when I have 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:29.759 provoked people 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.340 in a way 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:30.780 that was just 00:15:30.780 --> 00:15:31.100 wrong. 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:33.740 And there are 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.300 people in Ireland 00:15:34.300 --> 00:15:34.980 in recent years, 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:35.259 even, 00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:35.700 you know, 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.320 on the news, 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:37.940 who have stood 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:38.620 for right 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.660 biblical principles, 00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.940 but without 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.759 any gentleness 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:43.420 or respect 00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:44.660 for people 00:15:44.660 --> 00:15:44.980 who held 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:45.420 the opposing 00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:45.740 view. 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:48.120 And here's 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.480 what Peter 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:48.780 says, 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.060 he's one 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:49.240 of the 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:49.560 apostles. 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:52.299 I see 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:52.459 you don't 00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:52.759 have it up 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:52.899 there. 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:53.839 He says, 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:54.739 always be 00:15:54.739 --> 00:15:56.159 prepared to 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:56.599 give an 00:15:56.599 --> 00:15:57.159 answer to 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:57.739 everyone who 00:15:57.739 --> 00:15:58.359 asks you 00:15:58.359 --> 00:15:59.199 to give 00:15:59.199 --> 00:15:59.659 the reason 00:15:59.659 --> 00:15:59.979 for the 00:15:59.979 --> 00:16:00.319 hope you 00:16:00.319 --> 00:16:00.559 have. 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:00.839 Okay? 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:01.679 Always be 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.079 ready to 00:16:02.079 --> 00:16:02.500 say, 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.099 to speak 00:16:03.099 --> 00:16:03.579 for Jesus. 00:16:04.739 --> 00:16:05.199 But, 00:16:05.319 --> 00:16:05.799 he says, 00:16:06.359 --> 00:16:06.819 do this 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:07.639 with gentleness 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:08.679 and respect, 00:16:09.619 --> 00:16:10.699 keeping a 00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:12.379 clear conscience 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:15.159 so that 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:15.599 those who 00:16:15.599 --> 00:16:16.699 speak maliciously 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.500 against your 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.259 good behavior 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:18.779 in Christ 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.339 may be 00:16:19.339 --> 00:16:20.220 ashamed of 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:20.379 their 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:20.759 slander. 00:16:22.199 --> 00:16:22.439 So, 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:22.839 if people 00:16:22.839 --> 00:16:23.240 have hated 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.720 you because 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.199 you've shown 00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:24.839 them zero 00:16:24.839 --> 00:16:26.559 respect or 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:28.259 kindness and 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:28.779 how you've 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:29.339 spoken to 00:16:29.339 --> 00:16:29.699 them about 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:30.000 Jesus, 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.240 well, 00:16:30.319 --> 00:16:31.000 that is not 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.639 persecution. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:32.399 That is 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:32.759 something to 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.339 repent of. 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.000 Jesus is 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.600 calling us 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.740 to truly 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.620 live out 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.659 his way 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.559 and his 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:41.179 message with 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:41.799 gentleness 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:43.419 and respect. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:44.819 So, 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.120 that's the 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:45.579 first thing. 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.339 The world 00:16:46.339 --> 00:16:46.879 will hate 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:48.620 you because 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:49.320 it rejects 00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:49.700 those who 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:50.220 don't belong 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:50.639 to it. 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:51.559 The next 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:52.220 reason Jesus 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:52.700 gives us 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.059 for why 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.360 the world 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.039 hates us 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:56.559 is the 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:57.120 world hates 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:59.059 Jesus and 00:16:59.059 --> 00:16:59.539 you bear 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.080 his name. 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:01.720 Have a look 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.299 at verse 18 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:02.679 with me. 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.019 If the 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.559 world hates 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:05.819 you, 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.500 Jesus says, 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:06.980 keep in 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.319 mind, 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:08.200 it hated 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.920 me first. 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.559 Verse 20, 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:13.000 remember what 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.599 I told you, 00:17:14.139 --> 00:17:14.720 a servant 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.319 is not 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:15.819 greater than 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.319 his master. 00:17:16.899 --> 00:17:17.299 If they 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:17.879 persecuted 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:18.259 me, 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:19.679 they will 00:17:19.679 --> 00:17:20.299 persecute 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.000 you also. 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.299 Verse 21, 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.559 they will 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.079 treat you 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:26.740 this way 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:29.480 because of 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.639 my name. 00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:34.740 The great 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.299 cost of 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:35.559 bearing 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:35.940 Jesus' 00:17:36.179 --> 00:17:36.519 name is 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:36.899 that as 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:37.720 people hated 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.179 him, 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.359 so they 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:39.740 will hate 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.319 us. 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:42.620 And Jesus 00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:42.980 is hated 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.319 by the 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:43.759 world because 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.019 he confronts 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:45.779 it head 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.059 on. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:46.640 He shows 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.059 up the 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.000 values and 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.759 priorities of 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.339 this world 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.319 as darkness, 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.519 as evil. 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.620 Jesus throws 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.240 out all our 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:54.720 attempts to 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.440 save ourselves. 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:57.079 He is 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.559 starkly honest 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.559 about our 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.359 sin-stained 00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:01.420 hurts that 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:01.740 we cannot 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.099 mend. 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:03.859 Jesus claims 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.180 that his 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.640 work on the 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.319 cross is 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:05.779 actually the 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.700 only way 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:08.140 that any 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:08.620 of us 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.120 could be 00:18:09.120 --> 00:18:09.500 forgiven. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:11.039 are made 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:12.099 whole and 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.480 made right 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:12.980 with God. 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:14.640 And Jesus 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.140 demands 00:18:15.140 --> 00:18:15.819 humility, 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.079 repentance, 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:19.180 and total 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:19.980 submission to 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.220 him as 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:21.579 Lord. 00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:22.440 He calls 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:22.740 us to 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.660 come empty 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.200 handed to 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:26.519 him to 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.240 receive his 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.019 full salvation. 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:28.339 Now, 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:31.039 that message 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.059 offends. 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.819 It offends 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:35.000 our proud 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.559 hearts. 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.099 And not 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:37.440 only does 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:37.940 Jesus say 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.160 that. 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.160 He condemns 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:39.900 our selfish 00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:41.100 individualistic 00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:41.660 values, 00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:42.539 which place 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.460 personal gain 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.340 over the 00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:44.700 needs of 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:44.980 others. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.019 He calls 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.299 us to 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.019 radical love 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:47.940 and to 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.360 give away 00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:48.840 our lives 00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:49.240 for others. 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.860 No wonder 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:53.140 Jesus is 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:53.700 hated by the 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:53.960 world. 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:56.960 And you 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:57.299 can be 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:57.539 sure, 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.660 if the 00:18:58.660 --> 00:18:59.160 world hates 00:18:59.160 --> 00:18:59.600 Jesus' 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.779 way of 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:01.059 living, 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:02.720 and his 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.160 message, 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:03.840 then they're 00:19:03.840 --> 00:19:04.160 going to 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:04.820 hate us 00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:05.540 as we 00:19:05.540 --> 00:19:07.519 reflect his 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:07.980 way of 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:08.480 living and 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:09.140 his message. 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.320 As Jesus 00:19:10.320 --> 00:19:10.660 says, 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:11.420 a servant 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:11.860 is not 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:12.340 greater than 00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:12.800 his master. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:13.820 If they 00:19:13.820 --> 00:19:14.400 persecuted 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:14.820 me, 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.240 they will 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.779 persecute 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.380 you also. 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:17.980 Now, 00:19:18.040 --> 00:19:18.380 hold on. 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.040 We can 00:19:19.040 --> 00:19:19.640 avoid it, 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.100 all right? 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:21.820 We can. 00:19:24.560 --> 00:19:25.180 We can 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.720 water down 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.240 the message. 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.560 We can 00:19:29.560 --> 00:19:30.580 hide who 00:19:30.580 --> 00:19:30.960 we truly 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.259 are. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:33.740 we can 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.400 skip over 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:36.059 the more 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.099 offensive 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:38.379 parts of 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:38.839 the gospel. 00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.279 We can 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:42.660 omit to 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.160 tell people 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.720 we belong 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.200 to Jesus. 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:44.680 We can 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.400 avoid 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:46.779 the rejection, 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.579 but that's 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.599 not what 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.240 Jesus has 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.940 called us 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.299 to do. 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.000 Now, 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.339 there is a 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:54.980 massive comfort 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.700 for you and 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.119 me in this. 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.420 You see, 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.799 our bridegroom 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.180 Jesus, 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.099 he's walked 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.480 the path 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.079 ahead of us. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.519 He's 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.000 experienced 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.920 hatred and 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.420 rejection to 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:04.759 a depth 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:05.960 that none 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.299 of us will 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:06.660 ever know. 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:08.400 He's saying 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:08.900 to you 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:09.799 and to I 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.079 today, 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.000 I've been 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.400 there. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.579 I know 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.000 what it 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.980 feels like 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.720 to have 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.859 vicious lies 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.519 spread about 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:16.859 me, 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:19.039 to be 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.420 hated 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:19.900 without 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.680 cause, 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:21.680 betrayed, 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.539 deserted 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.359 by friends, 00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:24.259 condemned 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.559 though 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:25.059 innocent, 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.579 nailed to 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.240 a cross 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.740 by the 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.140 ones I 00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:29.539 came to 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:29.920 rescue. 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:30.920 I was 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.299 scared, 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.279 I was 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:32.619 alone, 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.379 I know 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:33.920 how you 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.460 feel and 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.099 I'm with 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:36.319 you when 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:36.879 the world 00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:38.139 hates you. 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.420 Take 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.379 comfort. 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:44.940 your savior 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.500 is with 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.760 you as 00:20:46.760 --> 00:20:46.880 you 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:47.600 experience 00:20:47.600 --> 00:20:48.300 hatred. 00:20:50.040 --> 00:20:50.780 So that's 00:20:50.780 --> 00:20:51.120 the second 00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:51.620 reason why 00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:52.040 we bear, 00:20:53.040 --> 00:20:53.700 why we 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.600 experience 00:20:54.600 --> 00:20:54.940 hatred. 00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:55.540 We bear 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:58.059 Jesus' name. There's one last quick reason 00:20:58.059 --> 00:21:01.559 the world doesn't know who God really is. 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:04.619 Have a look at verse 21. Jesus says, 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:08.339 They will treat you this way because of my name. 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:12.700 For they do not know the one 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:15.619 who sent me. He says it again actually in 16 00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:18.839 and verse 3. Now the world 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:22.720 hates Jesus because 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:25.740 they don't realize who God is. 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:29.920 They don't recognize that Jesus is the fullness 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:32.579 of God. That he is the radiance of the Father. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.940 And we read earlier 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:39.019 verses 22 to 25. And what Jesus was saying 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:41.799 there is that Jesus came speaking 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:44.819 his Father's words, doing 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:47.740 his Father's works, and still 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:51.779 people rejected him and reject him today. 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:54.420 Now all of those things are more than enough 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:56.360 to convince them that he is God. 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:59.019 And that they need to be reconciled to him. 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:01.660 But people still 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:04.279 reject Jesus. And for this 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:06.400 there is no excuse. 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:10.460 Their long foretold hatred of Jesus 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:12.819 is 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:15.140 hatred of the Father 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:17.140 who does his work through Jesus. 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:19.960 So why does the world 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:21.240 hate Jesus' followers? 00:22:22.280 --> 00:22:23.759 Well another reason why is because 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:25.200 they just can't see who God is. 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.120 They just don't recognize 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:29.560 who God is. 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:32.420 And Jesus tells us elsewhere 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.100 to pray 00:22:33.100 --> 00:22:34.460 for our enemies. 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:38.360 What we can do in this situation 00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:38.740 is this. 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:40.060 We can pray 00:22:40.060 --> 00:22:42.720 for people in the world 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:44.120 that God would 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:45.460 open their eyes 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.180 to see 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:47.460 who God is. 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:50.000 That Christ really is 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.740 God and Savior. 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:53.660 If God can do that for us 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:55.620 then God can do that for them. 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:57.360 So instead of our natural instinct 00:22:57.360 --> 00:22:58.000 of 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:59.779 hating back 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:01.380 those who hate us 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:03.940 we can actually pray 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:05.500 for those who reject us. 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.680 And God 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:09.180 just like he did 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:10.900 when he opened our eyes 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:12.720 to see who Christ is 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.820 God can do the same 00:23:13.820 --> 00:23:15.880 for those who persecute us. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.080 So 00:23:17.080 --> 00:23:18.980 we pray for them. 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.460 So that is 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:23.620 those are some of the reasons 00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:24.640 Jesus gives us 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.340 for why 00:23:25.340 --> 00:23:26.799 we are going to bear 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.640 the cost 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:28.700 of being hated. 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:31.900 But we can't leave this text 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:32.500 without seeing 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:34.160 the great privilege 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.660 we have 00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.880 as those who bear his name. 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:38.460 It's not just the cost 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:40.500 Jesus tells us 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.279 about the privilege 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:43.539 and here it is. 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:46.279 We will testify 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.140 about Jesus 00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:49.480 and people 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.900 are going to listen 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:52.500 and they're going to believe 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:54.220 and they're going to be rescued 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.120 just as we were. 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.779 Look at verse 26. 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.840 Listen for the role 00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.759 Jesus gives us. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:03.519 When the advocate comes 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:05.360 whom I will send to you 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:06.039 from the Father 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:07.700 the Spirit of Truth 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.279 who goes out 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.960 from the Father 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:10.840 he will testify 00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:11.539 about me 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:13.980 and you also 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.920 must testify 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:18.120 for you've been with me 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:19.220 from the beginning. 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.980 Okay, so Jesus 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.720 is giving us the role 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.980 of testifying to him. 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.779 Match that with verse 20. 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:24.380 Have a look at that. 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.519 Remember what I told you? 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.880 A servant is not greater 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:29.519 than his master. 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.660 If they persecuted me 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:33.620 they will persecute you 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:34.140 also. 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:36.180 If they obeyed 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.160 my teaching 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:39.280 they will obey 00:24:39.280 --> 00:24:40.000 yours 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:41.040 also. 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:44.580 Now the apostles 00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:45.640 had the authority 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:47.300 to say 00:24:47.300 --> 00:24:48.660 what Jesus' message 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.380 was 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.080 from day one 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:51.120 and to be obeyed 00:24:51.120 --> 00:24:52.220 as if Christ 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.440 were speaking. 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.940 We 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.980 have authority 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:58.380 from the 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:58.820 King 00:24:58.820 --> 00:24:59.680 of Kings 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:01.220 to speak 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:02.160 this message 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:02.720 of Christ 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.840 handed down 00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.500 by the apostles 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:06.720 to the whole world. 00:25:08.080 --> 00:25:08.580 We 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:10.600 are his ambassadors 00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:12.259 and our job 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:13.519 is to speak 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.140 about Jesus 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.900 not in our own strength 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:18.019 in the power 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:19.860 of the Holy Spirit 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:20.640 whom he has sent 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.580 upon all 00:25:21.580 --> 00:25:22.560 believers. 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.560 Now 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:25.860 to be an ambassador 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.600 for a king 00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:28.140 or a president 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.600 that's a pretty big deal. 00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:31.860 That's an honor 00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:32.920 to be asked. 00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:34.280 Imagine now 00:25:34.280 --> 00:25:35.140 if you got a phone call 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:36.220 from Micheal Martin 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.120 in the morning 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:38.840 calling you up 00:25:38.840 --> 00:25:41.060 to be his ambassador 00:25:41.060 --> 00:25:42.120 to the United States 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.600 of America. 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.620 You will be sent 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.320 to Washington 00:25:45.320 --> 00:25:47.080 to speak 00:25:47.080 --> 00:25:48.759 his words 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.940 on his behalf. 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.580 What a massive 00:25:51.580 --> 00:25:52.640 privilege and responsibility 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.259 that would be. 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.660 We've been given 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.920 something immeasurably 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.720 greater. 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.680 The king of kings 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:03.360 has entrusted 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.759 his message 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.720 to us. 00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:08.240 And it's not a message 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.279 about trade agreements 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.560 or foreign policy. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.860 It's the greatest message 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.380 that the world 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:14.240 has ever heard. 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.740 It's a message 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.740 that guilty sinners 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.560 can be forgiven. 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.920 That rebels 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:21.320 can become 00:26:21.320 --> 00:26:22.460 children of God. 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:24.019 That slaves 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.700 to sin 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.539 can be released. 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:26.860 That death 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.420 is defeated. 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:29.060 That Jesus Christ 00:26:29.060 --> 00:26:29.640 is Lord. 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:30.880 That everyone 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:31.740 who believes 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.680 in his name 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.500 will receive 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.640 eternal life. 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:36.440 No ambassador 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.100 has ever 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:38.840 carried a message 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:39.960 more important 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:41.700 or life 00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:42.600 transforming 00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:43.779 than that. 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:44.980 Can you see 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:46.060 the privilege 00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:46.660 we have 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:48.360 of carrying 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.560 this message 00:26:49.560 --> 00:26:50.660 but not just 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.380 to carry it. 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:54.340 that God 00:26:54.340 --> 00:26:54.780 would have 00:26:54.780 --> 00:26:55.060 us 00:26:55.060 --> 00:26:55.700 play 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:57.300 a part 00:26:57.300 --> 00:26:58.380 in the 00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:58.900 salvation 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.620 of others. 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.640 Many of you 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:02.360 have experienced 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:02.780 this. 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:03.200 Maybe you're 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:03.780 a parent 00:27:03.780 --> 00:27:05.440 whose child 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:05.920 has come 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.460 to Jesus 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.960 for life. 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:10.100 You had 00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:10.580 the amazing 00:27:10.580 --> 00:27:11.200 privilege 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.540 of telling them 00:27:12.540 --> 00:27:13.340 about Jesus 00:27:13.340 --> 00:27:15.000 over many years. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.099 things. 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:17.940 Maybe you had 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.339 the privilege 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:18.839 of inviting 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.440 a friend 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.599 to a youth 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:21.059 group 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.700 or to church 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.180 on a Sunday 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:23.619 morning 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:25.539 and speaking 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:25.920 with them 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.579 about Christ 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:26.980 and now 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.380 they know 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:28.140 him themselves. 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.140 For most 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:31.680 of us though 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:33.680 we don't even 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.059 know 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:35.279 the impact 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.779 of our words 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.240 and actions 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.500 yet. 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.700 Often 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.180 we don't 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.799 see the fruit. 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:41.079 We don't know 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.539 what God 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.099 has been doing 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:43.059 behind the scenes 00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:43.659 and in many 00:27:43.659 --> 00:27:44.379 cases we won't 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:44.779 know until 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.119 heaven. 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.279 And I think 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.639 there are going 00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:48.220 to be many 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.740 wonderful 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.519 surprises there. 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:52.859 I think 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.240 we will be 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.960 meeting people 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.559 who we lost 00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:55.059 touch with 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:56.039 years ago 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:58.659 and they'll 00:27:58.659 --> 00:27:58.899 say, 00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.379 do you remember 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.159 that conversation 00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:00.720 you had with 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:00.960 me? 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.879 When you 00:28:03.879 --> 00:28:04.799 shared Jesus 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.460 with me? 00:28:06.179 --> 00:28:06.419 Or do you 00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:06.799 remember that 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:08.519 time that you 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:08.960 showed me 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.720 that act of 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.139 love that was 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:12.099 just incredible? 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:14.759 we may have 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.139 thought very 00:28:15.139 --> 00:28:15.720 little of it. 00:28:17.159 --> 00:28:17.700 But God 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.700 used our 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.319 words about 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:21.039 Christ and 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.960 our acts 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:23.399 of love as 00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:24.859 stepping stones 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.460 that led 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.359 them to 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.399 saving faith 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:28.440 in Christ. 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:29.960 All the 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:31.539 glory goes 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.460 to God. 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:35.259 How amazing 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:37.119 that he would 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:38.399 involve us, 00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:40.539 little us, 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:42.399 and his 00:28:42.399 --> 00:28:43.720 work of 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.740 saving people. 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:45.779 Can I ask 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.240 you to think 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.899 about 100 00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:47.460 years from 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:47.700 now? 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:50.839 What is 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.240 going to 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:51.799 matter more 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.240 than that? 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:57.980 You could 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.200 have a 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.579 successful 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.039 career, 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.240 travel the 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.480 world, 00:29:00.899 --> 00:29:01.740 enjoy family 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.420 and friends. 00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:03.399 What wonderful 00:29:03.399 --> 00:29:03.859 things. 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.960 Amazing gifts 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.420 from God. 00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:07.840 God, what 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.720 greater 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.840 privilege 00:29:09.840 --> 00:29:10.880 could you 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:12.500 have than 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.140 to play a 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:14.019 real part in 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.700 someone else's 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.500 rescue story? 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.779 How they 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.660 were transferred 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.340 from the 00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:19.840 kingdom of 00:29:19.840 --> 00:29:21.460 darkness into 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.460 the kingdom 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.180 of the sun. 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.360 How they 00:29:25.360 --> 00:29:26.220 are now safe 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:26.779 in Jesus' 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:28.340 arms forever. 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.860 What else 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:30.320 could matter 00:29:30.320 --> 00:29:30.800 more than 00:29:30.800 --> 00:29:31.180 that? 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.400 Brothers and 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:34.759 sisters, 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.880 two things. 00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.259 standing side 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:37.820 by side. 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.680 A great 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.340 cost. 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.300 Being hated 00:29:42.300 --> 00:29:42.680 by the 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:42.940 world. 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.480 A great 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.620 privilege. 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:48.640 Being 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.220 witnesses 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.480 to Christ 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:50.940 in the 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.220 world. 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.720 I have one 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.120 last 00:29:57.120 --> 00:29:57.779 application. 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.660 What if 00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:01.920 you've been 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.480 listening to 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.240 this whole 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.740 thing and 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.180 thinking to 00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:04.660 yourself, 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:07.640 I don't 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.480 experience any 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.400 rejection or 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:09.900 hatred in 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.240 the world. 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:13.019 I just 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.240 don't 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.880 experience any 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:15.240 pushback or 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.180 awkward silences 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:17.480 or discomfort 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.279 because I'm a 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.600 Christian. 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:23.120 And if that's 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:23.460 true, 00:30:23.840 --> 00:30:24.220 Jesus' 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.160 words here 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:26.920 invite us to 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:27.880 examine ourselves 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:28.800 seriously this 00:30:28.800 --> 00:30:29.080 morning. 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:31.859 because the 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:32.299 more that we 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:32.799 speak his 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.379 words and 00:30:33.379 --> 00:30:33.759 do his 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.079 works, 00:30:34.199 --> 00:30:35.159 people will 00:30:35.159 --> 00:30:35.839 be challenged. 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:36.619 They will 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:37.419 be unsettled. 00:30:37.899 --> 00:30:38.299 Not because 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:39.319 we're argumentative 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.059 or insensitive, 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:40.659 but because 00:30:40.659 --> 00:30:41.919 light exposes 00:30:41.919 --> 00:30:42.439 darkness. 00:30:47.399 --> 00:30:47.980 And this 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.460 passage has 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:48.960 challenged me 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:49.480 personally. 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.599 I'm thinking 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.639 about some of 00:30:51.639 --> 00:30:51.980 the friendships 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.619 I have. 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.139 Wondering, 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:56.480 even after 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:56.940 years of 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.340 knowing these 00:30:57.340 --> 00:30:57.740 people, 00:30:58.060 --> 00:30:58.440 do they 00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.200 even know 00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.620 the most 00:30:59.620 --> 00:31:00.300 important thing 00:31:00.300 --> 00:31:00.720 about me? 00:31:03.540 --> 00:31:04.140 Do they 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:04.860 realize Jesus 00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:05.280 is the Lord 00:31:05.280 --> 00:31:05.860 of my life? 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.820 Because if 00:31:09.820 --> 00:31:10.180 they don't, 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:10.620 they deserve 00:31:10.620 --> 00:31:11.020 to know. 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.020 I'm not 00:31:13.020 --> 00:31:13.400 saying that we 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:13.800 have to turn 00:31:13.800 --> 00:31:14.700 every conversation 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.620 into a three-point 00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:16.220 summary of the 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.560 gospel. 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:16.639 gospel. 00:31:18.879 --> 00:31:19.899 But we do 00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:20.559 need to ask 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.019 ourselves, 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:23.159 have we been 00:31:23.159 --> 00:31:23.819 too quiet 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.480 about the 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:24.960 reason for 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.419 our hope? 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:27.879 Have we 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.480 just gone 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:29.220 along with 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.359 sinful talk 00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:30.819 and attitudes? 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.819 Have we 00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.179 been more 00:31:34.179 --> 00:31:34.759 concerned about 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.460 acceptance 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:37.019 than speaking 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.819 openly about 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:38.319 Christ, 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.639 which may 00:31:40.639 --> 00:31:41.000 not go 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.539 down well? 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.099 I get it, 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:44.799 it's hard, 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:46.879 but there's 00:31:46.879 --> 00:31:47.639 this disconnect 00:31:47.639 --> 00:31:48.960 between the 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.599 disciple of 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.419 Christ we're 00:31:50.419 --> 00:31:51.059 claiming to 00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.879 be on the 00:31:51.879 --> 00:31:52.339 one hand 00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:54.220 and the 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:54.779 disciple that 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.740 Christ asks 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.220 us to be 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.460 on the 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:56.680 other. 00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.539 James, 00:31:59.659 --> 00:32:00.079 the brother 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:01.139 of Jesus, 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:01.839 says this 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.139 in his 00:32:02.139 --> 00:32:02.399 letter. 00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:05.359 He says, 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:05.899 don't you 00:32:05.899 --> 00:32:06.399 know that 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:07.159 friendship with 00:32:07.159 --> 00:32:07.659 the world 00:32:07.659 --> 00:32:08.700 means enmity 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.539 against God? 00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:11.700 Therefore, 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.240 anyone who 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.919 chooses to be 00:32:12.919 --> 00:32:13.359 a friend of 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:13.700 the world 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.419 becomes an 00:32:14.419 --> 00:32:14.779 enemy of 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.279 God. 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:15.879 That's what 00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:16.519 James says. 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.680 That's 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.220 serious. 00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:20.559 That is 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:21.519 disobedience to 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:21.940 Christ. 00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:27.660 And for 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.579 this and 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.619 every other 00:32:29.619 --> 00:32:30.139 sin, 00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:30.940 Christ was 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:32.259 nailed to 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.899 the cross. 00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:37.259 There is 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:38.180 time for 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:38.579 us to 00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:38.920 repent. 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:41.259 We can 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:41.779 come to 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.500 Jesus today 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.500 God's 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:43.500 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.240 We can 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:46.200 that we 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:46.819 have not 00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:47.319 stood up 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:47.700 for him. 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.900 That we 00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:50.299 have feared 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:50.680 more what 00:32:50.680 --> 00:32:51.220 the world 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:51.779 thinks of 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:53.400 us than 00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:53.940 what he 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:55.079 thinks of 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:55.380 us. 00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:59.220 We can 00:32:59.220 --> 00:32:59.599 come to 00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:00.000 God now 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.299 and we 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:00.700 can ask 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.339 for new 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:01.900 strength 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:04.039 to count 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:04.720 the cost 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.440 of the 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:05.839 world's 00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:06.119 hatred, 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:07.559 to take 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:07.980 it on. 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.399 And to 00:33:11.399 --> 00:33:13.179 remember the 00:33:13.179 --> 00:33:13.859 awesome 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:14.519 privilege we 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:16.500 have of 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:16.980 being his 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.819 ambassadors and 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.379 standing for 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:19.519 him. 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:19.879 That is 00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:20.480 something we 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:21.379 will never 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.659 in a million 00:33:22.659 --> 00:33:23.159 years in 00:33:23.159 --> 00:33:23.940 heaven regret. 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.200 it. 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:26.200 Let us 00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.900 pray. 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.820 Thank you 00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:37.360 Lord Jesus 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.840 for walking 00:33:38.840 --> 00:33:40.200 the road of 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:40.980 hatred before 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.380 us. 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:44.019 The world 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:44.580 hated you 00:33:44.580 --> 00:33:46.740 first and 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.200 you did 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.980 not fall 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:48.340 away. 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.360 You 00:33:50.360 --> 00:33:51.019 remained 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:52.539 faithful to 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:53.059 your father. 00:33:53.320 --> 00:33:53.920 Help us 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.340 to be 00:33:54.340 --> 00:33:55.100 faithful to 00:33:55.100 --> 00:33:55.400 you. 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.720 To bear 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.880 your name 00:33:58.880 --> 00:33:59.680 well. 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:00.620 To count 00:34:00.620 --> 00:34:01.080 it a 00:34:01.080 --> 00:34:03.320 privilege to 00:34:03.320 --> 00:34:03.880 suffer for 00:34:03.880 --> 00:34:04.480 your sake. 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:06.980 To count 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.740 it a 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:10.380 privilege to 00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.460 speak of 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.880 you to 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.440 the world 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:16.000 even when 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:16.599 it costs 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.079 us. 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.780 Give us 00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:20.480 eyes to 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.780 see the 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:22.320 wonderful 00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:23.139 privilege of 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:23.539 leading 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.960 others to 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.279 you. 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:25.739 Give us 00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:26.380 a vision 00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:26.840 for that 00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:27.119 Lord. 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.539 That 00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:29.900 would make 00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:31.960 all the 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.800 costs that 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:33.159 we could 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:34.159 pay on 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:34.820 this earth 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:36.599 nothing in 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.079 comparison. 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.739 Lord we 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:42.239 just also 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:42.880 bring before 00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:43.460 you brothers 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.639 and sisters 00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:45.259 throughout the 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:46.279 world who 00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:47.320 experience the 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:47.800 type of 00:34:47.800 --> 00:34:49.079 persecution for 00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.679 their faith 00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:49.719 faith. 00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:50.299 That we 00:34:50.299 --> 00:34:51.019 probably never 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:52.299 will in 00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:52.859 this time 00:34:52.859 --> 00:34:53.379 in Ireland. 00:34:55.779 --> 00:34:56.359 For 00:34:56.359 --> 00:34:57.419 believers in 00:34:57.419 --> 00:34:57.919 Somalia, 00:34:58.419 --> 00:34:59.039 North Korea 00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.799 and other 00:34:59.799 --> 00:35:00.739 countries like 00:35:00.739 --> 00:35:01.699 that who 00:35:01.699 --> 00:35:02.699 literally face 00:35:02.699 --> 00:35:03.379 death 00:35:03.379 --> 00:35:06.219 simply for 00:35:06.219 --> 00:35:06.799 claiming to 00:35:06.799 --> 00:35:08.199 be long to 00:35:08.199 --> 00:35:08.480 you. 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:09.539 Lord Jesus 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:10.440 we ask you to 00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:11.679 strengthen them 00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:12.899 this morning. 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.359 We can't even 00:35:13.359 --> 00:35:14.119 imagine what that 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:14.799 feels like. 00:35:15.899 --> 00:35:16.259 Would you 00:35:16.259 --> 00:35:17.239 strengthen and 00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:18.299 build up your 00:35:18.299 --> 00:35:18.779 church? 00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:22.079 Where the 00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:22.899 pressure seems 00:35:22.899 --> 00:35:23.959 too great 00:35:23.959 --> 00:35:25.359 to even 00:35:25.359 --> 00:35:25.919 survive? 00:35:26.979 --> 00:35:27.919 Lord God 00:35:27.919 --> 00:35:29.299 let them know 00:35:29.299 --> 00:35:29.979 your power 00:35:29.979 --> 00:35:31.579 and presence 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:32.139 with them 00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:33.079 in their 00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:33.500 pain. 00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:35.379 And Lord 00:35:35.379 --> 00:35:35.879 help us to 00:35:35.879 --> 00:35:36.379 keep them in 00:35:36.379 --> 00:35:38.339 mind as 00:35:38.339 --> 00:35:39.059 we count 00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:39.679 the cost 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:41.179 maybe 00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:42.000 relatively in 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.959 small ways 00:35:42.959 --> 00:35:43.519 compared to 00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:43.759 them. 00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:46.039 Help us to 00:35:46.039 --> 00:35:46.439 count that 00:35:46.439 --> 00:35:46.879 cost. 00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:47.699 for Jesus 00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:50.139 and to 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:51.319 live as 00:35:51.319 --> 00:35:51.539 your 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.079 ambassadors 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:53.319 in this 00:35:53.319 --> 00:35:53.659 world. 00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:58.039 We pray 00:35:58.039 --> 00:35:58.759 all of this 00:35:58.759 --> 00:36:00.059 in Jesus' 00:36:00.259 --> 00:36:00.439 name. 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:01.479 Amen.