WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 Please turn back in your Bibles to John chapter 15 and pick things up at verse 18. 00:00:06.339 --> 00:00:10.460 While you're turning there, can I just say that John D. Rhodes won't be preaching this evening. 00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:17.120 He got his dates mixed up and so he phoned me and let me know the good news. 00:00:17.420 --> 00:00:24.140 So when you next see him, do remind him that you felt very let down by that. 00:00:27.060 --> 00:00:28.679 John D is an old friend of mine, don't worry. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.380 So John 15, let's pray before we dive in. 00:00:33.380 --> 00:00:40.100 Our Father and our God, we ask that you would speak in these moments and that we would listen 00:00:40.100 --> 00:00:46.240 and that we would hear the voice of the living God and so be changed. 00:00:47.260 --> 00:00:50.159 We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:59.320 Whether you're preparing to go to war or you are getting set up for a sports challenge of some kind 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:05.900 or even a political debate, knowing your opposition is a significant part of the battle. 00:01:07.019 --> 00:01:11.480 It might be your commanding officer giving instructions about the tactics that the enemy employ. 00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:14.980 It might be the coaches giving the team talk to say, 00:01:14.980 --> 00:01:18.500 this is how they attack in this part of the field and we need to set up like this. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:26.760 And it may be Rishi Sunak's advisors telling him what to expect across the chamber in PMQs. 00:01:27.620 --> 00:01:31.100 Probably won't be another Rishi Sunak at PMQs, but there we are. 00:01:31.099 --> 00:01:40.019 In each case, they are being given a brief on the opposition so that they can be as well prepared as possible. 00:01:41.060 --> 00:01:45.379 Know your enemy and know how they attack. 00:01:47.219 --> 00:01:51.359 Having explained to the disciples what their relationship should be to him, 00:01:52.139 --> 00:01:55.219 they should abide in him, they should remain in him, 00:01:55.219 --> 00:01:58.140 by keeping his commandments in order to be fruitful. 00:01:58.579 --> 00:02:03.920 Jesus now turns to prepare his disciples for what lies ahead. 00:02:05.480 --> 00:02:08.599 Having explained to him how they are to relate to him, 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:11.900 he now turns to explain how they are to relate to the world around them. 00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:16.060 And as they think about the world around them, they need to know what it's going to be like. 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:19.259 As Jesus departs to return to the Father, 00:02:19.860 --> 00:02:22.360 he explains what they need to expect. 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:24.060 They should expect opposition. 00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:25.920 Opposition from the world around them. 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:27.379 Indeed, verse 19, have a look. 00:02:27.460 --> 00:02:29.340 Verse 19, it is very stark. 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:31.879 Jesus says, they'll be hated. 00:02:33.420 --> 00:02:36.020 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own, 00:02:36.099 --> 00:02:38.860 but because you're not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:41.420 therefore the world hates you. 00:02:42.759 --> 00:02:44.080 He doesn't mess around. 00:02:45.460 --> 00:02:48.060 And can I say this morning, if you are coming to Christ, 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:52.240 if you are weighing up what that decision, putting your faith in Christ, will mean for you, 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:53.879 this is what to expect. 00:02:54.539 --> 00:02:57.159 The world around you will hate you. 00:02:58.439 --> 00:03:02.939 Jesus doesn't want there to be any surprises, any unmet expectations, any, 00:03:03.080 --> 00:03:05.580 wait, hang on a minute, no one told me this was coming. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:09.759 Such the disciples then just decide to give up. 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:12.140 He tells us that in 16, verse 1. 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:15.280 Do you see, I've said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 00:03:15.280 --> 00:03:18.860 I'm telling you what it's going to be like, so you're as well prepared as possible, 00:03:18.860 --> 00:03:21.680 so that you don't give up when the temperature rises. 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:28.900 If you're expecting sunshine and all you get is rain, you might think that you've got something 00:03:28.900 --> 00:03:29.180 wrong. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:31.020 There's a defect in you in some way. 00:03:31.020 --> 00:03:38.939 Or you might think that you've been misled in some way, and Jesus wants to prevent this from happening. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:44.879 I don't know if you've ever been knocked out, if you've ever been knocked unconscious, maybe in sport or something like that. 00:03:44.879 --> 00:03:48.019 They might have given you smelling salts to clear your head. 00:03:49.099 --> 00:03:54.719 This little thing that they waft under your nose, it's incredibly pungent, and it clears your head. 00:03:54.780 --> 00:03:58.719 Well, after all the talk that we've had last week about abiding in the Father's love, 00:03:58.859 --> 00:04:01.019 verse 19 is a bit like smelling salts. 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:04.460 It's pungent, and we want to recoil. 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:14.060 But Jesus isn't like the shonky timeshare salesman showing the fake photos of the development that doesn't exist 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:16.379 in order that you'll sign up and pay the money. 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:22.439 He isn't trying to sugarcoat things to get you in and will deal with the problems down the line. 00:04:22.540 --> 00:04:24.759 He's very clear right up front. 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:29.360 Here it all is, the world, the realm of those outside Christ's kingdom, 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:33.120 those who are enemies of God, they will hate you, he says. 00:04:34.459 --> 00:04:37.979 And this morning, Jesus unpacks the nature of this hatred. 00:04:38.099 --> 00:04:42.279 But I want us to see He also provides significant encouragement as well. 00:04:43.219 --> 00:04:44.399 We've got two points this morning. 00:04:44.479 --> 00:04:47.919 The first is the world's hatred, and the second is God's help. 00:04:48.599 --> 00:04:50.359 The world's hatred and God's help. 00:04:50.419 --> 00:04:51.740 So let's start with the world's hatred. 00:04:52.419 --> 00:04:55.079 And Jesus doesn't just tell the disciples that they're going to be hated. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:59.099 He explains why it is the case, and He sets it in context. 00:04:59.679 --> 00:05:01.879 And so there are three things that I want us to note here. 00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:07.459 First thing is, the world's hatred, first thing, it's really hatred of God. 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:10.139 That's what Jesus says. 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:15.379 On the one hand, any hatred the disciples will experience has already been experienced by Jesus. 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:16.100 Verse 18, 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:20.300 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 00:05:21.139 --> 00:05:26.139 And of course, they've seen up close how Jesus was rejected by the scribes and the Pharisees, 00:05:26.139 --> 00:05:28.860 and throughout His ministry, the opposition He faced. 00:05:29.719 --> 00:05:32.819 But of course, within 24 hours of this conversation, 00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:37.919 they will witness the hatred of the world towards Jesus in the most stark way possible. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:44.979 He will be mocked and beaten and nailed to a Roman cross 00:05:44.979 --> 00:05:47.839 and executed at the hands of this corrupt regime. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:53.539 The world hated Jesus more than anyone has ever been hated. 00:05:55.179 --> 00:05:58.399 But Jesus makes it clear that their hatred runs deeper than that. 00:05:58.479 --> 00:05:59.500 Look down at verse 23. 00:06:00.759 --> 00:06:01.199 He says, 00:06:01.299 --> 00:06:03.679 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:07.319 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:08.699 they would not be guilty of sin. 00:06:08.779 --> 00:06:12.379 But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:19.399 Jesus has told us just a few, well, a few verses earlier. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:22.120 It would have been a few minutes earlier in the context of the conversation. 00:06:22.279 --> 00:06:25.199 Chapter 14, verses 10 and 11. 00:06:25.980 --> 00:06:27.879 His words are the Father's words. 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:29.920 His works are the Father's works. 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:33.019 Because He is in the Father, and the Father is in Him. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:35.620 When the world rejects Jesus, 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:40.259 they are rejecting the Father who indwells Jesus and who sent Jesus. 00:06:42.379 --> 00:06:43.879 Of course, we could also say, 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:45.199 if we look ahead, 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:48.399 when the Spirit whom Jesus promised to send after His departure, 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:49.560 down verse 26, 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:50.899 when He comes, 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:53.759 we read on in the early chapters of the book of Acts, 00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:57.839 that alongside the blessing and the growth of the church, 00:06:57.899 --> 00:06:59.579 we see people lying to the Spirit. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:01.600 Ananias and Sapphira, Acts chapter 5. 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:07.040 And persecution following all these Spirit-filled people. 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:12.240 The world's hatred of the church is simply an expression of its hatred of God. 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:14.639 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:19.839 And because Christ has chosen His church out of the world, 00:07:19.899 --> 00:07:22.420 because He has taken us out of this realm, 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:23.839 the world reacts. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:30.480 Now, just as Jesus makes clear the hatred He faces is fulfilling Scripture, 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:31.219 verse 25. 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:33.019 You see that? 00:07:33.339 --> 00:07:35.699 But the word that was written in their law must be fulfilled. 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:37.040 They hated me without a cause. 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:40.620 It's clear that He's in total control of everything that's going on. 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:43.060 He's fulfilling Old Testament Scripture as He goes. 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:46.740 Just as that's the case, 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:50.360 so everything that He tells the disciples came to pass in the early church. 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:54.980 Jesus' followers were persecuted and martyred for their faith. 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:58.540 Almost all of the men at this table would die for following Christ. 00:07:58.540 --> 00:08:04.439 So, because the church has been named for God in baptism, 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:07.900 because we are united to Christ as His bride, 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:09.800 because we are then, verse 19, 00:08:09.960 --> 00:08:13.360 not of the world, but we belong to the kingdom of God, 00:08:14.020 --> 00:08:15.200 the world hates us. 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:19.199 So, when you're opposed for your faith, 00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:20.240 don't be surprised. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:24.300 And in a sense, don't take it personally. 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:29.300 The world only hates you because it hates God. 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:33.639 The second aspect of the hatred I want to highlight is this. 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:35.720 It distorts reality. 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:38.659 The world's hatred distorts reality. 00:08:38.819 --> 00:08:39.919 Look at 16, verse 2. 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:42.879 Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:45.139 will think he's offering service to God. 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:48.639 Now, the opposition that these disciples faced 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:50.079 came from a religious establishment 00:08:50.079 --> 00:08:52.279 that believed that they were the true people of God. 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:55.240 They were convinced that their hatred of this sect, 00:08:55.339 --> 00:08:57.939 this group that became known as Christians 00:08:57.939 --> 00:08:59.879 because they followed this one who 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:03.519 said of himself that he was the Christ. 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:07.460 They were convinced that their hatred of this sect 00:09:07.460 --> 00:09:08.819 was actually a godly thing, 00:09:09.319 --> 00:09:11.059 that they would kill the disciples 00:09:11.059 --> 00:09:13.379 thinking that God was pleased with them. 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:16.079 Their world was upside down. 00:09:16.699 --> 00:09:19.139 They had completely distorted what it meant to serve God 00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:22.579 and what constituted good and what constituted evil. 00:09:24.199 --> 00:09:25.819 Now, the context is different, 00:09:25.939 --> 00:09:28.039 but there's a similar distortion in the opposition 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:29.220 that we face today 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:33.980 in that the hatred that is directed towards us 00:09:33.980 --> 00:09:35.720 is presented in virtuous terms. 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:39.420 We saw this with the late great atheist Christopher Hitchens, 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:43.240 whose opposition was largely based on moral grounds. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:46.279 He was assuming the moral high ground 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:47.759 in his opposition of Christianity. 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:49.460 He described it as, quote, 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:50.960 a wicked cult. 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:53.279 For that reason, he said 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:55.139 that Christianity should be extinguished. 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:56.600 Now, a world without God 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:59.139 isn't by necessity a world without moral absolutes. 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:03.040 So, why he can call it wicked, 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:04.340 I don't know. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:06.320 It's inconsistent, but he did. 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:08.920 He deemed the faith to be wicked, a moral term. 00:10:09.560 --> 00:10:10.500 And today it's the case 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:13.200 that almost all of the most vitriolic opposition 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:14.480 that Christians face 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:17.500 is presented in moral terms. 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:19.840 Red-faced shouting, 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:21.580 block capitals online, 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:25.660 it is evil to raise your children as Christians. 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:28.180 It is wrong to prevent women 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:29.599 from aborting their baby. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:31.419 It is right and merciful 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:33.579 to allow someone to end their own life. 00:10:33.839 --> 00:10:34.779 It is discrimination 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:36.319 to prevent two people 00:10:36.319 --> 00:10:38.239 who love each other from being married. 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:40.979 Now, the world may not believe 00:10:40.979 --> 00:10:41.959 in the God of the Bible, 00:10:42.079 --> 00:10:44.000 but they seek to take the moral high ground 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:45.659 in their hatred of the church. 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:47.599 This distorts reality. 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.799 It's God's world. 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:53.159 God made it the way he made it, 00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:54.939 and he ordered it the way he ordered it, 00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:58.139 and the right way up is to follow his way. 00:11:00.699 --> 00:11:02.519 But when right is seen as wrong, 00:11:02.719 --> 00:11:03.839 and wrong as right, 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:05.439 when up is portrayed as down, 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:06.279 and down up, 00:11:06.579 --> 00:11:08.379 don't be surprised when you see it. 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:11.480 Christians often get wound up 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:12.959 about the way the world operates. 00:11:14.319 --> 00:11:15.959 When Christians are misrepresented 00:11:15.959 --> 00:11:17.399 or their arguments are dismissed 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:18.860 without any meaningful engagement, 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:20.440 but we shouldn't be surprised. 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:22.460 The enemy doesn't fight fair. 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:25.620 And this always involves 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:27.320 some kind of distortion of reality. 00:11:28.680 --> 00:11:29.919 You are wrong. 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:31.620 When you say you are wrong 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:32.340 about somebody 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:35.720 who is following the order of the world 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.860 the way that it was made, 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:38.519 they've distorted reality. 00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:43.000 Firstly, it's really a hatred of God. 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:44.279 Secondly, it distorts reality. 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:46.279 Third aspect of the world's hatred 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:47.319 that Jesus highlights 00:11:47.319 --> 00:11:50.379 is that it is a mark of genuineness. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.279 Fifteen, verse twenty. 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:55.179 It's a mark of genuineness. 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.679 Remember the word that I said to you. 00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:59.480 A servant is not greater than his master. 00:12:00.579 --> 00:12:01.679 If they persecuted me, 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.939 they'll also persecute you. 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:04.139 If they kept my word, 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.839 the sentence is, 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:07.019 if they obeyed my word, 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:08.799 they will also obey yours. 00:12:09.559 --> 00:12:10.699 Now, this will be the pattern 00:12:10.699 --> 00:12:12.679 of the disciples' mission. 00:12:13.439 --> 00:12:14.860 Persecution and obedience 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:16.259 going hand in hand. 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:19.159 But because no servant 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:20.500 is greater than his master, 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:22.000 it follows that those who suffer 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:23.399 for the sake of the gospel, 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:26.100 and that's opposed to suffering 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:28.519 for being a fool in some way or other, 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.279 that is possible. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:30.919 It is possible to be a Christian 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:31.980 and to be suffering, 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.720 but not to be suffering for the gospel. 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:35.019 It's just because we're being silly 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:35.720 in some way. 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:38.539 But it's the case that if we suffer 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.519 for the sake of the gospel, 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:41.800 we are following in Christ's footsteps. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:44.240 We are walking the same path 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.440 that our master walked, 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:48.180 and therefore, 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:50.360 we're showing ourselves 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:51.139 to be the real deal. 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:54.879 Jesus is clear, verse 19, 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:56.419 that no one hates people 00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:57.899 who do the same things they do. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.259 No one hates people 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.320 whose lifestyle choices 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:02.360 are the same as theirs. 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:03.740 If you were of the world, 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:06.259 the world would love you as its own. 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:08.600 Of course they would. 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:11.480 Lives that look like the world 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.720 don't invite criticism. 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:14.800 Because, of course, 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:16.080 there's nothing about your life 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:17.300 that makes them feel uncomfortable 00:13:17.300 --> 00:13:17.980 in any way. 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:19.180 If we're all in this together, 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:19.560 well then, 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:21.060 there's an implicit endorsement 00:13:21.060 --> 00:13:22.720 of my lifestyle choices. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.720 But if you've chosen 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:25.639 a different course, 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:27.620 that means you don't approve 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.560 of my course. 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:29.920 Well, how dare you? 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:33.820 When your life displays 00:13:33.820 --> 00:13:35.820 the fruit of the different decisions 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:36.759 that you have taken 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:38.439 because you follow the Lord Jesus, 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:40.879 that Christ-likeness 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:42.200 provokes people. 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.720 You might have experienced this. 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:47.439 It happens in the strangest ways. 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:48.139 It can happen 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.000 in the strangest ways. 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:50.799 I remember a long time ago, 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:52.319 not long after I came to faith, 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:54.000 being out with a friend of mine 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:54.919 who had brought a couple of 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:55.779 friends along 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:57.000 that I didn't know so well. 00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:59.779 We'd been there for about an hour, 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:00.779 and the chat was all 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:01.700 fairly superficial, 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:02.799 and I got up 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.620 and went to the toilet. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.019 And when I came back, 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:05.960 the other two friends 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:07.199 of my friend had left, 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.259 and I said, 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:09.059 oh, where have they gone? 00:14:09.579 --> 00:14:10.360 And he said, 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:12.319 they left because 00:14:12.319 --> 00:14:13.480 they were fed up 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.519 with you banging on 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:15.500 about your Christian faith. 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:17.500 I hadn't mentioned 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.539 my Christian faith once. 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:22.199 I wasn't being 00:14:22.199 --> 00:14:23.679 especially virtuous at all, 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:25.639 but I was just different. 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:27.779 And this is how 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.819 it sometimes goes. 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:30.480 You wonder why 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:31.819 this person or these people 00:14:31.819 --> 00:14:33.500 are aloof 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:35.059 or distant 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:37.019 or even a bit rude, 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:38.059 even though you've been 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:38.980 very nice to them. 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.759 Why do these people 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.740 seem to not like you 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:43.539 despite the fact 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.039 that you're 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:45.559 a stand-up person 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:46.679 in terms of the way 00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:47.340 that you treat them? 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.899 It's because 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.419 you're not of the world. 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.039 You're following 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:52.740 the same path 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.480 as the Lord Jesus. 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:56.139 And their rejection of you, 00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:56.559 and it can be 00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:57.720 a very polite rejection, 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.720 but that rejection 00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:00.220 is a mark 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:01.440 of genuine discipleship. 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:04.220 Now, the hatred 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:04.960 won't be nice. 00:15:06.140 --> 00:15:08.480 Jesus is telling us here 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:08.960 about something 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:10.140 that isn't nice. 00:15:10.640 --> 00:15:11.680 It's not easy, 00:15:12.140 --> 00:15:12.660 and it can be 00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:13.360 very painful, 00:15:13.520 --> 00:15:14.340 but there's a sense 00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:14.780 in which 00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:15.700 you should take 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:16.640 encouragement from it. 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.380 When the world 00:15:19.380 --> 00:15:20.040 hates you, 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:21.480 it hates you 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.200 because you're 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:23.240 following the example 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:23.660 of the one 00:15:23.660 --> 00:15:24.540 they hated first, 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.660 your master, 00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:26.980 the Lord Jesus. 00:15:28.380 --> 00:15:29.620 When you experience 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:30.160 that hatred, 00:15:30.280 --> 00:15:30.780 there's a sense 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:31.659 in which it shows 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:32.279 that your faith 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:32.919 is alive 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:33.459 and that God 00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:34.299 is at work in you. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:36.500 When hatred 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.299 comes our way, 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.039 we often think, 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:38.740 oh, poor me. 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.000 That's the instinct, 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:40.379 isn't it? 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:40.799 Self-pity. 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.319 We think, oh, 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:41.959 it's so terrible 00:15:41.959 --> 00:15:42.679 the way these people 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:43.159 treat me. 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:44.319 And it might be terrible, 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.319 but the fact of the matter 00:15:46.319 --> 00:15:47.860 is we shouldn't be surprised. 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:52.980 And the fact 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:53.919 that it's going on 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:55.059 shows that we're 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:56.159 following in the footsteps 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:56.939 of our master. 00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:58.419 Well, in preparing 00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:59.139 his disciples, 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.159 Jesus promises them 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:00.639 that the world 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.199 will hate them. 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:02.639 He gives them 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.519 the smelling salts 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.199 that cause them 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:04.600 to think, 00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:04.879 goodness. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.319 But he also promises 00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:09.240 them something else 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:09.960 in the midst 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:10.899 of this opposition, 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:12.059 and that's our second point. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:12.860 It's God's help. 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.360 God's help. 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:17.960 The presence 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.779 of hatred 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.960 is a strange 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:20.639 encouragement 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.580 because it's a mark 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.519 of genuineness. 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:24.019 Jesus offers 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:24.720 three further 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.319 encouragements 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.200 as they look ahead. 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:28.900 the disciples 00:16:28.900 --> 00:16:29.379 will know, 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:29.960 first of all, 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.980 the Father's care. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:31.980 Chapter 15, 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:32.759 verse 21, 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:33.700 But all these things 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.640 they will do to you 00:16:34.640 --> 00:16:35.800 on account of my name 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:37.300 because they do not 00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:38.660 know him who sent me. 00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:41.180 By implication, 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:41.920 Jesus is drawing 00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:42.820 a contrast here 00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:43.900 to remind the disciples 00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:44.680 that their opponents 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:45.879 don't know the Father, 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.780 but that they do. 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.379 Again, 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:48.940 in 16, 00:16:49.040 --> 00:16:49.480 verse 3, 00:16:49.540 --> 00:16:49.920 have a look, 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:50.620 And they will do 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.140 these things 00:16:51.140 --> 00:16:51.800 because they have 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:52.500 not known 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.360 the Father 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.340 nor me. 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:57.879 However painful 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.860 the hatred gets, 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.680 the disciples 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.160 should know 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:01.940 that they belong 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:03.700 under the tender care 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:05.480 of their Heavenly Father. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:08.900 Elsewhere, 00:17:09.120 --> 00:17:10.000 Luke chapter 12, 00:17:10.120 --> 00:17:10.420 Jesus, 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.519 you remember, 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:12.279 talks about how 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.039 the sparrow 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.220 that sells 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.240 for next to nothing 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:15.880 in the market 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:17.500 is not forgotten 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.140 by God 00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:19.420 and how much 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:20.160 more valuable 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:20.819 to Him 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:22.039 are His loved ones. 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:26.399 No opposition 00:17:26.399 --> 00:17:28.740 can take you 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:31.480 from the fatherly care 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:33.959 of your Heavenly Father. 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:36.339 No hatred 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:38.039 can accomplish anything 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:39.759 outside of His ordaining. 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:42.720 You are secure 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:45.459 in the Father's care. 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:49.940 Where I grew up, 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.160 there were lots of children 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.120 around the same age 00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:52.900 who played together 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.579 in our road 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:56.019 and there was one boy 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.559 in particular 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.480 who I didn't like 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.920 and he didn't like me 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:02.940 and he was an amazing footballer 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:04.259 and I was so jealous 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:07.319 and typically 00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:08.860 couldn't get anywhere close to him 00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.660 when we were playing football 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.880 so I'd like hack him 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.720 and be nasty 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.460 and that kind of thing 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.960 so I didn't like him 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.840 because he was better than me, 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:15.379 he didn't like me 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:16.059 because I was nasty. 00:18:17.879 --> 00:18:18.799 That's the back story 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.759 just so you're clear. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:23.059 There was one occasion 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:24.159 we had many fights 00:18:24.159 --> 00:18:24.659 over the years 00:18:24.659 --> 00:18:25.559 but there was one occasion 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.199 we had a scrap 00:18:26.199 --> 00:18:27.299 and he ran home 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:29.139 because he was soft 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:30.899 and I... 00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:32.679 Where are you now, John? 00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:33.679 Yeah, anyway. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.519 He ran home. 00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:37.699 I chased him up to the point 00:18:37.699 --> 00:18:39.000 where he ran into his driveway 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:41.259 and his urgent running 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.639 all of a sudden 00:18:42.639 --> 00:18:44.599 turned into a bit of a slow swagger. 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:47.000 Because his dad was in the porch 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:49.259 all of a sudden 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.119 cool as you like 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:51.220 of course he was 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:53.059 he knew that he was now safe 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:55.059 under his father's care. 00:18:56.179 --> 00:18:58.039 He knew that his father could see 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:59.240 and his father would make sure 00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.819 he was okay. 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.639 And that's the way it is 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:04.539 for the Christian believer 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.980 in the context of the world's hatred. 00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:07.859 They can chase us 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.980 they can knock us around 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:10.559 but our father in heaven sees 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.759 and he cares 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.980 and he protects us. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.679 And even when 00:19:14.679 --> 00:19:15.799 that protection 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:17.379 doesn't always keep us from pain 00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:18.859 it will only be pain 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.579 that he allows. 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.859 And he will ultimately turn 00:19:22.859 --> 00:19:24.480 any harm that they do 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:26.099 around for our good 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:27.720 and we will be vindicated 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.299 in the end. 00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:32.659 Your opponents do not have 00:19:32.659 --> 00:19:33.500 a heavenly father 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.519 but you do. 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:37.819 And you're safe 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:39.059 under his fatherly care. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.660 Then the second expression 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.319 of God's help 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:44.339 is the promise of the Spirit. 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.259 Verse 26. 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:47.240 Here we have the Spirit's help. 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.960 The world will hate you. 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.680 Verse 26. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:51.340 But when the Helper comes 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:52.960 whom I will send to you 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:53.620 from the Father 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.720 the Spirit of truth 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:56.779 who proceeds from the Father 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:58.980 he will bear witness about me 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:00.580 and you also will bear witness 00:20:00.580 --> 00:20:01.660 because you have been with me 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.900 from the beginning. 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:07.240 Jesus will help the disciples 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:09.420 but not at arm's length 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:12.200 but by sending the Helper 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.840 the Holy Spirit 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:13.560 from the Father 00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:14.440 who will himself 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.779 bear witness about Christ 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.980 and strengthen the disciples 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:18.180 to do the same. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:21.019 Now the way the language works here 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.539 in this verse 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.640 is important 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:24.120 and if we understand it properly 00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:24.920 the encouragement 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:26.640 that these verses provide 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:28.539 is deep as deep can be. 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:30.779 So the sending of the Spirit 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:32.200 you see it lies in the future. 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:32.880 Jesus says 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:34.340 he will send him. 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:36.220 And this happened in history 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:37.220 at the day of Pentecost 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.180 when the Spirit was given 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:38.920 to the disciples. 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.680 And as they bore witness to Christ 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.700 in the preaching of the Gospel 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.620 the Spirit opened 00:20:43.620 --> 00:20:45.600 the eyes of 3,000 people. 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:47.060 The church was born. 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.279 The missionary endeavor 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.440 across the world began. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:51.820 And people were one to Christ. 00:20:53.060 --> 00:20:54.140 But notice also 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:55.420 that Jesus says 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.440 the Spirit proceeds 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.320 from the Father. 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.799 He proceeds from the Father 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.640 in the present. 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.539 That is happening 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.400 in the present. 00:21:02.820 --> 00:21:03.840 This is referring to 00:21:03.840 --> 00:21:05.500 the eternal and ongoing 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:07.019 procession of the Spirit 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.900 from the Father. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.700 What Jesus is doing here 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.240 is amazing. 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:13.039 He is taking us 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.940 behind the curtain 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.500 as it were 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.900 to glimpse the mystery 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:17.080 of God the Holy Trinity. 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:19.159 and telling these disciples 00:21:19.159 --> 00:21:20.279 that through the Lord Jesus 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.079 they have been brought 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.059 to know the Father 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:23.679 in whom the Son dwells 00:21:23.679 --> 00:21:24.759 and the Father 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.679 and the Son, remember, 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:27.439 and from whom 00:21:27.439 --> 00:21:28.419 the Spirit 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:30.419 eternally proceeds. 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:33.179 That's the care 00:21:33.179 --> 00:21:34.299 that they've been brought into. 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:35.919 The doctrine of the Trinity 00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:36.859 is seen by some 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.359 as a sort of 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:39.319 speculative doctrine. 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:41.359 It's not very practical. 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:43.480 It's only for the theologians. 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.180 We want something 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:45.160 more relevant, 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:45.740 we're told. 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.559 But that simply 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.519 cannot be the case 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.460 when we read these verses, 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:49.839 can it? 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.819 The Lord Jesus 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:52.160 clearly believes 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.240 that in order to prepare 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.000 these disciples 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:55.319 for their darkest hour, 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.740 the world is going to hate you. 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:58.200 What do you need to know? 00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:00.099 They need to grasp 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:01.900 the fundamental reality 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.920 of who God is. 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.960 When the Helper 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:07.059 who was with Jesus 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.960 in the beginning, 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.900 who eternally proceeds 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.700 from the Father, 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.660 when He comes, 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.660 He will resource 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.320 the disciples 00:22:13.320 --> 00:22:14.220 with the power 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:15.160 of heaven, 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.360 and He will anchor them 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:18.540 to God the Holy Trinity. 00:22:20.540 --> 00:22:22.000 No enemy force 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.600 is better resourced 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:24.340 than the church. 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.960 Before the God 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:28.180 of all eternity, 00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:29.040 every, 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.200 every enemy 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.160 fades away. 00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:35.180 This is encouraging 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.620 for us 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.180 as we face 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:36.759 the hostility 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.340 of the world. 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.660 We have the same 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.660 divine helper, 00:22:39.800 --> 00:22:41.019 the indwelling Spirit 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.900 at work in us, 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:43.360 and He enables us 00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:43.980 to go on 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.759 bearing witness 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.820 to the Lord Jesus 00:22:45.820 --> 00:22:47.040 in our lives. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.540 Wherever you are, 00:22:49.800 --> 00:22:50.460 wherever the Lord 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.259 has placed you 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.540 in your day to day, 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.700 you have all of the power 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.740 of the indwelling Spirit 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.540 at work in you 00:22:56.540 --> 00:22:57.240 to enable you 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.280 to bear witness to Christ, 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:59.200 to be faithful 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.019 to Christ 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.800 where you are. 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.040 Of course, 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:05.080 it's also worth saying 00:23:05.080 --> 00:23:05.600 that we are 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:06.220 the beneficiaries 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.120 of the fulfillment 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:07.940 of this promise 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.480 in the life 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.220 of these men. 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.839 the promise 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.579 to these men. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.500 They were emboldened 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.160 by these words 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.059 that Jesus spoke, 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.319 and the early church 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.600 testifies to their witness 00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:17.079 in the world 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.620 as the gospel 00:23:17.620 --> 00:23:18.059 is preached 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.960 to all nations, 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:19.779 and the church 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.440 begins to grow. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.140 And, 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.360 in addition to that, 00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:23.579 this group 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.380 were also enabled 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:24.940 by the Spirit 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.799 to provide the church 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.519 in every age 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.140 through their witness 00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:27.579 to Christ 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.039 in the writing 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.779 of the New Testament. 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:31.400 We have a New Testament 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:32.779 because the helper 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.559 came and helped 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.500 this group 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.259 bear witness. 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:38.220 In the New Testament, 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:39.220 we have the joint witness 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.940 of these apostles 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:41.000 and the Holy Spirit. 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.779 And because they were 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.779 both with Christ 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.839 from the beginning, 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.759 verse 27, 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.680 the beginning of His earthly 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.579 ministry in the case 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.119 of the apostles, 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.019 and the beginning 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.720 of His life 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.140 in the case 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:50.839 of the Holy Spirit, 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.839 we can trust 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.799 their words. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.240 The Father's care, 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.200 the Spirit's help, 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:01.240 and then finally, 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:01.859 more briefly, 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.819 we're also helped 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.980 by Christ's message. 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:06.579 The message 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.460 that He's given us here, 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.619 16, verse 4, 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.059 have a look, 00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:09.920 but I have said 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.200 these things to you 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:13.099 that when there are comes, 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:13.900 you may remember 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:15.220 that I told them to you. 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.480 The very fact 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.200 of this instruction 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.839 from Jesus 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.160 is help in itself 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:23.539 because it means 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.460 that we aren't surprised 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:24.940 by anything 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.740 that lies ahead. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.779 I said this at the start, 00:24:27.879 --> 00:24:28.400 when we know 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.000 what's coming, 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:30.759 we can prepare. 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.640 When we know 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:34.480 the way the enemy operates, 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:36.220 we can set ourselves up 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.620 in order 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:37.920 to give us 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.860 the best possible chance. 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.339 I don't know 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:40.099 what form the hatred 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.660 will take. 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.360 I don't know exactly 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:43.099 where the opposition 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:43.799 will come from, 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.740 but it will come, 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.799 and I'm expecting it. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:49.940 forewarned is forearmed. 00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:54.319 When the storms gather, 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:57.099 when relationships break down, 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:57.779 when hostility 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.919 from the HR department 00:24:58.919 --> 00:24:59.779 and work gets 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:01.720 kind of steamed up, 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.379 you get cancelled, 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:05.399 whether young people 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.559 being bullied in school 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.460 because you're a Christian, 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.240 or there's division 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.799 in the church, 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:10.279 or whatever the opposition 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:10.960 might look like. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.799 when this happens, 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.980 we're not surprised. 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.620 We're not thinking 00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.200 that something 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:16.120 has gone wrong. 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.220 We're not thinking 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.059 necessarily that 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:19.380 we've done something wrong. 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:22.380 It won't be nice, 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:24.000 but we don't panic. 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.079 We just think, 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:25.720 ah, okay, 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.259 this is how it's 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:27.880 going to go then. 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:31.340 And we remind ourselves 00:25:31.340 --> 00:25:32.400 that this is ultimately 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.160 about the Lord 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:34.360 and that He can take 00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:35.700 the hatred. 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.039 He can handle that. 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:39.119 We remind ourselves 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.899 that we are safe 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.279 in the grip 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.159 of our Father's care. 00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:43.639 We remind ourselves 00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.619 that we have the Spirit 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.420 who helps us 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:47.119 in the time of need. 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.139 What a wonderful help. 00:25:50.659 --> 00:25:51.299 Let's pray together.