The World s Hatred Hatred Toward Christ The Witness of the Holy Spirit
The World s Hatred Jesus says the world will hate the disciples. There are three reasons this is so: 1. The disciples of Christ will be hated because they are not of this world 1 Jn. 3:1; Jn. 1:10
1 John 3:1 (NASB) 1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. John 1:10 (NASB) 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
The World s Hatred Jesus says the world will hate the disciples. There are three reasons this is so: 1. The disciples of Christ will be hated because they are not of this world 1 Jn. 3:1; Jn. 1:10 2. The disciples have been chosen out of this world system. 3. The disciples are hated because of their identification with Christ. Christians are hated because Jesus is hated and we are identified with Him!
Hatred Toward Christ So, why does the world hate Jesus? 1. Because of His words Not prideful but humble Isaiah 53:7
Isaiah 53:7 (NASB) 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
Hatred Toward Christ So, why does the world hate Jesus? 1. Because of His words Not prideful but humble Isaiah 53:7 Not selfish but self-sacrificing Not mean but kind and loving Matt. 11:28
Matthew 11:28 (NASB) 28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest
Hatred Toward Christ So, why does the world hate Jesus? 1. Because of His words Not prideful but humble Isaiah 53:7 Not selfish but self-sacrificing Not mean but kind and loving Matt. 11:28 Not hypocritical but trusted Jesus words reveal the truth about us! And we know that is not a pretty picture.
Hatred Toward Christ So, why does the world hate Jesus? 2. Because of His works Jesus works brought our sin to light Miracles = signs Also called works referring to what He does These works are God s works John 7:21; 17:4; 5:19; 9:4
John 7:21 (NASB) 21 Jesus answered them, I did one deed, and you all marvel John 17:4 (NASB) 4 I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.
John 5:19 (NASB) 19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. John 9:4 (NASB) 4 We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.
Hatred Toward Christ So, why does the world hate Jesus? 2. Because of His works Jesus works brought our sin to light Miracles = signs Also called works referring to what He does These works are God s works John 7:21; 17:4; 5:19; 9:4 The world hates Christ s followers because it hates Christ, and the world hates Christ because it hates God the Father.
Hatred Toward Christ So, where does that leave us? Discipleship is fine if it leads to glorifying God. But what of hatred, persecution, and a cross? Wouldn t it be simply better to walk a little closer to the world and escape its judgment? Without God, the option of a pleasant and favorable life seems preferable. But what about God s judgment? God will move against those who ignore or hate Christ!
The Witness of the Holy Spirit Jesus now tells us how we can be disciples who stand firm in the face of hatred and persecution. The witness of the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21
2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB) 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2 Peter 1:21 (NASB) 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
The Witness of the Holy Spirit Jesus now tells us how we can be disciples who stand firm in the face of hatred and persecution. The witness of the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21 The internal witness of the Holy Spirit with all believers spirits 1 John 2:20, 27; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
1 John 2:20, 27 (NASB) 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. 27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (NASB) 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
The Witness of the Holy Spirit So, what does this internal witness do? The Holy Spirit gives comprehension 1 Corinthians 2:14
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB) 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
The Witness of the Holy Spirit So, what does this internal witness do? The Holy Spirit gives comprehension 1 Corinthians 2:14 The Holy Spirit brings conviction Jn. 16:8-11
John 16:8-11 (NASB) 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
The Witness of the Holy Spirit So, what does this internal witness do? The Holy Spirit gives comprehension 1 Corinthians 2:14 The Holy Spirit brings conviction Jn. 16:8-11 The Holy Spirit brings commitment Acts 8:32-37
Acts 8:32-37 (NASB) 32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH. 33 IN HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY; WHO WILL RELATE HIS GENERATION? FOR HIS LIFE IS REMOVED FROM THE EARTH. 34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized? 37 [And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. ]
The Witness of the Holy Spirit So, what does this internal witness do? The Holy Spirit gives comprehension 1 Corinthians 2:14 The Holy Spirit brings conviction Jn. 16:8-11 The Holy Spirit brings commitment Acts 8:32-37 As believers, the Spirit works in and through us to make God s Word known, but we have to do our part also by testifying to what He has done for us.
Application Are you comfortable with what discipleship really means in your walk with Christ? Is the Holy Spirit active in your life giving you: Assurance the Gospel is true? A personal experience with the truth? A verbalized testimony so others might know your Jesus?