Hatred For A Cause

Intro:

Jesus brings us to the place in the chapter that He warning the people that trouble is coming for not on Him, but for them too.

I’ve observed over the years that people where their emotions on their sleeves. We have become a generation that takes everything personal that happens. If someone looks at us the wrong way, we think they have some type of an agenda. If we're not included in a conversation, then they must be talking about me. I didn't get that promotion at work because they're out to get me. Does all this sound familiar? We have cultivated a generation of people who don't know how to stand during adversity.

I want to remind you that as a Christian you're going to face persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 reminds us of this truth. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

That persecution sometimes becomes very uncomfortable and even may become dangerous. It’s time that we as Christians realize that we're fighting a bigger enemy than what we see in front of us. Jesus makes it very clear in these passages of scripture that he was hated, so we will also be hated.

We are hated for one reason. We are hated because we stand with Christ. I've said it often from this pulpit, the battle we are fighting is not personal. The enemy that stands before us this fighting against the spirit of God who lives in us.

Let's look at what Jesus had to say in these few passages.

Being Different Is A Good Thing

John 15:18–21 NKJV

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

Expect a lost world to hold you accountable with hate.

There are many that fear the Holiness that live in you, that drives their actions.

The repercussions of living for Jesus can result in retaliations from a world that hates Jesus.

Remember what Jesus said in V.18. They hate you, however, you are not the first they hated. Jesus was the first!

Remember, you are chosen.

You have be set aside for great things by God.

Jesus said you their hatred is driven by a deep seeded lack of connection to a greater purpose.

The sad part of is all is, They too can be apart of this great family.

It’s not an exclusive group that on a few can be in. Jesus came for them all!!!!!

Persecution shall comes to those who walk in the newness of life.

(Play the video of Christain persecution)

Do you deal with this persecution?

Have you suffered for the cause of Christ?

Persecution came to the follower of Christ because they stood for what was right.

No one wants to deal with the antics of the world, but if you do, it will be because you stood firm in the test that you may face.

4. The Fire of God in a persons life comes when they learn to stand firm.

Story:

Senator Ted Cruz told a story this week about a Young Sudan lady,” Miriam Ibrahim’ that was held captive buy the Sudan government for being a Christain. She had two children, a boy and a girl. The girl she gave birth to while in prison, while waring leg irons. She was sentence death and was to receive 100 lashes before being hand by the neck until she was dead. She could avoid this if only she would denounce Jesus.

Thankfully the US government pressured the Sudan Government to release her and they did. She fled to the Us where she now lives in New Hampshire.

Senator Cruz visited with her and he ask her this question, “How was it, knowing that you were facing torture and death that you were able to stand with Jesus? Her response to his question said it all..... because Jesus was right there with me.

The fire of God can’t be damped out by the waters of man’s persecution.

A. W. Tozer

Sin Has No Excuse

John 15:22–23 NKJV

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.

8    No sinner under the light of the Gospel lives a single hour in sin without some excuse, by which he justifies himself.

Charles Finney

A standard has been set for the life that must be lived.

It’s tempting to venture off on our own path, to make our own way.

The problem comes when that way, is contrary to the will of God.

Sin becomes an excuse rather than and regret.

An explanation of sin has been reveal for our edification.

Left to our own devices, we make up what is right and what is wrong by our own standard.

Our standard has on eternal consistency to it.

God’s standard of right and wrong has always been the standard.

The hatred that comes from a person toward us, is rooted in their hatred for God.

Ones Hatred for God is founded in their rebellions nature to be held accountable for ones actions!

John 15:24–25 NKJV

24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.

George Washington

Jesus identified what sin is.

It’s not open for privity interpretation.

His works proved that He has the authority to deem what is sin.

We shall never know what sin really is till we learn to think of it in terms of our relationship with God.

J. I. Packer

Conc:

What about you? Where do you stand in relation to being different? Does Jesus hold you heart, or are you on that fight the against His Holiness?