I Will Always Be…Strange v.2

Intro

Text

John 15:18–16:1 ESV

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 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 also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.

This passage, John 15 is the middle of one of the classic teachings of Jesus, perhaps you’ve heard “I am the vine, you are the branches”, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends”, “No longer do I call you servants but friends”

Later on in ch 16, “Whatever you ask in my name I will give you” “Take heart, I have overcome the world”

Next to the sermon on the mount this might be Jesus’ most famous teaching, John 15-18

And right here in the middle of it, we get this not super fun passage preparing the disciples to be rejected by the world.

Concept

Culture of Consensus

Today I want to shine light on a concept that the vast majority of Christians past and present are familiar with, but a concept that I think many of us in America might be surprised by. If you were a Christian in the early days, you understood this very well, if you are a Christian in China or the Middle East or North Korea you understand this very well, that what Jesus does in and through us is so radically transformative, it actually makes us completely incompatible with the world.

I (and you) will always be … strange

people are strange when you’re a stranger

Why is that so hard for us to understand in the West?

Two factors go into our psyche and one conclusion comes out:

Factor 1 is that our short-term society is Consumer culture, social media, in many ways the travel industry, are ways we can adorn ourselves. Experiences, clothing, opportunity to gain the approval of others. To be misunderstood, to be perplexing, to be immovable when it comes to habits, values, practices, that is very frustrating for a world that shifts at the whim of the masses.

Factor 2 is that we live in a liberal society, not liberal meaning left wing but meaning that Enlightenment founding-fathers era Liberalism is the philosophical bedrock of how we think as a population

And one of the features of liberalism is rule by consensus, If everyone agrees that something is okay, then it must (at the very least) be amoral but it is probably moral.

So we have these two ideas rolling around in us, if something is unpopular that must hold some water and also if I am unpopular of if I am causing negative feelings in someone that is the end of me completely. The worst thing someone could call me is a bigot the worst thing someone could call me is mean .

Ok even if you disagree can you see the point I’m proposing here?

Jesus the NonConformist

Ok now if you’ve been following Jesus for any period of time,

The Spirit bears fruit, the world has a negative reaction, and we are conditioned to think we have done something wrong because of this negative response.

I talked to a young adult not too long ago who said “Oh yea I told some guys at work that I go to church now and some of them laughed at me what did I do wrong?”

Example:

You are not a Christian, you’re in a romantic relationship, you have an encounter with the Spirit of God, your significant other is not interested in church (yet) they didn’t have that same experience.

Few months of churchgoing small group bible reading in gentleness and kindness the Holy Spirit convicts you to live higher, the relationship should probably end.

You’re gonna hurt somebody else’s feelings? You’re gonna break someone’s heart to “be a better Christian”? Is that selfish? Is that cruel? Would the Lord ask you to do that?

What’s happening? In a world where the approval of other people, universal consensus and the avoidance of creating bad feelings reigns, you’re stuck.

And you either have to put up boundaries toward God

Or you have to change God. (It’s ok that we’re doing this)

Example:

Not a Christian, doing

The Lord is moving

My hope is to encourage people today because I think the Lord is moving in our church right now, and if it has not happened already it will happen that when the Lord moves in your life in a powerful way, things change. You might be on the beginning of your walk with the Lord, you might be a Christian for 30 years, the Spirit of God can always give you more.

If you are asking for a touch of heaven, you are asking for the Lord to make you restless and incompatible with your home,

I want to lean in to the purpose for this passage of scripture which is Jesus reminding his disciples to not miss the radical nature of what is happening to you, that’s what Jesus is getting at here, “I chose you out of the world”

Today I want to propose that it may be worth considering how utterly incompatible Christianity is with the world, so that when we decide to surrender to Jesus, we know what we’re in for. Because when we know what to expect we won’t be surprised when it happens. The gospel was never meant to be “Well it works for me” and “Yeah I like it” and “The vibes are good” rather it was and is a force so powerful that it actually ruins your capacity to operate in the world how you used to.

So I want to propose three ways in which the Gospel is actually in direct conflict with the world,

World used like Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Is actually the greek word for time so the patterns of the times the signs the ways the customs of the times.

Meaning the gospel, and a gospel-changed person, is completely incompatible, is a total stranger to the way that we do finance, politics, art, entertainment, family, business, commerce in our time. If it’s not rooted in the Gospel, the world is gonna have an issue with it?

Here’s why you will always be strange:

Authoritative

I am unspeakably proud to be an American, but one of our downsides is that our defining feature as a nation is the rejection of higher authority.

Self-governance! “We don’t do the king thing any more” We are the masters of our own destiny authoritative rule is not for us!

“Truly truly”

If you’ve read the Gospels in English you’re likely to have seen Jesus use the phrase “Truly, truly”.

John 6:47 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

John 6:53 “So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”

There are 25 “Truly truly” statements in John and that word in Arameic is actually the word for “Amen”

Now in the period of Jesus, in the Jewish tradition what would typically happen is that a Rabbi would get up, deliver his message and then if it was deemed accurate by the Pharisees or the overseers, after the message, the religious authority and the crowd would respond with “Amen, amen”.

Kinda like “Can you recieve that word today?” only not a formality,

Imagine if someone was like “No!”

But back in the day It was like peer review. If there was a group of pastors, theologians here in the front row

What’s Jesus doing when before he makes a claim, He says “Amen amen:

He’s taking away your right to determine the truth

Ouch.

John 8:58–59 ESV

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

John 16:23 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”

This is true, Jesus is saying “I carry a truth that is outside of you”

It’s OBJECTIVE

Objective truth is not a great look, because it supersedes your experience. Doesn’t actually matter what happened to you, Jesus is still the bread of life

Just because a church abused you in the past doesn’t mean that “whoever believes in Jesus has eternal life” is un true

Just because some doofus who experienced disappointment sasys miracles don’t happen today

English Standard Version Chapter 14

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

John 8:51 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

So long as you believe that there is an authority above the self, you will be a stranger in this world.

The only way to truly recognize that you need jesus is to recognize that you need someone to determine right and wrong for you. To surrender to the Lord is to sign over your right to self-determination.

That’s a big problem in a culture that worships self-determination

Perplexing

Pentecost

Look at what happened when The Spirit is poured out on the church at Pentecost.

Look at what happens on the day of Pentecost, the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus’ ministry, if you’re pentecostal/charismatic this is the ultimate

English Standard Version Chapter 2

12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

1 Cor 2:14 (NLT) But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.Act

Amazed and perplexed. Now listen, 3,000 people are saved on the day of Pentecost. The Gospel is successful wherever it is preached, but at the same time

This is what I love about the Christian walk, the Christian life, that all were amazed and perplexed, and yet still many were added to the church.

What an encouragement to us who want to live

When the spirit comes and renews your mind, you’re gonna be a strange person. You’re gonna be a little hard to pin down a little enigmatic why?

The Christian insistence to put Christ over race, to put Christ over party to put Christ over family is completely out-there to those who don’t know what it is like to be a disciple of Jesus.

Matthew 12:46–50 ESV

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

I’m actually not going to lie to help a family member.

I’m actually not going accept a promotion that would take me away from my kids.

I’m actually not going to buy that stock that’s up 400% right now because the company

I actually can’t work here any more because you’re mistreating the staff.

You’re all over the place!

Jesus sais in the passage If the world knew you it would call you its own

And one of the most dangerous and perplexing things about a Christian is that nobody can own you, this job is not my provision go ahead and fire me, if

You know what else is really confusing to the world?

the gifts of the spirit?

1 Corinthians 12

Tongues - A language inspired by the holy spirit that you can’t understand

Prophecy - To see what the Lord is doing in another person and to call that out

Healing - To partner with the Holy Spirit in healing diseases.

Someone prayed for me and I don’t watch pornography anymore somebody gave me a prophetic word and my marriage is healed my pastor laid hands on me and my knee got better without that surgery that they said I needed

These are strange occurrences.

If you’re contending for healing right now and you’re believing that the Lord is going to heal you, what are you gonna tell your co-workers when it happens? What are you gonna tell your doctor?

If you’re believing for financial breakthrough, I heard a testimony one time that someone logged in to make a payment on their student loan and it was anonymoyusdly paid in full. What are you gonna tell

If you’re believing that God is going to help your mental health and in a moment you’re filled with the Holy Spirit, you speak in tongues and your depression leaves, what are you gonna tell your unbelieving family?

What a confusing situation!

Mystical

Let’s look at the Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,       creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,       who was conceived by the Holy Spirit       and born of the virgin Mary.       He suffered under Pontius Pilate,       was crucified, died, and was buried;       he descended to hell.       The third day he rose again from the dead.       He ascended to heaven       and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.       From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,       the holy catholic* church,       the communion of saints,       the forgiveness of sins,       the resurrection of the body,       and the life everlasting. Amen.

Ok so this is the Apostle’s Creed, Christians everywhere, for as long as Christianity has existed have disagreed on many things. But on this we agree: If you refute any portion of the Apostle’s Creed you’re not a Christian.

Ok so

God Created the universe

Jesus was conceived by the Spirit and born of a virgin

He descended into hell

He rose from the dead

He ascended into heaven

He is currently seated at the right hand of God and judges the living and the dead

I believe that sins can be forgiven

I believe that physical bodies can be resurrected

I believe in an eternal life after we die.

All of those things, are literally what it means to be a Christian. The apostles said we can disagree about food and child baptism and whatever but this is what it means.

Ok, how many of those things can we prove? How many of those things are flesh and blood observable provable measurable?

Jesus is, right now, seated at the right hand of the father Judging the living and the dead

Idk what that really means but if you don’t believe that you’re not a Christian.

What about baptism?

Throughout the gospels and in Acts, baptism is a prerequisite for initiation into the Church.

What about Communion?

I’m going to paraphrase John 6:47-60 for time sake

Jesus says “Eat my flesh”

The jews go “That’s crazy”

Jesus goes oh yea? “Drink my blood”

His disciples go “Lord, that’s crazy”

Jesus says “Do you not like it when I say that? What if you, I don’t know, saw me flying”

What’s Jesus doing, He’s forcing the issue again, truly truly, you don’t get to decide whether it’s true or not, He’s pushing the envelope that this thing this relationship[ with me, is not what you think it is it is not of this world it has nothing to do with the natural world.

The intellectualism and empiricism of the west, in which everything can be proved and everything can be charted and everything can be studied has no place for the truth of the Gospel which is that it is a mystical, spiritual intangible, bizarre.

Our world has no enchantment to it, there’s nothing beyond what we can see

The Gospel and mysticism are completely inseparable if you are bound to what you can see, the material world, total surrender to empiricism you can not understand the Gospel.

I see so many Christians so bogged down in debates online and I do love apologetics but there is a certain point we need to reach where we transcend the empiricism.

Because the scientist will always have a leg up on us if we buy in to the idea that the mystical, the spiritual the transcendent is lesser truth

N.T Wright says “When you use the word supernatural, you are co-opting to a secular, enlightenment-era worldview”

The work of the cross is not supernatural, it does not come in and break through the way “Things should usually go”

Spirits and angels and demons and the conference of grace through baptism and the real presence of Christ in communion and the infilling of Holy Spirit and tongues and prophecy is the way that things should usually go

But to buy in to the belief in the mystical means you are wilfully turning yourself into a square peg, trying to fill a round hole.

Christianity is strange

"Christ either deceived mankind by conscious fraud, or He was Himself deluded and self-deceived, or He was Divine”

To claim godhood, to double down on the consumption of flesh and blood, that is crazy if it’s not true.

A man, for real lived, born of a virgin, died, resurrected, ascended, performed miracles, I believe in Him, I go to church, my pastor dunks me in Cook County tap water, I receive an infilling of the Spirit of the guy that lived and died 2000 years ago, I worship Him I love Him, His spirit empowers me to be free from addiction, to speak in a language I can’t understand, to pray for people to be healed, to know the future. None of that actually makes a lot of sense. None of that is totally understandable

1 Corinthians 13:9 ESV

For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

And we boil it down to this “Well it works for me I like it”

This is a death cult!

The Trade of Surrender

Colossians 1:15–23 ESV

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

In keeping steadfast with the faith, the Father promises us that we will be reconciled with Jesus, in whom the fullness of God dwells.

Jesus says in John 15 we can’t do anything, it’s no coincidence that just after He promises this to us, the church, He prepares us for being rejected.

This is a call to surrender. To ask the Lord to form you into His desired

But here’s the exchange, you trade away in many cases universal appeal, being well-liked by non-Christians, being affable, things that fade, people are fickle anyways and what do you receive in return? Reconciliation with the fullness of the living God, to be above reproach, to be presented as Holy and blameless to the God of all creation, to be made into a reflection of heaven here on earth.

You trade away any chance of being the whole world’s best friend. Sorry! You receive in return an infilling of the very Spirit of God.

But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.

It is an invitation to be resurrected with Christ in the here and now.

Surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life

Isaiah 64:8 ESV

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.