Five Blessings for Today
FIVE BLESSINGS FOR TODAY
Utawala Baptist Church
15-04-2007
Scripture Reading John 15:18-21
We see two things in the passage:
It is glowing with hatred for the Christian!
It is loaded with responsibility for the Christian!
HATRED!
1 It is a hatred of goodness!
Hatred of evil is just but this is a hatred of goodness.
2 It was a hatred developed in persecution!
The history of true Christians through the ages has been a history of persecution!
3 It was a hatred without just reason (John 15:25; Ps. 69:4)
4 It was a hatred forming a strong reason for brotherly love among the disciples!
LOADED WITH RESPONSIBILITY
John 15:22
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, mthey would not have been guilty of sin,3 but now they have no excuse for their sin.[1]
1 If He had not come, they would not have known the sin of hating Him.
2 If He did not come they would not have rejected Him.
3 If He did not come they would not have crucified Him.
BUT HE DID COME!
Conclusion.
(1.) Christians, accept the moral hostility of the unregenerate world. Our great Master taught us to accept it.
It is in truth a test of our character, and an evidence of our Christlikeness.
Luke 6:26
“Woe unto you when all men speak well of you.”
(2.) Unbelievers, read your doom!
Christ has come to you, and you have hated Him; you have rejected Him; you have crucified Him “afresh,” and your responsibility is tremendous.
Matt. 11:20-24
“Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago.”[2]
OK SO WHERE ARE THE BLESSINGS?
Our Lights Brighten! (Matt. 5:13-16)
Lights shine best in total darkness are you shining yours?
Six ways we can hide our lights!
1. Being quiet when we should speak!
2. Going along with the crowd!
3. Denying the light!
4. Letting sin dim our lights!
5. Not explaining our lights to others!
6. Ignoring the needs of others!
Be a beacon of truth! Don’t shut your light off from the rest of the world.
Our Hope Becomes Obvious! (I Peter 3:13-17)
With so much despair in the world are you ready to tell people about the hope we have in Christ?
Some Christians believe FAITH is a personal matter that should be kept to one’s self.
We should not be loud or obnoxious but we should always be ready to give an answer!
“Sanctify Christ as Lord” is the best translation of I Peter3:15.
Put Him on the throne of your heart.
If He controls our lives, then we will always have an answer when people ask about the hope we have in Him (Mark 13:11).
A surrendered heart and a good conscience will together give peace when people accuse us falsely.
Sinners may accuse us, but God knows the heart; and we fear God, not men (Isa. 8:12–13).
Again, Peter reminds them of the sufferings of Christ, that He was falsely accused yet left the matter with His Father.
[3]
Our Opportunities Become Limitless! (Acts 2:40-43)
The more our culture rejects God, the more it needs Him. Are you helping people understand that God alone can meet their needs?
These new Christians were joined with the other believers.
New believers in Christ need to be in a group where they can learn God’s word, pray and mature in the Faith.
This is the way to grow!
Our Christ becomes Authentic! (Matt. 12:32-34)
You will never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you’ve got! Is Jesus all you have?
John 12:12-13
They waved palm branches for a victorious Messiah whom they thought would set up a political earthly kingdom that would never end.
Jesus’ words did not fit their idea of a Messiah!
For what kind of Messiah or Savior are you looking?
Don’t try and force Jesus into your own mold!
HE WONT FIT!
Our Faith Becomes Genuine! (Matt. 24:12-13)
As the world become darker, phony believers will disappear in the darkness. Are you staying in the light despite the darkness around you?
Jesus predicted that His followers would be severely persecuted!
But even in this terrible persecution they can have hope!
KNOWING that salvation IS theirs!
Ephesians 2:8-9
Times of trial tend to sift true Christians from false Christians.
When this pressure comes your way don’t give up and turn your back on Christ!
Remember the benefits and continue to live for Christ!
Matt 5:16
CLOSING
----
m [Matt. 11:22, 24; Luke 12:47, 48]; See ch. 9:41
3 Greek they would not have sin; also verse 24
[1]The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001 (Jn 15:22). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[2]Thomas, D. (1997). The genius of the fourth Gospel: A homiletical commentary on the Gospel of John. Reprint of the 1885 ed. published by R. D. Dickinson, London under title: The genius of the fourth Gospel.; Includes index. Kregel Bible study classics (44). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[3]Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1992). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (748). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.