ANTAGONISM

THE WORLD HATED HIM FIRST

Schutt Sports, a major supplier of football helmets for the National Football League, issues the following warning label on all their helmets and on their website's homepage:

WARNING …. NO HELMET SYSTEM CAN PREVENT CONCUSSIONS OR ELIMINATE THE RISK OF SERIOUS HEAD OR NECK INJURIES WHILE PLAYING FOOTBALL.

The warning label continues with some information about the symptoms for concussions and concludes by repeating the original warning: "TO AVOID THESE RISKS, DO NOT ENGAGE IN THE SPORT OF FOOTBALL."

Being a disciple of Christ would contain a similar warning label –

WARNING: BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST BRINGS GUARTANTEED PERSECUTION AND TRIALS. TO AVOID SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL ATTACKS DO NOT FOLLOW JESUS. THE ROAD IS NARROW. THE WORLD HATES HIM SO THEY WILL HATE YOU!

While it may be a funny or even awkward analogy, it fits. Jesus on several occasions stated that since the world hated Him first, they would hate the disciples as well. What did the do? Did they heed the warning label and not follow? Some, yes, but the inner 12 – 11 of the 12 took the risk and followed.

Today’s sermon is title ANTAGONISM.

Antagonism – active hostility or opposition.

JOHN 15:18-27

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 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. 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 also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 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. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 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. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

26 “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. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Antagonism in the World (15:18–27)

I. Antagonism Caused by separation (15:18–19) – They hate because they are different in nature – of the world

A. Persecution—vv. 18–20. The world hated Christ. If the world hated Christ, it will hate us. Note the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 3:12 – Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Hate – definition

Examples – Christ on the cross – they jeered him

Taliban and Nazi’s

We need to hate sin and selfishness just as much

He Jesus uses the present tense of the word hate – so ongoing, expected, don’t be surprised

II. Caused by association (15:20–21)

A. Problem—v. 21. They persecute Christians because they don’t understand spiritual things

More Folds of why they hate

We are hated because of our association with Christ

We are hated because of their ignorance to the truth

III. Caused by proclamation (15:22–25) – They hate because of Jesus’ message

A. Stubborn—vv. 22–24. They knew better. They saw Christ perform many miracles. They knew He was sent from God. Note v. 23, “He that hates me hates my Father also,”

How many people have excelled the legal driving speed and gotten a ticket?

How many people get mad at getting a ticket?

Honestly, who are you mad at – yourself for breaking the law or the officer for giving you a ticket for doing so? Or even God for not changing the officer’s mind?

We cannot buy into the lie or relative truth, ethics, or morality.

Relative truth allows you to believe whatever makes you feel good is ok and others are wrong if they disagree.

Relative ethics allow you to do anything you want without fear of consequences because if its right for you – its wrong for anyone to disagree with you.

Relative morality says nothing is wrong as long as you see it as right.

That is why the world hates Jesus, hates God, hates the Holy Spirit, there is one source of truth, one source of ethics, one source of morality and it cannot come by someone or something that keeps changing.

Jesus told us why the world hates him – prophecy said it would happen

B. Suffering—v. 25. A fulfillment of Psalm 35:19 – Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause.

69:4 – Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause.

Rejecting the truth causes man to do strange things.

IV. Caused by testimony (15:26–27) – They hate because the Gospel convicts.

A. The Comforter—v. 26. The promised Holy Spirit. The promise of Luke 24:49 – And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

is fulfilled in Acts 2:1–4 – When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

B. The character—v. 27. The Holy Spirit will testify of Christ. However, we should tell others about Christ by witnessing.

The Holy Spirit energizes us

Principles

• Jesus said, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”

Applications

• Remain in Christ and his word to be fruitful.

• LOVE GOD LOVE OTHERS fervently.

• Do not be surprised by the world’s antagonism.

Michael Nnadi was a Nigerian, whose face projected a nearly supernatural joy. Michael was one of 270 students studying at the Good Shepherd Seminary in Kaduna State. On the evening of January 8, 2020, his world was upended when an armed gang, disguised in military fatigues, breached the gate of the school. They snagged four seminarians, including Michael, and made their escape.

It remained a mystery why Michael had been killed while the others had been freed – until April 30, 2020.

That’s the day the murderer, Mustapha Mohammed, was interviewed in prison by Nigeria’s newspaper. So why did Mustapha kill Michael? He openly and even brazenly told the press, “He did not allow me any peace; he just kept preaching to me his gospel. I did not like the confidence he displayed [in his faith], and I decided to send him to an early grave.”

Jesus also said that we would be hated for his name’s sake. In other words, we would be persecuted for our very Christlikeness.

Where do we go from here, today, with Jesus’ message?

Jesus said, “wait until you are clothed with power from on high.” Are you allowing yourself to be clothed in the Holy Spirit? Or is the Holy Spirit, more like a membership card you take out only when needed?

Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to comfort you during trials, since He is the Great Comforter?

How are you serving in the body of the Christ, the church? The Holy Spirit will give you what you need, when you need, so how are you going to start serving, trusting in Him?

While it is easier said than done, while its difficult, how can you allow the Holy Spirit comfort you while you remain steadfast in faith in the midst of trials?

How can you start praying for those brothers and sisters in Christ who right now literally face life or death decisions as to follow Jesus or not?

Let us pray.