Transcript

Hated Without A Cause-Part One

John 15:18-25
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Pastor Randy Smith

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1. Partridge in a pear tree = Jesus Christ.
2. Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3. French Hens = Faith, Hope and Love
4. Calling Birds = the Four Gospels
5. Golden Rings = The first five books of the Old Testament
6. Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7. Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
8. Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9. Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10. Lords A-leaping = the Ten Commandments
11. Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful Apostles
12. Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

The story basically goes like this: The practice of one's faith whether private or public was outlawed in England at one time. Violations could result in the severest punishment imaginable. Therefore due to such religious persecution, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as one of the "catechism songs" to secretly help young children learn the chief tenets of the faith.

Though some believe this account is an "urban myth," many church historians defend its authenticity. I do not wish to take a stand on either side; however, the song nevertheless illustrates an important truth. From the time of Jesus Christ, His church has undergone vicious persecution.

You may be thinking, "Pastor, oh no, not a sermon on persecution! We're only 11 days away from Christmas, we've just celebrated a baby dedication and we've just come off a sermon last week on love. Is this really the most appropriate time to talk about persecution? Can't we find a subject more pleasant and festive?" These thoughts have crossed my mind too; however, I have chosen to stay the course and continue our verse-by-verse study in John. I believe we need to for a number of reasons.

First of all, the context demands it. Immediately on the heels of the love commandment comes the warning from our Lord about persecution. There must be a reason. You'll remember, as Christians filled with the Holy Spirit we abide in Jesus through commandment keeping which produces fruit, namely love. Unbelievers abide in self and produce fruit, namely the deeds of the flesh. One group loves God and keeps His commandments. The other group hates God and disdains His commandments. Can you see the inevitable conflict which occurs between the forces of darkness and the forces light? Jesus wanted His loving disciples prepared and forewarned!

Additionally, Jesus, as He has done throughout this sermon, is encouraging His disciples and preparing them for His departure. Understand, the warning about persecution is not "gloom and doom," rather it is for the purpose of encouragement as these timely and strategic words fell tenderly off the lips of the Good Shepherd Himself. Jesus does not want His disciples to be unaware of the persecution they will face on the outside of the church as they seek to love Him and one another inside the church. After all, it would be that tiny babe born in Bethlehem who did everything in love that eventually would be tortured and crucified as a criminal. And if He was about to receive such treatment, Jesus warns His followers that they too should expect the same abuse because of their identification with and likeness to Him.

Nobody likes to discuss persecution, much less receive it, but these words from our Lord are as crucial for us today as they were for the Apostles. Lest we misunderstand the demands of the Christian life, we must realize that suffering goes hand-in-glove with being a follower of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:29 says, "For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." The suffering in this account comes in the form of persecution. Recorded in Matthew's gospel, our Lord said, "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved" (Mt. 10:22a). Choosing allegiance with Jesus and then growing in His image will incite the hatred of the world.

Therefore, before trusting Christ, one must consider the cost (Lk. 14:25-33) and realize that following Jesus may not achieve the worldly peace and joy that one was falsely promised. The gospel is much more than "invite Jesus into your heart because He has a wonderful plan for your life." It's not surprising that many who hear a false gospel fall away at the first onset of persecution. In the parable of the four soils, Jesus said, "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away" (Mt. 13:20-21). Maybe there would be fewer spurious converts if people rightly understood the demands and subsequent persecution entailed in the Christian life.

Another related reason this topic is important is so that believers will not misinterpret or misunderstand the persecution they receive. The Apostle Peter learned, experienced and conveyed this lesson. In his first epistle he said, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" (1 Pet. 4:12-14).

Suffering persecution for righteous behavior does not mean Jesus has rejected us. On the contrary, it is often a good indicator that we are filled by the Spirit of glory and conducting the godly life He desires and commands. After all, Paul, in 2 Timothy said, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:16). Therefore, persecution should strengthen and not weaken our faith. Jesus stated His purpose very clearly in 16:1. "These things (regarding persecution) I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling."

As a matter of fact, I have been longing to preach on this topic from the time we began our study in the gospel of John. Many of you have shared stories of how you are continually persecuted for you faith in Jesus Christ by children at school, neighbors, co-workers and yes, even your own family. Many of you, due to your affiliation with Christ and this church, resulting in a godly lifestyle and bold witness, have been mocked, rejected and in some cases outright hated. Oddly enough, most of this has come from people during a season we would least expect it- Family members at Christmastime.

Therefore, I do not believe it is a coincidence that the Lord has us covering this topic when we are. As your undershepherd, I hope this message ministers to your heart just as Jesus used it to encourage the Apostles two thousand years ago.

1. THE WORLD'S GRUDGE (vs. 18-21)

Let's begin with point one, "The World's Grudge." In verse 18, Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you."

The "world" (kosmos) spoken of in this case refers to the evil system of society set in opposition to God. In his allegory, John Bunyan called it "Vanity Fair," the place where "Faithful" was martyred. Throughout the Bible we read of two distinct classes of individuals (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). There are those of the world and those who are in Christ. The battle lines have been drawn. Any comfortable spot between the two will result in the forfeiture of our soul. We cannot ride the fence. It was Jesus Himself who condemned the church in Laodicea. "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth" (Rev. 3:16).

In His epistle, John warned the church, "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 Jn. 2:15). As Christians we are in the world but not of the world. As verse 19 teaches, we have been chosen "out of the world." Though once aligned with the world in active rebellion against God, our allegiance has changed. We now belong to God as His possession in an intimate marriage union (Eph. 5:31-32). Therefore siding in any way with the world that hates God makes us spiritual adulteresses. James 4 says, "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (Jas. 4:4).

It is this cosmic conflict between God and the world that Jesus is discussing in these verses. It was the world in its depravity and subsequent hatred for the things of God that encountered Jesus. They could not stand for His demands of lordship. They could not stomach His commitment to holiness. Though He never sinned, our Savior turned off the overwhelming majority because His light exposed their deeds of darkness (Jn. 3:19-21) and unmasked their evil (Jn. 7:7). Therefore they sought to do away with Him. Not by a simple beheading, but rather through the most ghastly means imaginable to man-crucifixion.

The world, inspired by Satan was unsuccessful. And since it can no longer touch the King Jesus, who's seated at the right hand of the Father, it aggressively persecutes His followers, sometimes even to the point of death. Just as the world killed Christ, statistics reveal that there were more Christian martyrs in the 20^th century than the first 19 combined.

Scott Hafemann in His book, The God of Promise and the Life of Faith, noted, "Jewish human rights activist and Hudson Institute scholar Michael Horowitz has observed, 'The mounting persecution of Christians eerily parallels the persecution of Jews… during much of Europe's history.' Worldwide, an average of 159,000 Christians a year are now losing their lives because they believe in Jesus, with 200 million to 250 million believers suffering physical and political persecution, and an additional 400 million not being able to practice their faith freely! And it is shocking how a scandal of silence has covered up this worldwide persecution of Christians" (Hafemann, The God of Promise and the Life of Faith, p. 145).

Throughout the centuries, generations of men and women, boy and girls, our brothers and sisters, have been crucified, hung, drowned, burned and fed to the lions. Countless others have been tortured, imprisoned, plundered and ostracized, simply because they would not renounce their loyalty to Jesus Christ. As comfortable American evangelicals, we need to get our head out of the sand. I encourage you to read Foxe's Christian Martyrs of the World, which testifies to the faithfulness of early believers as they faced opposition to the point of death (Rev. 2:10) from the hands of the Jews, then the Romans and then the hundreds burned at the stake by the Catholic church. You can read about the contemporary persecuted church by picking up a free copy of Voice of the Martyrs in the rear of the church. Today primary opposition comes from Communist countries and radical Muslim sects who are torturing and killing Christians by the thousands in the lands of Iraq, India, Vietnam, China, Pakistan and Sudan. In this monthly magazine you will also be moved by others' loyalty to Jesus and learn of ways you can assist them through prayer, legislation and financial support. I could stand at this pulpit and share countless individual testimonies of suffering for Jesus that I've read which would bring you tears, but I believe my point is clear. As long as the world co-exists with Christians serious about their faith, opposition, often fierce, will occur.

Since Jesus doesn't want His disciples taken by surprise, He said in verse 18, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you." According to A.W. Pink, "The inexperienced Christian supposes that the hatred of the world against him is a reproach. He thinks that he is to blame for it. He imagines that if only he were kinder, more gentle, more humble, more Christ-like, the enmity of unbelievers would be overcome. This is a great mistake. The truth is, the more Christlike we are the more shall we be antagonized and shunned. The most conclusive proof of this is found in the treatment which our...Saviour received when He was in the world. ... If...the purest love which was ever manifested on earth, if goodness incarnate was hated by men in general, if the brighter His love shone, the fiercer was the enmity which it met with in response, then how can we expect to be admired and esteemed by the world? Surely none will entertain the horrible thought than any of us (could do better than) the Son of God" (Pink, Sermon, Jn. 15:17-27).

If we live the life of Christ and proclaim His gospel, we should expect persecution. Jesus really wanted to make this point clear to His disciples. In verse 20 (quoted earlier in 13:16) He repeats His thought from verse 18. "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave 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."

The reason for this persecution from the world against Christians is made even clearer in verse 19. "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you" (Jn. 15:19; cf. 17:14).

In Philippians Paul said, "For our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20a). Peter very bluntly calls Christians "aliens" in this land (1 Pet. 1:1: 2:11). We must realize that this world is not our home. Though we are presently in the world for a season, we are not of the world. We have been chosen and called out by Jesus Christ (Jn. 6:70-71; 15:16, 19) and "seated…in the heavenly places" (Eph. 1:20; 2:6) to be "a people for His own possession" (Tit. 2:14) who ascribe to Him all loyalty and allegiance (Isa. 45:23).

The more we grow in Christ, the more our alien status becomes evident to both us and the world. Our interests, our companions, our mannerisms, our dress, our desires, our goals, our passions and our character changes as we turn from sin and delight in righteousness. Through our words and deeds we reveal the very heart of God to a world in love with the darkness and suppressing God's revelation with all its might (Rom. 1:18). Because we reject the sinful things they enjoy and stand for the truth they despise, the world will hate us (present tense), just as Jesus predicted. Peter summarized this thought well. "For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you" (1 Pet. 4:3-4).

Now the reverse of this is true as well. If we still go out with our co-workers on Friday nights to the bars and R-rated movies, if we still gossip about our spouse and participate in dirty jokes at the water cooler, if we still stand for sexual freedom, divorce, abortion, religious plurality and comfortable Christianity, if we still refuse to share the gospel and give our neighbors nothing more than recipes - we'll blend right in. And if the world has no problem with us, we had better start asking ourselves whose side we are on (2 Cor. 13:5).

This is Christ's point in verse 21. "But all these things they (the world) will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One (God the Father) who sent Me." Jesus said the reason we will suffer for His "name's sake" is because we are on His team and the world does know the Father who sent Him. The implication is clear. If they had known the Father, they would have gladly received the Son (Jn. 13:20). But since that have rejected both the Father and His "exact representation" (Heb. 1:3) in the Son, naturally they will reject us as His representatives as well.

Now I must say, many Christians bring about their own rejection through unrighteousness, rudeness, annoying personalities, spiritual pride and hypocrisy (1 Pet. 2:20; 3:17). Nevertheless, Jesus wanted His disciples to know that the rejection that comes about from faithful Christian living and faithful Christian witness is not a rejection of them. It's ultimately a rejection of the God of whom they bear witness (1 Thes. 4:7-8). This verse clearly teaches that when people reject you because of your faith, they reject Jesus. And when they reject Jesus, they reject God the Father as well.

2. THE WORLD'S GUILT (vs. 22-25)

Now as we move to the second point in verses 22-25, Jesus will expand this thought. Please follow along. "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, 'They hated me without a cause'" (Jn. 15:22-25).

In love, Jesus comes into the world as the final and perfect revelation of the Father (Jn. 1:18). Jesus said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (Jn. 14:9). His words (vs. 22) were God's words (Jn. 5:19f), which testified of His authority. And His works (vs. 24) were God's works (Jn. 4:34), which authenticated all that He proclaimed. He was none other than the Savior of the world, God Himself in the flesh (Jn. 1:1). He spoke the truth (Jn. 14:6). He committed no evil (Jn. 7:18; 8:46). He did everything in love (Jn. 13:34). He even went to the point of suffering and dying for our sin (Jn. 10:11).

Nevertheless as John declared in chapter 1, "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him" (Jn. 1:10). The next verse, "He came to His own (the Jews) and…His own did not receive Him" (Jn. 1:11). Verse 25 says, they fulfilled their own Scripture (from the OT) and "hated (Him) without a cause" (Psm. 35:19; 69:4). In hating Him, they showed their hatred for the Father as well (Jn. 15:23-24) since, as we have just learned, the two are so tightly bound in Person and deed (Jn. 10:38; 14:11). The Jews had more than sufficient revelation, and they turned their back on their Messiah. Therefore Jesus says in verse 24, "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin."

In the same way today, men and women reject the sufficient covering for their sin in Jesus Christ. They do not want One who rightly exercises rule over them. They do not want One who calls their sinful lifestyle into question. They do not want One who knows the deep recesses of their hearts. They reject Jesus increasing their own guilt and invent substitute gods (modern day idols) to try and fill the longings of their heart that Jesus has reserved for Himself.

How is Jesus rejected today if He is in Heaven? Simple, He is rejected in the ones who witness on His behalf. The good news to many is actually an offense (1 Cor. 1:23), a death sentence (2 Cor. 2:16) to those who are perishing (2 Cor. 2:15). Yet in obedience to Christ and with love for souls we share this message. And like our Savior, we are "hated…without a cause" (Jn. 15:25). The words prophesized by Jesus Christ still ring true today. Verse 20, "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (Jn. 15:20).

Though none of us may be required to give the ultimate sacrifice of our life, persecution to whatever degree is part and parcel with the Christian life. Don't be caught by surprise! Be prepared and understand it when it comes. If it helps, dwell on the advantages of persecution. Persecution will strengthen your faith. It has been documented in church history that the church is always the strongest during times of persecution. Believers are given greater courage and earnestness in their faith while the church is purified as "dead wood" (Jn 15:6) is quickly removed from the vine. Persecution is an indication of your Christlikeness! Remember, Paul said, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:16). Persecution identifies us as Christ's and not the world's disciples. After being flogged, Peter and John "(rejoiced) that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Ac. 5:41).

Therefore, we often read of persecution in line with spiritual blessedness in the Bible. Jesus said, "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Mt. 5:11-12). Peter said, "But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed" (1 Pet. 3:14). Therefore may you respond with good for the world's evil (Rom. 12:21; 1 Pet. 3:9) for God has said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" (Rom. 12:19).

Though we feel uncomfortable at the thought of persecution, we must realize as we learned about with the fruit, that persecution like fruit is not self-produced, but will naturally arrive as a result of godly living. According to the words of Jesus Christ, living for His glory as obedient citizens for His kingdom will bring hatred from the world (Jn. 15:18-20). We cannot have it both ways. We must choose a side, persecution now or eternal damnation later. The choice is yours.

A.W. Tozer spoke of this conflict well, "Those first believers turned to Christ with the full understanding that they were espousing an unpopular cause that could cost them everything. Shortly after Pentecost some were jailed, many lost all their earthly goods, a few were slain, hundreds were 'scattered abroad.' They could have escaped all this by the simple expedient of denying their faith and turning back to the world. This they steadfastly refused to do. To make converts, we are tempted to play down the difficulties and play up the peace of mind and worldly success enjoyed by those who accept Christ. We will never be completely honest with our hearers until we tell them the blunt truth that, as members of a race of moral rebels, they are in a serious jam, and one they will not get out of easily. If they refuse to repent and believe on Christ, they will most surely perish. If they do turn to Him, the same enemies that crucified Him will try to crucify them" (source unknown).

Allow me to conclude with this illustration. Let's pretend that you are flying home this Christmas to visit your family. One hour into the journey, the flight attendant begins to pass out weird jackets and requests each passenger to put it one. Soon to your observation, everybody in the plane is squirming or complaining about this uncomfortable contraption they were forced to wear. You motion to one of the assistants and kindly ask her the purpose of all this. And she responds like this. "Well sir, soon this plane is going crash. What you are wearing is a parachute. Within minutes I will be opening that evacuation door. This parachute will save your life." While the others continue their complaining, you now see the vest in a completely different light. It's no longer an unpleasant burden. Now the discomforts are minimized and any inconveniences associated with the parachute are treasured as a symbol of life.

Jesus has become our parachute. Yes, identification with Him will result in discomforts, but how easy they can be overlooked and even embraced when we realize that they are a result of our union with Him. And it's our union with Him that delivers us from eternal death.