Transcript

Hated Without Cause - Part Two

John 15:26-16:4
Sunday, January 4, 2004
Pastor Randy Smith

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Thinking back to my nine years as a public educator in the middle school, nothing brings back greater memories than the student Bible study we conducted at 6:45 every Tuesday morning. Those students, four years removed from high school by now, were my heroes.

My fellow colleagues were perplexed. They couldn't understand why we teachers would spend so much time with the students without financial remuneration. They couldn't understand how 40 students would come since we were not permitted any public advertising. They couldn't understand why we were the largest club in the school when all we did was sing songs, pray and discuss the Bible. Lives were continually transformed by the gospel and many in the school didn't know what to make of it.

Though we never hurt anybody, we were ridiculed, shunned and interrogated. Muslim kids, unaware of what they were celebrating would get their pictures on the front page of the town newspaper, while we were continually denied any press in something as small as the school newsletter. Though we served the school conducting various work projects and stressed virtues such as kindness, honesty, respect, and hard work, many aggressively did what they could to bring an end to our group. Often when that first period bell rang, I felt like I was sending these young believers out as sheep amongst a pack of wolves. These students in the public school got to experience the world's persecution up close, persecution that resulted solely from living the Christian life God demands. They were (as the title of the sermon indicates) hated without a cause (Jn. 15:25).

For the past few weeks we have been studying the Upper Room discourse that began in chapter 13. Jesus had been continually present with His disciples up to this point, but now He was about to leave their physical company to die on a cross and return to His Father. What would He say to these eleven men who desperately needed encouragement, as they were losing their Lord, and urgently needed instruction, as they would be the foundation for His church. Since our Lord's time was limited, no doubt He selected topics of utmost importance for Christian living. We've covered many of them already.

After first modeling love and humility by washing their feet, Jesus began to encourage and instruct. He predicted the betrayal of Judas (Jn. 13:21) and the denial of Peter (Jn. 13:38) so the disciples would not be caught off guard when they witnessed the defection from two of their strongest (Jn. 13:19). He encouraged them with reminders about His return and eternity in heaven (Jn. 14:1-3), salvation alone in His name (Jn. 14:6), the greater work they will achieve in evangelism (Jn. 14:12), their power in prayer (Jn. 14:13-14; 15:16), His victory over Satan (Jn. 15:30) and the soon arrival of the Holy Spirit who would be their advocate (Jn. 14:16), Helper as they compose the Scriptures (Jn. 14:26), and conduit to receive the fullness of His love (Jn. 15:9), joy (Jn. 15:11) and peace (Jn. 14:27). He reminded them that their love for Him is expressed by keeping His commandments (Jn. 14:21). He mentioned that such obedience is necessary for abiding in Him to bear spiritual fruit (Jn. 15:4). "…for apart from me," Jesus said, "you can do nothing" (Jn. 15:5).

Then, following the great love commandment whereby His disciples would be exhorted to love as He loves them (Jn. 15:12, 17) comes a most unusual admonition. From 15:18-16:4, Jesus warned His disciples that they would experience persecution. In other words, these men should not be taken by surprise when the world persecutes them for doing what He says. Henceforth, persecution, by way of encouragement, would be a fairly decent barometer to gage whether His disciples are living the life He desires.

In a desire to preach the whole counsel of God, three weeks ago we looked at some of this instruction. Verse 18, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you." 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, therefore the world hates you." Verse 20, "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…"

The point that Jesus seems to me making is if He received such ill treatment from the world, those who follow in His image and proclaim His message should expect the same. Additionally, Jesus wants these men to understand that the rejection of them by the world is really a rejection of Him, and a rejection of Him is really a rejection of God the Father. "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me…He who hates Me hates My Father also" (Jn. 15:21, 23; cf. 16:3).

This morning, as we look forward to the Lord's Table, I would like to cover the final six verses of this section that deal with Christian persecution. As our Lord intended it with His Apostles, may you be forewarned, prepared and encouraged by this crucial instruction from your Savior.

1. JESUS-THE WITNESS FOR HIM (15:26-27)

Let's begin with the first point - "Jesus-The Witness for Him." The former warning (part 1 of this sermon) regarding persecution came directly on the heels of the love command in verse 17. "This I command you, that you love one another." Earlier in chapter 13 Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jn. 13:35). Do you see the connection between love and persecution? Here it is. When we as a church rightly love one another we prove to be Jesus' disciples. We give a profound witness for Jesus Christ through our actions. Such profound Christlike actions will incite hatred from the world.

Now the second warning (today's sermon) regarding persecution in 16:1-4, comes directly on the heels of the instruction presented in 15:26-27. In those verses we learn that the Holy Spirit will empower us to witness for Jesus Christ with our words. The connection here is rather obvious. When we verbally testify for Jesus, such actions will also incite hatred from the world.

Let's listen carefully to the words of Christ. Beginning in verse 26, "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me, and you willbear witness also, because you have been with Me from the beginning" (Jn. 15:26-27; cf. Ac. 5:32).

As we have seen, now in the third "Paraclete Saying," and we will see throughout this Upper Room sermon, the Holy Spirit permeates this discourse. Like everything else required in this section (i.e. fruit bearing, obeying, abiding, etc), the Holy Spirit is also necessary both to the recipient and to us to bear effective witness for Christ. For the recipient (the one witnessed to) it is the Spirit's responsibility to "convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment" (Jn. 16:8b), to enlighten and regenerate hearts. For us (the one witnessing) it is the Spirit's responsibility to impart faithful, bold, accurate and powerful testimony for Christ.

By way of example, we see these three themes of persecution, witness and Holy Spirit collide in the Olivet Discourse. Our Lord spoke of the time when His disciples would undergo their severest persecution during The Great Tribulation. Jesus said, "And when they arrest you and deliver you up (persecution), do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour (witness); for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit (Holy Spirit)" (Mk. 13:11; Lk. 21:12-17). The Holy Spirit, who wrote the Bible uses us as we speak the Bible to soften hearts and draw men and women to Christ.

Though witnessing for Jesus Christ is commanded (verse 27; Mt. 28:18-20), and our love for Christ is demonstrated by obeying His commandments (Jn. 14:15), it should be the natural overflow of a heart that loves Jesus, a heart that is overflowing with joy and seeks to double that joy by telling others. It should be the natural overflow of a heart that loves others and passionately seeks to share the message of eternal life with even an enemy. Just as we could not imagine one day without Jesus, we must share Jesus with those who have yet to experience Him even for one day.

As the gospel was presented to the Apostles as the first eyewitnesses, we follow in their succession with the awesome responsibility of telling the world about Jesus. We are to bear witness for Christ and testify of His remarkable grace that we've personally experienced. However, the connection Jesus appears to be making here is that our Spirit-empowered witness though cherished and accepted by some, will be hated and rejected by the overwhelming majority (cf. Jn. 15:20b).

Maybe you can recall the unspeakable joy when you first put your trust in Christ. If you were like me, you had an overwhelming desire to share Jesus and your new faith with everybody you knew. It didn't take long to realize that your most trusted companions didn't applaud the change that had occurred in your life. As a matter of fact, they really didn't want to hear about it. As a matter of fact, they began judging you, disassociating you, questioning you or flat out attacking you.

Sometimes the persecution can be rather subtle like the rolling of an eye or the clucking of a tongue, yet often the persecution can be rather severe (as we will learn in 16:1-4) because of our identification with and witness for Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, the Greek word translated "witness" (Jn. 15:26, 27) is martureo, where we derive our English word "martyr."

Bruce Shelley in his book, Church History in Plain Language brings this together and drives the point home to the severest degree. "Persecution in many instances helped to publicize the Christian faith. Martyrdoms were often witnessed by thousands in the amphitheater. The term "martyr" originally meant, "witness," at that is precisely what many Christians were at the moment of death. The Roman public was hard and cruel, but it was not altogether without compassion; and there is no doubt that the attitude of the martyrs, and particularly the young women who suffered along with the men, made a deep impression. In instance after instance what we find is cool courage in the face of torment, courtesy toward enemies, and a joyful acceptance of suffering as the way appointed by the Lord to lead to His heavenly kingdom. There are a number of cases of conversion of pagans in the very moment of witnessing the condemnation and death of Christians" (Shelley, Church History, p. 36). Shelley's point seems to be that witnessing leads to persecution and persecution rightly received leads to more witnessing.

2. JESUS-THE PERSECUTION OF HIS FOLLOWERS (16:2-3)

This quote makes a good transition to the second point - "Jesus, the Persecution of His Followers." Jesus didn't mince His words regarding the extent of persecution His faithful witnesses might receive. Beginning in chapter 16 verse 2, our Lord predicted, "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. And these things they will do, because they have not known the Father, or Me" (Jn. 16:2-3).

As I shared in part one of this sermon, men and women faithfully following the commandments of their Lord have personally seen the fulfillment of this prophecy. We have already witnessed in John's gospel (9:22; 12:42) the healed blind man thrown out of the synagogue for his affiliation with Jesus. We could turn one book forward to Acts and read about the first Christian martyr, Stephen (Ac. 7:59) and the beheading of the first Apostle, James (Ac. 12:2). It is significant that all of these actions were conducted not by the pagans, but rather, as Jesus predicted in verse 2, the ruling religious authorities of the day. How can we forget the young Jewish rabbi named Saul who imprisoned, beat and killed those who belonged Christ (Ac. 8:1f)?

As we peek down the corridors of church history, the secular state has definitely brutalized the church; however, most persecution throughout the centuries has come from misguided "religious" people often seeking to serve Allah or Yahweh. Remember, Jesus Himself was murdered on the accusation of "blasphemy" (Mt. 26:65). Yet tragically much persecution for Christ's followers has ironically happened in the name of Jesus Himself as the worldly and unbelieving parts of the "church" seek to eliminate those who are faithful to the Word and true to Christ's calling. This happened to the largest extent during the Protestant Reformation.

Take for example the story of William Tyndale. Believing that the church needed to read Scripture for themselves instead of trusting the Popes and Councils, Tyndale in 1526 published his English translation of the New Testament. In 1527 the Catholic Church convinced the king to ban all Tyndale's works in England. For simply printing the Bible for people to read, Tyndale was captured, imprisoned, strangled and then burned at the stake in Vilvorden in 1536 (Foxe, John. Foxes Christian Martyrs of the World, p. 67-69).

Thomas Cranmer strongly believed that students of divinity should know the Bible. Eventually as Archbishop he took a stand against the Catholic Church regarding services in Latin, transubstantiation, refusal of the cup to laity, the authority of the Pope and immoralities amongst the priests. On February 14, 1555, Cranmer was condemned and stripped of his Church offices. After three years in prison Cranmer recanted. Nevertheless it was still decided that Cranmer was to be burned at the stake. His persecutors before his martyrdom gave a sermon and the church promised that masses would be said for his soul in Oxford. Before the fire was lit, Cranmer was once again asked to read his recantation. After reading his beliefs he said, "And now I come to the great thing that troubles my conscience more than anything I ever did or said in my whole life, and that is the publishing of a writing contrary to the truth, which I now here renounce and refuse, as things written by my hand contrary to the truth I believed with my whole heart, written because I feared death. Since my hand offended, it will be punished: When I come to the fire, it first will be burned." Though raged at Cranmer's words, the Catholic churchmen had nothing left to threaten him with. Cranmer kneeled down briefly to pray. As the fire approached him, he plunged his right hand into the fire, keeping it there until everyone could see it burned before his body was touched by the flames. "This unworthy right hand!" he called out often before he gave up his spirit (Foxe, John. Foxes Christian Martyrs of the World, p. 161-173).

Why do these things happen? Why are innocent men and women hated without cause? Jesus made it clear in verse 3, "And these things they will do, because they have not known the Father or Me." Simply put, they are Godless! And being Godless, they want nothing to do with anything that represents God by way of actions or words. And the world that hates God (Jn. 17:14) will do whatever it takes, often in the name of religion, to stamp Him out.

3. JESUS-THE REASON FOR HIS WARNING (16:1, 4)

Finally, as we move to the third point - "Jesus, The Reason for His Warning," we come to the reason why Jesus made these bold predictions regarding persecution. Though such a topic is not pleasant, Jesus had a purpose for His comments. For such a reason we too must not shy away from this topic lest we presume that we are wiser that Jesus. For His purpose then is still as applicable today for those who desire to live godly.

First He said in verse 1, "These things I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling." Jesus knew from personal experience that faithful Christian living will result in persecution. Therefore, He wanted His disciples prepared for such mistreatment when it does arise lest they sin or fall away from the faith because they were caught off guard.

Telling a Christian he will not experience persecution is akin to telling a new soldier in Iraq he will not experience gunfire. A platoon of soldiers with this mentality will be easily defeated in combat. The same holds true for the soldier of Christ. For this reason, Paul told the young Timothy, "Suffer hardship with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."

Second in verse 4 Jesus made a similar comment. "But these things I have spoken to you, that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you." We have learned much about Christ's "hour" which had now arrived whereby He would be glorified on the cross. The world, led by the "ruler of this world" (Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) will now enjoy its "hour." At first the world targeted Christ; therefore, there was no need to warn the disciples. But now with their Master in heaven no longer to be touched, it will be open season on His disciples. Again, Jesus wanted His disciples prepared so such persecution would not weaken, but rather strengthen their faith when they share in His sufferings and realize His predictions.

This message is crucial! It's been said that the American evangelical church is so weak and worldly that there is nothing about it to persecute (George MacLeod, Leadership, vol. 2, no. 4). Often many believers who seek to live godly, receive their greatest persecution from the carnal believers in the church they attend. Beloved, these things should not be!

For many, these words from our Lord in a sermon like this are outright offensive. But for the one, like the disciples who is truly living the Christian life faithful in Christlike love and bold in Spirit-driven witness and receiving the persecution promised by our Lord, these words from our Savior are intended to confirm and strengthen their faith.

Amy Carmichael, the great missionary to India, noted for her humble service and popular quotation, "Missionary life is a chance to die," once wrote:

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spend,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?

No wound, no scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And, pierced are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has no wounds nor scar?