Facing Persecution: Jesus' Call to Love and Testify

Devotional

Day 1: Preparation for Persecution

Jesus prepares His disciples for the severe persecution they will face, not from Gentiles but from their fellow Jews. This forewarning is meant to prevent them from stumbling in their faith when these trials come. Understanding that persecution is part of God's plan helps us remain steadfast in our faith. Jesus knew that His impending betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion would turn the disciples' world upside down, shaking their faith and leaving them heartbroken and confused. He warned them about the stumbling blocks ahead, particularly the severe persecution they would face—not from Gentiles, but from their fellow Jews. This persecution would be so intense that those who kill them would believe they are serving God.

Jesus emphasized that this rejection and persecution were not signs that the disciples were wrong about Him being the Messiah. Instead, it was part of God's plan. He reassured them that their suffering was a reflection of the world's hatred for Him and, by extension, for them. The world hated them because they were not of the world; their lives exposed the world's sinfulness. Jesus' life and teachings revealed the hypocrisy and lack of genuine love among the religious leaders, which is why they hated Him. [27:38]

Bible Passage:
"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:12-13, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a time when you faced opposition or criticism for your faith. How did you respond, and how can you prepare yourself spiritually for future challenges?

Day 2: Rejection by the World

The world will hate us because it first hated Jesus. This hatred is not personal but a rejection of who we represent—Jesus and the Father. When we face rejection and persecution, it is crucial to remember that it is not about us but about the world's ignorance of God. Jesus made it clear that the world's hatred was a direct result of its rejection of Him and His teachings. This rejection is not a personal affront but a spiritual battle against the truth and light that Jesus brought into the world.

As followers of Christ, we must understand that our allegiance to Him will naturally set us apart from the world. This separation often leads to misunderstanding, hostility, and even persecution. However, it is essential to remember that this rejection is not about us but about the world's ignorance of God. Our mission is to continue representing Jesus and the Father, even in the face of adversity. [39:17]

Bible Passage:
"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." (John 15:18-19, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a recent experience where you felt rejected or misunderstood because of your faith. How can you remind yourself that this rejection is not about you but about the world's ignorance of God?

Day 3: Living Differently

As followers of Christ, we are called to live differently from the world. Our values, actions, and words should reflect Jesus, making us stand out. This difference often leads to hatred and persecution, but it is also a powerful testimony of our faith. Jesus' teachings and lifestyle were radically different from the norms of His time, and He calls us to follow His example. This means living in a way that reflects His love, grace, and truth, even when it goes against societal norms.

Living differently as Christians means that our lives should be a testimony of our faith. Our values, actions, and words should reflect Jesus, making us stand out in a world that often values the opposite. This difference can lead to hatred and persecution, but it is also a powerful testimony of our faith. By living according to Christ's teachings, we expose the sinfulness of the world and point others to the hope and salvation found in Him. [42:08]

Bible Passage:
"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." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection:
Identify one area of your life where you feel pressured to conform to the world's standards. How can you intentionally live differently in that area to reflect Christ's teachings?

Day 4: Exposing Sin

Our lives as Christians expose the sinfulness of the world. Just as Jesus' love and actions revealed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, our Christ-like behavior can reveal the moral shortcomings of those around us. This exposure often leads to hostility, but it is necessary for bringing people to repentance. Jesus' life and teachings were a light that exposed the darkness and hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His time. Similarly, our Christ-like behavior can reveal the moral shortcomings of those around us.

This exposure often leads to hostility and persecution, but it is a necessary part of our mission as followers of Christ. By living according to His teachings, we shine a light on the sinfulness of the world, not to shame but to save. Our goal is to lead others to repentance and a relationship with Jesus. This requires courage and a deep commitment to living out our faith, even when it is difficult. [44:45]

Bible Passage:
"For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." (John 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a situation where your Christ-like behavior exposed the wrongdoing of others. How did you handle the hostility that followed, and how can you continue to shine the light of Christ in similar situations?

Day 5: Responding with Love

In the face of persecution, our response should be to continue loving and testifying about Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers us to bear witness, and our love and testimony can lead even our persecutors to Christ. This is a call to be the light in a dark world, showing love and grace even to those who hate us. Jesus instructed His disciples to continue loving and testifying about Him, even in the face of persecution. This is a powerful reminder that our mission does not change, regardless of the opposition we face.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to bear witness to Jesus, and our love and testimony can lead even our persecutors to Christ. This is a call to be the light in a dark world, showing love and grace even to those who hate us. By responding with love, we reflect the character of Christ and open the door for others to experience His transformative power. This requires a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit and a commitment to living out our faith with courage and compassion. [52:00]

Bible Passage:
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:44-45, ESV)

Reflection:
Identify someone in your life who has opposed or hurt you because of your faith. How can you show them Christ's love and grace this week, and what steps can you take to pray for their transformation?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into John chapter 16, where Jesus prepares His disciples for the imminent trials and persecutions they will face. Jesus knows that His impending betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion will turn the disciples' world upside down, shaking their faith and leaving them heartbroken and confused. He warns them about the stumbling blocks ahead, particularly the severe persecution they will face—not from Gentiles, but from their fellow Jews. This persecution will be so intense that those who kill them will believe they are serving God.

Jesus emphasizes that this rejection and persecution are not signs that the disciples were wrong about Him being the Messiah. Instead, it is part of God's plan. He reassures them that their suffering is a reflection of the world's hatred for Him and, by extension, for them. The world hates them because they are not of the world; their lives expose the world's sinfulness. Jesus' life and teachings revealed the hypocrisy and lack of genuine love among the religious leaders, which is why they hated Him.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of love and testimony. Jesus instructs His disciples to continue loving and testifying about Him, even in the face of persecution. The world may hate and reject them, but their mission remains to shine the light of Christ and expose sin, not to shame but to save. This is a call to live differently, to be the light in a dark world, and to understand that persecution is a part of following Jesus.

###

Key Takeaways

1. like behavior can reveal the moral shortcomings of those around us. This exposure often leads to hostility, but it is necessary for bringing people to repentance. [44:45]
5. Responding with Love: In the face of persecution, our response should be to continue loving and testifying about Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers us to bear witness, and our love and testimony can lead even our persecutors to Christ. This is a call to be the light in a dark world, showing love and grace even to those who hate us.

### [44:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction and Mission Updates
[27:08] - Turning to John Chapter 16
[27:38] - Jesus Prepares His Disciples
[29:05] - Stumbling Blocks and Persecution
[30:41] - Rejection by Fellow Jews
[32:05] - Not a Mistake, Part of God's Plan
[33:33] - Early Church Persecution
[34:50] - Love and Testimony
[36:20] - Cause and Effect of Hatred
[37:49] - World Hates Jesus First
[39:17] - Rejection of the Father
[42:08] - Living Differently
[44:45] - Exposing Sin
[46:48] - The Light of Christ
[49:11] - Principal Reason for Hatred
[52:00] - Responding with Love
[54:21] - Jesus' Forewarning
[56:14] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
[58:13] - Invitation and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to John 16:1, why did Jesus speak to His disciples about the upcoming persecution? ([27:38])
What kind of persecution did Jesus say the disciples would face, and from whom? (John 16:2) ([30:41])
In John 15:18, what reason does Jesus give for the world's hatred towards His disciples? ([36:20])
How did Jesus' actions and teachings expose the sinfulness of the religious leaders, according to John 15:22-24? ([44:45])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that Jesus warned His disciples about persecution in advance? How might this have helped them? ([27:38])
How does understanding that the world's hatred is a reflection of its ignorance of God change the way believers should respond to persecution? ([39:17])
What does it mean to live differently from the world, and why does this often lead to persecution? ([42:08])
How can exposing sin through Christ-like behavior lead to hostility, and why is this necessary for bringing people to repentance? ([44:45])

Application Questions

Jesus prepared His disciples for persecution to prevent them from stumbling in their faith. How can you prepare yourself spiritually for potential trials and persecution? ([27:38])
When you face rejection or hostility because of your faith, how can you remind yourself that it is not a personal attack but a rejection of Jesus and the Father? ([39:17])
Reflect on your daily life. In what ways can you live more distinctly as a follower of Christ, even if it means facing opposition? ([42:08])
Think of a time when your actions or words exposed someone's wrongdoing. How did they react, and how did you handle the situation? What can you learn from that experience? ([44:45])
Jesus calls us to respond to persecution with love and testimony. Identify a person or group that has shown hostility towards you because of your faith. How can you show them love and share the message of Jesus with them? ([52:00])
How can you cultivate a heart that grieves for those who persecute you rather than becoming angry or defensive? ([40:46])
Jesus' life and teachings revealed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. How can you ensure that your own life and actions align with the teachings of Jesus, avoiding hypocrisy? ([45:46])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Jesus Christ changed our life. He saved us and rescued us from hell. He's given us an eternal home in heaven. He gives us a peace that passes all understanding. He gives us an abundant joy. He gives us hope. He gives us everything. And we want everyone else to experience what we're experiencing. And so we tell them, this is what Jesus Christ offers you. And yet the world rejects it. And the world persecutes us. And they can even hate us. We go to them with love, and they reciprocate hate." [35:20] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Living the Christian life is so much better. It's so much easier. But our world... The world loves sin. And so they hate us without a cause. We don't get it. They hate Jesus Christ for reasons we don't understand. He loves them. He loves them so much that he gave his life for them. And so we will be hated by the world. But what should our response be when people persecute us?" [50:41] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We must continue to testify of Jesus Christ, even to those who might persecute us. See, Jesus sees a trip line ahead of his disciples. He sees what's coming. They don't see it coming. They believe that the world, especially the Jews, are ready to receive Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is their Messiah. They believe that Jesus is ready to set up his kingdom. They foresee honor coming their way. They don't foresee persecution. But Jesus knows better." [54:21] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We must continue to show the love of Jesus Christ. We must continue to testify of Jesus Christ. And just maybe, we can make a difference in the life of an individual. Just maybe, we can make a difference in the life of our community. Just maybe, we can make a difference in the life of our community. If we continue to shine the light. Just don't be surprised when those who hate Jesus Christ hate you as well. And don't allow it to cause you to stumble, cause you to falter, and cause you to fall away." [55:36] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Jesus Christ is trying to get his disciples ready for his death and his departure. He knows what is about to happen. And he knows that it doesn't make sense to his disciples, nor does it fit in their theology to know what to expect. He knows what to expect. Their view of the Messiah was that he was to be the conquering hero and that they, as his followers, would rule with him. But just in a couple of hours, Jesus Christ is going to be betrayed, arrested, and crucified. In a very short time, their world is going to be turned upside down." [27:38] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The persecution that they were going to face was going to be severe. As Jews, they were used to being persecuted by other Gentile nations. But that is not where their main source of persecution was about to come from. Jesus states in chapter 16, verse number two, they should put you out of the synagogues. Yea, the time comes that whosoever kills you will think that he does God's service. And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me." [30:41] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The religious leaders hated Jesus Christ because he exposed them for who they were, hypocrites. The religious leaders, they looked the part of godly people. They talked the part, even offering long prayers. But they were lacking what was most important, love. A love for God and a love for other people. They did what they did to be praised by other people. They did what they did to gain power and wealth. They didn't do the things they did because of their love for God. They didn't do the things because of their love for other people. But Jesus Christ was different." [45:46] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We should not become angry and hateful and fighting all the time as Christians. We should feel sorry and grieved with those who don't know the father, even if they persecute us. So the first reason that Jesus gives that the world will hate them is that they first hated Jesus. The second reason is that you are not like them. He says in verse number 19, if you were of the world, the world would love his own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." [40:46] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Many people who hated Jesus Christ and who hated his disciples were later reached for Christ by the very ones that they had been persecuting. It seems that the great apostle Paul was influenced by the testimony of Stephen, both his preaching and his life when he helped, when Paul helped lead the charge in stoning Stephen to death. Many people, many people have been saved as a result of the testimony and the life of the very ones that they had been persecuting. We must continue to testify of Jesus Christ, even to those who might persecute us." [53:20] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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