The Church Will be Persecuted

Jesus Warned Us About Persecution

Book of John 15:18-27

We should understand that in all the ages since the Lord Jesus Christ went back home to Heaven to prepare us a place to live, Christians have been persecuted in one form or another. We talk about persecution here in America but in reality, we have never seen persecution like those who live in many other parts of our world.

As Christians we are never to seek the propagation of the Gospel by force. We are to understand that all those in Heaven will be there because they chose to love the Lord with all their heart. Not one hypocrite will be in Heaven.

Not one persecutor of the true Church will be in Heaven unless they repent of their evil ways as did the Apostle Paul.

Paul never forgave himself for persecuting the church even though he had been forgiven of all his sin by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psa 7:10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

Psa 7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

Psa 7:12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

Psa 7:13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

Psa 7:14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

All unbelievers will see the wrath of God, we can be sure, but those who persecute the Church that the Lord has built cannot escape the judgments of the Lord.

The Lord has prepared for them special instruments of death. To me this is very frightening!

What did Jesus say to us?

*****Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

If this world hated all those who are mean, or who are selfish, or who profit from lies, or who are dishonest and who live by immoral standards then the world may be right, but the truth is, evil is not the object of hatred in this world we live in!

This world we live in hates goodness. Too much profit is made in the things of evil for the world to give up on evil and turn to goodness!

Jesus said that all Christians would be hated because we no longer belong in this world, our home is in Heaven. We are the aliens that this world spends so much money looking for!

Heaven is that world that cannot be seen by the greatest telescopes.

Heaven is that world that cannot be reached by the greatest of all spaceships.

Heaven is the world that can only be reached by and through the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Bible remains the bestselling, book in all the world and the Lord Jesus Christ the most hated of all persons in the world.

Today in America, we have a president who claims to be Christian. He is not hated because of what he has done. He is hated because he claims to be Christian along with his wife who also claims to be Christian.

This is what America has become. Our nation which was established upon Christian principles is being attacked by those who want an evil nation and want to be supplied with every evil thing to keep it that way.

This is why the Bible says these things would only get worse.

2Ti_3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Notice it is not because people are being told the truth, it is only because people are being deceived that all these things are happening!

This does not allow for change in the way of the Christian!

1Th_5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

The Lord also did not never say that to be a Christian would be easy.

*****Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

All those of the world are the same as those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because it was our Lord Jesus Christ who taught the real meaning of sin!

Jesus makes it really simple, this world loves its sin to much to give it up!

This world refuses to accept that there is a God and His name is Jehovah!

Those that reject that there is a God, named Jehovah, are all those who are of the world! They are those who are lost, and they are those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Even a blind man can see that this is true!

As Christians these must not be see as strange things that just happen, the Lord tells us all that these things will happen!

The Muslim hate the Christian because they are being deceived.

The Hindu hate the Christian because they are being deceived.

It is the same for all false religions and all those who twist the Word of God into a lie.

Once our Creator is understood then many more will come to Christ to be saved.

This is why it is so important that we not give in to any thing that challenges the Word of God in the Book of Genesis nor any other book of the Bible.

We have the truth, it is not up for discussion with those who reject the truth!

God is not some supreme grandfather, He is God even though He is a Loving God and a Just God!

We must understand that only by the "Grace" of God are we any better than those of this world.

We must also understand, that though we will one day meet the Lord "face to face" we will never be equal to our God.

*****Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

We may never understand Christian persecution, but we should see that it is a test of our character and an evidence of living as a Christian.

We have seen all over the world how Christians have gone to prison before they would deny the Lord.

We have seen all over the world of Christians who have been beheaded before they would deny the Lord.

What will we do when persecution comes our way? We need to ask ourselves this question because persecution could come our way at any time!

We must also understand that persecution is not some test that comes from God.

The world hates believers because they are convicted of their sin.

It is the "Gospel Message" that convicts this world of sin because sin cannot hide from righteousness.

Righteousness is doing things right according to the Word of God.

Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

The world does all these things because the world rejects the true God!

*****Joh 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Joh 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

Joh 15:23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

This world hates goodness and it shows more each day!

If the Lord had never come to this earth the world would have been happy to continue on until death and Hell just as it was in the days of Noah.

Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

We are fools if we cannot see that the wickedness of man is growing again at a rapid pace.

The children of God again are turning toward the world!

Gen 6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

Gen 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

God had promised that He would not send a flood to cover this entire world again and He gave us the "Rainbow" to remember this promise.

When God came to this world in the flesh of Jesus Christ with the message of salvation, He pointed out the sin of this world which would again lead to destruction this time by fire.

As the world hides behind race and poverty, the Lord says there are only two groups of people, the Church and the World.

We see so many of the Church are not as hated because they have become part of the world. The Church is sinking in the sea of the world and may not ever rise again!

We all have to work in the same places, enjoy the same things, and become friends to those who oppose the Lord.

There is still a great gulf that is growing between right and wrong, goodness and evil, and many are not willing to give up the things that the Lord hates.

There is no bridge to cover this division between the two.

There must be a complete separation.

2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2Co_6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

There is a growing hatred between these two groups.

The Lord Jesus Christ did many things just to prove that He is God and we live in a world that increasingly denies these things because they cannot disprove them!

*****Joh 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

Joh 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

Many say they believe the Word of God, but they just cannot believe the Word of God is Divine even though it is!

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Jesus then said if we cannot believe that all the Word of God was sent from Heaven, then just believe the miracles that are recorded in the Word of God.

Many do believe that the Word of God is an accurate history of the time of Christ Jesus.

Joh 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

Joh 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

Joh 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.

Joh 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Joh 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

These enemies of the Lord could not deny the miracles that were seen by so many people, yet many today, still say these things were impossible and that is the whole point.

The Lord Jesus Christ did the impossible, yet He is still denied. We live in a very foolish world!

There is truly no reason for this world to hate Jesus, but it does!

Joh 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

Joh 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

Joh 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Joh 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

We can only deduce that this world we live in is truly ignorant!

It astounds me that our younger generation can believe the lies of the liberal politicians, who have never proven they hold to the truth, yet they can deny Jesus Christ.

Many in this world say they believe in a God but when they deny Jesus Christ, they have denied the only God that exist!

Many today talk of sin and ways to get to Heaven yet they deny the only means to do so!

The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin of "unbelief"!

Over and over many will say "I do not pretend to be a Christian and yet in their next breath they will say "But I do not hate God". How foolish are they who say such things!

Loving Jehovah is the key to salvation!

All those that say they love God but hate or deny Jesus Christ are certainly not trying to please the God they say they love!

Obedience is the first sign of love!

You want to see the face of anger, just mention the name Jesus in a crowd! Makes no sense at all!

Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

We must also understand some things of the Holy Spirit.

*****Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Joh 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

We must clearly understand that our salvation can only happen by the work of the Holy Trinity, the Triune God!

God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit! Not three Gods but one God in three persons!

Things we cannot deny:

1) God is three persons!

2) Each person is the same God with all the same characteristics and powers!

3) There is only one God!

Any group of religionist that deny the Triune God then are only cults and certainly not Christianity!

The Holy Spirit has a mission and that mission is to draw us closer to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

It was the Holy Spirit who caused the Apostles to remember all the things of Jesus Christ!

It was the Holy Spirit who gave miracle making powers to the Apostles!

It was the Holy Spirit that these Apostles the words to say when they were brought before the government!

It is the Holy Spirit who will teach us the deep things of God.

It is the Holy Spirit who travels with the Word of God to bring conviction to those who hear God's Word's!

It is the Holy Spirit that shows our ownership to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

It is impossible for the Holy Spirit to lead us anywhere except to the Lord Jesus Christ!

It is impossible for the true believer to not be endowed with the Holy Spirit!

It is the Holy Spirit that causes us to be a Temple for the Father and His Son to abide in upon this earth!

1Co_6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

It is the Holy Spirit who shows our ownership to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord Jesus Christ will present us to His Father!

When Pilate ask the Lord Jesus, "what is truth", Jesus Christ was and is Himself the Truth!

It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the strength to overcome persecution!

Amen

Let's Pray!