September 11, 2005
Sermon Outline
“What Followers of Christ Should Expect from the World”
John 15:18 – John 16:4
I. Understand who / what the world is in this context:
1. In Greek, the word kosmos cosmos from which we get the English word cosmopolitan properly signifies this earth and all things in it, as a regularly organized system.
2. It was this same world kosmos that was created by Christ – John 1:3; John 1:10
3. This world is said not to know Christ – John 1:10
4. It is a world that needs to be saved – John 3:17
5. In the context of John 15:18 Christ is referring mostly to the unsaved in the world, the unregenerate, guilty, depraved, those who opposite of Christ’s disciples have not been chosen out of the world.
6. It is over this world that Satan is said to be “ruler” and “god” – John 12:31; 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
7. This world hates true Christians, hates Christ and hates God the Father – John 15:18; John 15:23
II. Understand the nature and expression of this hatred the world has for Christ:
1. It is a hatred that is natural to an unsaved man – John 8:6-8
2. It is natural for an unsaved man to indulge in all kinds of sin – Matthew 15:19; Romans 3:10-18; Jeremiah 13:23
3. This hatred Christ says is inevitable – John 15:18-19
4. How is this hatred toward Christ / His followers expressed?
A. persecution - :20
B. keeping of word (what this could mean) - :20
C. they will put Christ’s followers out of synagogues – John 16:2
D. they will count it service to God to kill Christians – John 16:2
5. Consider how Christ’s words have proved true in the history of the church:
A. Christians were persecuted by the Jews
B. Christians were persecuted by Pagans
6. The persecution of Christians continues, even today:
A. Fiercely all over the world, especially in Muslim countries
B. Even in America, never in our history has hatred for Christians been more widespread than today, we see it in:
B1. The Media
B2. The Pubic Forum
B3. The Government
B4. Public Schools
B5. The Courts
B6. In the Attitudes and Beliefs of Regular People
III. What Christ wants us to know about and how Christ wants us to respond to the world’s hatred:
1. It is a hatred because of Christ – John 15:8-25
2. It is because Christ has chosen us out of the world – John 15:19
3. He would have us “remember” He told us this would happen - 15:20; 16:4
4. He would have us bear “witness” to the Gospel - 15:27
5. He would have us not “stumble” for the world would like us to fall – John 16:1
“Your husband hears your five-week old baby crying. You know the problem. She has a dirty diaper. You know what needs to be done. Her diaper needs changing. You're tired. The baby's been cranky all day, and you need a rest, even if it's only a short one. Your ever-loving husband is in his workshop. "Honey," you call out to him, "would you be a dear and check on Julie?" He returns with baby in tow and passes her off to you and says, "Her diaper's dirty, so I can't change it."
Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Dad was sent to change what was dirty, a natural and necessary thing to do. If his response is so foolish, why is it that when we get into an area like politics, some can justify their inaction by making a similar claim?: "Politics is dirty! I can't get involved." If you view politics as something dirty, then view it in terms of this bumper sticker: "Politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed often." Maybe then we can dispense with the charge that Christians should not be involved in something as dirty as politics.”
From “The Christian Job of Political Cleanup” Gary DeMar
