THE COST OF CONNECTION Jesus Said – Part 7 8/27/2023 Understanding Persecution If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. John 15:18 ESV 1. What is the world which hated Jesus and his followers? The World: Those who resent the very idea that they are responsible to an unseen being named God. 2. Why would the world hate the disciples and other followers of Christ? 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 15:19 ESV Why? It’s because you are different. You are not “of the world” Why? Because we are connected to Jesus. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. John 15:20-21 ESV Why? Because Jesus exposed sin. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. John 15:22-24 ESV What To Remember When Persecution Comes Your Way 1. Persecution fosters maturity Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. Hebrews 12:3 ESV 2. It is an opportunity for growth A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40 ESV 3. You are not alone But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. Hebrews 11:35-37 NLT How To Respond To Persecution But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ John 15:25 ESV Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21 NIV "If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever will save his life will lose it, but whoever loses it for my sake will save it." Luke 9:23-24 ESV Following can be hard but the reward is great.