Follow the Master
Series: No Ordinary Life
Speaker: Sam Low
Date: 15th October 2011
00:00:00 --> 00:00:21 There's a true story of a small village in India.
00:00:22 --> 00:00:29 And in this village, there was this family that came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, a Savior and Lord.
00:00:30 --> 00:00:39 This agitated the village so much and everybody became so upset that an angry mob gathered and shoved them into the public square.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:44 The village chief confronted them and he said to the man,
00:00:44 --> 00:00:51 If you and your family will not recant your faith, you all will surely die.
00:00:52 --> 00:00:55 The man didn't know what to say or what to do.
00:00:55 --> 00:01:04 And so the only thing that came to mind for him were the words of a song that he himself had composed when he had first surrendered his life to God.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:06 And so he began to sing,
00:01:08 --> 00:01:09 I have decided to follow Jesus.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:12 No turning back.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:14 No turning back.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:15 No turning back.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:16 No turning back.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:20 And with that, horrifically, his children were killed.
00:01:22 --> 00:01:28 I have decided to follow Jesus.
00:01:29 --> 00:01:35 I have decided to follow Jesus.
00:01:35 --> 00:01:46 No turning back.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:50 No turning back.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:02 He was given another chance, this time with his wife's life on the line.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:05 And yet he continued to sing,
00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 Though none go with me, still I will follow.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:10 No turning back.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:12 No turning back.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:42 No turning back.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:52 After her tragic death, he was given one final opportunity, this time to save himself.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 And yet he continued to sing.
00:02:55 --> 00:03:07 The cross before me, the world behind me.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 The cross before me.
00:03:09 --> 00:03:10 The world behind me.
00:03:10 --> 00:03:14 The cross before me.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:18 The world behind me.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:21 No turning back.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:24 No turning back.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:38 Even though that man and his family died on that day, something remarkable happened.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:42 a seed was planted in the heart of that village chief,
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 a seed that began to grow over time,
00:03:45 --> 00:03:48 and eventually he called the community together
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 in that very same neighborhood, in that very same square,
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 and he renounced his former faith
00:03:53 --> 00:03:57 and declared his allegiance to Jesus Christ.
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 And a celebration broke out in that moment,
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 and the gospel began to flourish and to grow in that community,
00:04:06 --> 00:04:10 not just in that village, but across the whole region,
00:04:10 --> 00:04:13 because they had seen real faith,
00:04:13 --> 00:04:17 and they knew the true character of God
00:04:17 --> 00:04:21 because of a family that believed and sacrificed,
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 even under the penalty of death.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:30 No turning back
00:04:30 --> 00:04:37 No turning back
00:04:37 --> 00:04:45 We've been working through for a few weeks now
00:04:45 --> 00:04:51 the chapters in John's gospel that we know of as the Farewell Discourse.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 It's often seen as Jesus' goodbye to his disciples,
00:04:55 --> 00:04:59 but there's more going on here than just goodbye.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:01 This is more than just,
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 I'm leaving.
00:05:03 --> 00:05:04 This is carry on,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 these are marching orders,
00:05:06 --> 00:05:10 and the focus till this point has been so positive.
00:05:11 --> 00:05:12 It's been so encouraging.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 It's been all about comforting the disciples.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 If you remember back in chapter 14,
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 Jesus began to tell his disciples
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 that he is leaving for the purpose
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 of preparing a room for them,
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 that the reason he is going
00:05:26 --> 00:05:27 is because there was more,
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 and he is going ahead of them in preparation.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:32 He told them about another counselor
00:05:32 --> 00:05:33 that he would give to them,
00:05:33 --> 00:05:33 another helper,
00:05:34 --> 00:05:35 who was going to be just like Jesus.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:37 They would not be left alone.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 There was another one coming from the Father.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:40 Even in chapter 15,
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 the command to love,
00:05:42 --> 00:05:43 the command to bear fruit,
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 it all comes in the context
00:05:45 --> 00:05:46 of being reminded
00:05:46 --> 00:05:47 that it's Jesus who is divine,
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 that it's him who will empower them
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 to love one another,
00:05:51 --> 00:05:52 that it's him who will enable them
00:05:52 --> 00:05:53 to bear fruit,
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 that it's his Holy Spirit
00:05:55 --> 00:05:56 who will be with them,
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 and the incredible promise
00:05:57 --> 00:06:00 in the back half of chapter 14
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 that the Father and the Son
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 will make their home
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 with these disciples even now,
00:06:05 --> 00:06:06 that they will come
00:06:06 --> 00:06:08 and that they will dwell with them
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 in the person of the Holy Spirit.
00:06:12 --> 00:06:13 But suddenly,
00:06:13 --> 00:06:14 when we get to this second half
00:06:14 --> 00:06:15 of chapter 15,
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 everything shifts.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 There's this drastic change
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 in the tone of what Jesus has to say
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 because he knows
00:06:23 --> 00:06:24 that there is a reality
00:06:24 --> 00:06:25 that the disciples will face
00:06:25 --> 00:06:27 that is far from comforting,
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 that is far from easy.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 And he begins in verse 18.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 If the world hates you,
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 keep in mind that it hated me first.
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 If you belong to the world,
00:06:41 --> 00:06:42 it would love you as its own.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:43 As it is,
00:06:43 --> 00:06:44 you do not belong to the world,
00:06:45 --> 00:06:46 but I have chosen you out of the world.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 That is why the world hates you.
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 Remember the words I spoke to you.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 No servant is greater than his master.
00:06:53 --> 00:06:54 If they persecuted me,
00:06:55 --> 00:06:56 they will persecute you also.
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 If they obeyed my teaching,
00:06:58 --> 00:06:59 they will obey yours also.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:01 They will treat you this way
00:07:01 --> 00:07:02 because of my name,
00:07:02 --> 00:07:03 for they do not know
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 the one who sent me.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 The message Jesus has for his disciples
00:07:08 --> 00:07:11 is the world will hate you.
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 I will be with you.
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 I'm preparing a place for you.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:16 I will make my home with you,
00:07:16 --> 00:07:18 but the world that you live in
00:07:18 --> 00:07:19 will hate you.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 For all the good that you try and do,
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 for all the love that you show
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 to your brothers and sisters,
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 and especially for the message
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 that you bring,
00:07:30 --> 00:07:33 that Jesus is the only hope for salvation.
00:07:34 --> 00:07:36 Because of all that,
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 the world will hate you.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:42 The disciples need to realize
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 that they have chosen to follow
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 a suffering saviour.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 That the one who they are here with,
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 the one who they are giving their lives to,
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 has been rejected his whole life.
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 Very soon he will be killed,
00:07:57 --> 00:07:57 crucified,
00:07:57 --> 00:08:01 and they've got to understand
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 that's the one they're following.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:06 Following Jesus means following Jesus.
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 And the footsteps he took
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 led him to the cross,
00:08:11 --> 00:08:13 led him to suffering and rejection
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 and ultimately death.
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 It shouldn't be a surprise for the disciples,
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 but this one last time,
00:08:20 --> 00:08:20 before he leaves,
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 Jesus wants them to hear it from his mouth.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 The path of a Christian
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 is one of suffering and rejection.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:32 Following Jesus means following Jesus.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 Look at verse 22.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:34 It says,
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 If I had not come and spoken to them,
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 they would not be guilty of sin.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 Now, however,
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 they have no excuse for their sin.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 If I had not done among them
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 what no one else did,
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 they would not be guilty of sin.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 But now they have seen these miracles,
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 and yet they have hated
00:08:50 --> 00:08:52 both me and my Father.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:56 Jesus arrives and begins to preach
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 that the kingdom of God is near,
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 begins to preach that salvation
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 and forgiveness is in him,
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 begins to prove that he is the Son of God
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 who can bring forgiveness
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 by the power of his miracles,
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 by the authority of his teaching,
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 and yet they reject him.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:17 He comes offering forgiveness and hope,
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 but the kingdom he preached
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 was not necessarily the kingdom
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 that they wanted to hear about.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 The kingdom that Jesus preached
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 was a kingdom of righteousness,
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 a kingdom of holiness.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:35 And so what it did was hold a mirror up
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 to just how unworthy the world was.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 Jesus' life and his miracles
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 and his perfect example
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 and his message
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 that he alone is the way,
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 the truth and the life,
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 took away the opportunity
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 that the world had
00:09:50 --> 00:09:51 to deceive itself
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 into thinking it was okay.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 His arrival meant
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 that you chose him
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 and chose life
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 or you rejected him
00:09:59 --> 00:10:02 and chose death.
00:10:02 --> 00:10:05 It's not a surprise
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 that the world hates Jesus.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 Nobody wants to be told
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 that they're not good enough.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 Nobody wants to be told
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 that they don't measure up.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 And Jesus' life,
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 in its perfect holiness
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 and obedience,
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 made obvious the sins
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 of the world he went to,
00:10:22 --> 00:10:24 made obvious the sins
00:10:24 --> 00:10:24 of his people,
00:10:25 --> 00:10:28 and the lives of the disciples
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 will continue to offend.
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 They will continue to show people
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 that they're not measuring up,
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 that the standard is not okay
00:10:35 --> 00:10:37 and people will hate them for it.
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 We shouldn't be surprised
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 as Christians
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 when the world hates us.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 It angers people to think
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 that we as Christians
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 can have contentment
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 and hope and joy
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 and forgiveness
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 even when we stuff up
00:10:51 --> 00:10:51 just like they do.
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 It angers the world
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 to think that we can be content
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 without the things
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 that they need to be content with.
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 It angers the world
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 that we can have joy
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 and satisfaction
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 even if we don't have
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 the dream job
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 or the dream house
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 or the 2.3 kids.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 It angers them
00:11:10 --> 00:11:10 that Christians
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 could trust Jesus
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 to judge
00:11:13 --> 00:11:17 rather than taking revenge
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 for themselves.
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 It's no surprise
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 that the world hates Jesus
00:11:21 --> 00:11:23 and it's no surprise
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 that it hated the disciples
00:11:24 --> 00:11:26 and it shouldn't be a surprise
00:11:26 --> 00:11:29 if it hates us as well.
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 I want you to grasp
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 the weight
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 of what Jesus says
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 in this couple of verses here.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 We've got the luxury.
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 We can look back
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 at these words
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 thousands of years
00:11:38 --> 00:11:38 into the future.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:41 Think about what happened
00:11:41 --> 00:11:41 just after Jesus
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 uttered these words.
00:11:42 --> 00:11:45 within a few hours
00:11:45 --> 00:11:47 of reminding the disciples
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 that the world hated him
00:11:48 --> 00:11:51 Jesus was arrested
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 tortured
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 beaten
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 and brutally murdered.
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 For all
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 but one
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 of these 11 disciples
00:12:01 --> 00:12:05 brutal death
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 awaited them.
00:12:06 --> 00:12:09 they would follow Jesus
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 to the point
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 of being killed
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 for being a Christian.
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 Some would be crucified
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 some would be beheaded
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 some would be drawn
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 and courted.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 It's not too strong
00:12:20 --> 00:12:20 to say
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 that the world
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 hated the disciples.
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 It's not too strong
00:12:25 --> 00:12:25 to say
00:12:25 --> 00:12:25 that the world
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 hated Jesus.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 But the crazy thing is
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 as we read through that
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 and we think about
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 what happened
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 after Jesus spoke
00:12:34 --> 00:12:34 these words
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 listen to verse 25
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 this
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 this hatred
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 this suffering
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 this persecution
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 this death
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 this
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 is to fulfill
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 what was written
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 in their law
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 they hated me
00:12:47 --> 00:12:47 without reason.
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 This law
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 is the Psalms
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 it's God's word
00:12:53 --> 00:12:53 it's the scriptures.
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 Jesus on the cross
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 was God's plan
00:12:58 --> 00:13:02 and the disciples
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 and all the suffering
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 and opposition
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 that they faced
00:13:06 --> 00:13:08 was also part
00:13:08 --> 00:13:08 of God's plan.
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 It's kind of easy
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 for us now
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 to think of the cross
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 as being a time
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 when God is incredibly
00:13:16 --> 00:13:16 in control
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 because we know
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 how it ends.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:19 But can you imagine
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 what it would have been like
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 to stand there
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 on that first Easter
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 staring at your
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 Saviour
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 suffering
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 straining for his
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 last breath
00:13:27 --> 00:13:27 about to die
00:13:27 --> 00:13:30 and trying to be confident
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 that God was in control.
00:13:31 --> 00:13:35 each one of these disciples
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 would face
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 their own death
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 and Jesus needs them
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 to understand
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 it's part of the plan.
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 No matter how hard
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 it gets
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 no matter how tough
00:13:45 --> 00:13:45 it is
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 it's part
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 of the plan.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 God is still
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 in control.
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 Jesus is warning them
00:13:53 --> 00:13:53 not so that they
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 can avoid it
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 not so they can
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 find a way around it
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 but so they can
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 endure it.
00:13:58 --> 00:14:00 If you turn to
00:14:00 --> 00:14:00 chapter 17
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 where Jesus is
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 praying for his
00:14:02 --> 00:14:02 disciples
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 in verse 15
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 his prayer says
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 my prayer is not
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 that you take them
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 out of the world
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 but that you protect
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 them from the evil one.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 Jesus doesn't want
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 his disciples
00:14:12 --> 00:14:12 to miss out
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 on this suffering
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 and persecution
00:14:14 --> 00:14:14 that's coming
00:14:14 --> 00:14:16 he just wants them
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 to be able to
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 last the distance
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 he wants them
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 to endure
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 he wants them
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 to get to the other
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 side and still
00:14:23 --> 00:14:25 be following Jesus
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 still be going
00:14:26 --> 00:14:26 strong
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 the suffering
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 is part of the
00:14:29 --> 00:14:29 journey
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 and it's part
00:14:30 --> 00:14:30 of the plan
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 and his prayer
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 is that the devil
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 doesn't use the
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 suffering to drag
00:14:34 --> 00:14:34 them away
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 ultimately
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 but not that the
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 suffering disappears
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 altogether
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 that is part of
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 the plan
00:14:41 --> 00:14:43 and what does
00:14:43 --> 00:14:43 Jesus call his
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 disciples to do
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 when the suffering
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 and the persecution
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 comes
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 verse 26
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 when the counsellor
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 comes who I will
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 send to you
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 from the father
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 the spirit of truth
00:14:54 --> 00:14:54 who goes out
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 from the father
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 he will testify
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 about me
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 and you also
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 must testify
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 for you have been
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 with me from the
00:15:02 --> 00:15:02 beginning
00:15:02 --> 00:15:05 the thing that is
00:15:05 --> 00:15:05 making them
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 persecuted
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 is the message
00:15:07 --> 00:15:07 that they are
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 bringing about
00:15:08 --> 00:15:08 Jesus
00:15:08 --> 00:15:10 it is the testimony
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 that Jesus alone
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 can save
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 it is the testimony
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 that you are not
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 good enough
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 without Jesus
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 it is the testimony
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 that you need
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 his help
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 to be a Christian
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 it is the thing
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 that moves people
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 to call Christians
00:15:22 --> 00:15:24 arrogant and exclusive
00:15:24 --> 00:15:26 it is a message
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 that says
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 there is one way
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 not any way
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 that is well
00:15:30 --> 00:15:30 intentioned
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 there is one way
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 to our heavenly
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 father
00:15:33 --> 00:15:33 and that is
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 through the son
00:15:34 --> 00:15:34 and Jesus
00:15:34 --> 00:15:36 sends his spirit
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 after he leaves
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 so that it might
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 dwell in us
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 and might remind us
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 of the one way
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 to heaven
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 might remind us
00:15:43 --> 00:15:43 of the work
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 that Jesus
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 has accomplished
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 in forgiving us
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 and cleansing us
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 and making us
00:15:48 --> 00:15:48 acceptable
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 but more than that
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 it will empower
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 the disciples
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 to testify
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 for themselves
00:15:53 --> 00:15:56 to open their mouth
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 and to speak
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 out loud
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 Jesus chose
00:15:59 --> 00:15:59 these men
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 that they might
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 be witnesses
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 to his ministry
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 that they might
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 be there
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 for the three years
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 they might hear
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 the sermons
00:16:06 --> 00:16:06 they might see
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 the miracles
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 they might see
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 him on the cross
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 they might see
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 him alive
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 they might see
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 him ascend
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 to the throne
00:16:13 --> 00:16:13 in heaven
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 they are eyewitnesses
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 and Jesus
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 has chosen
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 these eleven men
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 and their testimony
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 to be the foundation
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 for the church
00:16:22 --> 00:16:25 in the creed
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 we said just before
00:16:26 --> 00:16:28 we said that we are
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 an apostolic church
00:16:29 --> 00:16:31 what we mean
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 when we say that
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 is we are a church
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 that is based on
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 the eyewitness testimony
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 of the apostles
00:16:37 --> 00:16:40 so it matters
00:16:40 --> 00:16:42 that these guys
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 come through
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 it matters
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 that persecution
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 isn't enough
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 to make them quiet
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 it matters
00:16:48 --> 00:16:48 that persecution
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 isn't enough
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 to stop them
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 speaking of Jesus
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 and so Jesus
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 promises
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 I will give you
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 a counsellor
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 I will give you
00:16:55 --> 00:16:55 a helper
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 to strengthen you
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 to remind you
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 of what I have
00:16:58 --> 00:16:58 already done
00:16:58 --> 00:17:00 and to empower you
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 to speak boldly
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 no matter what
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 opposition
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 you might face
00:17:03 --> 00:17:06 in verse 1
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 Jesus explains
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 all this I have
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 told you
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 so that you
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 will not go
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 astray
00:17:10 --> 00:17:12 these guys
00:17:12 --> 00:17:12 must last
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 the distance
00:17:13 --> 00:17:15 they will put you
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 out of the synagogue
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 in fact
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 a time is coming
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 when anyone
00:17:18 --> 00:17:18 who kills you
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 will think
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 he is offering
00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 a service
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 to God
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 we are reminded
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 of Paul
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 who in Acts
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 is standing there
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 approving
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 as Stephen
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 is stoned
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 to death
00:17:28 --> 00:17:31 Paul is killing
00:17:31 --> 00:17:31 Christians
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 because he believes
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 he is helping
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 God to get rid
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 of these upstarts
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 who have come up
00:17:36 --> 00:17:36 with a new way
00:17:36 --> 00:17:39 but Jesus
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 explains
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 they will do
00:17:40 --> 00:17:40 such things
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 because they
00:17:41 --> 00:17:41 have not
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 known the
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 Father
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 or me
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 I have told
00:17:44 --> 00:17:44 you this
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 so that
00:17:45 --> 00:17:45 when the time
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 comes
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 you will remember
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 that I warned
00:17:48 --> 00:17:48 you
00:17:48 --> 00:17:51 Jesus warns
00:17:51 --> 00:17:51 them so that
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 they know
00:17:52 --> 00:17:52 what is coming
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 so that there is
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 no surprises
00:17:54 --> 00:17:54 in following him
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 so they don't
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 go astray
00:17:56 --> 00:17:58 these 11 guys
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 need to say
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 with conviction
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 I have decided
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 to follow Jesus
00:18:02 --> 00:18:02 and there is no
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 turning back
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 he wants ringing
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 in their ears
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 as one of the
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 last things
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 that he says
00:18:07 --> 00:18:09 they hated me
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 they will
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 hate you
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 as well
00:18:11 --> 00:18:14 but when they do
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 continue
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 to testify
00:18:17 --> 00:18:20 don't let the fact
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 that your words
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 have brought
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 this persecution
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 on you
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 stop you
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 from speaking
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 because that is
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 why I have
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 left you here
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 he chose us
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 out of the world
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 but he leaves
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 us here
00:18:30 --> 00:18:32 because
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 we are to
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 testify
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 because we
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 are to be
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 his witnesses
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 to the ends
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 of the earth
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 and this kind
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 of opposition
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 isn't limited
00:18:41 --> 00:18:41 to this time
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 in biblical
00:18:42 --> 00:18:42 history
00:18:42 --> 00:18:44 the message
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 of the gospel
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 is still
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 hated
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 with fierceness
00:18:47 --> 00:18:50 in fact
00:18:50 --> 00:18:50 there are some
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 statistics
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 that suggest
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 that more
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 people have
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 been killed
00:18:53 --> 00:18:53 for following
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 Jesus in the
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 20th century
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 than in every
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 century beforehand
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 combined
00:18:57 --> 00:19:00 persecution
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 is not slowing
00:19:01 --> 00:19:01 down
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 and even now
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 as we meet
00:19:03 --> 00:19:03 here in church
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 together
00:19:04 --> 00:19:04 we have
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 brothers and
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 sisters in
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 Christ
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 all over the
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 world
00:19:07 --> 00:19:07 who are fearing
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 for their
00:19:08 --> 00:19:08 lives
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 simply because
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 they call
00:19:11 --> 00:19:11 Jesus
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 saviour
00:19:12 --> 00:19:14 simply because
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 he is their
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 lord
00:19:15 --> 00:19:17 and Jesus
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 message to
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 every one of
00:19:19 --> 00:19:19 them
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 and his
00:19:20 --> 00:19:20 message to
00:19:20 --> 00:19:20 us
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 is
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 I warned
00:19:22 --> 00:19:22 you
00:19:22 --> 00:19:25 this happened
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 to me
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 this is the
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 path that I
00:19:27 --> 00:19:27 trod
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 and this is
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 the path
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 that you are
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 following
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 don't be
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 surprised by
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 what is
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 going on
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 but stand
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 firm and
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 testify
00:19:34 --> 00:19:37 Jesus would
00:19:37 --> 00:19:37 say to each
00:19:37 --> 00:19:37 and every
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 one of us
00:19:38 --> 00:19:38 and every
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 person who
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 knows him
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 you have
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 tasted the
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 goodness and
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 mercy of
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 God
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 you have
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 tasted
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 forgiveness
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 you know
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 hope
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 you know
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 salvation
00:19:47 --> 00:19:49 and I have
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 given you my
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 holy spirit
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 so that you
00:19:51 --> 00:19:51 can stand
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 firm and
00:19:52 --> 00:19:52 testify
00:19:52 --> 00:19:54 that is the
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 purpose that I
00:19:55 --> 00:19:55 give it
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 don't underestimate
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 the significance
00:19:57 --> 00:19:59 of the testimony
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 of a persecuted
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 Christian
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 it's not a
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 coincidence that
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 the church has
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 grown by the
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 blood of the
00:20:05 --> 00:20:05 martyrs
00:20:05 --> 00:20:07 after Stephen
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 died in
00:20:08 --> 00:20:08 Acts
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 the church
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 exploded with
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 growth
00:20:11 --> 00:20:13 because a
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 persecuted
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 Christian
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 speaks a
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 language that
00:20:16 --> 00:20:16 can't be
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 denied
00:20:17 --> 00:20:20 that man in
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 the video
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 spoke a
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 language that
00:20:23 --> 00:20:23 couldn't be
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 ignored by
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 his chief
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 as he stood
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 there and
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 watched his
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 children die
00:20:28 --> 00:20:30 and continued
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 to sing of
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 his love for
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 Jesus and
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 his commitment
00:20:34 --> 00:20:34 to his
00:20:34 --> 00:20:36 Lord that
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 chief saw
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 something that
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 he didn't
00:20:38 --> 00:20:41 know as he
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 watched his
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 wife die and
00:20:42 --> 00:20:42 this man
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 continued to
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 sing of his
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 commitment to
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 Jesus a
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 seed was
00:20:48 --> 00:20:48 planted in
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 that chief
00:20:49 --> 00:20:51 because this
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 man knew
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 something
00:20:52 --> 00:20:54 incredible he
00:20:54 --> 00:20:54 knew some
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 truth that
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 this chief
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 could not
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 even
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 comprehend
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 that he
00:20:58 --> 00:20:58 could stand
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 there and
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 say I
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 love my
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 kids and
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 they matter
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 to me so
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 much but
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 Jesus is
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 better I
00:21:04 --> 00:21:04 love my
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 wife and
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 she matters
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 to me so
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 much but
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 Jesus is
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 better I
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 love my
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 life but
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 Jesus is
00:21:12 --> 00:21:15 better better
00:21:15 --> 00:21:15 than safety
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 better than
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 family better
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 than job better
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 than popularity
00:21:19 --> 00:21:23 glory for
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 many Christians
00:21:24 --> 00:21:26 following
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 Jesus means
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 saying that
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 it is better
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 to know
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 Jesus as
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 Lord and
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 be dead
00:21:30 --> 00:21:32 than to
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 reject him
00:21:33 --> 00:21:33 and be
00:21:33 --> 00:21:35 alive that
00:21:35 --> 00:21:35 is a
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 testimony that
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 can't be
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 disputed
00:21:38 --> 00:21:41 Jesus never
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 promises that
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 his followers
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 will have an
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 easy life it
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 doesn't come
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 anywhere in the
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 Bible but
00:21:47 --> 00:21:47 he calls the
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 disciples and
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 he calls us
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 as his followers
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 now to
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 testify about
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 him that's why
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 he gives us the
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 spirit who
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 testifies and
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 he sends us
00:21:56 --> 00:21:56 out in the
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 power of that
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 spirit to
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 preach the
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 message of a
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 risen Savior who
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 is the only way
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 to the Father
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 but he does
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 say he does
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 warn us if
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 you do it
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 you'll be
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 persecuted if
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 you do what
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 I'm asking you
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 to do if you
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 follow the path
00:22:13 --> 00:22:13 that I'm setting
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 out in front of
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 you the world
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 will be
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 hate you
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 that is how
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 it works
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 but what does
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 that mean for
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 us here in
00:22:20 --> 00:22:20 Sydney
00:22:20 --> 00:22:23 as you watch
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 that video
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 as you hear
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 other stories
00:22:26 --> 00:22:28 of people
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 suffering all
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 over the world
00:22:29 --> 00:22:29 for their
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 faith
00:22:30 --> 00:22:32 it's hard to
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 really understand
00:22:33 --> 00:22:35 we have no
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 idea what it
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 would be like
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 to have a gun
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 to our face
00:22:37 --> 00:22:39 we have no
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 idea what it
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 would be like
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 to be threatened
00:22:41 --> 00:22:41 with our own
00:22:41 --> 00:22:43 lives just for
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 following Jesus
00:22:44 --> 00:22:46 so what
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 does this
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 mean for
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 us
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 should we
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 be praying
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 for more
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 persecution
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 should we
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 be asking
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 God to
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 send more
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 gunmen
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 just so that
00:22:57 --> 00:22:57 we can
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 testify that
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 way
00:22:58 --> 00:23:01 no that
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 would be
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 stupid
00:23:02 --> 00:23:05 it's not
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 smart to
00:23:06 --> 00:23:06 pray that
00:23:06 --> 00:23:06 somebody
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 threatens my
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 wife's life
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 just so that
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 I can talk
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 about Jesus
00:23:10 --> 00:23:12 but at
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 very least
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 on some
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 level we
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 have to
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 ask the
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 question
00:23:16 --> 00:23:18 why is
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 the world
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 so comfortable
00:23:19 --> 00:23:19 with us
00:23:19 --> 00:23:21 why don't
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 we face
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 more opposition
00:23:23 --> 00:23:25 why don't
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 we have
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 people hate
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 us
00:23:27 --> 00:23:29 Chris was
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 reflecting
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 we were
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 chatting earlier
00:23:31 --> 00:23:31 in the week
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 that he
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 worked through
00:23:33 --> 00:23:33 this passage
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 with his
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 small group
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 and that
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 trying to
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 wrestle with
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 that word
00:23:37 --> 00:23:37 hate was
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 really difficult
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 trying to
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 think of a
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 time where
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 we've been
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 hated for
00:23:41 --> 00:23:41 our faith
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 is difficult
00:23:42 --> 00:23:44 because the
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 reality is
00:23:45 --> 00:23:45 I don't
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 think many
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 of us
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 have
00:23:46 --> 00:23:50 and we
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 have to
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 ask the
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 question on
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 some level
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 why is
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 that
00:23:53 --> 00:24:00 maybe for
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 us
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 persecution
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 looks
00:24:01 --> 00:24:01 different
00:24:01 --> 00:24:03 it isn't
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 guns for
00:24:04 --> 00:24:04 us
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 it isn't
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 the threat
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 of losing
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 our very
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 lives
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 but it's
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 still there
00:24:09 --> 00:24:12 it's still
00:24:12 --> 00:24:12 there in
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 the pressure
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 from the
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 culture that
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 we live
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 in
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 it's not
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 a moment
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 where you
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 obviously
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 choose I'm
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 going to
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 stand up
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 and proclaim
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 Jesus
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 or I'm
00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 going to
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 shrink back
00:24:22 --> 00:24:22 and be
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 quiet and
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 protect
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 myself
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 but maybe
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 it's those
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 opportunities
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 in your
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 life that
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 are a bit
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 more subtle
00:24:29 --> 00:24:31 the times
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 where you
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 can choose
00:24:32 --> 00:24:32 to stand
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 up and
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 testify to
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 Jesus
00:24:34 --> 00:24:34 with the
00:24:34 --> 00:24:34 way you
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 live
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 or you
00:24:36 --> 00:24:36 can choose
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 to compromise
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 with the
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 way you
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 live
00:24:38 --> 00:24:40 the
00:24:40 --> 00:24:40 opportunities
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 you have
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 as you're
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 driving
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 to just
00:24:43 --> 00:24:43 compromise
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 a little
00:24:44 --> 00:24:44 bit and
00:24:44 --> 00:24:44 just go
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 with everyone
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 else 10k's
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 over the
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 speed limit
00:24:46 --> 00:24:48 or to
00:24:48 --> 00:24:48 testify that
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 Jesus is
00:24:49 --> 00:24:51 Lord by
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 obeying the
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 law that
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 is set
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 there
00:24:52 --> 00:24:55 the
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 opportunity
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 you have
00:24:56 --> 00:24:58 to stand
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 up and
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 speak about
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 what you
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 did on
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 Sunday
00:25:00 --> 00:25:00 night
00:25:00 --> 00:25:03 or instead
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 maybe you
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 just compromise
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 and don't
00:25:05 --> 00:25:05 really talk
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 about it
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 in case
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 someone might
00:25:08 --> 00:25:08 get angry
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 or offended
00:25:09 --> 00:25:12 I sometimes
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 wonder if we
00:25:13 --> 00:25:13 would go
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 better if
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 we had
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 guns to
00:25:15 --> 00:25:15 our heads
00:25:15 --> 00:25:17 if the
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 choice was
00:25:18 --> 00:25:18 more obvious
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 about standing
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 up for
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 Jesus and
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 denying him
00:25:21 --> 00:25:21 I wondered
00:25:21 --> 00:25:21 if we
00:25:21 --> 00:25:21 would do
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 better
00:25:22 --> 00:25:25 but we
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 don't have
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 a gun to
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 our head
00:25:26 --> 00:25:28 we have
00:25:28 --> 00:25:28 what God
00:25:28 --> 00:25:28 has given
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 us
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 we have
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 the blessing
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 of the
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 country that
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 we live
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 in and
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 we have
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 the blessing
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 of lots
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 of subtle
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 opportunities
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 lots of
00:25:37 --> 00:25:37 day-to-day
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 choices that
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 we can make
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 to testify
00:25:39 --> 00:25:41 that Jesus
00:25:41 --> 00:25:41 is better
00:25:41 --> 00:25:44 the choices
00:25:44 --> 00:25:44 to tell the
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 truth even
00:25:45 --> 00:25:45 when you know
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 it's going
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 to cost you
00:25:46 --> 00:25:49 the choices
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 to be different
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 to the people
00:25:51 --> 00:25:51 around you
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 because you
00:25:52 --> 00:25:52 know it's
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 what God
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 wants
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 the choice
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 to open
00:25:55 --> 00:25:55 your mouth
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 and say
00:25:56 --> 00:25:58 Jesus is
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 the only
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 way
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 to heaven
00:26:00 --> 00:26:02 the response
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 you make
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 when you
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 have that
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 awkward
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 conversation
00:26:04 --> 00:26:04 when someone
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 finds out
00:26:05 --> 00:26:05 you're a
00:26:05 --> 00:26:05 Christian
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 and they
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 ask you
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 do you
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 think I'm
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 going to
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 hell
00:26:08 --> 00:26:10 do you
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 water it
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 down and
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 say oh
00:26:12 --> 00:26:12 it's hard
00:26:12 --> 00:26:12 to say
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 I'm not
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 really sure
00:26:13 --> 00:26:15 or do you
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 say well
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 Jesus is the
00:26:16 --> 00:26:17 only way to
00:26:17 --> 00:26:17 get to heaven
00:26:17 --> 00:26:17 is he your
00:26:17 --> 00:26:18 Lord
00:26:18 --> 00:26:22 the instruction
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 in this
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 passage is
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 testify
00:26:25 --> 00:26:27 the instruction
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 isn't go
00:26:28 --> 00:26:28 looking for
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 suffering go
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 looking for
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 persecution
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 that'll
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 happen
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 but the
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 instruction
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 the command
00:26:34 --> 00:26:34 to the
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 disciples
00:26:35 --> 00:26:35 and the
00:26:35 --> 00:26:35 command
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 to us
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 is be
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 bold
00:26:37 --> 00:26:37 and be
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 fearless
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 you don't
00:26:39 --> 00:26:39 need to
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 muster up
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 courage
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 the spirit
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 is in you
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 testifying to
00:26:43 --> 00:26:43 Jesus
00:26:43 --> 00:26:45 Jesus is the
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 best thing
00:26:46 --> 00:26:46 you've got
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 all you've got
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 to do is open
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 your mouth
00:26:48 --> 00:26:48 and tell people
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 about him
00:26:49 --> 00:26:51 the forgiveness
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 you know
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 the hope
00:26:53 --> 00:26:53 you have
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 the salvation
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 that you have
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 experienced
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 is better than
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 anything that
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 this world has
00:26:58 --> 00:26:58 to offer
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 and this
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 passage is just
00:27:00 --> 00:27:00 telling us to
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 open our mouths
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 and talk about
00:27:02 --> 00:27:02 it
00:27:02 --> 00:27:04 you don't have to
00:27:04 --> 00:27:04 come up with a
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 gospel presentation
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 just tell people
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 how good Jesus
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 is and what he's
00:27:08 --> 00:27:08 done for you
00:27:08 --> 00:27:11 just say I am
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 forgiven because
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 Jesus died in my
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 place
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 that is what this
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 passage is telling
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 us to do
00:27:16 --> 00:27:18 to stand up and
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 testify no matter
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 what it costs
00:27:20 --> 00:27:23 to be able to
00:27:23 --> 00:27:23 stare not just
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 death but every
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 compromise
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 to stare the
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 pressure of a
00:27:27 --> 00:27:29 culture in the
00:27:29 --> 00:27:31 face and say I
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 have decided to
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 follow Jesus
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 no turning back
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 no turning back
00:27:35 --> 00:27:35 because he is
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 better than
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 anything
00:27:37 --> 00:27:40 that video we
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 watched just
00:27:41 --> 00:27:41 earlier is
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 emotional
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 we can hear a
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 story like that
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 and be devastated
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 at the cost that
00:27:46 --> 00:27:46 that man had to
00:27:46 --> 00:27:48 pay just to
00:27:48 --> 00:27:48 follow Jesus
00:27:48 --> 00:27:50 and that's
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 right
00:27:51 --> 00:27:54 but maybe even
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 more we can be
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 inspired that he
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 knew what it was
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 to be completely
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 satisfied by his
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 saviour
00:27:59 --> 00:28:02 that he was able
00:28:02 --> 00:28:02 to sing in the
00:28:02 --> 00:28:04 face of loss that
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 we can barely
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 comprehend
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 sing in the face
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 of death
00:28:07 --> 00:28:10 because his
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 treasure could
00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 never be taken
00:28:12 --> 00:28:12 from him
00:28:12 --> 00:28:16 Jesus says
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 tonight it
00:28:17 --> 00:28:17 costs everything
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 to follow me
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 don't try and
00:28:19 --> 00:28:20 avoid the
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 opposition or the
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 difficulty it's
00:28:22 --> 00:28:22 inevitable
00:28:22 --> 00:28:24 instead know that
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 it's coming
00:28:25 --> 00:28:27 be prepared
00:28:27 --> 00:28:30 pray and ask
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 that God will
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 give you eyes
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 to see those
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 little subtle
00:28:33 --> 00:28:33 opportunities
00:28:33 --> 00:28:35 to testify
00:28:35 --> 00:28:38 pray that he
00:28:38 --> 00:28:38 will give you
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 boldness
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 pray that he'll
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 give you the
00:28:41 --> 00:28:41 words to say
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 so that you
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 can stand
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 firm and
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 testify
00:28:43 --> 00:28:45 pray that you
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 will be so
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 satisfied in
00:28:47 --> 00:28:47 Jesus
00:28:47 --> 00:28:49 so content
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 so joy
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 filled
00:28:51 --> 00:28:53 with your
00:28:53 --> 00:28:53 treasured
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 Jesus
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 that there is
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 nothing that
00:28:56 --> 00:28:56 anyone could
00:28:56 --> 00:28:58 possibly try and
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 offer you
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 to drag you
00:29:00 --> 00:29:00 away from him
00:29:00 --> 00:29:04 you also
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 must testify
00:29:05 --> 00:29:08 because you
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 know that
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 Jesus is
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 better
00:29:10 --> 00:29:15 father God
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 we want to
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 admit that
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 so often
00:29:18 --> 00:29:20 we choose
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 silence
00:29:20 --> 00:29:22 we choose
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 safety
00:29:22 --> 00:29:24 we choose
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 the path of
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 least resistance
00:29:26 --> 00:29:30 when Lord
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 we know
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 that that's
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 not how you
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 work
00:29:32 --> 00:29:34 we know
00:29:34 --> 00:29:34 that saying
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 yes to you
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 means that
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 we will be
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 opposed
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 means that
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 we will be
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 hated
00:29:38 --> 00:29:40 father we
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 ask that you
00:29:41 --> 00:29:41 would so
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 fill us with
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 your spirit
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 and so
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 satisfy us
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 in your
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 son
00:29:45 --> 00:29:47 that we
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 would not
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 be able to
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 help but
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 talk about
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 you
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 no matter
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 what the
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 reaction is
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 no matter
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 what the
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 opposition
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 is
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 that we
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 wouldn't
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 be able
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 to close
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 our mouths
00:29:54 --> 00:29:54 because we
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 are so
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 overwhelmed
00:29:56 --> 00:29:56 and in
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 awe of
00:29:57 --> 00:29:57 your love
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 and your
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 mercy
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 and your
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 goodness
00:29:59 --> 00:30:05 father keep
00:30:05 --> 00:30:05 us from
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 compromise
00:30:06 --> 00:30:10 empower us
00:30:10 --> 00:30:10 and empower
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 Christians all
00:30:11 --> 00:30:11 over the
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 world in
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 all circumstances
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 to speak
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 your truth
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 so that you
00:30:16 --> 00:30:16 get the
00:30:16 --> 00:30:16 glory
00:30:16 --> 00:30:18 to speak
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 your truth
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 so that
00:30:19 --> 00:30:19 others might
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 be drawn
00:30:20 --> 00:30:20 in to
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 testify of
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 your
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 goodness
00:30:22 --> 00:30:24 father we
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 thank you
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 for Jesus
00:30:25 --> 00:30:28 because he
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 is our
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 treasure
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 because he
00:30:31 --> 00:30:31 is the
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 most valuable
00:30:32 --> 00:30:32 thing
00:30:32 --> 00:30:36 amen
00:30:36 --> 00:30:40 things
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 you
00:30:41 --> 00:30:43 what
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 you
00:30:44 --> 00:31:02 you