JESUS IS WITNESSED ABOUT (24 OF 32)
Scripture: John 15:1, John 16:15
This content is part of a series.
Jesus is Witnessed About (24 of 32)
Series: John
Patrick Edwards
John 15:18-16:15
Introduction:''[B]ecause you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.'' (John 15:19) These are some of the most important words of caution that Jesus gave the church, and they have produced, historically, one of two general responses. On one extreme these words have been generally ignored. When you look at the Roman church during the Middle Ages you see a church that was driven toward control and power rather than faithful witness. Rather than advance the Gospel in love and humility, the Roman church advanced their own kingdom through the sword and corruption. It's fair to say that a significant part of the church's history was spent with a complete disregard of Jesus' words here.
I think it's also fair to say that a large contingent of those claiming Christianity today continue to ignore these words. I'm speaking, of course, of those who preach and hold to the prosperity gospel, which is the teaching that God desires health and wealth for you in this life and that through faith you can have both. Of course, it's really hard I think to square such a teaching with Jesus' words here in John 15. Jesus says that persecution and hatred will come to His followers. He makes no promise of health or wealth. In fact, elsewhere, He explicitly says, ''Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head,'' (Matthew 8:20). The point is that, if anything, Jesus suggests that to follow Him will bring the opposite of health and wealth.
And history confirms this. Read through the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament and you'll see quite clearly the persecution that the early church endured. Look back to early church history and you'll see the torture, imprisonment, and martyrdom that came to those who followed and worshiped Jesus. Look to the Reformation and you'll see the hatred and pers ...
Series: John
Patrick Edwards
John 15:18-16:15
Introduction:''[B]ecause you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.'' (John 15:19) These are some of the most important words of caution that Jesus gave the church, and they have produced, historically, one of two general responses. On one extreme these words have been generally ignored. When you look at the Roman church during the Middle Ages you see a church that was driven toward control and power rather than faithful witness. Rather than advance the Gospel in love and humility, the Roman church advanced their own kingdom through the sword and corruption. It's fair to say that a significant part of the church's history was spent with a complete disregard of Jesus' words here.
I think it's also fair to say that a large contingent of those claiming Christianity today continue to ignore these words. I'm speaking, of course, of those who preach and hold to the prosperity gospel, which is the teaching that God desires health and wealth for you in this life and that through faith you can have both. Of course, it's really hard I think to square such a teaching with Jesus' words here in John 15. Jesus says that persecution and hatred will come to His followers. He makes no promise of health or wealth. In fact, elsewhere, He explicitly says, ''Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head,'' (Matthew 8:20). The point is that, if anything, Jesus suggests that to follow Him will bring the opposite of health and wealth.
And history confirms this. Read through the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament and you'll see quite clearly the persecution that the early church endured. Look back to early church history and you'll see the torture, imprisonment, and martyrdom that came to those who followed and worshiped Jesus. Look to the Reformation and you'll see the hatred and pers ...
There are 24033 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
