Hated By the World

Ever been called ‘arrogant’ for your stand for Christ? For boldly declaring the gospel, confessing Christ and for identifying with Him? How about ‘fanatic’? How about ‘crazy’? Maybe you have been called worse. Maybe you have been screamed at. And laughed at. Our brethren suffer far worse in the rest of the world. They are shunned, spat upon, persecuted, injured, imprisoned, tortured and killed because they identify with Jesus Christ.

This is the normal Christian life: hatred by the world. Jesus told us to expect it. The world hates Jesus, so the world will hate us: because we are His, we love Him, obey Him, follow Him, and we believe and speak His words, proclaim His truth, and do His works. And because we have the Holy Spirit and convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.

This brother here preaches the truth of the world’s hatred of us, and you will be comforted, encouraged in your faith, and you will rejoice as the truth is proclaimed and Jesus Christ is exalted.

But those who walk in separation from the world, who follow a rejected Christ, will know something of what it means to enter into “the fellowship of His sufferings,” (Philippians 3:10). God has said, “yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:10). But let such a one remember and be cheered by the words of our Savior, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men revile you, and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:10, 12).

Sermon:Hated By the World