GateWay Church of Visalia
The Day Before the Day
Purpose in Persecution Pastor Lance Ainsworth March 7 & 10, 2024
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction:
John 15:16 NASB
16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
Christianity starts with a personal relationship with Jesus, which produces public fruit.
16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
Christianity starts with a personal relationship with Jesus, which produces public fruit.
John 15:18-27 NASB
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
The world refers to a world system ruled by Satan. The “world” is mentioned 57 times in John.
The world is not Jesus' enemy; it is His mission.
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
The world refers to a world system ruled by Satan. The “world” is mentioned 57 times in John.
The world is not Jesus' enemy; it is His mission.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.
It’s an honor to be hated in the name of Jesus.
It’s an honor to be hated in the name of Jesus.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25 But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
God uses temporal persecution for eternal impact.
God uses temporal persecution for eternal impact.
26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
Our testimony is centered around the work and life of Jesus.
Our testimony is centered around the work and life of Jesus.
John 16:1-4 NASB
16 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. 4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
16 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. 4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
A public faith in Jesus will bring persecution.
God uses persecution for eternal impact, so don’t stop engaging the world.
“The people at GateWay responded.”
The Day Before the Day
John 15:16-16:4 Pastor Lance Ainsworth
March 7th & 10th, 2024
Purpose in Persecution
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What is your favorite underdog story?
Read Aloud: John 15:16-16:4
1. v. 19 “but I chose you out of the world.” Did God choose you out of the world like the disciples? If He chose us out, what did He bring us into? What primary values differ from the world’s system and God’s Kingdom?
2. Acts 5:40-41 “40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Have you experienced persecution because of your belief in Jesus? What is the difference between persecution and criticism? Why did the disciples rejoice in persecution?
3. v. 1 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.” Jesus warns the disciples of future suffering. How does expecting persecution keep us from stumbling? If you could ask the disciples one question, what would it be?
4. “The people at GateWay responded.” How can we engage the world Jesus died for? Who needs to hear and see your testimony? How does abiding in Jesus help us engage the world?
John 15:16-16:4 Pastor Lance Ainsworth
March 7th & 10th, 2024
Purpose in Persecution
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What is your favorite underdog story?
Read Aloud: John 15:16-16:4
1. v. 19 “but I chose you out of the world.” Did God choose you out of the world like the disciples? If He chose us out, what did He bring us into? What primary values differ from the world’s system and God’s Kingdom?
2. Acts 5:40-41 “40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Have you experienced persecution because of your belief in Jesus? What is the difference between persecution and criticism? Why did the disciples rejoice in persecution?
3. v. 1 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.” Jesus warns the disciples of future suffering. How does expecting persecution keep us from stumbling? If you could ask the disciples one question, what would it be?
4. “The people at GateWay responded.” How can we engage the world Jesus died for? Who needs to hear and see your testimony? How does abiding in Jesus help us engage the world?