Overview:
John 15:18–16:4
The Christian life is a road paved with the sharp stones of persecution—a truth taught and exemplified by Christ Himself as He prepared His disciples for the future.
Join Chuck Swindoll for this practical but compelling study from John 15 about how believers can face persecution with courage and boldness. You’ll also learn the three reasons why persecution will occur and how the peace and power of Christ allows His followers to stand firm to the end.
Message Summary:
In this sobering message, Chuck Swindoll confronts the comfortable mindset of modern Christianity, challenging believers to reject the “path of least resistance” and accept the “perilous path” that Jesus Himself walked. acknowledging the difficulty of preaching a “negative” message at the start of a new year, Swindoll argues that avoiding the reality of persecution leaves Christians unprepared for the “savage times” predicted in Scripture.
Focusing on Jesus’ farewell address in John 15 and 16, Swindoll answers four critical questions regarding spiritual hostility:
- Who will persecute? The source is “the world”—not the physical planet, but the system of sophistication, culture, and religion that opposes God.
- What can we expect? The progression of hostility includes hatred (social avoidance), persecution (being pursued), and even death.
- Why will they do it? Because believers do not belong to the world, because the world does not know the Father, and to fulfill prophecy.
- How should we react? Christians must rely completely on the Holy Spirit, stand firm in their witness, refusing to “stumble” or be scandalized by the attacks.
Swindoll concludes by distinguishing between “running scared” and being “informed.” He urges listeners not to retreat from society but to live within it as soldiers of the cross, finding their ultimate peace and protection in Christ alone.
Message Key Facts:
- The Definition of “The World”: Swindoll clarifies that when Jesus speaks of the world hating believers, He is not referring to the planet (dirt and water), but to the “world system”—a structure often clothed in sophistication and education that, at its core, hates God.
- “Wild Beast” Imagery: Citing scholar A.T. Robertson, Swindoll explains that the Greek word for persecute in this text means “to chase like a wild beast.” This describes a vicious pursuit intended to put the believer to flight.
- Religious Antagonism: Swindoll notes that the most difficult persecution often comes from the religious crowd, citing the Pharisees in Jesus’ day and the Inquisition in church history. Jesus warned that those who kill believers will think they are “offering a service to God”.
- The 20th Century Reality: Contrary to popular belief, Swindoll asserts that the 20th century saw more violent persecution of Christians than the 1st century, referencing the vast “underground church” living in “savage times”.
- Picking a Fight vs. Enduring Persecution: A key application is the difference between suffering for righteousness and suffering because of one’s own foolishness. Swindoll warns against “picking a fight” over petty issues in the flesh and calling it persecution.
- Isaac Watts’ Question: The sermon references the hymn “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?” to ask if modern believers expect to be “carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease” while past saints fought through “bloody seas”.
Message References:
- John 15:18–25: Jesus explains that the world hates His followers because it first hated Him.
- John 16:1–4: The warning that believers will be expelled from synagogues and killed by those thinking they are serving God.
- 2 Timothy 3:1–12: Paul’s warning to Timothy that “savage times” will come in the last days and that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”.
- Hebrews 2:10: The statement that God made Jesus a “perfect leader” through His suffering.
- Daniel 6:1–9: The example of Daniel, who was persecuted not for a crime, but simply because he walked with God.
