By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, March 29, 2009 · Fifth Sunday of Lent
Sermon Text: John 16:18-27
Sermon Theme
This passage is a “difficult teaching” (John 8:60). If the Gospel is the message of God’s love for the world (John 3:16), then why does it lead to hatred? Jesus himself is the object of the world’s hatred and persecution. The world sends Jesus to the cross. What is the reason for this hate? The Gospel calls all of the world’s standards and goals into question. The world is without excuse for its sin. Before Christ, it stands condemned. The only hope of the world is Jesus Christ. Yet the world reacts against this exclusive claim. How can there be only “one” savior? Christ sends the Holy Spirit who further convicts the world. We are called to testify to a savior whom the world calls foolish, an obstacle to right thinking, enlightened people. Yet the Gospel is the truth of God whatever the world thinks. We are called to testify to that truth with our very lives. This alone is the truth “which enlightens everyone” (John 1:9).
Sermon Outline
- Excuse. Jesus has come into the world for the sole purpose of uniting humanity to God. Yet Jesus cannot bring us to God without our confronting our sin. According to him, we are without excuse for our sin. In spite of this, we still try and excuse ourselves. If we follow the world, we believe that we are essentially good and therefore don’t have a major “sin” problem. Secondly, we always have (what to us is) a reasonable explanation for our sin. Further, we think our sins are never as bad as other people’s. We hate to give up our excuses.
- Exclusive. Jesus is unlike anyone else. He does what “no one else” can. Jesus claims not only that he is the only way to God but that he is God himself. This claim is still met with intense opposition. Jesus’ insistence that he is the only way is viewed as arrogant, prejudicial and intolerant. Christians certainly have been guilty of intolerance and arrogance. Jesus’ own exclusive claim is an expression of his grace and mercy.
- Essential. It is not our task to defend the claims of Christ or even be able to explain them. Our task is to testify to the truth of Jesus Christ. This truth is known through the Holy Spirit who is the “spirit of truth.” If our testimony is made in our own strength, we will fail. We need to depend on prayer, scripture and the Spirit’s leading. We need to wait patiently for the leading of the Spirit who opens people’s hearts. At the same time, we need to be ready to give a defense of the hope that is in us. In a world that can often be hostile to Christ, we need to pray for joyful courage. Jesus Christ is either the only way or he is no way at all.
Questions for Us
- Hate is a very strong word. What examples have we seen or experienced of the world hating Jesus?
- What are some of the excuses that the world uses to contradict Jesus' message about sin? What are the excuses we often use to justify ourselves?
- What do you think it means practically to be guided by the Holy Spirit in our testifying to Jesus? What examples can we give in our own experience of following the leading of the Holy Spirit in witnessing to Christ?
