The Sermon Notes of Harold Buls


The Sermon Notes of Harold Buls

On the Gospel Lessons of the Ingrian Lutheran Church of Russia

Text from John 15:26-16:4

Easter VI

1. In 15:18-24 Jesus made a sharp distinction between the unbelievingworld and believers. Six times the word "hate" occurs. The world hates Christ and His believers. Christians must not delude themselves but be ready for and face this hatred of the world. In fact, it was prophesied, vs. 25. In David's day, in Christ's day, in all generations the world's irrational foundationless hatred for Christ is directed at Christians. These thoughts are repeated in 16:1-4. The Christian does not live in a world that is friendly toward, or even tolerant of, Christ and the Truth. Forewarned is forearmed. And that is precisely why Pentecost took place: to comfort God's children and to make them cheerful and courageous in a world which utterly loathes Christ and the Truth.

2. In vs. 26 the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter, the one who stands.beside us and helps us. He is called "the Spirit of Truth" at Jn.14:7, here and at 16:13, also at I Jn. 4:6. At Jn. 14:6 and I Jn.5:6 Jesus and the Holy Spirit are identified with the Truth. Truth is found only in the Triune God. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. That is incomprehensible to us. The Son sent the Spirit from the Father. That is comprehensible to us. He testifies about Jesus. Any talk about the Spirit not associated with Jesus is falsehood. The Holy Spirit and the disciples are fellow-testifiers, the former by virtue of being sent, the latter by virtue of personal experience. Both tell the Truth about Jesus.

3. The whole book of Acts attests to what is said in 16:1-4. "These things" refers to 15:18-25, the hatred of the world for Christ, the Gospel and Christians. Jesus spoke these things so that Christians do not fall away, be caught unawares, or accuse Christ of unfairness. The world will actually excommunicate Christians falsely. In fact, the enemies will think that killing Christians is a godly act. Saul, before his conversion, persecuted Christians. He thought he was serving God. One Rabbi wrote: "Everyone who sheds the blood of the reprobate is equal to the man who performs a sacrifice. At Matt. 10:24 Jesus said: "The disciple is not above his Master." If they killed Christ you can expect similar treatment. If they accused Jesus of having a devil you can expect the same treatment.

4. In vs. 3 the word "these" refers to the atrocities of vs. 2. Ignorance of the Father amounts to ignorance of the Son. Father and Son are both true God. Jesus is not excusing these people but revealingtheir guilt. The worst ignorance is ignorance of the Father and His Son. Natural man is spiritually blind. If any man is in Christ he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. All is new. II Cor.5:17. Think of the Apostle Paul before and after conversion. Jesus said to His enemies at 8:19: "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you would know Me, you would know also My Father." See also 7:28-29. For a similar thought see Matt. 11:27.

5. In vs. 4 "these, their and them" refer to things said at 15:18 to16:3. When these things happened later, Jesus' words of prediction actually increased their faith in Him. And so it is with us. When false christs arise, when we are persecuted for Jesus' sake, we think of what Jesus told us. That makes our faith and confidence in Him grow and increase.

6. The last sentence of vs. 4 reads: "These things I did not tell you from the beginning because I was with you." During Jesus' ministry the hatred of His enemies was directed only at Him. There was no need to tell the disciples then. But when he would leave, the hatred toward Christ would be directed at the disciples. So it will be with us. We are forewarned. Our life in this world is the way of the cross. Our theology is the theology of the cross. As it happened to Him, so the devil, the world and our flesh will persecute us. We are pilgrims and strangers in this world. Heaven is our home.


The Sermon Outline of Harold Buls

On the Gospel Lessons of the Ingrian Lutheran Church of Russia

Text from John 15:26-16:4

Easter VI

THEME: Jesus Prepares His Disciples For The Hostility Of The World

INTRODUCTION

While Jesus was on earth His enemies hated only Him, not his disciples. But when He ascended into heaven, the world turned its hatred on the disciples. Read Jn. 15:18-25. The enemies hated Jesus without a cause. Later these enemies hated the disciples without a cause. Acts 3-28 is one long account of the suffering disciples. But Jesus had armed them, armed them and went with them.

I. WHY THE DISCIPLES NEEDED PREPARATION AND TRAINING

II. HOW THE DISCIPLES RECEIVED PREPARATION AND TRAINING

CONCLUSION

Jesus warned and armed the disciples. He does the same for us today.


This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.

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