NOW YOU KNOW

 

All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.

 

1.        Knowledge and information ahead of time can prevent certain outcomes and circumstances not to happen.  In the faith there are challenges and situations that can cause us to doubt, fear and be uncertain.  Knowing the Lord is with you guiding, directing and helping is a great blessing, benefit and promise.

2.        There is always a possibility of falling away, neglecting our salvation and going astray.  Only reading God’s word, praying, attending church and sharing your faith are the insulators that keep our faith strong and active.  Jesus would pray for them in John 17, that they would not go astray or fall.

 

They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.

 

1.        This is happening in more than 50 countries right now.  There are religions right now that are monotheistic that persecute ad kill Christians and believe they are doing God’s will.  Saul of Tarsus before he adopted his Roman name did this.

2.        Jesus was warning that there is a price to pay for se4ving the Lord.  We need to be like those in the hall of faith and know that this world is not worthy of us.  To remember we are pilgrims passing through.  We are in this world but not of it.  We are like Abraham looking for a city whose maker and builder is God.  Keep the right attitude and motive that we are here as first responders rescuing the perishing.  We are His ambassadors and representatives in this world currently.

 

They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.

 

1.        Reality check.  People may say they know God but when they scorn mock, slander, demean and persecute the Christian it shows they do not know the Fathe or Christ.  Always watch the evidence and fruit of someone’s life.  It will show where their loyalties lie.

2.        Someone can only put on a persona for a while.  Their true nature, character, and essence can be only hide for awhile.  In times of stress, fear, failure and frustration the real person exhibits. 

3.        Knowledge is one thing relationship is another Jesus warns that people can know about the Father and the Son but not know them.  Intimacy is the key.

 

I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned.

 

1.        When the time comes where these things manifested around them and to them, they will remember.  Each of the disciples who came apostles except John would die for the faith.  There is a price to pay for serving Christ.

2.        This is also warning for us today.  Our three adversaries, the world, the flesh and the devil will not stand idly by and let you blissfully go about your eternal business.  Their agenda is to rob kill and destroy you.  They will accusation, temptation, deception, intimidation and manipulation to do this.  When warned you have time to react and be proactive.  This gives us  a great advantage if we will use it.