He would be their major resource and guide. The Spirit would be an ‘advocate’ to ‘help’ and ‘be with’ Jesus’ disciples. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17). 11-12).Ĭoming alongside the disciples, Jesus explained another time, would be precisely one of the reasons why the Spirit would be sent to the disciples. Being in trouble because you are a Christian is inevitable.īut, Jesus would say, inevitable but not hopeless: “…do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (vs. Yes, you will be interrogated and yes you will be put on trial for your faith. “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Yes, there will be opposition. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). At another time he had said: “Peace I leave with you my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. This is actually normal Christianity.īut, Jesus says, “do not worry” (v. So in biblical times and right through two thousand years of the church to the present day, Christians have been in trouble with religious authorities, with rioting crowds, and with governing authorities. Paul was arrested, investigated, plotted against, sent to give evidence before the Roman governor, left for years in prison, and eventually sent to Rome, the center of the empire (Acts 21 onward). Years later, also in Jerusalem, crowds rioted because of Paul’s reputation for evangelizing Jews. Pontius Pilate could find no fault in Jesus, yet still sentenced him to death to keep the favor of the local leaders and people in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:11-26). Sometimes the problems went far beyond annoying ordinary people and became an issue with top levels of government. In Ephesus the preaching of Paul and his companions caused a riot, mostly because his teaching on the true God was damaging their idol-making business interests (Acts 19:23-41). Secular authorities could get upset as well. 26:65) and Paul was frequently seen by Jews as undermining or abandoning the faith. Jesus himself was condemned by Jewish leaders for blasphemy (Matt. Some of the most serious opposition to Christianity would come from those who were offended that Christians thought Jesus was the Messiah or called him the Son of God. He talks about his followers being forced to answer to ‘synagogues.’ He’s referring to Jewish courts. Jesus highlights both religious and secular authorities. That trouble can come from several sources. Publicly acknowledge Jesus before others. “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities….” Be a Christian in this world. The first word used by Jesus is “when.” It’s not if or maybe or perhaps. However, Jesus also promised marvelous support and help for us by the Holy Spirit.ġ1 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” These and similar experiences amount to very little indeed compared to the suffering of the severe persecution of many Christians down the centuries persecution which is still happening in many countries.īut here’s my point: anyone, anywhere, anytime who shares their faith will – as Jesus promised – find trouble in this world (John 16:33). When Alison and I lived in another troubled area, trying to get a church established in a very tough place, young guys in their mid to late teens would push me around on the common stair up to our apartment, and made it clear they didn’t think we belonged there. On a mission trip in a desperately poor and dangerous housing project, one of the gang leaders wielding a knife made it very clear he did not appreciate our Christian witness. There are experiences in life which are inevitable, and one of those is that Christians will get into trouble for sharing their faith.ĭuring a temporary job in a big warehouse in my early twenties I was threatened by colleagues who thought my Christian approach to work showed up their less-than-committed work ethic. The Holy Spirit’s Help in Times of Trouble – Luke 12:11-12 By: Northern Seminary
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