Famous Last Words: Hate

Series: Famous Last Words

Hate by John Burke - March 16, 2008
John opened with a challenge, “Does faith require courage?” And, he told us about Ruby Bridges, the courageous little girl in the 60’s who went to school in New Orleans when the city began to open its doors to African American children. Every day she passed crowds of people shaking their fists at her, yelling at her, and threatening her family. But Ruby smiled at them, and courageously entered the school. Later a psychiatrist from Harvard sought to understand her courage, and after interviewing her family, concluded, “I think it’s Jesus.”

1. Let’s start with our own memories of courage. When have you had to take a stand and face a wrong, perhaps confront a friend, or confront an ethical or moral issue? How did you feel, and how did others respond? (10 minutes)

2. John paraphrased Jesus’ teaching, “If you are going to follow God – if you're going to stand up for what's right – if you're going to fight against the evils and injustices that hurt and destroy people – if you’re going to follow the path of honesty, integrity, moral purity – it’s going to take Courageous Faith because you will find opposition and even persecution. Don’t be surprised. It’s the way of the world.” What about the surprise factor. When have you been surprised at another’s reaction when you confronted a wrong? If the “ways of the world” flow counter to God and His ways, even hatred for God’s ways, what realistic response can we expect from the world? What circumstances might require your Courageous Faith in today’s world? (10 minutes)
3. To stand strong, it takes faith. John asked, “Do you know where to get courage?” Consider the last thing Jesus told the disciples before praying for them and entering the Garden of Gethsemane, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16.33. How do Jesus’ words encourage you to stand strong in your faith? (10 minutes)

4. Some of us, John said, live to please ourselves. The problem is we end up getting swept up in all kinds of self-centered, blind behavior that we can rationalize and justify, but it destroys those we love, our relationship with God, and even ourselves in time. Why, then, is it so important to settle the question, “Whose will am I living for?” (10 minutes)

5. Where is your need for Courageous Faith right now? Maybe you need Courageous Faith at work. Or, maybe you are in a dating relationship, and you need courage to fully follow God. Discuss the scriptures below. How do these scriptures strengthen your faith and give you the courage to stand firm? (10 minutes)

Bible verses from the message:
As the Father has loved me, so have I love you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. John 15:9 - 10

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: 'Servants are not greater than their master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. John 15:18 - 20

Yet, I want your will, not mine. Matthew 26:39

And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process? If a person is ashamed of me and my message, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in my glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. Luke 9:25 - 26

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. Revelations 2:7

Get more background and information:

• You can download or listen to Rick's message about Jesus' Last Words at Gateway's Sunday Message Archive (and other messages too)
• For more information about Jesus and who He claimed to be you can read
  
• The Case for Christ by Lee Stroebels
• Letters from a Skeptic by Gregory A. Boyd
• Evidence for Christianity by Josh McDowell

Search for topics you want to know more about at the Gateway Bookstore

Thanks to Jan Shurtz for writing this week's Second Helpings Questions!