00:00:00.000 - 00:00:34.760

Lord, you've made so many things. How wisely you have made them all. The earth is filled with your creatures. [audience mumbling]

00:00:34.760 - 00:00:55.760

But when you give them breath, they live. You give new life to Earth. [audience mumbling] We bow our heads as Reverend Huff leads us in the prayer of invocation.

00:00:55.760 - 00:01:14.360

Our Father God in heaven, we thank you. Thank thee, O God, for this another privilege to come to assemble at this place one more time. We pray, O God, that you will accept

00:01:14.360 - 00:01:27.200

our worship of thee in hymn, in prayer, in words of encouragement. Bless the one that is to break the bread of life.

00:01:27.200 - 00:01:38.160

In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. Let's greet one another this morning while we are still standing. Let's say good morning.

00:01:38.160 - 00:01:58.680

Just a moment. We're going to greet one another. [MUSIC PLAYING] [Music]

00:01:58.680 - 00:02:16.680

Just a moment. Just one moment. Let's turn to hymn number 141, "Love Lifted Me." [ Music ] All right.

00:02:16.680 - 00:02:20.680

[ Music ] >> I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. Very deeply sane within, sinking to rise no more. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore.

00:02:20.680 - 00:02:24.680

Very deeply sane within, sinking to rise no more. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore.

00:02:24.680 - 00:02:28.680

I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore.

00:02:28.680 - 00:02:32.680

I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore.

00:02:32.680 - 00:02:42.940

I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. I was sinking deep inside on a peaceful shore. ♪ Even since I was a peaceful shore ♪ ♪ Very deeply stained within ♪

00:02:42.940 - 00:02:55.700

♪ Sinking your eyes no more ♪ ♪ But the master of the sea ♪ ♪ Heard my despairing cry ♪ ♪ From the water lifted me ♪

00:02:55.700 - 00:03:08.820

♪ Now safe have I ♪ ♪ Love lifted me ♪ ♪ Love lifted me ♪ ♪ When nothing else could help ♪

00:03:08.820 - 00:03:21.820

♪ Love lifted me ♪ ♪ Love lifted me ♪ ♪ Love lifted me ♪ ♪ When nothing else could help ♪

00:03:21.820 - 00:03:38.520

♪ Love lifted me ♪ ♪ Of my heart to Him I give ♪ ♪ And to Him I sing ♪ ♪ In His blessed presence be ♪

00:03:38.520 - 00:03:53.000

♪ The truth His praises sing ♪ ♪ God so mighty and so true ♪ ♪ Hears my soul and my song ♪ ♪ Thankful, loving, servant to Him be I ♪

00:03:53.000 - 00:04:06.840

♪ God with me be ♪ ♪ The lifted knee ♪ ♪ When I asked her ♪ ♪ The lifted knee ♪

00:04:06.840 - 00:04:20.980

♪ The lifted knee ♪ ♪ The lifted knee ♪ ♪ When I asked her ♪ ♪ The lifted ♪

00:04:20.980 - 00:04:33.220

♪ Knee ♪ ♪ Oh she came to the club ♪ ♪ Jesus hath bled His way ♪ ♪ He's the Lamb who bore His child ♪

00:04:33.220 - 00:04:47.300

♪ Out of the angry grave ♪ ♪ He's the Master of the sea ♪ ♪ Hellos His grail obey ♪ ♪ He alone has to bleed to save today ♪

00:04:47.300 - 00:05:03.460

♪ Love him, baby ♪ ♪ Love him, baby ♪ When I ask her, love left in me. Love left in me.

00:05:03.460 - 00:05:33.260

Love left in me. When I ask her, love left in me. >> Our scripture lesson is the gospel according to St. John, the 15th chapter, the 18th through the 25th verses.

00:05:33.260 - 00:05:53.800

If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own. But because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

00:05:53.800 - 00:06:18.480

Remember the world, the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake,

00:06:18.480 - 00:06:35.640

because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin. But now they have no cloak for their sin.

00:06:35.640 - 00:06:57.620

He that hateth me, hateth my father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin. But now have they both seen and hated both me and my father.

00:06:57.620 - 00:07:10.600

But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, they hated me without a cause. Thus endeth the reading of our scripture.

00:07:10.600 - 00:07:24.100

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire unuttered or expressed, the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast. This is our call to prayer,

00:07:24.100 - 00:08:00.780

to assemble together here at the altar where we unite our hearts in the blessed fellowship of prayer. More things are wrought through prayer

00:08:00.780 - 00:08:26.380

than this whole world dreams of. Every person ought to pray. So let us bow our heads, close our eyes, as we pray together. Lord God, our gracious Heavenly Father,

00:08:26.380 - 00:08:49.780

giver and preserver of all life, by whose grace we have come to this hour. We, your children, bow reverently in your presence and lift up our hearts in grateful praise

00:08:49.780 - 00:09:05.900

for the multitude of mercies that you have showered upon us from the earliest of our existence until this present moment. You've led us gently and safely through another week.

00:09:05.900 - 00:09:19.180

You have fed us. You have protected us. And we thank you. We confess that we are not what we ought to be.

00:09:19.180 - 00:09:35.880

There are things that we should have done, which we ought not and things that we have left undone, but you have blessed us, forgive us of our sins of omission and commission.

00:09:35.880 - 00:09:51.000

Help us, oh God, to worship you this day and that we may do that which is pleasing in your sight. You know every one of us. You know the secret sins.

00:09:51.000 - 00:10:11.020

And we pray that you would cleanse us. We pray that you would forgive us. Bless us as we come to the difficult experiences in life. May we feel your presence.

00:10:11.020 - 00:10:30.620

You know the perplexing decisions that we must make. You know the hardships that we experience. And we pray especially, oh God, for your presence with those who are in the hospitals and those who are sick in homes who are shut in and shut out.

00:10:30.620 - 00:10:56.620

Oh Lord, have mercy upon them and bless them with your healing power if it be your will. Be a companion for the lonely. Give direction for those who are confused, who are meandering through the maze of life. Oh have mercy upon us here as your people at Ebenezer and grant that we may be imbued

00:10:56.620 - 00:11:17.060

with that evangelical zeal that will enable us to fulfill the mission for which we have been called. Pray oh God not only for this church but for your churches everywhere. For those who are not rightly related to you in the pardon of their sins.

00:11:17.060 - 00:11:41.740

And we would pray for our city, for the leaders of our government locally, in our state, and in our nation. And then we pray for that international harmony that will cause peace to come in our time, for that day when men shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning

00:11:41.740 - 00:11:55.960

hooks and study war no longer. Oh, help us that we may walk with you until that day when you call us all from labor to reward to be with you in a world without end.

00:11:55.960 - 00:12:11.500

We ask through Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord. Amen. (soft music) (door creaking)

00:12:11.500 - 00:12:21.820

(eerie music) (door creaking) (door creaking) (eerie music)

00:12:21.820 - 00:12:32.300

(door creaking) (door creaking) (cat meowing) (door creaking)

00:12:32.300 - 00:12:45.020

(coughing) [MUSIC PLAYING] [MUSIC PLAYING] [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:12:45.020 - 00:13:19.980

[MUSIC PLAYING] [SNIFFLING] [MUSIC PLAYING] [ Music ]

00:13:19.980 - 00:13:47.980

Like the woman at the well, my soul was longing for the things that could not satisfy. And I heard the master speaking, saying to me, drink from my well that never shall run dry.

00:13:47.980 - 00:14:16.780

Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord. Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. O Bread of Heaven, give me to my watchdog, Lord. ♪ No more ♪

00:14:16.780 - 00:14:27.620

♪ Fill my cup ♪ ♪ Fill it up ♪ ♪ And make me whole ♪ ♪ And I heard the master say ♪

00:14:27.620 - 00:14:54.500

♪ Whosoever drinketh ♪ ♪ From the wells of the world shall thirst again ♪ But the water that I give shall surely spring forth Into a well of everlasting light.

00:14:54.500 - 00:15:17.640

Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord, ♪ Love and quits is thirsty of my soul ♪ ♪ Oh, bread of heaven ♪ ♪ Leave me to my thoughts no more, no more, no more ♪

00:15:17.640 - 00:15:47.520

♪ Fill my cup, fill it up, and lay me whole ♪ ♪ Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord ♪ ♪ Come enrich it, through thirsting of my soul ♪ ♪ O bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more ♪

00:15:47.520 - 00:16:14.620

♪ No more, no more ♪ ♪ Fill my cup, fill it up, and let me go ♪ - Let us worship the Lord in our giving. We are to express our gratitude to God

00:16:14.620 - 00:16:25.980

both by the life that we live and the offering in our substance that we make. So let us give liberally according to how the Lord has prospered us

00:16:25.980 - 00:16:39.800

as we worship this day. May we bow our heads for the prayer. - Our Father God in heaven, we thank thee, O God, for the privilege to worship thee

00:16:39.800 - 00:16:53.460

in the giving of part of the substance that you have entrusted to our care. Accept our tithe and offering and sacrificial offering for the furtherance of thy kingdom.

00:16:53.460 - 00:17:16.700

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, amen. You will notice that in the bulletin, the secretary, the present secretary, will be leaving the 1st of June, going full time

00:17:16.700 - 00:17:30.940

as a student, University of Texas, And persons who are interested in that position may contact the pastor. So if you know of persons, you may have them to do so.

00:17:30.940 - 00:17:46.100

At 4 o'clock today, the church council meets. And we want the leader of every auxiliary to be present today. We've just had certain persons in the past.

00:17:46.100 - 00:18:23.880

But today we're asking that leaders of every auxiliary will be present. We are beginning a church newsletter, and we want that every person will have a person who can write acceptable articles for your auxiliary to contribute the same to the newsletter. We intend to have a first-class newsletter, and we will need every auxiliary to cooperate.

00:18:23.880 - 00:18:41.160

And we don't exclude any group, because if you're doing something, you should be writing for that newsletter, and that includes us all. So we hope that you will be cooperative in this endeavor, and that we will make the most of this opportunity.

00:18:41.160 - 00:19:04.540

We've had a newsletter before and we've started and stopped. This time we intend to start and keep going. You'll see a list of our high school graduates listed in your bulletin. Sister Spencer gave $10,000 in memory of Deacon Spencer, which is set aside for scholarships

00:19:04.540 - 00:19:26.340

of worthy youth here at Ebenezer. And she also set up the standards for that, including being faithful in attendance of Sunday school, training union, and the work of the church. And according to the standards that were set up, none of the youth fulfilled those.

00:19:26.340 - 00:19:49.420

In fact, according to the records we had, not any of the youth even attended Sunday school one half of the time this past year. If you did that on the basis of school, none would be graduating. This is sort of an indictment upon us, certainly upon us as parents and upon us as a church,

00:19:49.420 - 00:20:02.980

that we would look seriously at what we should be doing. I know that there may be some youth who had jobs and the like, but the requirements are the requirements. The committee looked into that.

00:20:02.980 - 00:20:18.300

If you have a job and the requirement is that you've got to make a certain mark to reach the honors list, they don't change it because you got a job. The standard is there. You all understand that, don't you?

00:20:18.300 - 00:20:32.180

Can I hear you a little louder? That's right. Sister Spencer reminded us, and after all, it was her money, she reminded us that that was hard-earned money.

00:20:32.180 - 00:20:59.700

She wants it to go the way it should and I admire her for that and I hope that some others may catch that kind of spirit and that we may engage in the pursuit of excellence. When people get something for mediocrity, it doesn't help them, it hurts them. God wants us to reach for higher heights.

00:20:59.700 - 00:21:22.780

Now, we've had some people to retire, and we'd like for you to pass that on to us if you have not done so, to pass that information on to us if you are retiring for this year. You will notice in the bulletin a word about Haiti. We hope that we can get persons who are interested in, many of us take vacations and the like,

00:21:22.780 - 00:21:37.180

who are interested in going to Haiti. This is a flight that will enable us to go to what is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It's black.

00:21:37.180 - 00:21:59.300

While it is nearest, this flight is from Houston. I'm hopeful that we can establish some kind of mission work, some kind of relationship with the people in Haiti and the churches there by which we can do something to help our brothers and sisters there, and we can make this not only a mission tour, but also

00:21:59.300 - 00:22:18.500

an opportunity for us to have some recreation. The fare is most reasonable. It includes hotel and airfare. The cruises are more, but they end up giving you a lot of food that most of us really don't

00:22:18.500 - 00:22:41.440

need. So we hope that you will indicate your interest in this particular venture. I can't say enough about Woman's Day because it was indeed a grand and glorious observance as I have expressed in the word that you see in the bulletin.

00:22:41.440 - 00:23:09.060

It is a day that set a new record in the life of our church, approximately $22,000, I think, all the money was in, right at $22,000 that was given on that day. We had a goal of $18,000 and we received $22,000. It's very, very imperative that we continue to give during these other days, Sundays,

00:23:09.060 - 00:23:26.220

weeks ahead because we need to have this constant giving in order to stay up with our budget And most churches that really do what is best in the way of stewardship run ahead of their budget. So we want to continue to do that.

00:23:26.220 - 00:23:46.220

I want to thank all of you for what you have done, the general chairpersons and the committee people, the team captains, both captains and co-captains, all who helped to make it what it was. And let's keep up the good work and staying ahead of our budget now that we have caught

00:23:46.220 - 00:24:23.420

up the slack, let's try to stay ahead. We met in our special called business meeting on last Wednesday and the decision which was arrived at was for the sale of the property if it met certain conditions and the fact that we We want to acquire property which is contiguous to this church and not be giving up anything

00:24:23.420 - 00:24:46.300

that is not going to be replaced. In other words, if Holiday Inn should come over where we are, on that parking lot over there, we want to have an advantage and not a disadvantage because they are there. property which is immediately behind us, whether it can be acquired now or not, we'll have

00:24:46.300 - 00:25:02.760

to find out. And I want to remind you that several years ago, this matter was presented in our annual meeting and a considerable number of persons didn't see it then, and some of those persons saw it later.

00:25:02.760 - 00:25:24.180

But if we had gone ahead and been able to get it then, we would have had it. And sometimes it just takes a little time for us to see some things. And sometimes the things are gone when we wake up. So I want to say again, where there is no vision, the people perish.

00:25:24.180 - 00:25:40.220

Where there is no vision, the people perish. So it's going to require more than just coming alive when we have a certain proposition before us. Some brothers run out to a meeting that I never have seen

00:25:40.220 - 00:25:55.500

recently in a meeting when we have a business proposition and when we turn around we don't see them anymore. But we need to keep moving and acting and witnessing if we're going to do the things that we are called upon to do.

00:25:55.500 - 00:26:10.060

So, we had a good meeting. I want to say too that some of us need to have some time in training unions so we'll need to know how meetings should go. You know, a lot of our meetings, we spend a great deal of time

00:26:10.060 - 00:26:20.140

learning how the meeting should be conducted. And so parliamentary procedures and the like, I'm not going to take a lot of time with that this morning, but we probably need to come to the training union and go

00:26:20.140 - 00:26:37.720

through some of those things because I've discovered that some people who think they know, don't know. Another thing I want to mention during this period is that when When we come into the church, first of all I want us to be here on time and a little

00:26:37.720 - 00:26:59.360

before time and then when we come in to have a few moments before worship to be spent in silence and meditation and preparation for worship, it is not a time for visitation, you know. And so that we need to be here a little earlier so we won't be rushing in and in a frantic

00:26:59.360 - 00:27:19.660

as to what's going to happen. really not the best way to begin our worship of the Lord. So as we seek to grow in this way, let's be here a little earlier and let's get started in that kind of atmosphere so that I don't have to stop from a whole lot of chatter, but we'll be in a prayerful mood

00:27:19.660 - 00:27:51.380

from the very beginning. I intend to have this inserted in the bulletin, but I'll try to remember to do that in the future. Now a biblical style show will be presented today at 6 o'clock in connection with the the Fifth Sunday program. The fourth Sunday, this is today,

00:27:51.380 - 00:28:06.560

We are having today instead of next Sunday our mission program. So today at 6 o'clock there will be a style show featuring the all the women of the Bible as well as some men and You you will do well to be here

00:28:06.560 - 00:28:23.500

Then the pastor has some things that he wants to say to all of us Regarding what we ought to be doing in connection with that program. So I want all of us here You know, I don't want the choir, the ushers, and others staying home because this is the mission day.

00:28:23.500 - 00:28:37.520

This is our day, everybody's day, because everybody is involved in mission. The church is mission. So let's be here because what we're going to do is going to involve more than just seeing a style show.

00:28:37.520 - 00:29:15.440

It's going to involve also giving attention to what the very heart and soul of our work here is as the family of God. God's beenavaşing us fromifferentzieć for a long, long time. (gentle piano music)

00:29:15.440 - 00:29:53.600

(bells ringing) (bells ringing) (piano music) ♪ His name is wonderful ♪

00:29:53.600 - 00:30:11.480

♪ His name is wonderful ♪ ♪ His name is wonderful ♪ ♪ Jesus my Lord ♪ ♪ He is the mighty King ♪

00:30:11.480 - 00:30:28.580

♪ Master of everything ♪ ♪ His name is wonderful ♪ ♪ Jesus my Lord ♪ ♪ He's the great shepherd ♪

00:30:28.580 - 00:30:50.020

♪ The rock of all ages ♪ ♪ Almighty God is here ♪ ♪ Bow down before him ♪ ♪ Love and adore him ♪

00:30:50.020 - 00:31:06.500

♪ His name is wonderful ♪ ♪ Jesus my Lord ♪ ♪ His name is wonderful ♪ ♪ His name is wonderful ♪

00:31:06.500 - 00:31:22.920

♪ His name is wonderful ♪ ♪ Jesus my Lord ♪ ♪ He is the mighty King ♪ ♪ Master of everything ♪

00:31:22.920 - 00:31:37.040

♪ His name is wonderful ♪ ♪ Jesus my Lord ♪ - Amen. Let's all say amen.

00:31:37.040 - 00:32:09.900

Here this word is recorded in the Gospel of John, 15th chapter the 17th through the 21st verse reading from the Living Bible paraphrased. "I demand that you love each other for you get enough hate from the world but then it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if

00:32:09.900 - 00:32:39.780

you belong to it but you don't. For I chose you to come out of the world and so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? A slave is not greater than his master so since they persecuted me naturally they will persecute you and if If they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

00:32:39.780 - 00:33:04.220

The people of the world will persecute you because you belong to me, for they don't know God who sent me." The subject of the message, how to handle hate, how to handle hate. The world sings a song of hate.

00:33:04.220 - 00:33:23.800

It was a song popular when I was a boy, a song of hate with these words. I'll be glad when you're dead, you rascal you. I'll be glad when you're dead, you rascal you.

00:33:23.800 - 00:33:39.640

I'll be standing on the corner high when they bring your body back. I'll be glad when you're dead, you rascal you. Well, that's a song of hate.

00:33:39.640 - 00:34:05.820

Hate is terrible because hate is concerned about the worst happening to another person. Hate seeks to bring hurt, harm, destruction. And it works as a terrible psychological cancer

00:34:05.820 - 00:34:31.540

affecting the one who hates more than the one who is hated. Hate drives wedges between family members. It's a barrier separating races and nations. Hatred between families and nations

00:34:31.540 - 00:34:47.380

has been known to exist from generation to generation. All of us want to be loved. It's natural to want to be accepted and to get along well with other people.

00:34:47.380 - 00:35:06.100

In fact, that is what we consider in our society, the well-adjusted life. But the fact of the matter is, there is hate in the world.

00:35:06.100 - 00:35:22.580

That's why Jesus tells his disciples how to handle hate. Wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed, conflict and controversy emerge. Hate is directed against those who proclaim it

00:35:22.580 - 00:35:36.680

as well as those who practice it, for it is ours to proclaim it and practice it. The Christian family is within the circle of love. Jesus says,

00:35:36.680 - 00:35:54.820

I demand that you love each other. For you get enough hate from the world. You see, love is not optional for the followers of Jesus Christ.

00:35:54.820 - 00:36:09.220

It's a command. The master commands us to love. It is a divine demand to love each other, to accept each other within the family

00:36:09.220 - 00:36:28.080

as brothers and sisters. This is required in order for the family of God to exist. There must be that love as the older people put it when I was a boy that runs from heart to heart

00:36:28.080 - 00:36:52.700

and breast to breast. Love is the simbunum of the Christian life. It's the divine imperative governing each disciple the master. Disciples of Jesus must love. Jesus says by this we'll all know that

00:36:52.700 - 00:37:27.140

you are my disciples that you love one another. Love is wonderful as a popular ballad puts it I'm in love with love and love is grand. It's wonderful to accept acceptance, to love and be loved. But what happens when we face rejection? I remember many years ago in Cleveland, Ohio, we were having a discussion group

00:37:27.140 - 00:37:51.220

and one young lady said, "Oh, everybody loves me." And the pastor was in the group and he said, "Oh no, that's not the case." He said, "I just heard a young lady this morning talking about how she hated you, you thought you were so much better than everybody else because you had this and that to wear and she was astonished.

00:37:51.220 - 00:38:24.480

Every one of us in some way or another must face rejection. We all would love to have a life where there was nothing but acceptance but that just does not happen to be the case. We have to deal with hostility and what happens when we face it we need to understand how to handle hate. To be sure, Jesus says here that

00:38:24.480 - 00:38:44.880

Christians ought to love one another. Those of us who are within the Christian family ought to love one another. Christian family is in a terrible shape if those who call themselves Christians do not love one another. If a person who claims to be a Christian hates another who is a

00:38:44.880 - 00:39:10.080

Christian something is drastically wrong, dreadfully wrong. And this is what Jesus is saying to his disciples. He said now look you I demand in other words you can't even get in this circle unless you love one another. I demand that you love one another because you get enough hate from the world. You get enough conflict

00:39:10.080 - 00:39:43.400

in the world so you ought not be engaged in conflicts among yourselves. You ought not be engaged in opposition to each other because you get enough opposition from the world. The disciples of Jesus are engaged in armed conflict against the world. Now the world fights with hate. We are not to fight against the world

00:39:43.400 - 00:40:17.080

using the weapons of the world. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, you kill my dog I'll kill your cat hate destroys. He who would dig a ditch for another dig too because you're gonna fall in too. For the first person to fall in will be the person who is the digger of the ditch. So what Jesus is saying here that if we

00:40:17.080 - 00:40:52.240

would be his disciples if we would follow him that we must know how to deal with hate. The world draws a circle that keeps us out as the poet puts it he drew a circle that shut me out heretic rebel a thing to flout love and I had the wit to win, we drew a circle that took him in. So it is the nature of the world

00:40:52.240 - 00:41:16.980

to hate those who are citizens of the kingdom. The world is against those who give God control of their lives. Don't think you're gonna have an easy time because you have made the decision to let God rule in your life. Those who seek first the kingdom of God are in constant conflict with the world so don't be

00:41:16.980 - 00:41:55.620

disturbed if the world hate you don't let it get you down that's the way it is the world and the kingdom of God are two opposing sides but be sure that though you are hated that you do not deal in hate that you do not hate. Aesop had a fable about two eagles the one was jealous of the other because the other

00:41:55.620 - 00:42:35.380

could soar higher and more beautifully than he could. So one by one he would pluck his strongest and sharpest feathers and shoot them as arrows trying to wound or kill the superior eagle. But it was his own undoing. He failed to hit the high soaring eagle and gradually the jealous eagle grounded himself because

00:42:35.380 - 00:43:06.540

he lacked enough feathers to fly. He only hurt himself and that's the way it is with hate. We may take comfort in the fact that the world hated Jesus before it hated us. And whenever you decide to live the good life even though you're not bothering anyone, you're going on about your business many times,

00:43:06.540 - 00:43:36.700

that people will start bothering you. And it's very, very important if we really understand what it means to live the Christian life that we get a grasp of what Jesus is talking about. I remember an experience when I was a boy and I was trying to do the things that were right and I was going to church and doing this

00:43:36.700 - 00:43:48.280

and that and sometimes the mothers would be saying to their children when they got ready to correct them, "So why don't you do this and do that? You ought to be like Marvin Griffin. You should do this and that.

00:43:48.280 - 00:43:56.780

And so the fellows began to dislike me and then run by me and slap me when I wasn't doing anything. Well, that's the way it is.

00:43:56.780 - 00:44:11.960

Don't think that because you have decided to live the good life, that you're not going to be faced with difficulties, with conflicts, with controversy.

00:44:11.960 - 00:44:24.360

And this will come from the world. And this happens, Jesus said, because you are trying to live the life that I lived. And remember that while I have gone on before you

00:44:24.360 - 00:44:43.700

that the world hated me before it hated you. He said to them, the world hates me because I am not of this world. He says, my kingdom is not of this world.

00:44:43.700 - 00:44:56.160

And if you would follow in the steps of the master, the world will hate you. So be not dismayed if the world hate you, for it hated me before it hated you.

00:44:56.160 - 00:45:08.220

It hated me without cause. You see, Jesus went about doing good, yet he was hated by the world. But here is how to handle hate.

00:45:08.220 - 00:45:23.740

Blessed are ye when men shall hate you. In other words, forearmed is, rather being forewarned is forearmed. In other words, Jesus warns us beforehand

00:45:23.740 - 00:45:32.140

so that we can be prepared. Forewarned is forearmed. I want you to know this. I want you to brace yourself

00:45:32.140 - 00:45:45.380

for what you're going to face in the world. There's some rather bleak prospects. It's not a good picture that he paints here. He encourages his disciples to keep his word.

00:45:45.380 - 00:46:01.820

Do what I say, follow my words, be obedient to my teaching, keep the word that I have given you. But remember, if you keep the word, you will be faced with persecution.

00:46:01.820 - 00:46:16.520

But I do not want you to be caught off guard. If you keep the word, and then you're faced with persecution, that you will be blessed.

00:46:16.520 - 00:46:35.140

You will be blessed by the presence of a protector, a defender for the paraclete, the Holy Spirit. The divine companion will be there and this companion will be there to defend Jesus.

00:46:35.140 - 00:46:50.400

When you witness for Jesus, when you stand up for Jesus, The spirit is there to defend Jesus. And when the spirit defends Jesus, the spirit also defends you because you are with him.

00:46:50.400 - 00:47:06.120

So keep the word. Be ready for opposition. Expect it. Football player who's out there running with the ball,

00:47:06.120 - 00:47:18.040

facing an opposing team. When someone runs out there and tackles him, he doesn't run and cry to the coach. He don't want to run and sit in the grandstands.

00:47:18.040 - 00:47:38.560

Be ready. Your defense is sure in Jesus. Remember that the world will sing a song of hate. They sang it when Jesus walked this earth.

00:47:38.560 - 00:47:57.600

That were those who sang I'll be glad when you're dead you rascal you I'll be glad when you're dead You rascal you I'll be standing on the corner high when they bring your body by I'll be glad

00:47:57.600 - 00:48:18.260

When you're dead you rascal you that's a terrible attitude hate Terrible to wish for someone else the worst To wish something terrible would happen To be possessed with hate and yet so many people try to live that way

00:48:18.260 - 00:48:42.840

And the man who was walking along, you know in a dark night and he fell in a deep hole And when he fell in there He discovered that there was someone else who had fallen in there And then someone else was coming along and some other person in there with him said,

00:48:42.840 - 00:48:53.500

"Well, we ought to holler and let this person know there's a hole there." He said, "No, but keep quiet. Let him fall in too." [laughter] Sometimes people want the worst to happen to someone else.

00:48:53.500 - 00:49:21.760

And this is an attitude of hate. But here is how to handle hate. Be ready for it and be ready for it with faith. And so we ought to exercise faith, exercise faith when facing an unbelieving world. You know the colder the weather is, the more fire we need.

00:49:21.760 - 00:49:43.740

So the colder the world is to us, the more we need of the fire of faith. Faith to commit ourselves to the way of God. Faith to rely upon the eternal goodness. Faith to somehow give ourselves to the rule of the divine.

00:49:43.740 - 00:50:06.100

Faith. They may hurt the outer skin, but they cannot touch the heart, that which is the citadel of life. Martin Luther puts it this way, "The body they may kill, his truth abideth still."

00:50:06.100 - 00:50:34.460

So really when we are prepared to experience the worst that the world has to offer, you see when somebody wants you dead, when they say, "I'll be glad when you're dead," that's the worst that they can wish for you and when you are prepared to experience the worst that the world has to offer then you are also making it possible to

00:50:34.460 - 00:51:16.500

experience the best that Jesus has to offer because you are living the life of Jesus. That's what he says. Faith, courage, this is to be manifested with meekness, that kind of gentleness that enables us to win the world. This is the spirit that Jesus tells his disciples to possess and manifest. That's the spirit that we see

00:51:16.500 - 00:51:42.220

in the Master. That's the spirit that we see coming through the words, "Father forgive them." They had driven nails through his hands, they had pierced him in the side, and they were standing there around the cross ridiculing him and waiting for him to die and he cried out, "Father, forgive them for they know not

00:51:42.220 - 00:52:15.300

what they do." "They hated me," he said, "they hated him." Yes, the master was hunted, he was hounded from Bethlehem to Egypt and then from Nazareth to Capernaum and from Gergesa to Jerusalem. All the way they were going, they were on his heels seeking to bring him to an ignoble end and they said it is fitting that

00:52:15.300 - 00:52:43.560

this man should die for the people. You see the world has its own priests. Caiaphas was the servant of the world. Pilate, a servant of the world. Herod, a a servant of the world, Judas, even though he was numbered among the 12, he was serving the purposes of the world. All of them were devils. The world hates you because I have

00:52:43.560 - 00:53:22.960

caused you to break with the world. Respond to hate with love. Respond to it, yes, with faith but respond to hate with love. You see love may be falsely accused by hate, love may be tried and unjustly condemned by hate, love may be beaten with many stripes by hate, love may be crucified, love may be buried but life will rise

00:53:22.960 - 00:53:57.820

again. For love don't crush to the earth, love will come forth to win. Blessed are ye if ye love, for love is the greatest thing in the world. How do we handle hate? Handle it by being prepared for it. Handle it by being ready to accept it with courageous faith, handle it by being ready to show that love that will not

00:53:57.820 - 00:54:21.800

let go, handle it by emulating the master. Jesus himself is the example and he says now look remember you are not greater than your master, you're the servant. You You are not greater than your master. The servant is somehow to be subject to the master.

00:54:21.800 - 00:54:42.440

The master sets the way and whenever our way gets dark, he's there to give us that light. He's the master. He is the master who somehow gives us the direction that we should go. He provides, he makes accessible to us that strength that we need and he is that hope

00:54:42.440 - 00:55:00.140

that lives in every condition and circumstance. And as we come now to the time of invitation, we invite you to accept Jesus Christ, who somehow comes among us and lives among us

00:55:00.140 - 00:55:20.820

in such a way that he teaches us how to handle the conflicts. We've got some conflicts, conflicts in ourselves, conflicts in our families, conflicts on our jobs, conflicts in the world,

00:55:20.820 - 00:55:41.240

but Jesus teaches us how to handle hate. ♪ God, you're sure to keep my head ♪ ♪ God, God to glorify ♪ ♪ Who gave this song my soul to sing ♪

00:55:41.240 - 00:56:04.800

♪ And make me from the sky ♪ ♪ To set the present age ♪ ♪ My calling to fulfill ♪ ♪ O let all my voice engage ♪

00:56:04.800 - 00:56:25.800

♪ To know my master's will ♪ ♪ On me with jealous care ♪ ♪ As in thy song to hear ♪ ♪ And O thy servant, Lord, prepare ♪

00:56:25.800 - 00:56:45.740

♪ A string of doubt to be ♪ ♪ Come out to me ♪ ♪ Help me to watch and pray ♪ ♪ Help me, God, the Supreme Lord ♪

00:56:45.740 - 00:57:02.100

♪ My people should I hear ♪ ♪ O, they ♪ ♪ For I shall never die ♪ Let us pray.

00:57:02.100 - 00:57:28.440

Lord God, our Father, we thank you for this word concerning how to handle hate, how to accept rejection, how to accept the conflicts of this life, how to accept the controversies that surround us.

00:57:29.580 - 00:57:54.580

We thank you that Jesus himself has given us the example. And for this word of encouragement and strength, help us to go forth facing the hostilities that surround our lives, knowing full well how to handle hate,

00:57:54.580 - 00:58:21.420

to be ready for it, to be forewarned is to be forearmed to fight the battle against hate with faith and to fight with love, using Jesus as our example and filled with his spirit.

00:58:21.420 - 00:58:32.820

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you

00:58:32.820 - 00:58:43.780

and give you peace now and forevermore. Amen. [MUSIC - "AMEN"] Amen.

00:58:43.780 - 00:58:57.180

Amen. Amen. Amen. [Music]

00:58:57.180 - 00:59:03.160

[ Music ]