Hated Without a Cause - John 15:18-25

The episode begins with a historical account of John Rogers, born in 1505, who was educated at Cambridge and became a Catholic priest before embracing Reformation teachings. He fled to Holland, where he befriended William Tyndale and later published the Matthew Bible under the pseudonym Thomas Matthew, which became the first authorized English Bible in 1537. When Queen Mary Tudor, known as Bloody Mary, came to power in 1553, Rogers was arrested, tried, and burned at the stake in 1555 for his Protestant beliefs. The host then transitions to the biblical text John 15:18-25, where Jesus tells his disciples that the world will hate them because it hated him first, emphasizing that persecution is a natural consequence of following Christ. The sermon outlines six points based on the 'if' statements in the passage, including that believers are not of the world and will face persecution as Jesus did. Examples from the Gospel of John show Jesus being persecuted for healing on the Sabbath and claiming divinity. The host discusses early Christian persecution under Roman rule, where Christians were falsely accused of atheism and cannibalism. Modern instances are highlighted, such as a missionary detained in India and believers in Nepal facing torture or property destruction. The message concludes by urging listeners to live righteously so that any hatred they face is without cause, trusting in God's vengeance.

As heard by us

John 15 meets John Rogers in a sober sermon about why light draws hatred.

This sermon moves from John Rogers, the Cambridge-educated priest burned at the stake in 1555, into Jesus' warning in John 15 that the world hates his people without a cause.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

When John 15 turns sharp, this sermon follows the blade all the way.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify