You may have noticed, but we see more and more in the world that Christians are arguing about everything. We seem to have more and more Christians judging people not in the faith. Ryan posted something on TikTkok and Instagram, and Christians did not hold back. It made me think that if we cannot even love people in the faith, how unloving are we to the world that does not believe yet or does not see the way we see life?
Carey Nieuwhof, a renowned Christian author and speaker, researched this and found there are three things that non-believers do not like about us as Christians, and as Christians, we need to do love differently. Especially as it is our theme this year, love your neighbour.
You want to know what the three things are. They are Judging without knowing the real story. Another two minutes on social media will reveal Christians and preachers condemning unchurched people for their sexual habits and preferences, lifestyle choices, and political views. I doubt this is what Jesus had in mind when he gave his life in love for the world.
Be hypocritical. The truth is that as much as I hate it, I’m a hypocrite. My walk doesn’t always match my talk. That’s why I don’t have a fish in my car. When I’m in a hurry, and my natural impatience surfaces, the last thing some person God loves needs to see is a Christian cut him off.
3rd, we are not true and good friends. We are only there when they are in the faith, but we tend to keep them on a stick when they fall or question. Think about it. When was the last time you hung out with a sex worker?
When was the last time you had someone who’s not your skin colour, not your political persuasion, and doesn’t share your value system over for dinner, or when was the last time you broke bread with an addict (who’s not in recovery)?
Now I am glad we have the bible to teach and correct us. And as I prepared the message, I needed fixing, and this sermon is more for me than for you guys. Cause boy, the Holy Spirit so convicted me. So I want to look at a piece of scripture, which we usually look at only after easter, but there is so much we can learn from the interaction between Pontius Pilate and Jesus if you want to see how Jesus loved those who did not believe or doubt the faith. Then this is it.
We find this interaction in John 18:28-38. And I want to read it with you, and from there, I want to give you five practical tools on how we need to love those who doubt and do not believe.
Let us read.
Jesus and Pontius Pilate's encounter occurs during the final hours leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. After being arrested and brought before the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus was taken to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who held the power to impose the death penalty. This event is recorded in the Gospel of John, specifically in John 18:28-38.
As the Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate resided in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus' ministry. The Jewish religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate's headquarters, called the Praetorium, early in the morning to seek his condemnation. However, they were unwilling to enter the Praetorium themselves because they wanted to avoid ceremonial uncleanness and be able to eat the Passover.
During the conversation, Pilate discovers that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world and perceives that Jesus is innocent. Pilate repeatedly tries to release Jesus, finding no basis for charges against Him. However, the Jewish leaders persistently pressure Pilate, accusing Jesus of stirring up the people throughout Judea, Galilee, and beyond the borders.
LOVE IS A SOURCE OF CONFIDENCE. So let us look at the first point. It is this. As Christians, we need to have confidence. We need to have the belief that the Bible is the truth. Jesus remained confident in his purpose and his identity despite Pilate being a sceptic.
John 18:33-36 (HCSB) 33 Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about Me?” 35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your nation and the chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” 36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. As it is, My kingdom does not have its origin here.”
How do we apply this? We read 1 John 3:1, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
Our identity is not defined by the opinions of others or our doubts but by our Heavenly Father's unwavering love and acceptance. Ephesians 2:10 further emphasises that we are God's handiwork, created with a purpose to do good works that He has prepared for us. This assurance of our identity and purpose in Christ gives us the confidence to engage with doubters and unbelievers, knowing that our worth and significance come from Him.
Matthew 28:20
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
It means Jesus is with us. He died for us. We can have confidence that His plan has led you to this point. The lost people have been sent to you, and you do not have to convince them that Jesus is honest, but by showing them through Love that Jesus is real. Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. I use this verse as much as I can at funerals stating that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. We know we can enter the throneroom boldly because of Jesus, so we can go boldly into the world and declare Jesus.
So regardless of what we might face. Cancel culture, being called left wing or right wing or any wing. Or whatever other names there might be. We can go boldly because Jesus is with us to the end of the age.
We can engage with doubters and unbelievers with a firm foundation by finding our confidence in Christ's love, rooted in our unshakable identity as children of God and our trust in His promises. His love strengthens us, fuels our love for others, and empowers us to share the transformative message of the gospel boldly.
So this means, and it brings me to my second point, that because of knowing who we are in Christ, we must show a
Love that Engages with Doubters and unbelievers.
We read this in John 18:34-35 (HCSB). Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about Me?”35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?”
Now we can see how Jesus had to interact, but we do not see him go off the handle. He did not lose his cool with the unbeliever or, in Pilate's case, the doubter. We see and hear that he did it with love and respect. How did he engage, well the same way Paul told us to engage in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (HCSB) Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited; five does not act improperly,
is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I want to keep up this verse, and I want you to put Jesus' name in every aspect. Okay, so let us put our names here and see if we can do the same. We cannot, but by growing in faith, we can grow in it. You know, we need Love motivates us to listen to the doubts and questions of others genuinely. Compassionate engagement, fueled by love, creates an atmosphere of trust and understanding.
In John 20:24-29 (Doubting Thomas), Thomas expresses his doubt about Jesus' resurrection, stating that he would not believe unless he sees and touches the wounds of Jesus. Jesus, in His compassion, appears to Thomas and invites him to touch His wounds, addressing his doubts directly. Jesus does not condemn Thomas for his doubt but provides the evidence he needs to believe, demonstrating His patient and compassionate response.
Respond with Compassion: Just as Jesus responded with compassion to those who doubted Him, let us respond in kind. Show empathy and genuine care for the person, recognising that doubt can be a deeply personal and challenging experience. Offer encouragement and understanding, reminding them that their doubts do not diminish God's love for them.
Now that brings me to my next point: Love that Respects Unbelievers. Yip, you heard me right. We need to respect unbelievers as Christians. Matthew 7:12 (HCSB)
12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them — this is the Law and the Prophets. Love compels us to treat unbelievers with respect, recognising their worth as fellow human beings created in the image of God. Now I know your mind is already going to a place where there are not certain people we can show respect to. Please, I am not saying agree and go into meaningful discussion and talk, but we must come from a place of respect. We see it so clearly in the bible.
The Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42):
Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman who had a reputation in her community. Despite the social and cultural barriers, Jesus engaged her in a respectful and meaningful conversation. He acknowledged her thirst for something more and revealed Himself as the source of living water. Jesus did not judge her based on her past or beliefs but extended compassion and offered her the gift of eternal life. Through His love and acceptance, the woman's life was transformed, and she became a witness for Christ in her community.
Saul's Conversion (Acts 9:1-19):
Before his transformation, Saul (later known as the Apostle Paul) was a zealous persecutor of Christians. However, Jesus met him on the road to Damascus with a powerful display of unconditional love. Instead of condemning Saul for his actions, Jesus showed mercy and grace, revealing Himself and commissioning Saul as a chosen instrument for spreading the gospel. Saul's life was radically transformed through this encounter, and he became one of the greatest evangelists in history.
I want to ask who is persecuting Christians at the moment. What is the biggest thing Christianity is facing right now? Think about it. Who is attacking the truth? Now let me ask, how are you responding?
That brings us to this. A Love that communicates with Clarity and simplicity John 18:37 (HCSB)
37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”
Parables: Jesus often used parables, or short stories, to convey profound spiritual truths in a relatable and memorable way. These stories drew upon familiar situations and imagery from everyday life, making His teachings accessible to a wide range of people. By presenting truth in parables, Jesus engaged His audience emotionally and intellectually, inviting them to reflect on the deeper meaning behind the stories and allowing the truth to resonate within their hearts.
Questions and Dialogues: Jesus often engaged in thought-provoking dialogues and asked insightful questions to stimulate the minds of His audience. His questions were not merely for the sake of interrogation but were intended to challenge preconceived notions, provoke self-reflection, and lead His listeners to a deeper understanding of truth. Jesus encouraged active participation through these dialogues, allowing His audience to engage with the truth and arrive at their own realisations.
1 Corinthians 9:22 (HCSB) 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that I may by every possible means save some.
Simplifying the Message: Paul's desire to "save some" compelled him to present the gospel clearly and straightforwardly. He recognised that not everyone deeply understood theological concepts or religious language. Therefore, he focused on the core message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, removing unnecessary complexity and religious jargon. Paul aimed to make the gospel accessible to people from all walks of life, ensuring that anyone who heard it could grasp and embrace its transformative power.
This may involve using simple language, relatable illustrations, and focusing on the foundational truths of the gospel. As we keep the gospel simple, we create space for others to encounter the transformative power of Jesus Christ and experience the hope, forgiveness, and eternal life He offers.
This brings me to my last point. Paul ended by saying that I may save some by every possible means save. You notice he said not all Interesting.
We need to love that prepares for any outcome.
Not everyone is going to respond to the gospel you want to. The rich young man Ryan spoke about last week. Not everyone accepted Jesus' good news. I mean, let us look at what happened to Jesus.
The People of Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30):
When Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth and began teaching in the synagogue, the people initially marvelled at His wisdom. However, their admiration quickly turned to rejection when Jesus revealed His divine identity and mission. They offended Him and attempted to harm Him, leading Jesus to declare, "No prophet is accepted in his hometown."
Romans 12:18 (HCSB) 18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Trusting in God's Sovereignty: Love compels us to trust God's sovereignty over every situation and individual. We understand that He sees the bigger picture, knows the depths of every heart, and works in ways beyond our understanding. Surrendering the outcomes to God means releasing our need for control and entrusting the results to His capable hands. We believe He can bring about His purposes, even when it seems unlikely or uncertain to us.
Love enables us to rest in the perfect love of God. We understand that His love for others far surpasses our own, and He desires their salvation even more than we do. Surrendering the outcomes to God means acknowledging His love is more significant, His ways are higher, and His timing is perfect. We can trust that His love will continue to pursue, draw, and convict hearts, even when we don't see immediate results.
Surrendering the outcomes to God does not mean we become passive or stop sharing the gospel. Instead, it means we release the burden of results, allowing God to work in His way and timing. It frees us from the anxiety and pressure of feeling responsible for changing hearts and grants us the peace and assurance that God is ultimately in control.
In closing
Love is at the heart of how we engage with doubters and unbelievers, and it involves five essential qualities. First, we have confidence in Christ's love, which gives us the courage to share the gospel, knowing He can change lives. Second, we show compassion and patience when addressing doubts, understanding, and caring about the struggles of others. Third, we treat everyone respectfully, avoiding judgment and loving them unconditionally. Fourth, we communicate the gospel clearly, making it easy for people to understand and connect. Finally, we surrender the results to God, trusting Him and His perfect love to work things out. These qualities help us love like Jesus and share the hope of the gospel with those who doubt or don't believe yet.
I want to end with this verse, Romans 8:28 ", And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
