18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
John 15:18-27
INTRODUCTION
1. The Lord Jesus devoted much time to teach His Disciples about fruit-bearing (John 15:1-17)
2. Three important principles were highlighted:
a) They were to abide in the Lord Jesus
b) They were to abide in His Word
c) They were to abide in His love
3. A word of Forewarning had to be given
a) To prepare the Disciples for the future
b) To fortify them for the challenges ahead
THE HARSH REALITY OF LIVING IN THE WORLD AS HIS DISCIPLES
1. There will be hostility from the world
a) The word “world” does not mean “the earth”
b) It is a reference to:
i) A system that is not friendly
ii) People who can be antagonistic
2. The expressions of hostility:
a) Hatred
b) Persecution
c) Sin
AN ANALYSIS OF THE HATRED THAT EXISTS
1. The world hates us
2. Some reasons given:
a) They hated the Lord Jesus first
b) We were chosen out of the world
c) We are servants of the Lord
i) If they will persecute the Lord
ii) They will not hesitate to persecute His followers
d) They also hate the Father
e) They hate without a cause
HOW CAN WE COPE WITH SUCH HATRED?
1. We can and must rely on our Helper (the Holy Spirit)