Learning to relate - Pt. II

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

John 15:20 NASB95

20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave 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.

John 15:21–22 NASB95

21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. 22 “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

John 15:23–24 NASB95

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 not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well.

John 15:25 NASB95

25 “But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

John 15:26–27 NASB95

26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Summarize this passage in one or two sentences.

What hope do you find in this passage (from what verse)?

Jesus reiterates a bold statement (15:16) again in (v.19) what is it?

In looking at the phraseology in (v.19) what does Jesus tell the disciples they are not?

In (v.20) there is some persecution, but also promise, what is the promise?

Persecution would come on them because of Jesus, why (closely look at v.22)?

According to (vv.23-24) what did Jesus works do (implied)?

Who is the they (v.25)?

What will the Spirit do when He comes (vv.26-27)?

Rejection

What does the word “reject” mean?

Have you ever been rejected?

John 15:18–20 HCSB

18 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. 20 Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours.

Good news brings bad reception. - - - Jesus told them that the would would often hate them. They should be ready for it, should expect it.

All of them this would hold true too. The world persecuted them all and all became martyrs with exception of John

Some of the things recorded in those days was

Tacitus: “hated for their crimes whom the mob called Christians.”

Suetonius “a race of men who belong to a new and evil superstition.”

Both of those were quoted by Barclay on his commentary in college press

Morris said: “It is not without significance that the disciples are to be known by their love, the world by its hatred.”

How has the, does the world, hate the disciples (Christians) today?

The term “if you” or yours may say “you know” - (illustrate this as ‘if’ clause).

It can be looked at as a “know this” - - - Jesus does not want them to be surprised by the persecutions that were going to come upon them.

Tasker: “Ye know can also be read as an imperative know ye. The sense is therefore either ‘Ye are aware’, or ‘Be very sure’, so that (on either interpretation) the hatred of the world for them will not take them by surprise.”

Next words to notice “hated Me.” in the Greek word (Memiseken) that is in the ‘perfect’ tense meaning it is a fixed attitude toward Jesus. The world will always hate Jesus.

Again, look at (v.19) Jesus makes a statement and an explanation.

You are not of the world

Because I chose you, the world hates you

How did Jesus chose them (v.19)?

(v.20) says remember the word I said (comes from Jn13:16) but read on and see the rest of what he says

Persecute Me, persecute you

Kept My word, will keep your word

A question to consider, who was Jesus persecuted by, in general?

Jesus was persecuted by the religious establishment. that reflected the values and goals of the world and were in opposition to God.

Guzik says: “One maybe religious and very much part of the world.”

Tasker says this on this last statement: “The force of the last clause in this verse is well brought out by Knox ‘they will pay the same attention to your words as to mine; that is none.’”

Another good quote. I did not see the reference as to whom it came from, but it is well worth mentioning.

One commentator said: The hatred of the world, instead of being depressing, should be exhilarating, as being an evidence and guarantee that they have been chosen by Christ.”

Rejection because of Him

John 15:21–22 HCSB

21 But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t know the One who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin.

John 15:23–24 HCSB

23 The one who hates Me also hates My Father. 24 If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not have sin. Now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father.

John 15:25 HCSB

25 But this happened so that the statement written in their scripture might be fulfilled: They hated Me for no reason.

What is the problem that brings the persecution (v.21)?

I know I made you think on that one. It is not knowing the One who sent Him. If people don’t truly know God they come against those who do, who speak the truth of God.

Many want to make assumptions of what God is like without coming to know through knowledge of Jesus who is an exact representation of Him (Heb1:3).

Jesus came to reveal the Father, and in doing such reveals sin, the nature of sin, and man is without excuse (consider Rom1:20, Rom7:7).

By rejecting (hating) Jesus, they hate the Father also.

Faith comes by hearing the word, what else comes?

Knowledge of sin, for without it they would not know, but now, again they are without excuse.

Jesus has demonstrated His divine nature to them.

By His words and by His works.

Words are given preeminence, importance over the works, the works are to verify the words to be true.

What is the result by the people when they have the words and the works (v.24)?

Hate, Jesus and the Father

Jesus came to be the way to the Father

Jesus came to forgive sin, yet they rejected Jesus and reject the Father. They hate without cause.

Tasker says this: “Their unreasonable hatred both of Himself and His Father is inexplicable except as a corroboration of the truth of the Psalmist’s words They hated without cause.”

Psalm 35:19 HCSB

19 Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me; do not let those who hate me without cause look at me maliciously.

Jesus wants them to be prepared, to not be surprised at the hatred of the world that is against Him and will be against them.

Peter in other words at another time said (1Pt4:14-16)

1 Peter 4:14–16 NASB95

14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

(Transition) It was not going to be easy to take on the hate of the world, to press on with the task they were being given. He gives them a few more words and application to them.

You will testify of Me

Would you be willing to be persecuted for your faith?

The apostles would be, but Jesus gives them some great words here (Jn15:26-27)

John 15:26–27 HCSB

26 “When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father —the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. 27 You also will testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

What assurance, promise, do you see (v.26)?

What command do you see to them (v.27)?

Can you find comfort and assurance in these verses. That is what Jesus wanted them to have so they will testify.

Some questions to consider before we close tonight for your own reflection and study.

How did the helper (Counselor) come?

How did the Spirit of truth come to you?

What was the job of the Spirit to them? Did they accomplish the mission they were given because of that?

How does the Spirit help you to accomplish the mission before you today?

We live in the world but are not of the world. We live where Christianity is not greatly accepted and Christians are oftentimes persecuted for their belief. Jesus gave them what they needed for their mission. It was going to be a tough mission for them, and it can be a tough mission today for those who stand up for the truth.

God gave us His Son and sent us His Spirit so we can be His and speak of Him and the way to Him through the Son!