Why the World Hates Christians
Why the World Hates Christians – John’s Gospel chapter 15 verse 18 to chapter 16 verse 3
Why the World Hates Christians – Jesus didn’t leave out the fine print, the downside of following Him.
Hated because the world hated Jesus
‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
John 15:18
“world”– the prevailing system, attitude of the people of the world. Five times Jesus’ own life was threatened.
- He exposed the sinful human heart.
- He challenged self-authority.
- He claimed exclusive truth.
- He condemned self-righteousness.
Jesus says deny yourself; the world says be yourself, assert yourself.
Hated because we are not of this world.
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
John 15:19-20
This world is not our home. Citizens of heaven, but temporary residents here and now.
Hated because the world did not know God.
They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: “They hated me without reason.”
John 15:21-25
The more He showed Who he was, the more signs he showed, the more He was hated. Yet “God so loved the world”. It is the system of the world that hates us, not the people of the world, whom He loves and wants to save.
Helped by the Holy Spirit
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father – the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father – he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. 16 ‘All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.
John 15:26-16:3
How can we do this?
God has sent the Spirit. We are not alone. It is not our skill, but He that opens the hearts.
Three true things – It’s normal, It’s temporary and you are not alone.
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
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