Introduction:
Theme: Three words that summarize the world’s disposition toward Christ so you will be prepared for the opposition it brings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
25 But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘ They hated ME without A cause
(John 15:18-25 NASB)
Review:
I. Hatred: The attitude of the world toward us is the same as it was toward Christ vv. 18-19
A. We must recognize the hatred of the world for us and Christ v. 18
B. We must remember that Christ has chosen us out of the world v. 19
II. Persecution: The treatment of the world toward us is commensurate with the treatment of Christ vv. 20-21
A. The equating of the slave with the master v. 20a
B. The treatment of the world is persecution v. 20b
C. The reason for this treatment is a lack of knowing God v. 21
III. Culpable: The guilt of the world for their hatred of Christ makes it inexcusable vv. 22-25
A. Two reasons for this culpability vv. 22-24
1. The words Jesus had spoken to them v. 22
2. The works Jesus had performed for them v. 24
B. The Biblical support for this culpability v. 25
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