May 16: Light, Life, Love: A Journey Through the Gospel of John – John 15:18-21

1. Key Ideas:  Knowledge; Identity; Impact
2. Read John 15:18-21

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. v. 18

They will treat you this way…for they do not know the one who sent me. v. 21

1. Expect hardship if you belong to Jesus

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. John 15:19

1. Expect hardship because He experienced it.

Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.  John 15:20

1. Every day, 13 Christians worldwide are killed because of their faith, 12 churches or Christian buildings are attacked and 12 Christians are unjustly arrested or imprisoned, while another 5 are abducted.  Open Door USA
2. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  Matthew 5:11-12

They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.  John 15:21

1. As the church embodies a distinctive and attractive life (in the pattern of Jesus). The church is to put a life on display of love, reconciliation, peace, joy, justice, compassion, and solidarity with the poor and marginalized. To live in this way will challenge the societal structures and systems of injustice among the Jews and Gentiles. And so, this disciple community can expect to suffer as the price to be paid for living distinctively… Living this kind of life can only be sustained in communion with the Father, Son and Spirit in great intimacy. Which is the exact promise that Jesus makes.  Mike Goheen, Introduction to Christian Mission
2. From Mike Goheen, Exemplary Existence:

A community of generosity and simplicity (of ‘enough’) in a consumer world.

A community of joy and thanksgiving in a world of entitlement

A community of self-control and marital fidelity in a world saturated by sex.

A community of forgiveness in a world of hatred, competition, violence, grudges, and revenge.

A community of praise in a world of narcissism.

A community of self-giving love in a world of selfishness and self-gratification.

A community of wisdom in a world of proliferating knowledge and information technology.

A community of humility in a world of arrogant self-interest.

A community of patience in a world of immediate gratification.

A community of compassion in a world numbed by overexposure to violence and tragedy.

A community that uses language positively in a world of destructive communication.

A community of depth in a culture of superficiality.

A community of cheerful seriousness in a culture of triviality.

A community of self-giving in a culture of self-absorption, narcissism, and entitlement.

A community of purpose in a world of noncommittal apathy.