Hatred of the WorldJohn 15:18 – 16:4

“Why do they hate us?”▪A little girl asked this of her Mommy ▪She lives in Indonesia with her mother and other siblings▪She comes home crying nearly every day because of other kids saying terrible things to her▪“Because we love Jesus,” she replies.

▪This is Yubelina Hgato, our sister in Christ▪She’s from a small village in SE Indonesia▪Muslims attacked her Christian village because they would not deny the Name of Jesus and convert

▪They poured lamp oil on her as she tried to escape with her children, and set her on fire▪Children call her Monster▪People point, stare, and whisper▪But look at her smile…

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.’ 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.”

16 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the

4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.”

John 15:8– 16:4, NASB

Why do they hate us?▪Persecution is not isolated anymore ▪As of 2010, a Christian missionary organization estimated 200 Million Christians face persecution daily, particularly in North Korea and Muslim countries.▪The Vatican reported that 75 out of every 100people killed for religious hate are Christians

Why do they hate us?▪From TVs in living rooms, elementary schools to boardrooms of Corporate America, to conference rooms of local, state, and federal governments, satanic influences have penetrated everywhere. We are living in an anti-Christian world, no doubt.▪This is not new! But we should pay attention now

First let’s define “the world”…▪The Greek word here, is ‘kosmos’▪Scripture uses it 3 ways;▪The Created World▪The World of Humanity▪Society that opposes or pretends to be neutral to God, we sometimes say “the World Sytem”

“The world”…▪As Christians, we must be careful not to love the world or be conformed to the world

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever…”

1 John 2:15-17, NASB

“The world”…▪As Christians, we must be careful not to love the world or be conformed to the world▪Agapao again. It doesn’t mean not to care for the world or those in it, nut not to sacrifice yourself to it. ▪ It means choose– agape God, or the system of this world

Here’s why…▪1.) We identified with Christ▪Vv 18, 20– the world does not worship Him or follow His commands▪Because God’s Word goes against their desires▪We are constant reminders to them▪Reminders of lost-ness– No Wonder!

Here’s why…▪2.) We do NOT belong to the world▪V 19 says they hate us because we have moved into a “new position” spiritually; In Christ, Out of the world▪This does NOT mean that we should be isolated▪We can’t be salt and light that way!

Here’s why…▪4.) The world will not be honest about its sin▪Vv 22-24 make it clear; there is no excuse for sin▪Most people today don’t even know they are sinners– the concept escapes them▪All the worse, those who’ve heard and ignore

Here’s how we fight and win!▪Vv 25-27 have our answer– the Holy Spirit!▪How does He encourage us, through hatred and opposition?▪Through His WORD! Until He returns it’s everything we have!▪Without Him we can do nothing, but ALL things are possible through Him!

▪ I know it’s tough to look upon, but a shining promise comes with this persecution▪ Isaiah 61:3 promises us that when make this “trade”, the blessings are boundless

“…to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:3

Take-Away!▪One compromise with the world by us is one step further away from the Lord, one step closer to self-destruction.▪As born-again Christians, we can expect persecutions from this carnal world. Stay true to the Word of God.

Take-Away!▪Remember Yubelina when things get difficult▪Remember the joy on her sweet, scarred face▪That smile tells all we need to know about His Grace to help us persevere!