The Weekly Show: Episode 56 - John 15:18-27

Join Tim and John as they talk about life and study John Chapter 15 Verses 1-15.

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning

Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/

Introduction to John 15:18–27 — The Hatred of the World

• As Jesus continues His Farewell Discourse, He shifts the tone.
  After teaching about abiding in Him and loving one another, Jesus now warns the disciples about what they will face in the world.
  • In John 15:18–27, Jesus prepares His followers for opposition and persecution.
    He makes it clear: the same world that rejected Him will also reject those who follow Him.
  •  This is not a possibility—it is a certainty for those who live in allegiance to Christ.
• Jesus does not say these things to discourage His disciples, but to prepare them.
  • He reminds them that they are not of the world, that they have been chosen out of the world, and that their witness will bring conflict with a world that is in rebellion against God.
• At the same time, Jesus promises that the Helper—the Holy Spirit—will come and empower their witness, even in the face of hatred.
  Though the world may reject them, they are not alone.

Key Themes We’ll Explore

• The world’s hatred of Christ and His followers — why opposition is inevitable.
• The identity of believers — chosen out of the world, no longer belonging to it.
• The reason for persecution — allegiance to Jesus’ name.
• The guilt of the world — rejecting Jesus and the Father despite clear revelation.
• The ministry of the Holy Spirit — bearing witness to Jesus through His disciples.
• The call to faithful witness — empowered by the Spirit, even in a hostile world.

This passage is a sober but important reminder:

• To follow Jesus is to expect opposition from the world.
• But in the face of that opposition, we are called to stand firm, bear witness, and trust the Spirit who empowers us.

Key Theme One: The World’s Hatred Is Expected
(John 15:18–19)

Study Breakdown

1. Hatred of the World Is Inevitable
   
   

• Jesus begins with a clear statement: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
  • The word “if” here does not imply uncertainty—in the Greek, it carries the sense of “since” or “when.”
  • Hatred and opposition from the world is not unusual—it is expected for those who follow Jesus.

1. The Root of the World’s Hatred
   
   

• The world hated Jesus because His light exposed its darkness.
  • The world continues to hate His followers for the same reason: they belong to Christ and reflect His truth.
  • This hatred is ultimately not about personal offense—it is about rejection of Christ Himself.

1. The Distinction: Not of the World
   
   

• Jesus reminds the disciples: “You are not of the world.”
  • Through faith in Christ, believers have been spiritually separated from the world’s system of sin and rebellion.
  • Their values, priorities, and allegiance have changed—they are now citizens of the Kingdom of God.

1. Chosen Out of the World
   
   

• Jesus further says: “I chose you out of the world.”
  • Our new identity is the result of Christ’s initiative—He has called us to Himself.
  • This choice marks us as different, and the world resents that difference.

1. The World Loves Its Own
   
   

• Jesus contrasts this by saying: “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own.”
  • The world embraces those who conform to its values.
  • But when believers live according to Christ’s truth, they can expect rejection and opposition.

Key Takeaways

• Opposition from the world is normal for followers of Jesus—not a sign of failure or something to fear.
• The root of the world’s hatred is its rejection of Christ and the truth of His message.
• Believers are not of this world—they have been chosen out of it by Jesus.
•  Living faithfully for Christ will inevitably cause conflict with a world that opposes Him
•  We should not seek the world’s approval—we are called to live in allegiance to Jesus, regardless of opposition.

Key Theme Two: Persecution for Jesus’ Name
(John 15:20–21)

Study Breakdown

1. The Servant Is Not Greater Than His Master
   
   

• Jesus reminds the disciples of a truth He had taught earlier: “A servant is not greater than his master” (also see John 13:16).
• If Jesus, the perfect and sinless Son of God, was persecuted and rejected, His followers should expect the same treatment.
• Following Jesus means walking in His footsteps—which includes suffering for righteousness’ sake.

1. Persecution Is Linked to Jesus
   
   

• Jesus says plainly: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”
  • The hatred and hostility believers face is not ultimately personal—it is because of their connection to Jesus.
  • Persecution is “on account of my name”—because we bear His name, live according to His truth, and proclaim His gospel.

1. The World’s Response Is Divided
   
   

• Jesus acknowledges that not all responses will be negative: “If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”
  • While many will reject the message, some will believe—there will always be a faithful remnant who respond to the gospel.
  • The mission is not in vain—God will use the faithful witness of His people to draw others to Himself.

1. The Root Cause: Spiritual Blindness
   
   

• “All these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.”
  • At the heart of the world’s hatred is spiritual blindness—a rejection of God the Father.
  • Those who oppose Christ and His followers do so because they do not truly know or love the Father.

Key Takeaways

• Persecution is part of the cost of discipleship—following Jesus means sharing in both His sufferings and His mission.
• The hatred believers face is because of their identification with Jesus—it is “on account of His name.”
• Not all responses to the gospel will be hostile—some will believe, and we are called to faithfully proclaim the truth to all.
• The world’s opposition is rooted in spiritual blindness and a rejection of the Father.
• In the face of persecution, we are called to remain faithful, trusting that God will accomplish His purposes through our witness.

Key Theme Three: The World’s Guilt and Rejection of Christ
(John 15:22–25)

Study Breakdown

1. Jesus’ Words and Works Remove Excuses (vv. 22–23)
   
   

• Jesus says that His coming and speaking to the world has exposed its guilt.
  • Before His public ministry, people could claim ignorance—but now that the truth has been revealed, there is no excuse for rejecting it.
• Rejection of Jesus is not just ignorance—it is willful unbelief in the face of clear revelation.
  • To hate Jesus is to hate the Father—because Jesus perfectly reveals the Father’s heart and character.

1. Jesus’ Miracles Testify to His Identity (v. 24)
   
   

• Jesus also refers to His works: “If I had not done among them the works that no one else did...”
  • The miracles of Jesus were undeniable demonstrations of His divine authority.
• Despite witnessing these works, many still chose to reject Him—deepening their guilt.
  • Rejection of Christ is not due to a lack of evidence—it is due to hardened hearts.

1. Fulfillment of Scripture (v. 25)
   
   

• Jesus quotes Psalm 35:19 and Psalm 69:4: “They hated me without a cause.”
  • The rejection Jesus faced was foretold in Scripture.
• Though He was innocent and perfectly loving, He was hated by the world—a fulfillment of prophecy.
  • This reminds us that opposition to God’s truth is not new—it has always been the pattern of a fallen world.

Key Takeaways

• The coming of Jesus exposed the world’s sin and removed any excuse for unbelief.
• Rejection of Jesus is ultimately rejection of God the Father.
• Even undeniable miracles will not convince those with hardened hearts—faith requires a heart that is open to truth.
• The world’s hatred of Christ was foretold—it should not surprise us when the same hostility is directed toward His followers.
• Our mission is to proclaim the truth faithfully, knowing that rejection is often the world’s response to the light of Christ.

Key Theme Four: The Witness of the Spirit and the Church
(John 15:26–27)

Study Breakdown

1. The Promise of the Helper (v. 26)
   
   

• Jesus once again promises the coming of the Helper (Greek: Parakletos), the Holy Spirit.
• The Spirit will be sent by Jesus from the Father—He is the Spirit of truth, proceeding from the Father.
• This highlights the unity of the Father, Son, and Spirit in the mission of God.
• The Spirit’s ministry is not independent—He will bear witness about Jesus, glorifying Him and making Him known.

1. The Spirit’s Witness
   
   

• The primary role of the Holy Spirit is to testify to the truth of Jesus
•  He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).
• He opens hearts to understand the gospel.
  • In a world that rejects Jesus, the Spirit’s witness is essential for bringing people to faith.

1. The Church’s Witness (v. 27)
   
   

• Jesus also commissions the disciples: “You also will bear witness.”
• The disciples, having been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry, were eyewitnesses of His words and works.
• Their testimony would form the foundation of the church’s gospel witness to the world.
• The Spirit empowers their witness—without Him, they would not have the strength or boldness to stand against persecution.

1. The Ongoing Mission
   
   

• Though this was spoken directly to the original disciples, the principle applies to all believers.
  • The Spirit still empowers the church today to bear witness to Jesus.
  • In a hostile world, we are not called to shrink back, but to proclaim Christ—trusting the Spirit to work through our testimony.

Key Takeaways

• The Holy Spirit is the Helper who empowers and guides believers in their witness.
• The Spirit’s primary work is to glorify Jesus and make Him known to the world
•  Believers are called to bear witness to Jesus, even in the face of opposition.
• Our witness is not done in our own strength—it is empowered by the Spirit of truth.
• In every generation, the mission of the church is the same: Spirit-empowered testimony to the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion to John 15:18–27 — The Hatred of the World

In John 15:18–27, Jesus speaks very plainly to His disciples: following Him will bring opposition from the world.
Hatred, persecution, and rejection are not signs of failure—they are the expected cost of discipleship.

Jesus reminds us that:

• The world’s hatred is ultimately directed at Him—and we will experience it because we are identified with Him.
  
  
• We are not of the world—Jesus has chosen us out of it, and that distinction will bring conflict.
  
  
• Persecution happens on account of His name—because we bear His truth and walk in His ways.
  
  
• The world’s guilt is deepened by its rejection of Christ, even in the face of clear revelation.
  
  
• The opposition we face is part of the larger spiritual battle between light and darkness.
  
  

But Jesus also gives great encouragement:

• He promises the coming of the Helper—the Holy Spirit—who will empower us to bear faithful witness.
  
  
• We do not face opposition alone—the Spirit of truth is with us and within us.
  
  
• Our mission is to testify to Jesus, trusting the Spirit to work through our words and lives.
  
  

This passage reminds us that while the world’s hostility is real, it is not the end of the story.
The Spirit’s power is greater than the world’s hatred.
Our calling is to remain faithful, bold in our witness, and confident that God is at work, even when we are opposed.