Hinckley EFC

Hatred & the Helper (John 15:18-16-4a)

The Gospel of John: Hatred & the Helper

John 15:18-16:4a

The World’s Hatred (15:18-25)

•      Jesus assures His disciples that the world will treat them like they treat Jesus

–     If they are truly reflecting Christ

•      The implications of this may not have been obvious to them because it was before His arrest and execution

•      The world = people who do not know Jesus’ Father (v. 21)

–     Their rejection of Christ is what leaves them guilty

 

The Helper (15:26-27)

•      Jesus promises His disciples that they will not be alone in this struggle

•      He will send the Helper = The Holy Spirit

–     Who will comes from the Father

–     Who bears witness about Jesus

•      Along with Jesus’ disciples

 

The Result of Their Witness (6:1-4a)

•      Jesus’ words are meant as encouragement

–     In light of the persecution that the disciples will face

•      Including being cast out from among their Jewish cohorts

–     And even being killed

•      Service to God (ex. Saul’s persecution of the Church)

 

Persecution

•      If we are representing Christ correctly to the world

–     We should expect for the world to treat us like they treated Jesus

•      But, if we are to be persecuted, let it be for doing good and representing Jesus well

–     Not for misrepresenting Him

 

 

So What?

•      Are we representing Jesus well?

–     Through the power of His Spirit

 

Meditation Verse: 1 Peter 3:17

The True Vine (John 15:1-17)

The Gospel of John: The True Vine

John 15:1-17

The True Vine (v. 1-6)

• Jesus uses an agricultural analogy to describe His relationships both with His Father and His disciples

– Another “I Am” statement

• He is the vine which His disciples must stay connected to in order to bear fruit

– To bear fruit = To live a life of obedience to God

• Only possible through a growing connection to Jesus

• Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing! (v. 5)

• His Father is the Gradener

– Pruning away the branches that are fruitless

• Those which are not drawing from the Vine

• Not a reference to losing salvation

• Possibly a reference to fruitless Israel

• Possibly a reference to false ‘disciples' like Judas

• Being near the Vine is not the same as being connected to it

Abiding in the Vine (v. 7-11)

• Abide: To live in, be intricately connected to

– To be defined by our love relationship with Jesus

• When we find our life in Christ, we can ask for what we desire

– Because He will be aligning our desires with His

– God is glorified because the fruit we bear is His fruit in us

• The end result of which is our joy as well

Greater Love (v. 12-17)

• Jesus repeats His new commandment (13:34)

• The greatest act of love is to ‘lay down one’s life for his friends’ (v. 13)

– An allusion back to Peter’s claim (13:37-38)

• Jesus calls His disciples ‘friends’

– Defined by:

• Those who obey Him (v. 14)

• Those who are involved in His mission (v. 15)

• Those who are called by Him (v. 16)

• And thus bear fruit through Him

• The primary fruit that we are to bear is love for one another (v. 17)

So What?

• Are we connected to the True Vine; drawing life from Him; being obedient to Him; bearing the fruit of love for one another?

Meditation Verse: John 15:5

Fear & Love (John 11:45-12:11)

The Gospel of John: Fear and Love

John 11:45-12:11

The Plot & The Prophecy (11:45-57)

• The Pharisees & Jewish leaders react to Jesus’ sign with fear

- Fear of losing their personal status

- Fear of losing their national privileged position with the Romans

• Caiaphas, the High Priest calms them by plotting to have Jesus killed

- He speaks prophetically (v. 50)

- Jesus would die for the nation of Israel (v. 50)

- And for the Gentiles too (v. 51)

• They devise a plot to have Jesus arrested and killed at the upcoming feast of Passover

- Which serves as the background for all the events of the Passion week

• At word of the plot, Jesus withdrew to Ephraim

- But not for long

The Anointing (12:1-8)

• Lazarus’ family throws Jesus a dinner

– During which Mary cleans Jesus feet with expensive lotion and her hair

• A sign of utter love for Jesus(see John 13:1ff)

• Judas is outraged because of the cost of the ointment

– Feigning concern for the poor

– But really because he was stealing from the disciples ministry fund

• Jesus rebukes Judas

– Seeing Mary’s act as both one of love and prophecy

• She has just anointed Him for His upcoming burial

– While still claiming a need to care for the poor (v. 8)

The Plot Thickens (12:9-11)

• When the crowd learns that Jesus is back in Bethany, they report it to the Jewish leaders

• They then plan to kill Lazarus too

– Since he is a living witness to Jesus’ power and authority

– And many are believing in Jesus because of him

So What?

• The leadership’s fear drove them to have Jesus & Lazarus killed

– Fear of losing power and prestige

• Mary’s love for Jesus drove her to anoint and serve Him

• What drives us? Is it fear or love?

Meditation Verse: 1 John 4:18