Lessons from the Garden: The Cost of Discipleship

The Cost of Discipleship: Embracing Opposition

Bible Passage: Jn 15:18–25

Summary: In John 15:18–25, Jesus articulates the harsh reality of being His disciple by warning His followers that they will face persecution and hatred from the world. This passage highlights the stark contrast between the values of Jesus’ kingdom and those of the world, emphasizing the inevitability of conflict when one chooses to follow Him wholeheartedly.

Application: This sermon aims to encourage Christians to embrace their faith openly despite societal opposition. It highlights the importance of standing firm in the truth of the Gospel and shows how enduring persecution can serve as a powerful witness that attracts others to Christ.

Teaching: Through this message, congregants will learn about the nature of the conflict between believers and the world. They will understand that their struggle is not just personal but part of a grand spiritual battle, giving them insight into how to face challenges with confidence in their identity as children of God.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage ties into the larger biblical narrative of Jesus as the rejected Messiah, whose suffering serves as a model for believers. It reminds us that Christ specifically predicted the animosity they would face, showing His awareness of the trials that follow a genuine commitment to Him.

Big Idea: The big idea of this sermon is that embracing the reality of persecution not only prepares us for hardship but also strengthens our witness and deepens our faith in Christ as we align ourselves with His sufferings.

Recommended Study: As you prepare for this sermon, you might explore commentaries that delve into the historical implications of persecution in the early church, using Logos to contextualize these struggles within the framework of Jewish and Roman societal norms. Investigating theological texts on suffering can provide depth in explaining how persecution can serve to purify faith and encourage a response that reflects Christ's love and grace. Also, consider analyzing modern examples of persecution to draw parallels with the challenges faced by Christians today.

Good morning,

This morning we continue to see Jesus talking with his disciples as they arrive in the Garden. Jesus has just told them about Him being the Vine, us the branches and God the Gardner. Jesus is telling them that just his presence in the world reminds the world that it is evil and the judgement that is coming to those who oppose him.

John 15:18–25 NIV

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 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. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

1. Prepare for Opposition

John 15:18–19 NIV

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

“If the world hates you”

this is an assumed condition, this is not a distant possibility, almost a promise.

Prepare yourself to be opposed by the world.

The world hated Him first. This does not just apply to the current context, but the overall hatred of the world to God

We see Jesus telling the disciples that they have been chosen, again, he hand picked them. We all have been pulled into this. We all have the chance for salvation.

Chosen “out of the world” meaning we still reside within in, but are apart from it.

Opposition is inevitable

If things are going easy, we need to be looking around and asking where the opposition is going to come from, or are we doing what God’s Will is so that opposition feels necessary

Life or Church

The Church today has tried to be like the world. The seeker-sensitive movement has taken scripture from the pulpit and replaced it with entertainment.

The Word is essential, when we preach it and live by it, the world does not like that.

Perhaps you could begin by drawing attention to the divisive nature of allegiance to Christ. Emphasize how Jesus prepares his disciples for the staunch opposition they'll face from the world because they do not belong to it. Illustrate that in standing with Christ, believers reveal a different allegiance, prompting both internal and external conflict. Encouraging a firm commitment to their identity in Christ despite legal, social, or relational repercussions, finishes this point.

2. Participate in Suffering

John 15:20–21 NIV

Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

If they persecuted Jesus, we should expect the same.

Look for his approval, not the world’s

Are you willing to suffer

Few of us are willing to be uncomfortable

In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul reminds us that our momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all. Picture packing for a trip. The heavier your bags, the better the vacation, filled with laughter and moments of joy. This reminds us that our sufferings might weigh us down, but they lead us to divine joy and eternal treasures.

Are we sharing the truth of the Gospel?

We are to expect the same treatment as Christ

Death

For too long we have looked at people struggling as those who have done something “wrong”

Persecution is a sign of faith, not failure

If you haven’t felt the pressure, maybe you need to assess your relationship

You might highlight Jesus’ reminder that His followers can expect to be treated as He was. This point stresses that persecution is a marker of fidelity to Jesus, not a sign of failure. Perhaps encourage the congregation to perceive their struggles as a sharing in Christ's sufferings, reinforcing their identity in Him, and enabling them to rejoice even in hardship as it aligns them with their Savior.

3. Proclaim Gospel Truth

John 15:22–25 NIV

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

The World’s rejection comes because of their refusal to recognize Him. This causes the spiritual conflict

Jesus has now come, all are without excuse

Jesus is the bridge, He makes the way

We must be willing to share the Gospel NO MATTER WHAT

This is not the easiest thing to do in the face of adversity

Build relationships

Understand people are more unwilling to listen now more than ever, but they need it now more than ever.

Be diligent

Not your job to save, job to proclaim

Words and Deeds

Psalm 35:19 NIV

Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.

Psalm 69:4 NIV

Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.

Maybe focus on how Jesus explains that the world's rejection is ultimately due to its refusal to recognize Him. This exposes the true spiritual conflict and calls for a response of love and truth from believers in the face of animosity. Encourage empathy and prayer for persecutors, presenting Christ’s love even amidst opposition as a powerful witness. Invite hearers to remember that the world’s hatred points to the reality of Christ within them.

Conclusion

So what for us? This does not sound like fun! But the truth is, it is comforting. Christ is letting us know what to look for, why it happens, and that we can rejoice in it. It is pleasure through pain. Like 2 a days in the summer, pain, lots of pain. But the pleasure of winning, you forget that pain. The focus is not on the now, but the eternal. We work each day to share Christ NOW so the rewards will be ETERNAL.

1 John 2:15 NIV

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

Expect difficulties, they are promised. I read a quote from a Pastor that says, “Don’t spend time loving a world that will never love you back.” This world only takes. Our momentary discomforts and persecutions pale in comparison to an eternity apart from Christ,