World of Hate

Sermon Title:

"Strength for a Hated Witness" (John 15:18–16:4, Easter Focus)

Big Idea:

On the morning of the resurrection, the world was forever changed. The empty tomb stood as a testimony to the victory of Jesus over death. Yet, the victory didn’t bring an end to opposition. In fact, the very moment of resurrection sparked an even greater wave of resistance. The religious leaders, the political powers, and the forces of darkness all set their sights on silencing the witness of the risen Savior. But here’s the remarkable truth: the empty tomb didn’t eliminate opposition; it empowered the witness of those who saw the risen Lord.

Think about it: the disciples, who were once cowering in fear, were now emboldened by the reality of the resurrection. They saw their mission clearly. They knew the truth, and no opposition could silence their testimony. They weren’t just witnessing a historical event; they were proclaiming a living hope, a message that would change the course of history. The resurrection didn’t promise that life would be without struggle, but it guaranteed that their witness would be strengthened, regardless of the cost.

In a similar way, as followers of Christ today, we are called to testify to the resurrection in the face of opposition. The challenges and resistance we face don’t diminish the power of the message we carry—they amplify it. The empty tomb doesn’t make our lives easier; it makes our witness more powerful.

As we look at the early church, we see a group of believers who didn’t retreat in fear but advanced boldly in the face of intense opposition. The resurrection empowered them to stand firm, proclaim the gospel, and endure hardships with joy. And today, the same power is available to us as we continue to carry the message of the risen Savior to a world in desperate need of hope.

The empty tomb doesn’t eliminate opposition — it empowers our witness.

Outline:

1. Expect Hatred Because You Belong to Christ (John 15:18–25)

Easter reminds us: Jesus is risen — but the world is still rebellious.

Jesus warns: "If the world hates you, know that it hated me first."

Resurrection increases the tension: Christ’s lordship is undeniable, and the world hates being confronted by a risen King.

Illustration: The empty tomb is like a flag planted in enemy territory — it stirs more resistance, not less.

Hatred from the world for Christians is nothing new. The world is in rebellion of the things of God. Just as it has been from the begining. Jesus tells us this in John 7:7 “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.”

The followers of Christ will experience the same hatred of the world that Jesus will experience. As the believer is growing in love, obedience and fruitfulness. It will seem to be contrary to the world. The world will see those things as alien.

One commentator says that “The world who is a society of rebels, and therefore finds it hard to tolerate those who are in joyful allegiance to the king to whom all loyalty is due.”

This hate for the Christian is nothing new. Nothing of it should be a surprise neither should you expect anything different.

The hate is not directed at you but is primarly ditected at Jesus. The hate is rooted in your affiliation and participation with Jesus.

Jesus once again shows the stark contrast to the world and his disciples. He says If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own.

If you were to take and put your discipleship in Christ, or the way that you lived as a Christian, does it check the same boxes as the world around you.

This can be similar to the world, especially living in the culture that we live in within the bible belt. Even non-believers seem to stack up in some of the Christian categories as if they were Christian. They are expected to act in the same way shape and form as the Christian should. However, As we know this is not the case.

As you line yourself up with the world around you, what is the quantifiable difference between you and the world. or is there one?

Last week we saw what the Christian is supposed to inhabit. They are supposed to live in fruitful obedience because they are connected to the vine.

How does your obedience stack up?

Jesus makes clear in John 15 that true discipleship looks different at the root, not just the surface. True disciples are connected to Christ, the true Vine, and they bear real fruit: obedience to His Word, love for Him above all else, and a willingness to endure rejection for His sake.

So ask yourself: Where am I drawing my life from — Christ or the culture? Is there real spiritual fruit growing, or just outward conformity? When God's Word and the world's values collide, which one wins in my life? Does my life provoke any curiosity, resistance, or even discomfort because I bear witness to Christ? And when following Jesus costs me something, do I stand firm or fade away? Last week, we saw that abiding in the Vine produces fruitful obedience. This week, Jesus presses us to ask: If there’s no clear difference between me and the world, am I truly connected to Him at all?

The Christian is so identified with Christ that they have a new orgion. They are born from above. that is why the world hates them. Christ’s disciples are a foriegn entity in the world and the wirld will naturally respond to them in force with intent to destroy.

Living where we do — in a rural suburb of Columbia, SC — it’s easy to look Christian without actually being connected to Christ. You can be polite, hardworking, family-centered, and still miss the heart of discipleship. The question Jesus presses on us is: Are you truly different because you belong to Him, or are you just blending in with the culture around you? A true disciple stands out. It’s seen in how you spend your time — not just running from ball field to cookout to hunting trip, but intentionally carving out time to abide with Christ. It’s seen in how you spend your money — not just chasing new trucks or bigger vacations, but giving generously to the church and to mission work. It’s seen in how you raise your kids — aiming not just for manners or scholarships, but for hearts that love and obey Jesus.

It shows up, too, in how you handle conflict. Around here, it’s easy to smile and say "bless your heart" but hold onto grudges. A real disciple forgives because they’ve been forgiven. It’s in how you speak — not gossiping or stirring up drama, but building others up in Christ. It’s in how you face hardship — not just pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, but humbly depending on the Lord. And it’s in how you engage the church — not just attending when it’s convenient, but belonging, serving, and being shaped by community. In a place where a lot of people "check the boxes," Jesus is asking: Are you bearing fruit because you are connected to Me — or are you just blending in?

Jesus chose us for this contrast. He didn’t save us so we could blend back into the world — He brought us out of it. He set us apart, and part of that calling is to face the very persecution He Himself endured. He warns us that if the world hated Him, it will hate us too. Following Christ isn't supposed to be easy. If the perfect Son of God was rejected, mocked, betrayed, and crucified, why would we expect our road to be smooth?

Jesus makes it clear that their hatred wasn’t something new or spontaneous. It wasn’t just a reaction to His miracles or His words; it was a revelation of their deep, ongoing rebellion against God Himself. His presence, His teaching, His perfect life ripped away every excuse they might have had. They weren’t simply indifferent — they were hardened against God, loving darkness more than light. In seeing Christ and rejecting Him, they proved their hatred not just for the Son, but for the Father who sent Him. Their sin wasn’t hidden anymore; it was fully exposed, undeniable, and without defense. Jesus shows that in rejecting Him, they stand condemned already — not because they didn’t know better, but because they did.

Men and women, boys and girls, you may have come today expecting to sit through a service, hear a sermon, and go back to life as usual. But you cannot come face-to-face with the truth of Christ and remain unchanged. You cannot hear the Word of God and stay neutral. In the preaching of the gospel, God is revealing your rebellion, exposing your hatred for His ways, and calling you to account. Jesus says you are without excuse. You cannot shrug off the risen King. You will either bow before Him in repentance and faith, or you will continue in your denial and face His righteous judgment.

Here this, the Lord today offers you mercy and love. He stands ready to forgive you, he stands ready to unite himself with you, the one that you rebel against stands to forgive you. Turn from your sins and believe.

AS the rejection of God’s gracious revelation and rebellion against God is being made to light the world becomes angry and hateful without a cause.

For believers, Jesus doesn't sugarcoat it. He promises it will be hard — but He also promises we won’t face it alone. The Helper will be with us. The Spirit will strengthen our witness. And even as the world rages against us, we stand firm knowing that our Savior has already walked this road before us — and walked out of the grave victorious. The resurrection doesn't promise safety; it promises victory through suffering.

2. Trust the Spirit to Empower Your Witness (John 15:26–27)

Easter guarantees the gift of the Spirit.

Jesus doesn't leave his witnesses alone — He sends the Helper, the Spirit of truth.

The Spirit testifies to the risen Christ through us.

Even in a world of Help God sends the Holy Spirit to empower believers to bear witness concerning himself.

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

All through the book of Acts, we see the early church facing intense persecution and hatred — just as Jesus warned. But what’s even more powerful than the opposition is the work of the Holy Spirit. Despite their weakness, fear, and frailty, the Spirit empowered these believers to stand boldly for Christ, to preach the gospel, and to love their enemies. The persecution they faced didn't stop the mission; in fact, it spread the gospel further. The same Spirit that empowered them is available to you today, giving you the strength to stand firm and boldly witness, even when it feels costly.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower us as believers; He also bears witness to Christ Himself. While He strengthens and equips us to endure persecution, He also continually points us back to Jesus — testifying to His life, death, and resurrection. The Spirit doesn’t draw attention to Himself; He draws attention to the glory of Christ, making Him known in our hearts and through our witness. In our weakness, the Spirit makes Christ’s power known, giving us the boldness to speak, live, and suffer for His name.

God is the primary witness to Himself. Every other witness — whether the Spirit, the disciples, or the church — is secondary and supported by God as the foundational witness. From the beginning, God has revealed Himself through creation, through His Word, and most fully through the person of Jesus Christ. The Spirit's role is not to speak of Himself but to testify to the truth of who God is, empowering and confirming the witness of all believers. Every witness points back to the ultimate, self-authenticating witness of God Himself.

As we reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in bearing witness to Christ, we must remember that God is the primary witness to Himself. He is the foundational witness — revealing His nature, His truth, and His glory. As John Calvin reminds us, "The testimony of the Holy Spirit is superior to all others, for it is He who makes God known to us. But in all our knowledge, it is God who is the chief witness to Himself, and no one can truly know Him except by the witness of the Spirit."

This means that all other witnesses — whether the Spirit, the disciples, or the church — are secondary and supported by God as the ultimate, self-authenticating witness. The Holy Spirit's role is to point us to the truth of Christ, empowering us to testify and bear witness to Him. But even as the Spirit moves in us, He always points back to God Himself — for it is through the Spirit's testimony that we come to know and understand the truth of God's revelation in Christ.

Therefore, our job is simple: Open our mouths and trust in His power to work through our weakness. The Holy Spirit empowers us, but He does not do the work for us — He works through us. Our responsibility is to testify, to witness, to boldly declare the truth of Christ, even in the face of persecution or rejection. We do not rely on our strength, our eloquence, or our ability to persuade. We trust in the Spirit’s power to make God known, knowing that He will testify to Christ in us and through us. In our weakness, He is strong, and in our witness, God’s power is displayed.

3. Remember Jesus to Persevere Through Persecution (John 16:1–4)

The purpose of this reminder is simple: when persecution comes — and it will — we can and will persevere. Why? Because the cross and resurrection aren’t just historical events; they are our lifeline. They are the power that sustains us when we face trials, the hope that carries us through suffering. In the midst of hatred, rejection, and hardship, we do not look to our own strength to stand firm. We look to the cross, where Jesus bore the weight of the world’s rejection and sin. We look to the resurrection, where Jesus triumphed over death and proved that nothing, not even the greatest persecution, can defeat the power of God. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, enabling us to stand firm in the face of opposition.

Jesus tells His disciples in advance about the coming hatred and persecution so that when it comes, they won’t stumble. He doesn’t leave them, or us, unprepared — He equips us with the truth of the gospel, the very story that will sustain us when we face trials. We endure not by relying on our own strength, but by remembering the story that is ours in Christ. We know that Jesus suffered — He faced rejection, betrayal, and humiliation, all for our sake. He endured the fullness of the world’s hatred and violence, and yet He did not shrink back. His suffering was not in vain. It secured our salvation, and it showed us how to endure when the world turns against us.

Jesus’ suffering reminds us that our pain, our trials, and our rejection are not meaningless. When we face persecution, we can look to Jesus and say, "He knows what this is like. He has walked this road before me, and He walked it perfectly." His suffering wasn't random or futile; it was purposeful. He suffered to accomplish God's eternal plan — and in our suffering, we are drawn into that same redemptive story.

We also know that Jesus rose — the resurrection is the definitive victory over sin, death, and the powers of this world. Jesus didn’t stay dead; He conquered the grave, securing our hope. When we face persecution, we remember that death is not the final word. No matter how severe the opposition, we are reminded that Jesus, through His resurrection, overcame it all and promises us the same victory. Our hope is not rooted in the fleeting comforts of this world or in our ability to avoid suffering; it is rooted in the fact that the grave could not hold our Savior, and neither will it hold us. The resurrection is our promise that suffering is not the end of the story.

And we know that Jesus reigns — He is not just some historical figure or a martyr. He is the risen King who now rules over all things. When hatred comes against us, we do not fear because we know that Jesus is in control. Nothing happens outside His sovereign will. The world may rage, but the reign of Christ is unshaken. He is not surprised by our persecution, and He is not passive in it. He reigns in the midst of our trials, and His reign gives us the confidence to stand firm.

As we endure persecution, we remember that Jesus, who reigns at the right hand of the Father, is actively working in us through His Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers us to testify boldly, to endure patiently, and to love sacrificially even when it costs us. The Spirit is the presence of Christ in us, the guarantee of the victory that Christ has already secured. We are not left alone to face the world’s hatred. The Spirit enables us to stand firm and to do so in the joy that only Christ can give.

So, we endure because we know the story: Jesus suffered for us, He rose for us, and He reigns over all things for us. When persecution comes, we stand firm, not in our own power, but in the power of the One who has already triumphed. The story of the cross and resurrection isn’t just history — it is the lifeline that gives us strength to endure. And in that story, we find our hope, our purpose, and our strength to keep going, no matter what the world throws our way.

The cross and resurrection are not just events we look back on; they are the power that sustains us today and carries us into eternity. We can endure because we know that our suffering is not in vain. Just as Christ was raised in glory, so we will be. We can endure because we know that Christ reigns, and He will make all things new.

Application: When the road gets hard, we don’t measure God’s love by our comfort — we remember the cross and the empty tomb. The world may tell us that love equals comfort, ease, and the absence of hardship. But that’s not the love God demonstrates. His love is most clearly shown in the suffering of Christ, who was rejected, crucified, and buried for us. It is in the cross, where He bore our sin and shame, that we see the depth of God’s love. And it is in the empty tomb, where death was defeated, that we see the victory of His love.

For the believer, this means that when hardship, suffering, or persecution come, we don’t need to look for signs of God’s love in the absence of pain or discomfort. We look to the cross. We remember that God’s love is not found in our comfort, but in the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of Jesus. This frees us from the expectation that our faith should lead to an easy life. It’s through remembering the cross and the empty tomb that we can endure trials with joy, because we know that our suffering is not in vain. It is temporary, and it is producing something eternal in us.

So, believer, when you face opposition or feel the weight of the world’s hatred, remember: your worth is not tied to your comfort. Your assurance of God’s love is tied to what Christ has done. You can press on, endure, and even find joy in your trials because of the finished work of Jesus. His love is steadfast, and it is the anchor that holds you through every storm. As you remember the cross and the empty tomb, let them be the source of your strength and the foundation of your hope, no matter how hard the road may seem.

Now, for you, if you are here today as someone who has not yet placed your faith in Christ, I must be clear: you are in the path of God's judgment. You may think that you are neutral, that you are simply indifferent or uninvolved in this matter of faith. But the truth is, by refusing to respond to Jesus, you are rejecting the love He offers you — the love that was demonstrated at the cross and confirmed by the empty tomb.

You cannot remain neutral. The cross and resurrection are God's ultimate act of love toward you. Through Jesus' sacrifice, God offers you forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life. But you must respond. If you continue to reject Jesus, you will face the judgment for your sin, the very judgment that He took upon Himself on the cross. Today, He offers you grace and mercy. Today, you can turn from your rebellion, place your faith in Christ, and be reconciled to the God who loves you enough to send His Son to die for you.

Don't let another day go by without responding to the love of God. The cross and resurrection are the greatest evidence of His love for you. Will you turn from your sin and place your trust in Jesus, who died for you and rose again? This is the moment — this is the offer of eternal life. Don’t wait for comfort or ease to convince you of God’s love. Look to the cross and the empty tomb. Jesus is calling you today.

The risen Christ sends us into a world that will not understand us, may hate us, and at times may persecute us. But church, we do not go alone. We are not left to face this world in our own strength, our own wisdom, or our own power.

We go with the Helper inside us — the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to witness boldly and endure faithfully, even when the road gets hard. We go with the memory of the cross behind us — the sacrifice of Christ that shows us the depths of God’s love and the strength to endure every hardship for His sake. We go with the victory of the empty tomb ahead of us — the resurrection of Jesus that assures us that no matter what comes against us, we have the final victory in Christ.

So, church, take heart. The world may hate you, it may reject you, it may even persecute you, but remember this: the King who conquered death, the one who suffered for you and rose again, loves you. And He is worth every step. Keep your eyes on Him, keep your faith anchored in His finished work, and keep walking boldly, knowing that you are not alone. The cross and the empty tomb are your assurance that, no matter what comes, you will stand firm in Him.