John 15   Sermon Series

Wheelersburg Baptist Church 2/3/02 Brad Brandt

John 15:18-22 "The Cost of the Fruitful Life" ^**

There's a cost involved in being a fruitful Christian. True, there is no cost in becoming a Christian (not for us anyway, since Jesus paid that price--salvation is by grace alone). But there is a cost in being a Christian.

Think back to the last time you got a shot at the doctor’s office. The routine is typically the same. "Roll up your sleeve," the nurse says. Then she applies the alcohol swab, followed by these words, "Here comes the prick. This may hurt a little."

Why does she say that? To prepare you so you won’t be surprised by the pain. She knows if you are surprised by the pain you might jerk or respond in some other inappropriate way.

Jesus didn’t want His followers to be surprised. There is pain involved in living a fruitful life.

You say, "What kind of pain?" Jesus tells us in the final verses of John 15. It’s there we learn about the cost of the fruitful life.

Review: Before we take a look at these verses, let’s set the backdrop. John 15 is about the fruitful life. Fruitfulness is linked to abiding in Christ (5), to experiencing intimacy with Christ, to being a friend of Christ.

Last week, we learned the mind-boggling truth that as followers of Jesus, Jesus calls us His friends. What a privilege! Yet friendship with Jesus is carefully qualified by our Lord in verses 14-17. Being a friend of Jesus involves three traits—first, there’s obedience (14, "You are my friends if you do what I say"); second, there’s knowledge (15-16, as friends, we're privileged to know about a special position, purpose, and plan). And third, friendship with Jesus is marked by love (17, "Love each other," He said). If I am a friend of Jesus, I am commanded to love His other friends.

But there’s something else, according to Jesus, that goes with the territory for being His friend. It’s called opposition.

Notice Jesus’ very next words (18), "If the world hates you." You say, "What does the world’s hatred have to do with the subject of the fruitful life?" Plenty, according to Jesus.

Why do well-meaning Chritians get bad press releases? And if we do experience opposition, hostility, even hatred from the world, does it mean we've done something wrong?

D. A. Carson hits the nail on the head, "Even to ask such questions is to show that much modern evangelicalism borders on the frivolous. We are so often taught to think that the Christian way brings blessings without buffetings, triumphs without trials, witness without weariness. We are encouraged to believe that Christians exude overcoming joy, and rarely face discouraging defeat; that they live in a realm of constant excitement, and never wrestle with boredom; that they love and are loved, and need not confront persecution, ostracism, hate, rejection; that they are self-confident and ebullient, and never taste terror, loneliness, doubt; that they are fulfilled and satisfied, but not as a result of self-denial and daily death. It is not so much that the promises are false, that they have no substance, as that they distort truth by promising a crown without a cross. We too easily want the fruitfulness of a well-kept vine-branch, but think little about the disciplined pruning performed by the divine ‘gardener.’"

Listen now to Jesus's words in John 15:18-22, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ 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. ²⁰ Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. ²¹ They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. ²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin."

In John 15, Jesus is preparing His followers for His departure. He wants them to know how to live for Him when He is not physically present with them. He doesn't gloss over the painful part, either. He speaks candidly to them that friendship with Him involves cost. They will pay a price. They will face opposition.

What should be our attitude as Christians towards opposition? In John 15:18-22, Jesus talks about the cost of being a fruitful Christian. There are two steps we must take in light of opposition.

Expect it. Which raises a couple of questions for us.

A. Who opposes Christians? (18) Listen to Jesus—verse 18, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

If the world hates you. Who is the world? The term is used in Scripture in at least three different ways. It can mean the created world (Jn 1:10--mountains, rivers, plantlife). It can mean the world of humanity (John 3:16 "For God so loved the world..."). It can also refer to society apart from and opposed to God.

That's what Jesus has in mind here in verse 18. The world system. The kosmos. It's a system that's in rebellion against God, like society in the day of the tower of Babel. It's a system that's under the control of the Evil one. Jesus had this in mind in John 14:30, "I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming."

The world is made up of people who refuse to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They are absorbed either with themselves, or with their self-created gods.

Who opposes Christians? The world does. A second question…

That's a valid question. Even from a human perspective, you would think that the world would applaud Christianity—especially with its emphasis on doing good. But it doesn't. Why not? Jesus gives us four reasons here. The first actually goes back to verse 17.

1. We are opposed because of our involvement with one another (17). Verse 17 again, "This is my command: Love each other."

There's something beautiful about the Christian community. Following our Lord's command, we love each other. We care for each other. We get involved in each others lives. That's a beautiful thing.

But it's also a very disturbing thing, to the world, that is. Notice the contrast between verses 17-18. Right after Jesus commanded us to love one another, He revealed that the world would hate us. Why is that? It’s because…

Þ True love exposes selfishness. Our love for each other exposes their selfishness. In the world, it's every man for himself. Take care of your own hide. Live like an island. And people seem to be doing pretty well too, until someone comes along who models genuine love. You see, when we exhibit true love…

Þ It's like a spotlight that reveals the self-centered wrinkles of the lost. And they hate it. And hate us.

The story of Corrie Tenboom is a case in point. Hitler told his people, "You are the Masterrace. You have a right to get rid of annoying "sub-humans" like the Jews. Think of yourself, and get rid of them." And thousands bought into his propoganda. But a few, like Corrie and her family, said, "No, God calls us not to think of ourselves, but of others. We choose to get involved helping others, namely the Jews." And because of that, they were hated! Their love iritated the establishment.

By the way, that's the underlying reason today why the world bristles at anyone who speaks out in defense of the unborn. Our secular culture says, "A woman has the right to do whatever she wants with that lump of tissue in her body. It's her right." And when they see a group of people willing to get involved defending the needs of helpless victims, they hate it. They hate us. Because our involvement reveals their selfishness.

There's another, more fundamental reason the world opposes us.

2. We are opposed because of our identification with Christ (18-20). Verse 18, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

When John wrote this gospel, the world's hatred of Christians was a real problem. In the latter part of the first century, the Roman government despised the followers of Jesus. Christians were looked down on as "disloyal citizens" of the Empire. Do you know why?

Oh, the Romans were very tolerant of different religions. As long as you were loyal to the system. As long as you burned a pinch of incense, and said, "Caesar is Lord," then you could go and worship any god you liked.

That's exactly why Christians were considered "disloyal." A Christian calls no one Lord except Jesus Christ.

The world hates us because it first hated Jesus Christ. Verse 18 literally reads, "Me before you it hated." And how the world hated Jesus! Yet for no good reason. He healed them. He taught them the truth. He loved them. He offered them life. And they killed Him.

Listen. The world hated Jesus from His birth—when Herod the Great tried to kill him—to His death—when they made a mockery of Him, and nailed Him to the cross. Why should we expect less?

Here's why the world hates us. First, it’s because of our involvement with one another. And secondly, it’s because of our identification with Jesus Christ.

By the way, there is a way to avoid conflict with the world. Do you know what it is? Jesus tells us in verse 19, "If you belonged to the world it would love you as its own." Be like the world. Conform to its mold. Live a "politically correct" life. That's a sure way to avoid its animosity.

But that's not an option for the Christian. Why not? Because our identification is with Christ, not the world. That’s what Jesus clarifies at the end of verse 19, "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."

You see, the world loves its own. But it hates one who is different. And we are different. We have a different love. We have a different direction in life. We have a different Master. We have a different allegiance. We're following different marching orders.

We seem to forget that. But Jesus insisted His disciples not forget that. Consider His charge in verse 20, "Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."

No servant is greater than his master. Jesus is referring to a statement He made earlier that evening in John 13:16. He’s reminding us that we belong to Him. And to put it bluntly, to belong to Christ means that we're going to share in the hatred directed at Him. It's not so much that the world hates us. It's that it hates Him. And we're identified with Him. We are CHRISTians.

Don’t be fooled by the world’s rhetoric. Yes, the world prides itself in being "tolerant" and "open-minded." But the conditions of tolerance are high. "Conform, and we'll accept you!" society says. "Be like us, and we'll give you good press releases." But beware if you don’t.

I’d like to offer a word of caution at this point. Some take this verse and use it to excuse obnoxious, down right rude behavior. I remember one summer when I worked at a motorcycle factory near Marysville. One of the guys on the sub-assembly line was disliked by most on the shift. The man was a Christian, and he wanted everybody to know it. I mean know it. I don't doubt his sincerity. He drove 30 miles to church. He carried his Bible to work, and read during breaks. That wasn't the problem. But what really irritated the unsaved employees was the way he flaunted his opinions as if they were the gospel truth (about his beliefs and practices). I watched the way people rejected him. He could have thought, "Well, I'm suffering for Jesus." I'm not sure it was his identification with Jesus that offended people. He offended them.

Jesus' words in John 15 do not give us an excuse to be obnoxious. That’s a problem for some of us. We’re combative. We feel spiritual when we’re stirring things up. And that’s not good.

But there’s another danger. In fact, in my opinion it’s a greater danger to the American church than a combative spirit. It’s a compromising spirit.

Þ Beware of a combative spirit. But also…

Þ Beware of a compromising spirit.

A few years ago there was an interesting article in the newspaper with this caption, "Church speeds up services, cuts sermon." It featured the efforts of a church in Greenwich, N.J. to attract more people.

"There’s no chance of falling asleep during the sermon at the First ____ Church. There is no sermon. The church’s minister is trying a new way to draw people into the fold: an express 22-minute service that he says provides all the spirituality of the regular service in half the time.

‘It really is ideal,’ the Rev. John ____, who has been with the church 15 years…

"The shortened version eliminates sermons and sacraments, but retains most of the elements of a regular 45- to 60-minute service, including a greeting, statement of faith, apology for sins, prayer, an interpretation of the weekly Bible reading and a song without accompaniment."

We have a problem when we try to make the church palatable to the world. We’re in serious trouble when we try to make the world like us and approve of us.

Yet it seems to me that much of the modern church growth movement borders on this. The technique is simple. Do a survey and find out what unsaved people want in a church. Then give it to them. Do they want musical entertainment? Fine. Self-help groups? No problem. Programs for their kids? You’ve got it.

Don't misunderstand me. There's nothing wrong with meeting needs. But we must never forget that the gospel is offensive. If we try to make it not so, we dilute it.

Bill Hull warns, "Avant-garde church planters, those on the cutting edge, have begun to till new ground on environment--sadly, it is the wrong ground. They advocate psychographs and building the message around felt need. Demographics design the worship service, and they focus music and other characteristics around the congregations likes and dislikes. Use drama, special effects, and whatever can be found that will hold the congregations interest, these church planters advise. Make church fun and exciting."

There's nothing wrong with trying new things. Yet we must be careful. I once read this about John Wesley, the great 18th century preacher. He measured his sermons by two standards: "Were people converted, and was anyone angered?"

Jesus told us long ago, "I have chosen you out of the world; therefore the world will hate you." We are opposed because of our involvement with one another and because of our identification with Christ. There's a third reason.

3. We are opposed because of our intimacy with God (21). "They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me."

Notice again, the world hates Christians because of Jesus’ name. But there’s more. Follow Jesus’ words carefully. The reason the world opposes us is because it opposed Him. And what was the reason Jesus said it opposed Him? The end of verse 21 states (in the KJV), "Because they know not Him that sent Me."

Whew! That really irritated the Jews when Jesus insinuated, and even told them bluntly, that they didn't know God! Remember John 8? There Jesus told the Jews (my paraphrase of 8:55), "You don't know the Father, but I do." Remember how they responded? They tried to stone Him!

The world doesn't care if a man claims to offer a way to God. But it lashes out against anyone who claims to have the way to God. And that's what Jesus claimed.

We enjoy intimacy with God through His Son. We know God. Does the world know God? No. Anyone who claims to know God, but won't bow his knee to Christ, is ignorant of God. And our intimacy stands in stark contrast with their ignorance.

This is key. It's impossible to be a "people-pleaser" and a "God-pleaser" at the same time. James said, "Friendship with the world is enmity against God."

We can't avoid criticism. Someone will criticize us. The question is who do you want pointing the finger at you--people or God?

Listen. If you think that if you resolve to please God and you always do what's right towards others, that if you always keep the Golden rule everyone will like you, let me remind you something. The world hated the one who personified the Golden rule!

You say, "Why does the world hate Jesus?" We'll see in verse 22. Why does the world oppose us? Because of our involvement, our identification, our intimacy, and…

4. We are opposed because of our integrity (22). You say, "Why does our integrity irritate the world?" Simply put, integrity exposes iniquity. Listen to what Jesus said: "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin."

Jesus isn't saying that before He came, people were innocent. Read the Old Testament, and it's obvious that the world was depraved before His arrival. But when He came, He took away their "cloak" [that’s the word the KJV uses for "excuse"] for sin. He removed their basis for pretense.

It's kind of like the straight "A" student in school. Quite often, classmates pound the exceptional pupil with labels like, "Teacher's pet!" and "Goody-too-shoes!" Why are they so merciless? Because he makes them feel uncomfortable. How? He reminds them that there's a high standard. And that they haven't met it.

That's why the world hated Jesus. He broke the curve on the grading scale. He exposed them. They hated Him for His integrity. That's why the world hates us, too.

You see, when your iniquity is exposed, you have a choice. Either change, or try to eliminate the source of the exposure!

The world hates Christians for this very reason—our integrity. Some of you have been persecuted at work because you refused to cheat a customer. I read about a Christian police officer who was not promoted for years because he refused to participate in his commanding officer's addiction to alcohol.

I remember U.S. History class when I was a Jr. in high school. We sat, not at desks, but at tables. And when we took a test, the cheating was incredible. Students would pool their answers. The teacher didn't seem to care. It was kind of a joke. Until you didn't participate. Until you said, "I don't want you to share your answers with me, nor will I share with you. That's cheating." Integrity ruffles feathers.

What's our attitude to be towards opposition from the world? First, we must expect it. Don’t be surprised. The reasons for it are clear, as Jesus spelled out. The world opposes us because of our involvement with one another, because of our identification with Christ, because of our intimacy with the Father, and because of our integrity. Expect it.

Is there anything else we must do? Yes. A second step—endure it.

Though this responsibility isn’t stated outright in the text, it’s clearly implied. For instance, consider Jesus’ words in verse 20 again, "Remember the words I spoke to you." After awhile, we may get a little weary of the opposition. We may look for a way out, a way to turn down the heat. And there is a way out. We could stop the opposition by watering down the four distinctives that are so offensive to the world.

We could tone down our involvement with one another. We could stop making our identification with Christ our priority in life. We could do the same with intimacy with God, and integrity. And if we did this, the world would accept us, even applaud us.

But Jesus says, "Remember. Remember what I told you." The tense of the word "remember" means that "remembering" is something we are to do continually and constantly. Jesus says, "Remember who you are--my servants. Remember who I am--your Lord. Remember what I've told you--my words. And remember this. These are non-negociables." Never forget this, beloved…

A. We are a distinct people. We are His people. What’s more…

B. We have a distinct calling. We are called to endure, just as Jesus did.

During China's Boxer Rebellion of 1900, insurgents captured a mission station, blocked all the gates but one, and in front of that one gate placed a cross flat on the ground. Then the word was passed to those inside that any who trampled the cross underfoot would be permitted their freedom and life, but that any refusing would be shot. Terribly frightened, the first seven students trampled the cross under their feet and were allowed to go free. But the eighth student, a young girl, refused to commit the sacrilegious act. Kneeling beside the cross in prayer for strength, she arose and moved carefully around the cross, and went out to face the firing squad. Strengthened by her example, every one of the remaining ninety-two students followed her to the firing squad. 

They endured. You say, "I can’t do that. I'm not strong enough." That's right. None of us can, on our own. It all goes back to verse 5, doesn't it? "I am the vine, you are the branches… Apart from Me you can do nothing." Christ is our strength.

I want you to experience the fruitful life. It can be yours. But let there be no misunderstanding. There is cost involved in being a fruitful Christian.

Are you experiencing opposition from the world? Paul wrote, "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12)." I'm not talking about going around looking for trouble. Yet Jesus said that if we followed Him, the world would hate us.

Beloved, don't lose heart. Expect opposition. And endure opposition. And keep these two truths in mind…

1. Opposition is part of the fruitful life. And…

2. We can make it by His strength.

"But Jesus is no longer here," you say. "How do we tap into His strength? What’s more, what are we supposed to be doing while we’re enduring the world’s opposition?" We need not wonder. Jesus gave us a resource and a responsibility for this time while we’re living in enemy territory. We’ll find out about both next time as we investigate the final verses of John 15.

Until then, remember this. It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.

John 15   Sermon Series