Last week Jesus shared how His disciples should respond to a world that will hate them and persecute them. He wanted them to lovingly share the truth about Him, even in the face of intense hatred and persecution! This morning, Jesus lets the disciples "in on” something the Holy Spirit is working on behind the scenes in the lives of unbelievers. He is “shaming” the world in three areas: sin, righteousness, and judgment. However, as we will see, He is not simply trying to make the world feel bad but rather convince and persuade the world of what is true!

Last week Jesus shared an uncomfortable truth with His disciples. The world would hate them and persecute them and really there was nothing they could do about it! They will be hated because the world hates Jesus and does not know the Father. In light of this uncomfortable truth, Jesus will now describe how His disciples should respond. As always, His desired response from the disciples is only possible through divine enablement. Once again, Jesus will mention divine “intake” before He describes desired behavioral “outflow.”

The last two weeks we have slowed down to look closely at a very specific “fruit" that He desires to produce in us and through us: love! In our passage today, Jesus transitions to another relationship that He has yet to mention; the relationship between the world and the believer. The quick summary of this passage is: Do not be surprised! The world hates Jesus and therefore the world will hate you!

The last three weeks we have slowed down to look closely at an analogy Jesus is using to describe fruit-bearing for disciples. It is an analogy utilizing the imagery of a vineyard. Starting in verse 9, He begins to discuss a very specific “fruit" that He desires to produce in us and through us: love! However, the outflow of love must first begin with an inflow of love and thus, abiding in the Vine remains “key” for this desired outcome.

The last two weeks we have slowed down to look closely at an analogy Jesus is using to describe fruit-bearing for disciples. It is an analogy utilizing the imagery of a vineyard. Last week we spoke about His desired response from us. It was an active and volitional response that He desired and described as abiding. This morning, we will look at both the positive and negative results for the believer who abides or does not abide.

Last week we left off in the middle of an analogy. It is an analogy utilizing the imagery of a vineyard and fruit bearing. How did Jesus want His disciples to respond to this teaching and how does He want us to respond to it in our day? Our active and volitional response is “key” to living the Christian life in a way that honors the Lord!

As Jesus and His disciples have left the Upper Room (14:31), they are making their way to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus will be betrayed. As they pass through some vineyards in the Kidron Valley, Jesus uses them as a visual aid for fruit bearing. Most believers want to be fruitful in their Christian lives! Jesus explains how that is possible in our passage this morning, and He focuses on God’s activity in making this happen.

This morning, we continue with Jesus’ teaching His disciples in the Upper Room. Last time, He promised them HIS peace through the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. This morning, He will instruct them on how they should be receiving this new teaching, and He will predict a couple of things for their benefit, so they might continue trusting Him after He leaves.

This morning, we continue with Jesus’ teaching His disciples in the Upper Room. Last time, He said something that totally confused them because of their previously held expectations. As a result, they were thrown mentally, and Jesus takes the time to, once again, encourage them. This time, He promises them His peace through the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

Part 2 of a 2 part message on being focused as a church. This mini-series highlights what a Biblical church looks like and how it operates. In part 2, Pastor John explores the importance of the right kind of church growth. How should a Biblical church view growth? We explore the vital role of leadership within a church, emphasizing the importance of sticking to your important core value. Learn how to define your values, understand the difference between values vs goals, and integrate bible based Christian teaching for spiritual growth. Stay focused!