THE UPPER ROOM PT 6 – THE COST - 4/6/25
John 15:18–25
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of
the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they
persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now
they have no excuse for their sin.
23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of
sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.
25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a
cause.’
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth,
who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:1-4
“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.
2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you
will think he is offering service to God.
3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told
them to you.
THE REALITY OF REJECTION
When we truly belong to Jesus, we no longer belong to the world.
Jesus says in John 15:19
“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own,” But we’re not, we’ve been
chosen out of the world—and that choice comes with a cost.
If you’re living for the applause of people it will be hard to follow the call of Jesus.
At some point you’ll have to decide who you’re willing to disappoint — People or Jesus.
THE POWER OF PRESENCE
After painting a sobering picture of rejection, Jesus immediately offers something more powerful than protection: His presence, through the Holy Spirit.
Our obedience + the Spirit’s power = lasting fruit.
The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead now empowers you to share His life with the world.
THE STRENGTH TO STAND
Jesus shifts now to the final word in this section—a call to endure. “I have told you these things,” He says, “so that you won’t abandon your faith.”
TABLE TIME:
As we engage in conversation, let Paul’s words to the Colossian church be our framework. Colossians 4:6, ‘Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.’
How does Jesus’ honesty about the challenges His disciples would face demonstrate His love for them?
In what ways might this kind of honesty be beneficial in our own relationships and spiritual journeys?
John 15:18-19
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
How does Jesus’ warning about rejection challenge or comfort you?
Jesus says the world hates His followers because they don’t belong to it anymore. What does it look like in real life to be “set apart” while still living in the world?
John 15:26-27
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
Why do you think Jesus immediately brings up the Holy Spirit after warning about persecution?
How does the promise of the Holy Spirit’s presence change your perspective on facing rejection or persecution for your faith?
How can we cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit’s power rather than our own
abilities when it comes to living and sharing our faith?
Jesus prepared His disciples for future challenges to prevent them from abandoning their
faith. How can we better prepare ourselves and others for spiritual trials?
Take a moment and pray for those being persecuted around the world because of their faith in Jesus and for one another:
Resources On The Persecuted Church
Voice Of The Martys Prayer Guide