Don’t get discouraged

(16) You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. (17) This is my command: Love each other. (18) “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. (19) The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. (20) Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

(21) They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the One who sent me. (22) They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. (23) Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. (24) If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. (25) This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures : ‘They hated me without cause.’

(26) “But I will send you the Advocate —the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. (27) And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.
John 15:16-27 – NLT

What does Jesus mean by “The World” 

• In many New Testament contexts, “the world” (Greek: kosmos) refers to:
• A spiritual and philosophical system that’s alienated from God.
• A way of thinking and living that prioritizes self, pride, power, and temporary pleasures over God’s truth and righteousness.
• A system that resists the reign of Christ and operates under the influence of Satan(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

What does it mean to love the world?

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
1 John 2:16 – NLT

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
1 John 2:15 – NLT

(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

(1) And so, dear brothers and sisters,  I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.  (2) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2 – NLT

(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

We are called to love people but not to love the “World”

We are called to show love and kindness to people regardless of their belief systems.  Why? because everyone is someone who Christ died on the cross for.

1. (8) But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
   Romans 5:8 – NLT(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

however many people that we might share the gospel with don’t see it that way.

many see a rejection of their values, views or opinions as rejection of them personally. 

(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

• How do we love people without loving the values or belief systems they may hold to.
• Some things to keep in mind.
• People are more than their belief systems, politics or worldviews.
• They are human beings created in the image of God.
• People are going to act defensive when confronted with the gospel. don’t let it deter you.
• love them anyways. showed kindness and empathy.
• God has displayed great patience with us lets pass it on to others.
• Love that comes from God never dismisses the truth.