Service to God Without Knowing the Father is Rubbish

 (48) Service to God Without Knowing the Father is Rubbish
(John 15:18-16:4)
Rev. Mark Kosko

 I. Jesus chose his disciples out of this world knowing the world would hate them for it
  (vv. 18-21)
To follow Christ does not make sense to the World or even to some Christians
We are not greater than Jesus, but persecution from others is not always confirmation we are right.

 II. Love for the Law or love for the World provokes hate for the Father. (vv. 22-25)
Because of the miracles they witnessed they had no excuse for their sin of rejecting the Messiah
They chose a relationship with Scrolls rather than a relationship with the Lord
The World does not know Jesus nor his Way

 III. The Counselor is coming from the Father and will testify the Truth of Christ (vv. 26-27)
The Holy Spirit working in our lives witnesses the Way, the Truth and the Life of Jesus’ Gospel message of Love
Jesus predicts how the world will hate us but nowhere does He command us to hate those who are not like us or do not agree with us.

 IV. You will be persecuted for following Christ (16:1-4)
You will sacrifice the life as you once knew it for the Lord
Apostle Paul killed Christians as a Pharisee but then it all became rubbish to him
(Phil 3)
Scripture was always intended to be the means to the relationship with God, not the ends itself

 V. Application:
If someone tells you to do something and says that God told them to order it how do you feel about that? What ways are there to confirm that it really must be from God?
What are some examples where you are tempted to conform to the way the world wants you to live as opposed to how God may be calling you to live? Money issues? Career? Parenting? Cultural obedience?