The 3rd and final piece of the Jn 15 I AM the Vine mini-series within the greater I AM series through John. Tabernacle Baptist Church, Ithaca

1. Could We Have a
Little Less?
John 15:18-16:4

2. Introduction
• We all want more LOVE.

3. Introduction
• None of us want to be HATED.

4. Introduction
A vibrant, growing connection to the
Vine will bring a strong NEGATIVE
reaction from some.

5. Negative Reactions to Fruit
• Hatred by the world is NORMAL
Christianity (15:18-25)
– You are associated with someone
they already HATE. (18)
– You are no longer LIKE THEM in
philosophy, theology, epistemology,
or praxis. (19)
– Your new way of life EXPOSES their
wrong direction. (21)

6. Negative Reactions to Fruit
• Hatred by the world is NORMAL
Christianity (15:18-25)
– You are presenting an EXCLUSIVE
gospel. (20, 23)
– You are focused on Christ and His
FAME. (21)
– Your life declares and highlights their
GUILT. (22, 24)

7. Negative Reactions to Hate
• Hatred of the world is NOT
NORMAL Christianity (15:26-16:4)
– To love in the face of such hate
requires a HELPER. (26)
– The world needs to hear the
MESSAGE that they hate; we must
proclaim it because we love them. (26-
27)

8. Negative Reactions to Hate
• Hatred of the world is NOT
NORMAL Christianity (15:26-16:4)
– Their efforts are wasted and useless
against a COMMUNITY bent on
loving them in return. (2)
– They do not UNDERSTAND what they
are doing. (2-3)

10. = a concentrated sweetness,
for the service of others, under
the influence of the Spirit

11. Conclusions
• If we love ourselves, we will seek
to have less FRUIT.
– We will downplay difference to avoid
abuse, conflict, attack, or hatred.
• If we love the world, we will ask
for more FRUIT.
– Regardless of the high personal cost,
we want to love those who hate us.

12. Rosaria
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/january-february/my-train-wreck-conversion.html
“…In this war of
worldviews, Ken was
there. [His wife] was
there. The church
that had been
praying for me for
years was there.
Jesus triumphed.”