The Gospel of John: Come and See the Overcomer, Part 2

Sunday we considered Jesus’ calibration of the disciples’ expectations. Those who follow Christ will bear fruit and will experience tribulation. The world will push back on the church, casting them out of the synagogues and even taking their lives. But why? If the followers of Christ are bearing fruit, like love for God and others, why is the world so offended and antagonistic?

Jesus tells us why when he says, “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,” 15:22. He continues, teaching about the ministry of the Holy Spirit, saying, “when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged,” 16:8-11.

Under the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s disciples will “bear witness” of Christ to the world. That witness, as loving as it might be, will confront the world with their need for salvation. Our love will call the world to repent and believe. This might explain why the church is more and more irrelevant in the world; maybe we’ve lost our purpose. Join us Sunday as we consider this text and teaching from Jesus