Examining JOHN 15 – Part 3 of 3
INTRODUCTION: A clear indication of one who is a true disciple of Christ is that they will be rejected and hated by most of the world; there will be some blessed exceptions (LUKE 10:16; JOHN 13:20). Yet when we remember that we are only pilgrims passing through this world of sin (HEB 11:13; 1 PET 2:11), that this isn’t our home, but we are on our way There, that we aren’t settlers of this world but recruiters for the Kingdom of GOD, desiring to populate that heavenly domain more and more – then the sting of that rejection and hatred is lessened.
We cannot hope to follow the LORD without incurring the same reaction from the world that He received. As I’ve often quoted,
“If you want to see the world’s hatred for GOD, just look at the Cross of Christ. And if you would rather look at GOD’s love for the world… just look at the Cross of Christ!”
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INTRODUCTION: "If GOD is so good, then why is there so much pain and suffering in the world?” That question gets asked a lot!
Note: the teaching presented in service on JULY 5th, 2026 is available here, on the SHINE BRIGHT Church YouTube Channel.
In the beginning it wasn’t so. When GOD created paradise for Adam and Eve He intended them to be blessed perpetually – not experience the pain-filled world they inherited as a result of their sin. In the beginning there was serenity, not sorrow, suffering and struggle.
Sin – the monkey wrench that was tossed into GOD’s perfectly functioning order that caused everything to fall into chaos and corruption. “So, why doesn’t GOD fix it?”
GOD will, but in His time. He will create the New Heavens and the New Earth. All pain, sorrow and tears will be wiped away – how? In the new creation sin will be entirely absent. Holy and incorruptible reality will have come in and be here to stay!
The question for us saints is, “Can GOD ever use these products of sin – suffering, sorrow and struggle for any good?
ROMANS 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
That’s truth! It doesn’t change even when our lives go from bad to worse.
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