<p>Gospel of John Cornerstone Community Church</p><p>Encouragement and Comfort in the Midst of the Haters John 15:26-16:4</p><p>John 15:26-27 26“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. </p><p>We have missed a very important part of discipleship in America</p><p>Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:12–19 John 15:18–16:4 John 8:12 Matthew 5:14–15 Ephesians 5:8–14 Philippians 2:14–15 1 Thessalonians 5:5 Job 24:13–17</p><p>Abandonment of Biblical Marriage</p><p>Erosion of Religious Freedom</p><p>Protection of Special Interest Groups</p><p>Hostile attitudes toward Christians</p><p>Matthew 10:16–39</p><p>2—The world hates us because it is blind.</p><p>John 15:21 John 8:19 John 8:55 2 Corinthians 4:4–5 2 Timothy 2:23–26 1 Peter 4:12–19</p><p>So what’s the encouragement? We won’t be alone. </p><p>John 15:26–27 John 14:16-17 </p><p>Romans 8:16–17 (NLT) 16For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.</p><p>“Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.” Corrie Ten Boom</p><p>Matthew 10:26, 28 In short, fear God, not man.</p><p>“There are no ‘ifs’ in God’s Kingdom. His timing is perfect. His will is our hiding place. Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will! Don’t let me go mad by poking about outside it.” Corrie Ten Boom</p><p>Grace+Truth=Connect Week of May 24, 2015</p><p>1— Pastor Pat said that the church has avoided a very necessary part of discipleship in America which is suffering for Jesus. Why might persecution be good for discipleship? Read Philippians 1:12-14; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Romans 8:18</p><p>2—As we see the “world system” becoming more openly hostile to Christianity, should we be discouraged or encouraged? John 16:33, Acts 14:22, 1 Peter 5:9</p><p>3— Describe the difference between a casual Christian and a disciple? You can refer to last weeks worksheet as a guide if you want.</p><p>4— Look at John 15:26-27. How does the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit comfort disciples who are hated in the world? Psalm 23:4; Acts 18:9-10, 1 Peter 2:21</p><p>5— Based upon scripture and not opinion, what should the response of the believer in America be if we are put in a position to choose between conforming to the world system’s values and morality and following Jesus? 2nd Timothy 2:24-26, Acts 4:16-21</p><p>6— We know that the world outside the church will hate us based upon scripture. What about pressures “inside” the church? Will casual Christians support disciples? Do they now? Tough discussion question. </p>