Confidence In Christ

You Can Have Confidence in Christ   

John 16:16-33

Introduction

If you have ever had something happen in your life that made you wonder if you could hang on to faith - you’re not alone! David often said in the Psalms that he didn’t understand why the wicked prosper - why things happen the way they do. Job said he wished he had never been born.

In our text for today, the disciples of Jesus are about to undergo the most intense period in their following yet. Jesus, the one they left everything to follow is about to leave them. In this intimate setting, he explains to them that the coming days are going to be hard - but not to give up. I think this is a great message for us as well - all of us face difficulties and struggles, heartaches and disappointments. Can we have confidence in Christ during those times?

Jesus’ message to us is YES - you can still believe even when it is challenging.

1. When You Don’t Understand Everything (16:16-19)

John 16:16-20

“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’?

The Disciples did not understand things Jesus told them. This statement and the statement about Jesus going away, confused His disciples. They did not understand how God’s plan was to work out. Jesus, who perceived their confusion, explained that they would indeed weep and mourn while the world (the enemies of Jesus) rejoiced over his death. But, “…your grief will turn to joy.” (16:20).

If they were confused, and they were walking with Jesus, then no surprise if we do not understand everything.

Three approaches when we are confused:

-We should study to know all we can.

-Keep on following even when we fail to understand. I understand more now than I did in the past - but I had to keep walking in faith when I couldn’t see.

-Remember there are mysteries, we can never comprehend all of God’s ways.

Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

When they saw Jesus again after His glorious resurrection, there would be great rejoicing. It is a joy that is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus, so it is one that could never be taken away.

2. When the World opposes you (16:20-22)

John 16:20-22 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

The world rejoices as Jesus dies in a humiliating way

World does not understand the Kingdom of God, nor can they.

John 3:3 ”Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Cynicism toward Christianity is growing.

We praise God while the world does not even believe in him

3. When you wonder if God cares about you (16:23-28)

John 16:23-28 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”