BELIEVERS STILL SEE JESUS (Outline)
May 8, 2011 -
Easter 3 -
JOHN 16:16-23a
INTRO: The resurrection of Jesus from the dead on third day is only one miracle that we celebrate at Easter (and every day). Another miracle we may not always consciously think of is the miracle of faith. It is only by the grace of God that we no longer live in the darkness of unbelief. How miraculous that out of the thousands who do not believe you and I and every believer in Christ has seen the very Light of the world! Such was the message Jesus lived out as the fulfillment of the words of the prophet Isaiah. "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" (MATTHEW 4:16). The women saw the empty tomb. Later Jesus appeared. The women, the disciples, and many others saw Jesus.
Today, BELIEVERS STILL SEE JESUS. As believers we see what Jesus does.
I. Jesus removes the sorrow of sin. II. Jesus restores the joy of salvation.
I. JESUS REMOVES THE SORROW OF SIN
A. Verse 16. The words of Jesus are a mystery for the disciples. They struggle to understand.
1. Verse 17. The disciples wonder what it means to not see Jesus for a while and then see him.
2. The first Greek word “see” is “look at”. The second Greek word “see” is “recognize, know”.
3. They wondered how they would ”recognize” Jesus when they already were “seeing” him.
B. Verse 17b. Jesus also said he was going to the Father. The disciples did not understand which father.
1. Verse 18. The term “a little while” was also a mystery. How long was a little while?
2. “A little while” from the promise of a Savior to Adam and Eve was thousands of years.
C. Verse 19. The disciples kept looking for an answer among themselves. Jesus had the answer.
1. Verse 20a. Jesus gives the disciples even more to think about. Jesus points to his sufferings.
2. Jesus would be betrayed, grief. Jesus’ arrest is more grief. Soldiers crucify = more grief.
3. The world was rejoicing. Many made fun of Jesus. This “troublemaker” would be gone.
D. The Pharisees and other religious leaders thought they had “gotten even” with Jesus. Jesus would no longer be a threat to their existence. Not much has changed over the years. This week the feeling was that justice was done. This was because a wicked leader was killed. But whose justice was done? Was it the justice of one man? If so, who will be the next wicked leader targeted? We may run out of wicked leaders to assassinate. It was not that long ago when another wicked leader was brought to justice. He was tried, convicted, and executed. This was justice. We want to be careful that we do not take matters into our own hands that do not belong there. "The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies" (NAHUM 1:2). We may think that justice is never done the way we would like to see justice done. God carries out his justice in his own time and finally in eternity forever.
E. Who can truly understand the justice of God? We sin daily. We sin much in thought and word and deed. Justice demands payment for all of our sins. God’s justice is to send his own Son to take our place and pay for our sins and the sins of the whole world. "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted" (ISAIAH 53:4).
F. God’s justice is to show mercy even if it costs him a great sacrifice. We look at our sins and are saddened by them. We are filled with sorrow when we turn against our Savior time and again in our disobedience. What can we do? We cannot pay for our sins. We can never, ever do enough to earn forgiveness. We do not deserve to be forgiven. God’s justice is to forgive and forget all our sins. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus" (ACTS 3:19, 20).
BELIEVERS STILL SEE JESUS.
Jesus our Savior removes our sorrow of sin with free forgiveness.
II. JESUS RESTORES THE JOY OF SALVATION
A. The disciples were struggling with Jesus’ words. They would not see and then would recognize.
1. Jesus was returning to his father/ Father. How long was a little while? Grief turns to joy.
2. Verse 20. Jesus knows all things about to happen: death, burial, and resurrection.
B. Verse 21. Jesus gives the disciples a natural, earthly example to understand the divine.
1. Giving birth is painful. But the joy of a child turns the pain into great joy. Pain is forgotten.
2. The crucifixion and burial would bring pain. Jesus’ resurrection would bring great joy.
C. Verse 22. Soon would be the betrayal, arrest, torture, and death: grief. Resurrection: joy.
1. No one would or could ever take away the joy of Jesus’ resurrection from the disciples.
2. Verse 23. After the resurrection the disciples would have answers to their questions.
a. At Pentecost more questions would be answered. b. The Last Day will answer everything.
D. God is eternal. He is not bound by time or space. God is still involved with time and space. A little while to God can seem a very long time to us. God’s time is always the perfect time for all mankind. "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons" (GALATIANS 4:4, 5). At just the right time Jesus came to live among us to redeem us. At just the right time 12 men were called and followed and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. At just the right time Jesus died for the sins of the world. What peace is ours in the forgiveness of our sins. What joy is ours as Jesus removes the sorrow over our sins.
E. We have peace and joy because of the life and death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This does not mean that our lives will be free from suffering. In fact, the Christian faith will be opposed until the very end of time. All too many still reject Christ. Others try to deny Christ. Still others stand against the gospel of Christ. The early apostles were happy to suffer for the name of Jesus. Maybe our churches today too quickly compromise the truth of the teachings of Jesus. After all no one really wants to suffer. "But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you"(1 PETER 4:13, 14). At times people will take advantage of us. Sometimes people will abuse our humble, Christian charity. Suffer for Christ? Yes, willingly and joyfully.
F. No matter what happens to us or against our faith in this world we still belong to the Lord. Our God is the Lord God Almighty who has created all things. We are his! "Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (ROMANS 8:17). We are children of God. Consider the sufferings that Christ endured. If Jesus, who was completely innocent and sinless, was treated so badly we could expect no less. Personally, in our nation, I do not think any of us will be crucified for our faith. I could be wrong. But even if we die for our faith we still belong to God and will live eternally with our Savior in heaven.
CONC: It took a little while but the disciple finally understood the many things Jesus taught them. On that Sunday of resurrection the disciples saw Jesus. You and I and every believer still see Jesus today. We see Jesus as he removes our sorrow over sins. Then Jesus replaces that sorrow with the joy of salvation. "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them’" (PSALM 126:2). May others see in us that the Lord has done great things for each of us. The Lord has done great things for our church. WE STILL SEE JESUS. God’s forgiveness removes sorrow and restores joy. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
EASTER 3 rdgs:
ACTS 2:14a, 36-47;
1 PETER 1:17-21;
LUKE 24:13-35;
(PSALM 67)
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