JESUS SPEAKS PLAINLY ABOUT HIS FATHER (Outline)
May 29, 2011 -
Easter 6 -
JOHN 16:23b-30
INTRO: The time of Jesus’ crucifixion is coming closer and closer. Jesus is teaching his disciples as much as they can bear before the time of his death and resurrection. Jesus’ in-depth instruction begins near the end of chapter 13 and extends into chapter 17 of John. Jesus had much to teach. His disciples had much to learn. We are much like Jesus’ first disciples. Judgment Day is coming closer and closer. From now until that day we have much to learn. Jesus has much to teach. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (ROMANS 15:4). We gather around the word of God to learn. We learn that no matter what happens on this earth and in our lives we always have hope.
JESUS SPEAKS PLAINLY ABOUT HIS FATHER.
I. Our Father answers joyfully. II. Our Father provides lovingly.
I. JESUS’ FATHER IS OUR FATHER WHO ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS JOYFULLY
A. Verse 25. Jesus teaches about figurative and plain teaching. Jesus used parables to teach.
1. Jesus parables were earthly examples he used to explain deep, spiritual truths.
2. The disciples did not always understand. Jesus explained all to them. Jesus spoke plainly.
B. Verse 23b. Just pray and the Father hears. Just ask and the Father will answer.
1. Verse 24. Jesus has to teach the disciples about prayer. They were not taught this before.
2. In the days ahead Jesus’ disciples would wholeheartedly pray for joy, strength, and comfort.
a. Jesus’ betrayed – pray for joy. b.. Crucified – pray for strength. c. Burial – pray for comfort.
C. Verse 28. Jesus teaches his disciples about his death, leaving them and ascension, leaving again.
D. Sadness and sorrow could easily seep into one’s soul. Our world will always be a wicked world filled with sin and evil. This means that everything in this life is tainted by sin. We dare not expect our life to be exempt from the events that affect everyone else in this world. We, like everyone else, will also partake of the effects of sin. We will have heartache, sorrow, sadness, trials, and troubles that enter into our busy schedules. We may not always enjoy such things. It is then that we are reminded of the power God gives us through prayer. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (PSALM 126:5, 6). We may sow in sadness and sorrow but we will harvest divine joy. After having sorrow we appreciate joy.
E. We live in a time and place where all kinds of experts offer all kinds of advice. Man’s wisdom and advice falls far short of the wisdom and truth that our gracious God gives to every believer. From time to time we may wander a bit farther away than we ought to from the source of our faith. We may even wonder about God’s wisdom in or for our lives. God has all of the answers for all of our lives and for all of time, right into eternity itself. "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty" (JEREMIAH 15:6). Whenever we hear God’s word, or read God’s word, or study God’s we grow in our Christian faith. This is God’s joy to and for us.
F. Consider the awesomeness of our heavenly Father. The Lord God Almighty is our Father. As our Father the Lord God Almighty invites us to come to him in prayer. We can pray to God anywhere and anytime and with any and every kind of requests. But there is even more. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!"(EPHESIANS 3:20, 21). God can and does more than we can imagine. God forgives us! God give us eternal life!
JESUS SPEAKS PLAINLY ABOUT HIS FATHER.
Our Father answers our prayers with joy.
II. JESUS’ FATHER IS OUR FATHER WHO PROVIDES LOVINGLY ALWAYS
A. Jesus’ disciples were beginning to understand more fully the plain language of Jesus about his Father.
1. Verse 26. The disciples praying in Jesus’ name would be praying directly to the Father.
2. Jesus would not have to pray on their behalf. The disciples’ prayers would go to the Father.
3. They did not need a High Priest or other priests or religious leaders to pray on their behalf.
B. Verse 27. Think of Jesus’ words to the disciples. “You have loved me”. Many others rejected him.
1. The disciples loved Jesus because they believed he came from the Father.
2. The Father loved Jesus because he was his Son. The disciples are also God’s loved children.
C. Verse 29. The Holy Spirit is constantly at work providing faith in the hearts of the disciples.
1. Verse 30. They now know without a doubt the identity and divinity of Jesus, the Messiah.
2. Jesus knows all things. He does not need to hear questions because he knows how to answer.
D. Our heavenly Father does indeed know what we need before we even ask for what we want. Why does the believer need to pray? Isaiah says that the Lord hears before we ask and answers while we are still speaking (65:24). Why pray if the Lord knows and does all of this? First and foremost the Lord himself encourages believers to pray continually. Scripture never says that we ever pray enough. In fact, we have to admit that our prayer time is not as often as we need. "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up"(LUKE 18:1). Why pray? Our prayers will focus our attention on our Father. Our prayers will focus our attention on what we need to pray for. Our prayers will focus our attention on others that truly need our prayers. Prayers can focus us on our needs.
E. Our prayers and the prayers of all believers are not to be so much self-focused as other-focused. In this world there are countless numbers who still sit in the darkness of unbelief. There are many who are suffering great loss and sorrow. Our prayers for them are desperately needed. Our Father hears. And he answers. "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 TIMOTHY 2:1, 2). Believers need to constantly pray for those with authority that they would look favorably upon Christians. Our Father changes hearts one at a time. Individuals are blessed. Churches and nations can be blessed when believers are able to live peaceful lives in godliness, holiness.
F. Our Father provides lovingly for us what we truly, deeply need. We know all too well the many things that we think we want. Much too often the things we want are centered on everything earthly. It is what we really need that matters the most to our heavenly Father. "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 JOHN 4:10). God gives us forgiveness through his Son. Such is God’s great love for us! Our Father freely provides eternal gifts.
CONC: Jesus speaks plainly about his Father. Jesus’ Father is our Father who answers joyfully every prayer. Jesus’ Father is our Father who provides lovingly for us forever. What a miraculous wonder this is for us. "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (COLOSSIANS 1:9). This is only one verse of Paul’s prayer. We pray for all to know God’s will and be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding. We may also need to pray the same for ourselves. JESUS SPEAKS PLAINLY ABOUT HIS FATHER. Jesus’ Father is our Father. Our Father answers our prayers with joy and provides for us lovingly – always. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
EASTER 6 rdgs: ACTS 17:22-31; 1 PETER 3:15-22; JOHN 14:15-21; (PSALM 66)
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