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.”
Ever wonder if God really cares about us? Most do.
- vs 23 - Prayer to God results in Answers
- vs 24 - Prayer to God results in Joy
-vs 25-28 - Prayer to God is prayer to One who loves us
Does Jesus Care, I know He cares, his heart is touched with my grief; we sing usually at funerals but it is a message for all time.
Four witnesses of the love of Christ:
-Jesus came to the earth
-Jesus died on the cross for our benefit
-Jesus went back to the Father
-Jesus is coming again!
Jesus was very clear - even when we are going through difficult days - God really cares about us.
4. When You Face your own failures (16:31-32)
John 16:31-32 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.
The disciples would desert him at his darkest hour. How do you think the disciples felt when they reflected on
this? Shame? Guilt? They let Jesus down and left him alone.
Barclay: He loved men in all their weakness; saw them and loved them as they were. Love must be clear-sighted. If we idolize a person and think him faultless, we are doomed to disappointment. We must love him as he really is.
Notice what Jesus says -
-I’m not telling you this to make you feel terrible
-I’m telling you this so you will have peace.
I wonder how many of us have guilt or shame because of times when we have failed in our faith journey? Jesus’ response is one of grace that brings peace. It is a “personal relationship” with Christ. He cares for you deeply. The response when you face your own failure is to always come back home.
5. When you face the struggles of life (16:33)
John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Jesus knew there would be struggles and hardships. These do not shake our confidence, but strengthens it because Jesus has overcome the world!
Jesus’ final note is one of victory: I have overcome. The final word does not lie with the evil one who draws ever nearer, nor with the tragic, rebellious world in its flight into the darkness. The final word comes from Jesus.
You can be confident in Jesus because…
-The resurrection (16)
-The ascension (28)
-The conclusion (33) He has overcome.
Barclay: “Soon they were going to see that the world could do its worst to Jesus and still not defeat him … The victory which Jesus would win, would be theirs also. There is both a courage and conquest of the cross.”
Conclusion
You can have confidence in Jesus
-When you do not understand everything
-When the world opposes you
-When you wonder if God cares about you
-When you face your own failures
-When you face the struggles of life
Only in Christ can we face these things and experience joy and peace … in his presence and promises.
There is no question - you will face hardship, struggle, heartache, and failure. The only question is: will you say “YES” to Jesus in faith and give him your life … and ultimately experience victory.
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Jesus Likes You: 50 Words for Stronger Faith
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Through Your Tears: Sorrow From Loss, Hope For Healing
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Lord, Hear My Prayer
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Lord, Hear My Prayer Journal
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Discussion Questions
1. What did Jesus mean when He said, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me” (John 16:16)? How did the disciples react to this statement, and why were they confused?
2. Jesus compares the disciples’ sorrow to a woman in labor (John 16:21). How does this analogy help us understand the transformation from sorrow to joy?
3. What joy was ahead for the disciples? In what ways can we expect joy after struggle - what does that look like?
4. What does it mean to ask for something “in Jesus’ name” (John 16:23-24)? How does this concept affect the way we pray and what we pray for?
5. Jesus promises peace to His disciples despite the troubles they will face in the world (John 16:33). How can we find peace in our own lives amidst difficulties?
6. What are some practical ways to rely on Jesus’ promise of peace when facing challenges?
7. In John 16:29-30, the disciples express their belief that Jesus came from God. How does this declaration of faith impact their understanding of His teachings? How does our own faith influence our understanding of Jesus’ words and promises?
8. What else did you want to talk about today?
For Next Week: Read Romans 1
