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Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Spurgeon - Is not that wonderful? As Jesus Christ said that he did not bear witness to himself, but spoke the words which his Father had given him, so the Spirit of God does not speak of himself, but he bears witness to the truth which Christ has revealed, and also makes known “things to come.” But he will never reveal anything contrary to that which Christ has revealed in his Word. That which is to be revealed is that truth which was from the beginning. As we are taught it by the Divine Spirit, it becomes fresh truth to us, though it was ever in Christ’s eternal mind. (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) And He will disclose (anaggello/anangello) to you what is to come - NLT = "He will tell you about the future." What are some things that were soon to come? The most obvious would be His Crucifixion and Resurrection, which the Spirit would explain to them. This promise would also include their inspired writings (i.e., the New Testament books) all of which would have some prophetic truths climaxing of course in John's Revelation of Jesus Christ. Steven
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Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook - John 16:13 The Holy Spirit, who knows all truth perfectly, is the appointed guide of all true believers TRUTH is like a vast cavern into which we desire to enter, but we are not able to traverse it alone. At the entrance it is clear and bright; but if we would go further and explore its innermost recesses, we must have a guide, or we shall lose ourselves. The Holy Spirit, who knows all truth perfectly, is the appointed guide of all true believers, and he conducts them as they are able to bear it, from one inner chamber to another, so that they behold the deep things of God, and his secret is made plain to them. What a promise is this for the humbly enquiring mind! We desire to know the truth, and to enter into it. We are conscious of our own aptness to err, and we feel the urgent need of a guide. We rejoice that the Holy Spirit is come and abides among us. He condescends to act as a guide to us, and we gladly accept his leadership. “All truth” we wish to learn, that we may not be one-sided and out of balance. We would not be willingly ignorant of any part of revelation lest thereby we should miss blessing, or incur sin. The Spirit of God has come that he may guide us into all truth: let us with obedient hearts hearken to his words and follow his lead. Holiness in Relation to the Holy Spirit Based on a Sermon by Rev. E. H. Hopkins John 16:13 INTRODUCTION: There can be no holiness without the truth of God, and there can be no holiness without the Spirit’s guidance in that truth. 1. The Guide. The Holy Spirit is a personal guide, for He is referred to by a personal pronoun and identity. He is a divine guide, for this verse tells us He speaks what He hears and will tell of what is to come. He is an indwelling guide (Eph. 1:13; 3:17). 2. The Guidance. The Holy Spirit guides us through the Word of God (John 16:13) and through conscience (16:8). CONCLUSION: This brings us to our responsibility as The Guided. The Holy Spirit will guide us practically and daily as our lives are given in submission to Him. Our greatest responsibility is to obey! When you’re up high, you can easily see where things are below. The view from the hill, the bird’s-eye view, the satellite view … They help you know what to do and where to go. God’s Spirit is like a shepherd with the ultimate view from above -- Knowing the Holy Spirit A W Tozer - POUR YOURSELF OUT John 16:13 - Borrow Mornings with Tozer page 96 Science declares that nature abhors a vacuum. It should be happy knowledge to us, then, that the same principle is true in the kingdom of God—when you empty yourself, God Almighty rushes in! The Creator God who fills the universe and overflows into immensity can never be surrounded by that little thing we call our brain, our mind, our intellect. Never can we rise to face God by what we are and by what we know! Only by love and faith are we lifted thus to know Him and adore Him! What a happy hour it becomes when we are drawn out of ourselves, and into that vacuum rushes the blessed Presence. How wonderful in our humanity to sense the reality of the Holy Spirit’s invitation: “Pour yourself out! Give yourself to Me! Empty yourself! Bring your empty earthen vessels! Come in meekness like a child!” Drawn out of ourselves by the Holy Spirit of God—for who knows the things of God but the Holy Spirit? We are delivered from ourselves when we finally seek God for Himself alone! Henry Blackaby - The Spirit of Truth John 16:13 - Borrow The Experience page 364 One thing about being young is that there are so many decisions to be made: decisions about school, decisions about relationships, decisions about career, decisions about marriage, decisions about where to spend your money, decisions about where to spend your time, and the list goes on. Of all the options available, how do you know what is right for you? God loves you far too much to have you waste your life on foolish choices. When you became a Christian, God gave you his Holy Spirit to guide you in his truth. The Holy Spirit, who is your perfect counselor, knows the mind of God. Life can be confusing sometimes. When you find yourself in a dilemma and you don’t know where to turn, turn to God. When others are putting pressure on you to do something, the Holy Spirit will help you discern whether it’s right or wrong to do as they say. Counselors, pastors, parents, and friends can all be helpful as you make decisions, but ultimately, the decisions are yours, as are the consequences of those decisions. Don’t make your choice until you’ve heard from the Spirit of Truth. It’s human nature to seek advice when you’re not sure what to do. It can be very helpful to get advice from those you respect, but don’t ignore the counselor who lives within you. People make mistakes; God does not. Whenever you’re overwhelmed, it means you don’t know the truth of your situation, and you need to hear from the Spirit of Truth. John
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Spurgeon - John 16:15 - Morning and Evening There are times when all the promises and doctrines of the Bible are of no avail, unless a gracious hand shall apply them to us. We are thirsty, but too faint to crawl to the water-brook. When a soldier is wounded in battle it is of little use for him to know that there are those at the hospital who can bind up his wounds, and medicines there to ease all the pains which he now suffers: what he needs is to be carried thither, and to have the remedies applied. It is thus with our souls, and to meet this need there is one, even the Spirit of truth, who takes of the things of Jesus, and applies them to us. Think not that Christ hath placed his joys on heavenly shelves that we may climb up to them for ourselves, but he draws near, and sheds his peace abroad in our hearts. O Christian, if thou art to-night labouring under deep distresses, thy Father does not give thee promises and then leave thee to draw them up from the Word like buckets from a well, but the promises he has written in the Word he will write anew on your heart. He will manifest his love to you, and by his blessed Spirit, dispel your cares and troubles. Be it known unto thee, O mourner, that it is God’s prerogative to wipe every tear from the eye of his people. The good Samaritan did not say, “Here is the wine, and here is the oil for you”; he actually poured in the oil and the wine. So Jesus not only gives you the sweet wine of the promise, but holds the golden chalice to your lips, and pours the life-blood into your mouth. The poor, sick, way-worn pilgrim is not merely strengthened to walk, but he is borne on eagles’ wings. Glorious gospel! which provides everything for the helpless, which draws nigh to us when we cannot reach after it—brings us grace before we seek for grace! Here is as much glory in the giving as in the gift. Happy people who have the Holy Ghost to bring Jesus to them. Vance Havner - "With Him—All Things" He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32. How blessed to move from our nothingness to "everything in Jesus"! "By him all things consist." The Father has given him all things (Jn. 3:35; 13:3; 16:15). All things were made by him (Jn. 1:3; I Cor. 8:6). Jesus has said, "All things are mine... Come" (Mt. 11:27, 28); "All things are mine... Believe" (Jn. 3:35, 36); "All things are mine... Go" (Mt. 28:18-20). Your part is to bring Him all your need. His part is to supply all your need (Phil. 4:19). If the first step is to realize the nothingness of yourself, the second is to turn to the Allness of Christ. "All that I need is Jesus," because all that I need is in Jesus. If God spared not His own Son but freely delivered Him up for our redemption, He will not give me the greater and fail to give me the lesser, but with Him He has given all else that I need, whether great or small. And if everything is in Jesus, surely Jesus ought to be everything to us! The Loner All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. —John 16:15 Today's Scripture : John 16:5-16 A high school friend of mine became a loner. He spent his time reading books, isolated himself in his parents’ home until they died, and never tried to get a job. He had as little to do with others as possible. As a result, he never had to sacrificially love a wife, never had his sleep disturbed by a crying child, never agonized over a rebellious teen, and never cried over the misfortunes of a close friend. But oh, at what a cost! He has missed some of life’s greatest joys and deepest satisfactions. God, who created us to reflect His personal nature, is not a loner. In John 1:1, we read that before time began, “the Word,” who later “became flesh and dwelt among us” (v.14), was “with God.” The Greek word that is translated “with” implies interaction between the distinct persons of the Trinity. Although God doesn’t need us, in grace He chose to create us to be His friends. And in John 16:5-16, the Lord Jesus told His disciples how He, His Father, and the Holy Spirit are working together to bring a lost world to Himself. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity! —Heber No Christian is an island. John 16:16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” A little while: John 16:5,10,17-19 Jn 7:33 Jn 12:35 Jn 13:33 Jn 14:19 a little while: Jn 20:19-29 Jn 21:1-23 Ac 1:3 10:40,41 1Co 15:5-9 (ONLY IN KJV) because I go to the Father: John 16:28 13:3 17:5,13 Mk 16:19 Heb 12:2 Related Passages: John 7:33 Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me. John 12:35 So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. John 13:33 “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:19 “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.\ SEE ME NOW, THEN NOT THEN AGAIN A little while (mikros), and you will (absolutely) no longer see Me - Unlike the second time phrase, this one is clearly is straightforward. A little while was only a few hours from now. After His arrest, trial and crucifixion they no longer saw Him the same as they had seen him for 3+ years. A little while in John's Gospel - Jn. 7:33; Jn. 12:35; Jn. 13:33; Jn. 14:19; Jn. 16:16; Jn. 16:17; Jn. 16:18; Jn. 16:19; And again a little while (mikros), and you will see Me - See is not in the figurative sense, but in the literal sense. When will the disciples see Jesus again. A little while would be 3 days after His crucifixion (Friday afternoon to Sunday morning) as described in Jn 20:19-29 (cf Jn 21:1-23) and they would be personally taught by Him for 40 days (Acts 1:3+) and then they would no longer see Him because He would ascend. You will see Me in this context is clearly not a reference to the Second Coming! Here are the 4 possible interpretations of the second time phrase gain a little while (mikros), and you will see Me: 1. At Pentecost—The Holy Spirit comes and they see the Lord by faith. 2. When the Lord returns at His Second Coming. 3. When they would die and see the Lord. 4. After the Resurrection, He re-appeared for 40 Steven Cole on again in a little while - This caused confusion among the disciples, and it has caused confusion among Bible commentators! Some argue that the first “little while” refers to His ascension, whereas the second “little while” refers to His second coming. Others (Wiersbe, MacArthur) take the second “little while” to refer to the disciples “seeing” Jesus spiritually when He sent the Holy Spirit to them on the Day of Pentecost. But it seems obvious to me from the context that the first “little while” refers to Jesus’ death, whereas the second “little while” refers to His resurrection. (ED: I HAVE TO AGREE WITH COLE -- IF CONTEXT IS KING IN INTERPRETATION, WE ARE IN THE LAST HOURS OF JESUS' LIFE BUT IN 3 DAYS HE WILL BE ALIVE AGAIN AND WILL BE SEEN BY THE DISCIPLES SO WHY TRY TO INVOKE OTHER INTERPRETATIONS) (Sorrow Turned into Joy John 16:16–24) NET NOTE - The phrase after a little while, you will see me is sometimes taken to refer to the coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus departs, but (as in Jn 14:19) it is much more probable that it refers to the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to the disciples. There is no indication in the context that the disciples will see Jesus only with “spiritual” sight, as would be the case if the coming of the Spirit is in view. Warren Wiersbe on you will see Me - First, they would "see Him again" after His resurrection from the dead; but they would also "see Him" when the Spirit came to dwell with them. They would exchange physical sight for spiritual insight. (ED: BUT SEE NET NOTE BELOW) Today, believers "see Jesus" (Heb. 2:9) through the Spirit's teaching of the Word of God. (BORROW Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament)
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Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook John 16:20. THEIR particular sorrow was the death and absence of their Lord, and it was turned into joy when he rose from the dead and showed himself in their midst. All the sorrows of saints shall be thus transmuted; even the worst of them, which look as if they must for ever remain fountains of bitterness. Then the more sorrow the more joy. If we have loads of sorrow, then the Lord’s power will turn them into tons of joy. Then the bitterer the trouble the sweeter the pleasure: the swinging of the pendulum far to the left will cause it to go all the farther to the right. The remembrance of the grief shall heighten the flavour of the delight: we shall set the one in contrast with the other, and the brilliance of the diamond shall be the more clearly seen because of the black foil behind it. Come, my heart, cheer up! In a little while I shall be as glad as I am now gloomy. Jesus tells me that by a heavenly alchemy my sorrow shall be turned into joy. I do not see how it is to be, but I believe it, and I begin to sing by way of anticipation. This depression of spirit is not for long; I shall soon be up among the happy ones who praise the Lord day and night, and there I shall sing of the mercy which delivered me out of great afflictions C H Spurgeon - Sorrow at the cross turned into joy (Sermon - Sorrow at the Cross Turned into Joy) Let us mourn by all means, for Jesus died; but by no means let us make mourning the prominent thought in connection with his death if we have obtained thereby the pardon of our sins. The language of our text allowed and yet forbade sorrow; it gave permission to weep, but only for a little while, and then it forbade all further weeping by the promise to turn the sorrow into joy: ‘ye shall weep and lament,’ that is, his disciples, while he was dying, dead and buried, would be sorely distressed: ‘and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy’; their grief would end when they saw him risen from the dead, and so it did, for we read, ‘Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.’ The sight of the cross to their unbelief was sadness only, but now to the eye of faith it is the gladdest sight that the human eye can rest upon: the cross is as the light of the morning, which ends the long and dreary darkness which covered the nations. Wounds of Jesus, you are as stars, breaking the night of man’s despair. Spear, you have opened the fountain of healing for human woe. Crown of thorns, you are a constellation of promises. Eyes that were red with weeping sparkle with hope at the sight of thee, O bleeding Lord. As for thy tortured body, O Emmanuel, the blood which dropped from it cried from the ground and proclaimed peace, pardon and Paradise to all believers. Though laid in the grave by thy weeping friends, thy body, O divine Saviour, is no longer in Joseph’s tomb, for thou art risen from the dead, and we find in the songs of resurrection and ascension an abundant solace for the griefs of thy death. A Reason For Optimism A merry heart does good, like medicine. — Proverbs 17:22 Today's Scripture : John 16:16-33 The Bible isn’t a psychology textbook, but it gives us the wisest counsel for experiencing happiness here and now. Proverbs 17:22, for example, assures us that “a merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” That simple statement was recently corroborated by the extensive research of Dr. Daniel Mark, a heart specialist at Duke University. The New York Times article that reported his findings carried this headline: “Optimism Can Mean Life for Heart Patients and Pessimism Death.” The article begins with these words: “A healthy outlook helps heal the heart.” But Dr. Nancy Frasure-Smith, a heart specialist who has studied the effect of depression, anxiety, and anger, admitted, “We don’t know how to change negative emotions.” Faith in God, however, can produce that change. People who look beyond their present difficulty and put their trust in God’s goodness cannot help but be joyful. All your anxiety, all your care Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there; Never a burden He cannot bear, Never a friend like Jesus. —Joy No matter what happens, you can find joy in the Lord. Spreading Joy The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:16–24 When Janet went to teach English in a school overseas, she found the atmosphere gloomy and depressing. People did their jobs, but no one seemed happy. They didn’t help or encourage one another. But Janet, grateful for all that God had done for her, expressed it in everything she did. She smiled. She was friendly. She went out of her way to help people. She hummed songs and hymns. Little by little, as Janet shared her joy, the atmosphere at the school changed. One by one people began to smile and help each other. When a visiting administrator asked the principal why his school was so different, the principal, who was not a believer, responded, “Jesus brings joy.” Janet was filled to overflowing with the joy of the Lord and it spilled over to those around her. The gospel of Luke tells us that God sent an angel to ordinary shepherds to deliver an extraordinary birth announcement. The angel made the surprising proclamation that the newborn baby “will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10), which indeed He did. How might you spread the joy of Jesus to others today? Take the joy of Christmas with you every day. From Grief to Joy You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. John 16:20 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:16–22 Kelly’s pregnancy brought complications, and doctors were concerned. During her long labor, they decided to whisk her away for a Cesarean section. But despite the ordeal, Kelly quickly forgot her pain when she held her newborn son. Joy had replaced anguish. Scripture affirms this truth: “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world” (John 16:21). Jesus used this illustration with His disciples to emphasize that though they would grieve because He would be leaving soon, that grief would turn to joy when they saw Him again (vv. 20–22). Jesus was referring to His death and resurrection—and what followed. After His resurrection, to the disciples’ joy, Jesus spent another forty days walking with and teaching them before ascending and leaving them once again (Acts 1:3). Yet Jesus did not leave them grief-stricken. The Holy Spirit would fill them with joy (John 16:7–15; Acts 13:52). Though we have never seen Jesus face to face, as believers we have the assurance that one day we will. In that day, the anguish we face in this earth will be forgotten. But until then, the Lord has not left us without joy—He has given us His Spirit (Rom. 15:13; 1 Peter 1:8–9). By: Alyson Kieda Dear Lord, we long to be in Your presence, especially when we face pain and sorrow. Yet You have not left us on our own. The Holy Spirit lives within us—and gives us joy. One day our sorrow will be turned to joy! John 16:21 “Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. woman: Ge 3:16 Isa 26:16-18 Jer 30:6,7 Ho 13:13,14 Mic 4:10 Rev 12:2-5 for: Ge 21:6,7 30:23,24 1Sa 1:26,27 Ps 113:9 Lu 1:57,58 Ga 4:27 Related Passages: Genesis 3:16+ To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.” JESUS' ILLUSTRATION OF SORROW TURNING TO JOY Whenever a woman is in labor (tikto - literally give birth) she has pain (lupe - translated "grief" in Jn 16:20), because her hour (hora) has come - This the illustration of sorrow. Her hour has come refers to the onset of the intense labor pains that immediately precede childbirth. but when she gives birth (gennao) to the child (anthropos - man), she no longer remembers (mnemoneuo) the anguish (thlipsis - suffering) because of the joy (chara) that a child has been born (gennao) into the world (kosmos) - My wife gave birth to 4 children and the anguish turning to joy was instantaneous when she saw each of her children. It would be the same for the disciples when they would next see Jesus, resurrected from the dead. Some interpreters take Jesus' illustration as parallel to the similar illustration in Mt 24:8 ("the beginning of birth pangs") and thus say the "little while" and you "will see Me" refers to the Second Coming. However in context Matthew 24 refers to the beginning of the cataclysmic events of the last 7 years of this age and to say Jesus is using "a little while" in the present context to refer to an event 2000 years or longer seems very unlikely. It is interesting to see Isaiah's description that links childbirth and resurrection for it would indeed be Christ's resurrection that would bring them joy... As (TERM OF COMPARISON) the pregnant woman approaches the time to give birth, She writhes and cries out in her labor pains, Thus were we before You, O LORD. We were pregnant, we writhed in labor, We gave birth, as it seems, only to wind. We could not accomplish deliverance for the earth, Nor were inhabitants of the world born. Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits. (Isa 26:17-19) It is interesting that child is anthropos which literally means "man" having been born. Perhaps this relates to Jesus' resurrection for He was "the firstborn from the dead." (Col 1:18, cf first fruits 1Cor 15:20). Warren
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Spurgeon points out that "It is most remarkable and instructive that the apostles do not appear in their sermons or epistles to have spoken of the death of our Lord with any kind of regret. The gospels mention their distress during the actual occurrence of the crucifixion, but after the resurrection, and especially after Pentecost, we hear of no such grief.” (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) NET NOTE - Jesus now compares the situation of the disciples to a woman in childbirth. Just as the woman in the delivery of her child experiences real pain and anguish (has distress), so the disciples will also undergo real anguish at the crucifixion of Jesus. But once the child has been born, the mother’s anguish is turned into joy, and she forgets the past suffering. The same will be true of the disciples, who after Jesus’ resurrection and reappearance to them will forget the anguish they suffered at his death on account of their joy. John 16:22 “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. now: John 16:6,20 But: John 14:1,27 20:19,20 21:7 Isa 25:9 65:13,14 66:9-14 Mt 28:8 Lu 24:41,51-53 Ac 2:46 13:52 1Pe 1:8 and your: John 4:14 Job 34:29 Ps 146:2 Isa 12:2-4 51:11,12 54:7,8 65:18,19 Hab 3:17,18 Lu 10:42 16:25 19:26 Ac 5:41 16:25 20:23,24 Ro 8:35-39 1Th 3:7-9 2Th 2:16 Heb 6:18 10:34 1Pe 1:8 4:13,14 Related Passages: John 14:1+ “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:27+ “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 16:6+ “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. JESUS PROMISES FUTURE, LASTING JOY Therefore (oun) - Term of conclusion. What's Jesus concluding? He is clearly referring to their sorrow over His imminent departure and relating it to the illustration of a woman's childbirth as a description of what was soon to happen to the disciples.
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Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook John 16:22 All our past mercies are tokens of future mercies SURELY he will come a second time, and then, when he sees us, and we see him, there will be rejoicings indeed. Oh for that joyous return! But this promise is being daily fulfilled in another sense. Our gracious Lord has many “agains” in his dealings with us. He gave us pardon, and he sees us again, and repeats the absolving word as fresh sins cause us grief. He has revealed to us our acceptance before God, and when our faith in that blessing grows a little dim, he comes to us again and again, and says, “Peace be unto you”; and our hearts are glad. Beloved, all our past mercies are tokens of future mercies. If Jesus has been with us, he will see us again. Look upon no former favour as a dead and buried thing, to be mourned over; but regard it as a seed sown, which will grow, and push its head up from the dust, and cry, “I will see you again.” Are the times dark because Jesus is not with us as he used to be? Let us pluck up courage; for he will not be long away. His feet are as those of a roe or young hart, and they will soon bring him to us. Wherefore let us begin to be joyous, since he saith to us even now, “I will see you again.” Two Portraits Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:19–24 Clutching two framed photographs, the proud grandmother showed them to friends in the church foyer. The first picture was of her daughter back in her homeland of Burundi. The second was of her grandson, born recently to that daughter. But the daughter wasn’t holding her newborn. She had died giving birth to him. A friend approached and looked at the pictures. Reflexively, she reached up and held that dear grandmother’s face in her hands. All she could say through her own tears was, “I know. I know.” And she did know. Two months earlier she had buried a son. There’s something special about the comfort of others who have experienced our pain. They know. Just before Jesus’s arrest, He warned His disciples, “You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.” But in the next breath He comforted them: “You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy” (John 16:20). In mere hours, the disciples would be devastated by Jesus’s arrest and crucifixion. But their crushing grief soon turned to a joy they could not have imagined when they saw Him alive again. Lord, thank You for going to the cross for us. We certainly know trouble in this world, but You overcame the world and took our sin and pain for us. We look forward to the day when our sorrows will be turned into joy and we see You face to face. When we put our cares into His hands, He puts His peace into our hearts. Pain With A Purpose [Jesus said,] “I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” — John 16:22 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:17-24 I asked several friends what their most difficult, painful experience in life had been. Their answers included war, divorce, surgery, and the loss of a loved one. My wife’s reply was, “The birth of our first child.” It was a long and difficult labor in a lonely army hospital. But looking back, she said she considers it joyful “because the pain had a big purpose.” Just before Jesus went to the cross, He told His followers they were about to go through a time of great pain and sorrow. The Lord compared their coming experience to that of a woman during childbirth when her anguish turns to joy after her child is born (John 16:20-21). “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (v.22). Sorrow comes to us all along the road of life. But Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2), purchased forgiveness and freedom for all who open their hearts to Him. His painful sacrifice accomplished God’s eternal purpose of opening the way to friendship and fellowship with Him. Dear Father, Your precious Son Jesus chose suffering for me. Thank You for His sacrifice on my behalf. Thank You that even my pain can be a tool in Your hands to make me more like Your Son. Suffering can be like a magnet that draws the Christian close to Christ. Deadly Sins You now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. — John 16:22 Today's Scripture : John 16:17-24 You may be familiar with the list of seven deadly sins that was formulated during the sixth century: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, vengeance, envy, and pride. But you may not know that the original list compiled during the fourth century also included the sin of sadness. Over the years, that emotion was omitted from the inventory. Some people are blessed with a cheerful disposition. They always seem to be happy. They wear a perpetual smile almost as if they were advertising toothpaste. But then there are others who seem to be chronically sad. They continually complain about life and its burdens. And who can deny that afflictions are discouraging? While we acknowledge that not everybody is blessed with a bright outlook on life, we need to remember that joy is one of the gifts Jesus promised to His followers. And we need to resist any tendency to let sadness dominate our emotional lives. You alone, Lord Jesus, can true joy impart, For You know the sorrow of the human heart; You came here from glory many hearts to win And in love for sinners suffered once for sin. —Anon. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that’s always in season. Vance Havner - NO QUESTIONS ASKED I will see you again.... And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. John 16:22, 23. Our lord did not say, "When I see you again, I will answer all your questions." He said, "You won't ask any questions!" Our minds and hearts are filled with whys and we can hardly wait to hear the answers. But when we see Him we will not bother to bring up those questions. They will vanish in the glory of His presence. He will not answer them for we will not ask them! We see not yet all things put under Him. There is much that puzzles us for we see through a glass as in a riddle. We do not know all the answers, but He is the Answer. Our whys will no longer have significance. Don't hang on to them now for they will be as a mist before the rising sun. Everything will clear up one day. No questions asked. The Answer will have come! The Mention of His Name I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:17-24 When the soloist began to sing during our Sunday service, the congregation gave him full, hushed attention. His mellow bass-baritone voice brought them the soul-touching words of an old song by Gordon Jensen. The song’s title expresses a truth that grows more precious the older we become: “He’s as Close as the Mention of His Name.” We’ve all experienced times of separation from our loved ones. A child marries and moves far away. Parents are separated from us because of career or health. A child goes off to school in another state or country. True, we have texting and Skype. But we are here and they are there. And then there is the separation of death. But as believers in Christ, we have His promise that we are never alone. Though we may feel alone, He hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s right here, right now, always and forever. When He left this earth, He told His followers, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). He also promised us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Jesus, thank You that You are near. I need You. Jesus never abandons or forgets His own. John 16:23 “In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. ask: John 16:19 13:36,37 14:5,22 15:15 21:20,21 Anything: John 14:13,14 15:7,16 Isa 65:24 Mt 7:7 21:22 Eph 2:18 3:14-20 1Ti 2:5,6 Heb 4:14-16 7:25,26 10:19-23 1Jn 2:1 5:14-16 Related Passages: John 14:13-14+ “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 15:7-8+ “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:16+ “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. REITERATION INSTRUCTION REGARDING EFFECTIVE PRAYER In that day you will not question (erotao - seek information, make a request) Me about anything - The question is to what day is Jesus referring? This does not seem to be the 40 days they were with Him after His resurrection because they did ask Him a question (and presumably many more not recorded) in Acts 1:6+ “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” After the day of His ascension the disciples would no longer have opportunity to question Him, so this time refers to the period that begins after His ascension and the coming of the Spirit. Of course, this not mean they could not communicate by prayer, for the following clause is clearly giving them authority to pray to the Father in Jesus' Name for anything.
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Spurgeon - Oh! you that say you believe tonight, beware lest tomorrow you should be scattered in unbelief and fear. Whatever faith we have is God’s giving, and if it remain with us, it will be because God keeps it there. But there is not one among us that has any faith to spare. We do not know but that the very hour is come, even now, that will try us and make us ask whether we have any faith at all. Bob
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Spurgeon - John 16:32 - Morning and Evening Few had fellowship with the sorrows of Gethsemane. The majority of the disciples were not sufficiently advanced in grace to be admitted to behold the mysteries of “the agony.” Occupied with the passover feast at their own houses, they represent the many who live upon the letter, but are mere babes as to the spirit of the gospel. To twelve, nay, to eleven only was the privilege given to enter Gethsemane and see “this great sight.” Out of the eleven, eight were left at a distance; they had fellowship, but not of that intimate sort to which men greatly beloved are admitted. Only three highly favoured ones could approach the veil of our Lord’s mysterious sorrow: within that veil even these must not intrude; a stone’s-cast distance must be left between. He must tread the wine-press alone, and of the people there must be none with him. Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, represent the few eminent, experienced saints, who may be written down as “Fathers;” these having done business on great waters, can in some degree measure the huge Atlantic waves of their Redeemer’s passion. To some selected spirits it is given, for the good of others, and to strengthen them for future, special, and tremendous conflict, to enter the inner circle and hear the pleadings of the suffering High Priest; they have fellowship with him in his sufferings, and are made conformable unto his death. Yet even these cannot penetrate the secret places of the Saviour’s woe. “Thine unknown sufferings” is the remarkable expression of the Greek liturgy: there was an inner chamber in our Master’s grief, shut out from human knowledge and fellowship. There Jesus is “left alone.” Here Jesus was more than ever an “Unspeakable gift!” Is not Watts right when he sings— “And all the unknown joys he gives, Were bought with agonies unknown.” Vance Havner - Alone, yet Not Alone Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. John 16:32. Blessed paradox of the Saviour and the Saint! Our Lord was a solitary soul, yet not alone. And the Christian who presses into the deeper things of God will often be lonely but never alone. Paul was lonely in the Roman prison: "All men forsook me." But he was not alone: "The Lord stood with me." "He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone." Jacob may fancy himself alone in a strange land, with a stone for a pillow, but he will make a discovery: "Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not." Live as though He were with you, for He is. You have His word for it and you can be confident of His promise, though you may not be conscious of His presence. Even through the Valley of Death's Shadow, "I will fear no evil, FOR THOU ART WITH ME." Alone yet not alone! My Father Is with Me You will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. — John 16:32 Today's Scripture : Mark 14:32-50 A friend struggling with loneliness posted these words on her Facebook page: “It’s not that I feel alone because I have no friends. I have lots of friends. I know that I have people who can hold me and reassure me and talk to me and care for me and think of me. But they can’t be with me all the time—for all time.” Jesus understands that kind of loneliness. I imagine that during His earthly ministry He saw loneliness in the eyes of lepers and heard it in the voices of the blind. But above all, He must have experienced it when His close friends deserted Him (Mark 14:50). However, as He foretold the disciples’ desertion, He also confessed His unshaken confidence in His Father’s presence. He said to His disciples: “[You] will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me” (John 16:32). Shortly after Jesus said these words, He took up the cross for us. He made it possible for you and me to have a restored relationship with God and to be a member of His family. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise that You will never leave me or forsake me. When I feel lonely, help me to remember You are always with me. If you know Jesus, you’ll never walk alone. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” KJV John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. BGT John 16:33 ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν ἵνα ἐν ἐμοὶ εἰρήνην ἔχητε. ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ θλῖψιν ἔχετε· ἀλλὰ θαρσεῖτε, ἐγὼ νενίκηκα τὸν κόσμον. NET John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage– I have conquered the world." CSB John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world." ESV 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." NIV John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." NLT John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." NRS John 16:33 I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!" NJB John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have hardship, but be courageous: I have conquered the world. NAB John 16:33 I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world." YLT John 16:33 these things I have spoken to you, that in me ye may have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, but take courage -- I have overcome the world.' MIT John 16:33 I have spoken these things to you in order that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be cheerful—I have conquered the world." in Me you may have peace John 14:27 Ps 85:8-11 Isa 9:6,7 Mic 5:5 Lu 2:14 19:38 Ro 5:1,2 Eph 2:14-17 Php 4:7 Col 1:20 2Th 3:16 Heb 7:2 13:20,21 In the world you have tribulation: John 15:19-21 Ac 14:22 Ro 8:36 2Co 7:4 1Th 3:4 2Ti 3:12 Heb 11:25 1Pe 5:9 Rev 7:14 but take courage: John 14:1 Ac 9:31 23:11 27:22,25 2Co 1:3 13:11 1Th 3:7 I have overcome the world: John 16:11 12:31 1Sa 17:51,52 Ps 68:18 Ro 8:37 Ga 1:4 6:14 1Jn 4:4 1Jn 5:4-5 Related Passages: 1 John 5:4-5+ (EVERY BELIEVER IS AN OVERCOMER [WHETHER YOU FEEL LIKE IT OR NOT!] IN AND THROUGH CHRIST'S OVERCOMING!) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (See rewards to every saint because every saint is an overcomer in Christ - Rev. 2:7; Rev. 2:11; Rev. 2:17; Rev. 2:26; Rev. 3:5; Rev. 3:12; Rev. 3:21) Romans 8:37+ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer (hupernikao in present tense) through Him (CHRIST) Who loved us. Matthew 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Mark 6:50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Acts 23:11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.” Mark 13:9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. John 12:31 “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 1 Corinthians 15:57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 John 4:4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome (perfect tense - speaks of lasting, enduring result) them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (kosmos) . 1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes (present tense - continually) the world (kosmos) ; and this is the victory that has overcome the world (kosmos) –our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes (present tense - continually) the world (kosmos) , but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? DISCIPLES ARE OVERCOMERS IN CHRIST THE OVERCOMER This is a striking verse in view of the fact that He has just predicted that they would have a faith failure and flee. Those words would surely have brought unrest to their hearts, and now he immediately tells them that all that He has been telling them was so that they might have peace. It is interesting to note the three contrasts in this closing passages - IN ME versus IN THE WORLD, YOU MAY HAVE versus YOU (WILL) HAVE, and PEACE versus TRIBULATION. These things - What things? While one might posit that it is all He taught during the 3+ years they were with Him, in context, this would seem to speak especially of the great promises He has given them in the Upper Room Discourse. In that discourse He gave them the great promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who would provide the supernatural power necessary for them to proclaim the Gospel to a hostile, godless world (cf Acts 1:8+). In Jesus Himself there is always an abiding peace. - Spurgeon I have spoken to you, so that (hina - term of purpose - of "these things...spoken") in Me you may have (present tense - continually have) peace (eirene) - Spoken is in the perfect tense signifying past completed action with present ongoing effect or result. It speaks of a state of peace. In context this is clearly supernatural because the next clause describes tribulation which would not give peace. Notice that the overarching purpose for speaking these things is that they might experience supernatural peace. Notice the preposition "in" (locative of sphere) signifying that the Source of their peace would not be a program but a Person, Christ Himself, the Prince of peace. Contrast this with "provision" of the other location! Kenneth Gangel - Inner peace is conditional; it can come only through Jesus. The world offers only trouble that need not plague Jesus’ followers. We belong to the one who overcame the world. Fear turns to peace when we learn how to apply Jesus’ victory in our lives. (SEE Holman New Testament Commentary - John - Page 305) All must live in the world and thus have trouble. But people may also live in Christ, and when they do they have peace. -- William Hendriksen This is Jesus' second mention of His gift of peace, declaring in John 14:27+ “Peace (eirene) I leave with you; My peace (eirene) I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, (present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) nor let it be fearful." Like a River Glorious -Frances Ridley Havergal Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blessed; Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest. D A Carson on IN ME - this IN ME language is probably an extension of the metaphor of the vine (ch. 15). Whatever the trouble, the peace prevails, just as elsewhere the privilege of being more than a conqueror goes to those who are faithful under the most appalling opposition (Ro 8:31–39). (BORROW The Gospel according to John PAGE 550) (It follows that the words of the old hymn give us great advice)... Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace -- Helen Howarth Lemmel In the world (kosmos) you have (present tense - continually have) tribulation (thlipsis - pressure, affliction, distress, anguish in Jn 16:21) - Note the two spheres in which believers exist, in Me and in the world. In Me gives peace. In the world brings trouble. In Me speaks of our loving Friend. In the world speaks of our hateful enemy. In the world describes the disciples existence on planet earth until we are removed to glory. We will be crushed, pressured, hated and persecuted for the Name above all names. That is the reality of the life of a genuine follower of Christ. So do not be surprised at the fiery trial which comes upon you for you testing! (1Pe 4:12). If you are not experiencing it now, you will experience it because it is a promise from our Lord Jesus, Who cannot lie! THOUGHT - If you are Jewish or Muslim and one day the Spirit woos you into the Kingdom of God when you hear someone preaching the Gospel, you can rest assured such a convert will receive radical thlipsis, radical pressure from those on the outside. They will begin to experience what it must be like to live in a "pressure cooker," as they are challenged, denigrated, and even physically attacked or actually martyred. It is happening to 100's of thousands of brothers and sisters in the world even as I write. Let's stop and each offer a prayer for them along the lines of 1Cor 15:58, that our heavenly Father, by His Spirit and His Word, would supernaturally enable them to "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." In the victorious Name of Jesus. Amen. The world (kosmos) is a summation of all the aspects of this present evil age which vehemently hates Jesus and His Gospel and which is under the dominion of Satan (1Jn 5:19+). And as Jesus has already forewarned the disciples, the world (kosmos) actively will hate His disciples (Jn 15:18, 19, 23-25+, Jn 17:14+). Tribulation (thlipsis) speaks of intense pressure which the world will bring to bear on the disciples of Christ (then and now!), in a vain attempt (cf 1Co 15:57+, Ro 8:37+) to hinder them from preaching the Gospel of Jesus to otherwise hell-bound sinners. I think John MacArthur gives one of the most descriptive definitions of the world (kosmos) that I have ever seen - “World” doesn’t mean the physical planet; it means the system of evil that dominates the creation, and dominates humanity. It is the satanically operated, demonically infested, sinner exercised world of evil. It is the complex of evil that dominates human life. And has not only dominated human life, but cursed the entire universe. (Sermon) Rod Mattoon's ILLUSTRATION of tribulation - In the pictures of the ancient Roman method of threshing grain, one man is always seen stirring up the sheaves while another rides over them in a crude cart equipped with rollers instead of wheels. Sharp stones and rough bits of iron were attached to these cylinders to help separate the husks from the grain. This simple cart was called a tribulum—from which we get our word “tribulation.” When great affliction comes to us, we often think of ourselves as being torn to pieces under the cruel pressures of adverse circumstances. Yet as no thresher ever yoked up his tribulum for the mere purpose of tearing up his sheaves but to disclose the precious grain, so our loving Savior never puts us under the pressure of sorrow and disappointment needlessly. He has a purpose for our tribulations. Understanding this truth can give us peace. Beloved, we may get knocked down, but we don’t have to be knocked out. Jesus tells us to be cheerful and have courage because He has overcome or conquered the world. Because the Lord has conquered, we too, are conquerors through the Holy Spirit. Read Romans 8:37+ This verse speaks of our ability to “overwhelmingly conquer” as victorious Christians. A definition of “overwhelmingly” was provided on October 7, 1916, when Georgia Tech played Cumberland University in what is recorded as the highest-scoring football game in history. Georgia Tech set a record of thirty-two touchdowns while racking up 222 points. Cumberland never made a first down, much less a point. We have this kind of victory in Christ. But - This term of contrast calls for the disciples not to give in to the incredible pressure of the godless world. Take courage (tharseo) - Jesus as the Commander of the band of brothers issues a command in present imperative calling for them to continually be courageous, firm and resolute in the face of coming dangerous and adverse circumstances, a response which would only be possible as they continued to depend on the Holy Spirit, the One Who would soon be provided at Pentecost. It is notable that tharseo is used 7 times (M. 9:2, 22; Mt 14:27; Mk 6:50, 10:49, Jn. 16:33; Acts 23:11), all by Jesus and all commands are in the .present imperative. Jesus knows that this heart attitude will continually be necessary for His followers because the world's pressure will continually attempt to crush us and demolish our testimony. Jesus' command reminds us of Jehovah's commands (the Commander - see Josh 5:4) to Joshua to be "Be strong and courageous" (Josh. 1:6, 9, 18; Josh 10:25) before he invaded the Promised Land to defeat the Canaanites. I have overcome (nikao) the world (kosmos) - Don't miss it -- In saying I have overcome Jesus declares victory even before Gethsemane, before Calvary, before the empty tomb. Overcome is the great verb nikao which speaks of conquering or of attaining victory over difficult circumstances. It always speaks of spiritual victory. The perfect tense signifies past completed action (because so certain was His victory!), when Jesus attained victory over the world, sin and satan on the glorious cross. Perfect tense indicates the present consequence of a past event and thus an abiding result. In other words the tense indicates the certainty of His victory and by association the certainty of the disciples victory in the impending spiritual battles. We can conquer because He conquered.The perfect tense further signifies that the results and effects of Jesus' crucifixion will endure, in this case throughout eternity! Hallelujah! Because Jesus would soon overcome His enemies on the Cross, His disciples would be able to overcome those same intractable enemies, their victory coming as they learned to lean on the supernatural power of the everlasting arms of the Holy Spirit Who they would soon receive in Acts 2:1-47+. We need never be defeated By the trials that come our way; Since the Lord has overcome them, Victory is ours today. —Sper I have overcome is the rock of our salvation, the foundation stone on which we can stand firm and resist the hatred and crushing pressures of this fallen God hating, sin loving world. There is an old song by Harvest from 1986 entitled Only the Overcomers Only the overcomers will be with, Only the overcomers will live with, Only the overcomers will reign on high. D A Carson - Jesus has conquered the world, in the same way that he has defeated the prince of this world. Jesus’ point is that by his death he has made the world’s opposition pointless and beggarly. The decisive battle has been waged and won. The world continues its wretched attacks, but those who are in Christ share the victory he has won. They cannot be harmed by the world’s evil, and they know who triumphs in the end. From this they take heart, and begin to share his peace. (BORROW The Gospel according to John PAGE 550) William Hendriksen gives an ILLUSTRATION - Say that a mountain-climber and his guide are trying to ascend a steep cliff. With the skill that results from long experience in mountaineering the guide makes the ascent, and shouts to the man who is at the lower end of the rope, “Do not be afraid, for I have made it.” Similarly, the pressure that comes from the side of the world will never succeed in causing the disciples to lose their foothold, for Jesus (with whom they are united) has reached the top; hence, so will they. (BORROW Exposition of the Gospel according to John PAGE 344) I WILL RISE There's a peace I've come to know Though my heart and flesh may fail There's an anchor for my soul I can say "It is well" Jesus has OVERCOME And the grave is OVERWHELMED The VICTORY is won He is RISEN from the dead NET NOTE - The Farewell Discourse proper closes on the triumphant note I have conquered the world, which recalls 1:5 (in the prologue): “the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.” Jesus’ words which follow in chap. 17 are addressed not to the disciples but to his Father, as he prays for the consecration of the disciples. Peace floods the soul when Christ rules the heart J I Packer - I quote this testimony at random from a Christian newspaper: “My husband. . .and I were youth directors in our church. . .when our two-and-a half-year-old son accidentally drowned. We had lived for the Lord and never lost anyone. We thought we would be spared such things. I went through four years numb, not understanding, not accepting my anger, continuing to try to be strong. I really was not talking to anyone about the pain and finally went into deep depression.” The nurture that leaves Christians with false expectations of this kind, and with no resources except the stiff upper lip for coping when trouble strikes, is defective to the point of cruelty. Where do these expectations come from? Are they just wishful thinking, or have they been induced by external factors? It seems very plain that the salesman-like man-centeredness of so much of our evangelism that exalts the benefits, minimizes the burdens of the Christian life (2Ti 3:12+, Php 1:29+, 1Pe 1:6-7+, etc) and thereby fixes the thought patterns of converts, is one root cause of such false expectations.How could we purge evangelism of its excessive and damaging subjectivity? The short answer is by learning to keep in step with the Spirit's New Covenant ministry and to focus more directly on Jesus Christ himself as Savior God; model human being; coming judge; lover of the weak, poor, and unlovely; and leader of cross-bearing along the path that he himself trod. What are the benefits and burdens of the Christian life? Are people in your church being presented with the truth about Christian commitment? Pray for someone going through a death experience to be led out into resurrection. (BORROW Your Father Loves You - Daily Insights for Knowing God) As the Master had peace in Himself, He had a strong desire that all His disciples should have peace. Our Lord Jesus Christ delights to see His people firm, calm, and happy. C H Spurgeon - In Jesus himself there is always an abiding peace. He had peace. If he had not himself possessed peace, we could not have had peace in him. What a holy calm there was in the spirit of our divine Master. He was a master of the art of peace. No man ever had more to disturb him, but no man was less disturbed. He could not be turned aside from anything that he had resolved to do, for he set his face like a flint (Isa 50:7), and in the doing of it he could not be excited or discouraged, for his spirit was not of this changing world. As the Master had peace in himself, he had a strong desire that all his disciples should have peace. Our Lord Jesus Christ delights to see his people firm, calm, and happy. Let us enjoy the calm of heart that comes of knowing that the reserves of God are infinite and that at any moment they can come to our aid and deliver us should an emergency occur. We shouldn’t be as movable as waves but as fixed as stars. We shouldn’t be like thistledown, blown away by every wind, but like a distant granite peak, which defies the storms of the ages. I rest beneath the Almighty's shade, My griefs expire, my troubles cease; Thou, Lord, on whom my soul is stayed, Wilt keep me still in perfect peace. ---Charles Wesley. William
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Spurgeon - “made to stumble.” Christ would not have you who are his people caused to stumble by anything that happens to you. He wants you to walk without tripping; his angels bear you up in their hands lest at any time you should dash your foot against a stone. He himself, as your Guardian, comes and speaks beforehand to let you know what is to occur to you, that you may not be caused to stumble by any fresh trial that may assail you. Marcus Dods adds that "“While He was with them they leant upon Him and could not apprehend a time of weakness and persecution.” A T
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Spurgeon - True followers of Christ must not reckon upon having the world’s commendation. At first, the Jews persecuted the Christians; then the Romans took up the cruel work, and others have continued it, in some form or other, even to this day, for the persecution of the saints has not yet ceased. There are many who still have hard times, and have to endure trials of cruel mockings for Christ’s sake. If you resolve to follow Christ men will be sure to call you old-fashioned, ridiculous, Puritanic, and I know not what besides, yet what does it matter to you if they do? Your Master foretold that it would be so. (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) Stumbling (4624) skandalizo from skandalon= a trap = set a snare, put a snare or stumbling block in way; English = scandalize = to offend the moral sense of) means to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to stumble, to give offense. The original and most literal meaning is “to spring back and forth” or “to slam closed,” as with a spring-loaded animal trap. The kindred noun skandalon is the stick on which the bait is placed, springing to shut the trap on an animal. (SEE DEPICTION ABOVE) Hence, generally, a 'snare, a stumbling-block'" (To entrap, trip up, or entice to sin, offend. So here in Mt 5:29-30 skandalizo is used in the active sense which conveys the idea to cause to do wrong, to entice to commit sin. In the passive sense it be means to be led into sin, to be caused to do wrong. In the passive some uses mean to be offended (Mt 11:6), the idea being that one is taking offense at Jesus and/or refusing to believe in Him. Finally, skandalizo can mean to furnish an occasion for some to be shocked, angered, or offended (Mt 17:27). Skandalizo is derived from skandalon which refers to stick in a trap on which the bait is placed and which springs up and shuts the trap at the touch of the careless, unwary animal. It follows that the idea is to put a stumbling block or impediment in one's way, upon which another may trip and fall. NIDNTT - In Classic Literature - The noun skandalon, from a root meaning jump up, snap shut, was originally the piece of wood that kept open a trap for animals. Skandalizo - 27v - cause(1), cause...to stumble(2), causes(2), causes...to stumble(6), fall away(7), falls away(1), led into sin(1), makes...stumble(2), offend(1), offended(1), stumble(3), stumbling(1), take(1), take offense(1), took offense(2). Matt. 5:29; Matt. 5:30; Matt. 11:6; Matt. 13:21; Matt. 13:57; Matt. 15:12; Matt. 17:27; Matt. 18:6; Matt. 18:8; Matt. 18:9; Matt. 24:10; Matt. 26:31; Matt. 26:33; Mk. 4:17; Mk. 6:3; Mk. 9:42; Mk. 9:43; Mk. 9:45; Mk. 9:47; Mk. 14:27; Mk. 14:29; Lk. 7:23; Lk. 17:2; Jn. 6:61; Jn. 16:1; 1 Co. 8:13; 2 Co. 11:29 Brian Bell - Producing Diamonds! “The exact mechanism of the production of diamonds is still a matter of debate among geologists, but it is certain that both tremendous heat and tremendous pressure are required for the crystallization of carbon into this form.” 1. Imagine for a moment communicating w/a diamond in the rough, this hunk of carbon. It’s about to be placed into the most intense pressure & put under the most tremendous amount of heat that it will ever experience. 2. It doesn’t understand the beauty that we understand when we think Diamond. As much as you try to convince that hunk of Carbon, or try to warn it of its coming persecution, it will never fully understand till its right in the midst of it. But you send the warning out, so when its in the midst of it can remember back, “there is an end to this torment & it is supposed to be Glorious”! Every cut made on a diamond is for a purpose & chosen with much care, to give it even more color, fire, & brilliance! 1. A diamond is considered the most beautiful stone “because of its cuts” (in raw form it’s pretty ugly!) 2. One diamond cutter took 2 months before he picked up his chisel & rapped it w/one blow. (It was on the “Liberator Diamond” largest ever found in Venezuela) a) That same type of care goes into every blow that is allowed to come your way! Left uncut they are not brilliant & will never sparkle! b) “Intense Pressure, tremendous Heat, special cuts, & much polishing, is what is needed for it to show its fire, luster, color, & beauty!” c) Would you rather stay a hunk of carbon? 3. The world doesn’t realize that the worse they could do to us is make us shine brighter! D L Moody - A MAN said to me some time ago: “Mr. Moody, now that I am converted, have I to give up the world?” “No,” said I, “you haven’t to give up the world. If you give a good ringing testimony for the Son of God, the world will give you up pretty quick; they won’t want you.” Steven
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Spurgeon - True followers of Christ must not reckon upon having the world’s commendation. At first, the Jews persecuted the Christians; then the Romans took up the cruel work, and others have continued it, in some form or other, even to this day, for the persecution of the saints has not yet ceased. There are many who still have hard times, and have to endure trials of cruel mockings for Christ’s sake. If you resolve to follow Christ men will be sure to call you old-fashioned, ridiculous, Puritanic, and I know not what besides, yet what does it matter to you if they do? Your Master foretold that it would be so......The persecuting Jews professed to be worshippers of Jehovah; but they did not know the Christ, whom he sent, and, therefore, in very truth they did not know the Father either. How can you expect that those who do not know the Father will know the Son, or any of the other children of the divine family? As they rejected the Elder Brother, will they not also reject the younger ones? Is the disciple to be above his Master, or the servant to be treated better than his Lord? Think not so; and therefore expect that you will not be known, even as the Father and the Son were not known. (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) NET NOTE - Ignorance of Jesus and ignorance of the Father are also linked in 8:19; to know Jesus would be to know the Father also, but since the world does not know Jesus, neither does it know his Father. The world’s ignorance of the Father is also mentioned in 8:55, 15:21, and 17:25. Tis no surprising thing, That we should be unknown: The Jewish world knew not their King, God’s everlasting Son.” These things -45x/41v in the Gospel of John - Jn. 1:28; Jn. 2:16; Jn. 2:18; Jn. 3:9; Jn. 3:10; Jn. 3:22; Jn. 5:1; Jn. 5:16; Jn. 5:19; Jn. 5:34; Jn. 6:1; Jn. 6:59; Jn. 7:1; Jn. 7:4; Jn. 7:9; Jn. 7:32; Jn. 8:28; Jn. 8:30; Jn. 9:40; Jn. 11:43; Jn. 12:16; Jn. 12:36; Jn. 12:41; Jn. 13:17; Jn. 14:25; Jn. 15:11; Jn. 15:21; Jn. 16:1; Jn. 16:3; Jn. 16:4; Jn. 16:6; Jn. 16:25; Jn. 16:33; Jn. 17:1; Jn. 17:13; Jn. 19:25; Jn. 19:36; Jn. 19:38; Jn. 20:18; Jn. 21:1; Jn. 21:24; John 16:4 “But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. that when: John 13:19 14:29 Isa 41:22,23 Mt 10:7 24:25 Mk 13:23 Lu 21:12,13 Ac 9:16 20:23,24 2Pe 1:14 because: John 17:12,13 Mt 9:15 Mk 2:19 Related Passages: John 6:64 “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. John 17:12+ “While I was with them, I was keeping (tereo) them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded (phulasso) them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. John 18:8-9+ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” 2 Timothy 2:8 Remember (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, JESUS' WARNINGS WERE TO STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH As Paul wrote in Romans 10:17+ "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Jesus is strengthening them (their faith) by forewarning them. Compare His similar words in this Upper Room Discourse... John 13:19+ “From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. John 14:29+ “Now I have told you before it happens, so that (term of purpose/result) when (NOT "IF") it happens, you may believe. THOUGHT - Here we encounter another great reason to memorize His Word, for when (not "if") the persecution (from any of the three inveterate enemies of your soul - the world, the flesh or the devil) comes we will be enabled by His Spirit to remember His word (cf Jn 14:26+), and find in His Word the supernatural support for your faith. It is vital that we get into His Word (Mt 4:4+, 1Pe 2:2b+), so that His Word can get in us and protect us when the afflictions arise! But these things I have spoken to you - Jesus returns to the thought of Jn 16:1 “These things I have spoken to you." Recall the first purpose of Jesus' forewarning the disciples was so they would not be caught off guard and stumble like an animal suddenly caught in a trap (Jn 16:1+). So that (hina - purpose/result) when (not "IF") their hour (hora of testing) comes - Jesus now gives a second purpose for forewarning His disciples. Their hour personalizes the coming persecution. It is not "IF" it comes, but "when" it comes, for it will come. You may remember (mnemoneuo in present tense) that I told you of them - Memory is a good thing if you don't lose it! Jesus wanted His disciples to recall His words of warning when the persecution came as predicted. Jesus is saying keep on remembering (present tense), the implication being that if they do, they will not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which has come upon them for their testing! (1Pe 4:12+) Sadly, they did not even remember these things even a few hours later as they fled when Jesus was arrested in the Garden. William
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Spurgeon - Christ did not deceive his disciples concerning the treatment that would be meted out to them. He did not promise that the road to heaven would be an easy path, or flatter his followers with the notion that the cross, which they had to carry after him, had no weight in it; “These things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.”.....Our Lord did tell his disciples something about “these things.” He did warn them to expect opposition, but he did not dwell upon that theme, he did not expatiate upon it. He did not at first give that prominence to it which he was about to do, and he explains to his disciples why he had not talked much upon that topic: “because I was with you.” It did not matter how they were opposed so long as he was with them; his society more than made up for anything they might have to suffer; and, dear child of God, if you now enjoy the presence of Christ, and the power of his Spirit, you need not mind what happens to you.....You will then see my foresight, my care for you, my prophetic power. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. You will not be taken by surprise.” If any of you who have lately been converted should meet with great opposition, do not be surprised; Jesus has told you to expect it; and if the fire should get seven times hotter, count it no strange thing that the fiery trial has happened unto you. It has happened unto others before you, and will happen to others after you; therefore be prepared for it. (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) NET NOTE - The first half of Jn 16:4 resumes the statement of Jn 16:1, (tauta lelaleka humin), in a somewhat more positive fashion, omitting the reference to the disciples being caused to stumble. This verse serves as a transition between the preceding discussion of the persecutions the disciples will face in the world after the departure of Jesus, and the following discussion concerning the departure of Jesus and the coming of the Spirit-Paraclete. Jesus had not told the disciples these things from the beginning because he was with them. John 16:5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ NET John 16:5 But now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking me, 'Where are you going?' CSB John 16:5 "But now I am going away to Him who sent Me, and not one of you asks Me, 'Where are You going? ' ESV John 16:5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' NIV John 16:5 "Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' NLT John 16:5 "But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. NRS John 16:5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' NJB John 16:5 but now I am going to the one who sent me. Not one of you asks, 'Where are you going?' NAB John 16:5 But now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' YLT John 16:5 and now I go away to Him who sent me, and none of you doth ask me, Whither dost thou go? MIT John 16:5 Now I am going to the one who commissioned me, and none of you continues to ask me where I am going. GWN John 16:5 "Now I'm going to the one who sent me. Yet, none of you asks me where I'm going. BBE John 16:5 But now I am going to him who sent me; and not one of you says to me, Where are you going? RSV John 16:5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, `Where are you going?' I: John 16:10,16,28 6:62 Jn 7:33 Jn 13:3 Jn 14:28 Jn 17:4,13 Eph 4:7-11 Heb 1:3 12:2 Whither: John 13:36 14:4-6 Related Passages: John 13:36+ Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” John 14:5+ Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” JESUS REITERATES HE IS RETURNING TO HIS FATHER But now - This term of contrast coupled with a time phrase (now) indicates that a change is imminent. I am going to Him who sent Me - Jesus plainly declares to His loving disciples that He is returning to the Father (Jn 16:10, 17, 28) after He accomplishes His work on the Cross (Jn 17:4+). And none (oudeis) of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going - NET - "not one of you is asking." Why didn't they ask Jesus where He was going? Jesus explains why in the following verse. Yes Peter had asked in Jn 13:36+ “Lord, where are You going?” (cf Thomas' question in Jn 14:5+). They were focused on themselves not the Savior and neither Peter or Thomas was really interested in learning where Jesus was going as much as in protesting the fact that He going! As Leon
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Spurgeon - Sometimes we do not ask enough questions. We ask too many questions of doubt; it would be well if we were to ask a few more questions of believing curiosity. There are some things that we ought to wish to know; and Christ encourages his people to come to him for information.....We sometimes endure a needless sorrow, for the asking of a single question might remove it. Our Lord says to his disciples, “If you knew where I was going, and understood my motive in going, your sorrow at my departure would be assuaged.” (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) A T Robertson on none of you asks Me - Now that they realize that Jesus is going, the thoughts of the disciples turn on themselves and they cease asking the query of Peter (John 13:36). NET NOTE - Now the theme of Jesus’ impending departure is resumed (I am going to the one who sent me). It will also be mentioned in Jn 16:10, 17, 28. Jesus had said to his opponents in Jn 7:33 that he was going to the one who sent him; in Jn 13:33 he had spoken of going where the disciples could not come. At that point Peter had inquired where he was going, but it appears that Peter did not understand Jesus’ reply at that time and did not persist in further questioning. In Jn 14:5 Thomas had asked Jesus where he was going. Now none of the disciples asks Jesus where he is going, and the reason is given in the following verse: They have been overcome with sadness as a result of the predictions of coming persecution that Jesus has just spoken to them in Jn 15:18–25 and 16:1–4a. Their shock at Jesus’ revelation of coming persecution is so great that none of them thinks to ask him where it is that he is going. John 16:6 “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. John 16:20-22 14:1,27,28 20:11-15 Lu 22:45 24:17 SORROW IN FACE OF SEPARATION But because I have said these things to you, sorrow (lupe) has filled (pleroo) your heart (kardia) - Jesus knows that when something like sorrow fills one's heart, it has the potential to control the way one thinks and acts. Filled means filled to the brim and in the perfect tense means they became sorrowful in past and continued in the state of sorrow. What fills a person controls them, so clearly sorrow was controlling the.
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Spurgeon - They were thinking more of their loss by his going away from them than of his gain in going back to his Father. If they had thought of the glory into which he was so soon to enter, they would have ceased to sorrow, and would have rejoiced with exceeding joy, but they seem to have loved themselves better than they loved their Lord; hence his absence, which ought to have given them many reasons for rejoicing, became to them a cause for grief......They were cast down because he was going away from them. Love awoke fear. It was a hard thing for them to have to miss him; they could not tell what might happen to them when their Leader was gone from their midst. Do you wonder that they were filled with sorrow? Yet there was no real cause for grief; there was rather reason for rejoicing when they understood the true lesson of Christ’s departure. There is no real cause for your sorrow, dear friends. If you knew all things, you would rejoice exceedingly in that very thing that now most troubles you. (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) Sorrow (grief) (3077) lupe see verb form lupeo) means sadness, grief, pain, sorrow. Lupe is used in Septuagint of Ge 3:16 (twice) of literal pain in childbirth, but most NT uses are figurative of pain in one's heart ("heartache"). Lupe is a word that describes that which is grievous or produces an emotional "heaviness". Lupe was a word used of persons mourning. In secular Greek lupe was sometimes used to describe pain experienced by the physical body, but more often was used figuratively for mental and/or emotional anguish. The King James' translation of the verb form (lupeo) as heaviness parallels our colloquial sayings like -- "It weighs heavy on my soul" or "My soul is weighed down with affliction." or "My soul is so burdened." Ek lupe is a phrase used as an adverb in 2Cor 9:7 and means "with a grieved spirit, reluctantly, grudgingly." Paul used lupe 4x in a negative sense (as here in Ro 9) to express his deep concern over spiritual matters - Israel's unbelief (Ro 9:2), other's attitudes toward his ministry (2Cor 2:1,3), the near death of a beloved fellow worker (Php 2:27). Lupe describes the grief caused by sin in the life of a believer (2Co 2:7). Our giving to the Lord should never be motivated by regret (lupe) but in dramatic contrast by a cheerful heart (2Cor 9:7). In 2Cor 7:10 Paul "qualifies" what defines true repentance, making a contrast between false grief that the lost world express versus "godly grief" that the Spirit uses to lead the broken person to repentance. Sorrow = distress of mind especially implying a sense of loss - deep distress, sadness, or regret especially for the loss of someone or something loved; resultant unhappy or unpleasant state. One dictionary says sorrow is derived from the German sorge = care, concern, uneasiness which is in turn from the same root as sore, heavy. Interesting word picture of this word! The 1828 Webster's Dictionary has this entry for sorrow - The uneasiness or pain of mind which is produced by the loss of any good, real or supposed, or by disappointment in the expectation of good; grief; regret. The loss of a friend we love occasions sorrow; the loss of property, of health or any source of happiness, causes sorrow. We feel sorrow for ourselves in misfortunes; we feel sorrow for the calamities of our friends and our country. Grief = deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement. 1828 Webster = The pain of mind produced by loss, misfortune, injury or evils of any kind; sorrow; regret. We experience grief when we lose a friend, when we incur loss, when we consider ourselves injured, and by sympathy, we feel grief at the misfortunes of others. The pain of mind occasioned by our own misconduct; sorrow or regret that we have done wrong; pain accompanying repentance. We feel grief when we have offended or injured a friend, and the consciousness of having offended the Supreme Being, fills the penitent heart with the most poignant grief. Lupe - 16v - grief(2), grudgingly*(1), pain(1), sorrow(10), sorrowful(1), sorrows(1). Lk. 22:45; Jn. 16:6; Jn. 16:20; Jn. 16:21; Jn. 16:22; Rom. 9:2; 2 Co. 2:1; 2 Co. 2:3; 2 Co. 2:7; 2 Co. 7:10; 2 Co. 9:7; Phil. 2:27; Heb. 12:11; 1 Pet. 2:19 Heart (2588) kardia does not refer to the physical organ (over 800 uses in Scripture) but is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and center of human life. The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will. The heart is the "desire-producer that makes us tick" (G. Archer) generating "desire-decisions" that establish who we really are. The term "heart" is used in the Hebrew sense of the entire person-mind, feelings, and will. No outward obedience is of the slightest value unless the heart turns to God. Kardia as stated above refers not to the physical organ (over 800 mentions and none refer to the physical organ!), but is always used figuratively to center of our personality, to so to speak to our "control center" (to make a play on the "air traffic control center" at the airport which carefully guards and guides what flies in and what flies out. How applicable to our "hearts" which are so prone to wander!). In short kardia refers to the the affective center of our being wherein lies the capacity of moral preference and volitional desire. The kardia generates thoughts that make the decisions which the mind works out. In other words, our logic flows out of our heart-decisions and not vice versa. Gleason Archer called the kardia, the "desire-producer that makes us tick" for it is the place where our "desire-decisions" occur, and which establish who we really are. WHO ARE YOU? HAVE YOU HAD A HEART CHECK UP RECENTLY? We are assiduous to do this medically, but woefully lax in doing it spiritually (beloved, I speak from experience!). At regeneration God reverses the spiritual atherosclerosis of our old sinful heart by giving us a total heart transplant! Daily confession and repentance are thereafter necessary to avoid "spiritual atherosclerosis" and gradual, subtle hardening (and becoming cold to the things of God) of our heart! (Read and practice daily "preventative maintenance" = 1 Jn 1:9+, Pr 28:13+). One's heart is the center of his personality. Each believer is responsible for the condition of his heart (cf. Prov. 3:1, 3, 5; Pr 4:23; 20:9). Marvin Vincent on heart (kardia) in John 14:1 - Never used in the New Testament, as in the Septuagint, of the mere physical organ, though sometimes of the vigor and sense of physical life (Acts 14:17; James 5:5; Luke 21:34). Generally, the center of our complex being—physical, moral, spiritual, and intellectual. See on Mark 12:30. The immediate organ by which man lives his personal life, and where that entire personal life concentrates itself. It is thus used sometimes as parallel to ψυχή, the individual life, and to πνεῦμα the principle of life, which manifests itself in the ψυχή. Strictly, καρδία is the immediate organ of ψυχή, occupying a mediating position between it and πνεῦμα. In the heart (καρδία) the spirit (πνεῦμα), which is the distinctive principle of the life or soul (ψυχή), has the seat of its activity. Emotions of joy or sorrow are thus ascribed both to the heart and to the soul. Compare John 14:27, "Let not your heart (καρδιά) be troubled;" and John 12:27, "Now is my soul (ψυχή) troubled." The heart is the focus of the religious life (Matthew 22:37; Luke 6:45; 2 Timothy 2:22). It is the sphere of the operation of grace (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:15; 24:32; Acts 2:37; Romans 10:9, 10). Also of the opposite principle (John 13:2; Acts 5:3). Used also as the seat of the understanding; the faculty of intelligence as applied to divine things (Matthew 13:15; Romans 1:21; Mark 8:17). Kardia in Gospel of John - Jn. 12:40; Jn. 13:2; Jn. 14:1; Jn. 14:27; Jn. 16:6; Jn. 16:22; ILLUSTRATION - Erwin W. Lutzer, "One of my great encouragements is to be friends with those who were personally acquainted with A. W. Tozer. This man, who knew God so intimately, had days when he was so discouraged he felt he could not continue as a minister. A man who instructed thousands in the deep things of God often felt he was a miserable failure." John 16:7 “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. KJV John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. BGT John 16:7 ἀλλ᾽ ἐγὼ τὴν ἀλήθειαν λέγω ὑμῖν, συμφέρει ὑμῖν ἵνα ἐγὼ ἀπέλθω. ἐὰν γὰρ μὴ ἀπέλθω, ὁ παράκλητος οὐκ ἐλεύσεται πρὸς ὑμᾶς· ἐὰν δὲ πορευθῶ, πέμψω αὐτὸν πρὸς ὑμᾶς. NET John 16:7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. CSB John 16:7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don't go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you. ESV John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. NIV John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. NLT John 16:7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. NRS John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. NJB John 16:7 Still, I am telling you the truth: it is for your own good that I am going, because unless I go, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. NAB John 16:7 But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. YLT John 16:7 'But I tell you the truth; it is better for you that I go away, for if I may not go away, the Comforter will not come unto you, and if I go on, I will send Him unto you; MIT John 16:7 Nevertheless, I am stating the truth for you: It is to your advantage that I should leave. For if I do not depart, your companion will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. I tell: John 8:45,46 Lu 4:25 9:27 Ac 10:34 It: John 11:50-52 14:3,28 Ro 8:28 2Co 4:17 the Helper will not come to you: John 7:39 14:16,17,26 15:26 but: Ps 68:18 Lu 24:49 Ac 1:4,5 2:33 Eph 4:8-13 Related Passage: John 7:37-39+ Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 11:50+ nor do you take into account that it is expedient (sumphero) for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” John 14:16-17+ “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. A STARTLING CLAIM JESUS' ABSENCE BETTER THAN HIS PRESENCE But (alla) is a strong term of contrast marking a dramatic change or an "about face," so to speak. In short this but marks a major shift in the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Several versions translate this as "nevertheless" which means in spite of that or notwithstanding. The idea is that despite all of what He had said and their sorrowful reaction, the tide would soon change and their sorrow would be turned to joy, for not only would Jesus rise from the dead but He would send His Spirit 50 days later. Recall His promise of the Spirit in John 15:26-27+... “When the Helper (Comforter - parakletos) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth Who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify (martureo gives us our English word martyr which most of the disciples would become!) also, because you have been with Me from the beginning." Comment - The coming of the Spirit would provide the disciples the necessary supernatural power (Acts 1:8+) and boldness (a "fruit" of the Spirit => Acts 4:31+) to be mighty witnesses for their Lord. And of course we too have access to the same power and boldness. I tell you the truth (aletheia), it is to your advantage (benefit, profit - sumphero) that I go away - Imagine the disciple's initial reaction, wondering how Jesus' departure could possibly to their advantage? He emphasizes that this is the truth (I tell you the truth) not because He had ever lied but He wanted the disciples to grasp this truth and let it grab their hearts and minds. He knew what He was telling them was not easy to believe. The going of Jesus would accomplish the work of redemption and the coming of His Spirit would enable the disciples to realize His promise of "greater works." (Jn 14:12+) Henry Alford writes that "It is expedient for you, implies that the dispensation of the Spirit is a more blessed manifestation of God than was even the bodily presence of the risen Saviour.” (John 16 Commentary) The Comforter is better for us than the personal presence of Christ C H Spurgeon - “And he will be of more service to you than I could be even if I were to remain with you.” The presence of the Spirit of God in the Church is better for the present dispensation than even the bodily presence of Christ would be.....And the Comforter is better for us than the personal presence of Christ. We do not always think so; but it is true. It is better for the Church to have the Holy Spirit in the midst of her, than for Christ to be here in the bodily presence on the earth. (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) Bob
João 16
Spurgeon - The superlative excellence of the Holy Spirit John 16:7 (Sermon - The Superlative Excellence of the Holy Spirit) Without the Holy Spirit no good thing ever did or ever can come into any of your hearts—no sigh of penitence, no cry of faith, no glance of love, no tear of hallowed sorrow. Your heart can never beat with life divine, except through the Spirit; you are not capable of the smallest degree of spiritual emotion, much less spiritual action, apart from the Holy Spirit. Dead you lie, living only for evil, but absolutely dead for God until the Holy Spirit comes and raises you. The flowers of Christ are all exotics—‘In me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.’ ‘Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.’ Everything must come from Christ, and Christ gives nothing to men except through the Spirit of all grace. Prize, then, the Spirit as the channel of all good which comes into you. And further, no good thing can come out of you apart from the Spirit. Let it be in you, yet it lies dormant unless God works in you to will and to do of his own good pleasure. Do you desire to preach? How can you unless the Holy Spirit touches your tongue? Do you desire to pray? Alas, what dull work it is unless the Spirit makes intercession for you. Do you desire to subdue sin? Would you be holy? Would you imitate your Master? Do you desire to rise to superlative heights of spirituality? Are you wanting to be made like the angels of God, full of zeal and ardour for the Master’s cause? You cannot without the Spirit—‘Without me ye can do nothing.’ O branch of the vine, you can have no fruit without the sap. O child of God, you have no life within you apart from the life which God gives you through his Spirit. C H Spurgeon - The indwelling and outflowing of the Holy Spirit John 16:7 (Sermon - The Indwelling and Outflowing of the Holy Spirit) What a word is this! ‘Rivers of living water’!! Oh that all professing Christians were such fountains. See how spontaneous it is: out of the midst of him ‘shall flow’. No pumping is required; nothing is said about machinery and hydraulics; the man does not want exciting and stirring up, but, just as he is, influence of the best kind quietly flows away from him. Did you ever hear a great hubbub in the morning, a great outcry, a sounding of trumpets and drums, and did you ever ask, ‘What is it?’ Did a voice reply, ‘The sun is about to rise, and he is making this noise that all may be aware of it’? No, he shines, but he has nothing to say about it; even so the genuine Christian just goes about flooding the world with blessing, and so far from claiming attention for himself, it may be that he himself is unconscious of what he is effecting. God so blesses him that ‘his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper’, for he is ‘like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season’: his verdure and fruit are the natural outcome of his vigorous life. Oh, the blessed spontaneity of the work of grace when a man gets into the fullness of it, for then he seems to eat and drink and sleep eternal life, and he spreads a savour of salvation all round. And this is to be perpetual, not like intermittent springs which burst forth and flow in torrents and then cease, but it is to be an everyday out gushing. In summer and winter, by day and by night, wherever the man is, he shall be a blessing. As he breathes, he shall breathe benedictions; as he thinks, his mind shall be devising generous things; and when he acts, his acts shall be as though the hand of God were working by the hand of man. James Smith - THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT Acts 1:8 To the believer the power of the Spirit is the power of an ever present Divine Personality (John 16:7-14). 1. His is convicting power (John 16:8, margin). 2. His is life-giving power (John 6:63). 3. His is teaching power (John 16:13). 4. His is revealing power (John 16:14). 5. His is witnessing power (Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:16). 6. His is interceding power (Rom. 8:26). 7. His is indwelling power (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19) D A Carson - BORROW For the Love of God - page 110 - Exodus 37; John 16; Proverbs 13; Ephesians 6 THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, the “Counselor” or Paraclete, is dependent on Jesus’ “going away,” i.e., his death by crucifixion, subsequent resurrection, and exaltation (John 16:7; cf. 7:37–39). This raises important questions about the relationship between the Spirit’s role under the old covenant, before the cross, and his role this side of it. That is worthy of careful probing. Here, however, John’s emphasis on the Spirit’s work must be made clear. At the end of John 15, the Counselor, we are told, will bear witness to Jesus, and to this task to which the disciples of Jesus will lend their voices (15:26–27). The prime witness falls to the Spirit. In John 16:8–11, the Counselor convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He does so because Jesus is returning to the Father and no longer exercises the role of convicting people himself. If the Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus in 15:26–27 and brings conviction to people by continuing the work of Jesus in 16:8–11, in 16:12–15 he brings glory to Jesus by unpacking Christ to those who attended that Last Supper (the “you” in v. 12 cannot easily be taken in any other way, and controls the other instances of “you” in the rest of the paragraph; cf. also 14:26). As Jesus is not independent of his Father, but speaks only what the Father gives him to say (5:16–30), so the Spirit is not independent of the Father and the Son: “He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears” (16:13). His focus is Jesus: “He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you” (16:14). And of course, even here what belongs to Jesus comes from the Father: “All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you” (16:15). The reason why Jesus himself has not unpacked everything about himself and his mission to the disciples is that they are not yet ready to bear it (16:12). Even this late in their discipleship, they cannot quite integrate in their own minds the notion of a King-Messiah and the notion of a Suffering Messiah. Until that point is firmly nailed down, the way they read their Scriptures—what we call the Old Testament—will be so skewed by political and royal aspirations that they are not going to get it right. How much of the Spirit’s work focuses on Jesus Christ—bearing witness to him, continuing certain aspects of his ministry, unpacking his significance! Charles Stanley - MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS JOHN 16:7–15 KEY VERSE: JOHN 16:1 These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. God has definite plans for each of our lives and is very interested and involved in our every decision. In light of this fact, how should we go about making important decisions? The Lord has our interests at heart every single second of our lives. There is no time at which He does not care about us or long for our very best. This is why He has promised in Psalm 16:11 to show us the path of life. Later, in Psalm 32:8, God promises to instruct us in the way we should go, and that He will guide us with His eye. In his book What God Wishes Christians Knew about Christianity, author Bill Gillham reminds us that God has a “helicopter view” above the parade of our lives. While we can only see the parade as it marches by, God sees the beginning, middle, and end of our parade. Why, then, would we not beseech the Lord to give us guidance not only in major decisions but also in our daily choices? Do you prayerfully submit to the Lord the choices you face? Do you rejoice in the fact that He has given you His Holy Spirit as a pilot in your search for guidance? Or do you navigate without first checking with your pilot, proceeding as if your personal philosophy holds that it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission? Dear God, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who provides guidance for my way and gives me wisdom for making important decisions. THE GREAT HELPER JOHN 16:7–15 James Smith The Lord Jesus Christ is mighty to save a sinner; the Holy Spirit is mighty to help a saint. The word “Comforter” has been variously translated. The terms “Advocate,” “Paraclete,” “Helper,” have been used. In Romans 8:26, we read that “The Spirit helpeth our infirmities”—literally taketh hold with me. The same word is used in Luke 10:40, but nowhere else in the New Testament. “Bid her therefore that she help me.” The Holy Spirit has come, as one who is willing and mighty to “take hold with me,” that I might be helped in doing the will and work of God. I. The Condition of His Coming. “If I go not away, the Helper will not come unto you, but if I go, I will send Him (not it) unto you” (v. 7). Christ had to go, taking humanity into the character and presence of God, before the Spirit could come, bringing divinity into the character and presence of man (Acts 2:33). The bodily absence of the Redeemer was to ensure the spiritual presence of the Helper. The Spirit could not be given till Jesus was glorified (John 7:39). The coming of the Helper was the proof that Christ’s atoning work was perfected, and that the Father, Son, and Spirit, were all most desirous that men should be helped into possession of the present and eternal fruits of the saving work of Jesus Christ. II. His Mission in the World. “I will send Him unto you; and He, when He is come, He will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (v. 8, R.V.). While the Spirit’s attitude to the Church is that of an Helper, His attitude to the world is that of a Convicter. There are three things the world needs to be convicted of: Sin, righteousness, and judgment. 1. “Of SIN, because they believe not on Me” (v. 9). The great sin of the world, in the eyes of the Holy Spirit, is unbelief—believing not the Son of God. His mission is to glorify Christ (v. 14), and the first thing He does is to convict of the sin of rejecting His Word and sacrifice. 2. “Of RIGHTEOUSNESS, because I go to My Father.” Christ could not go to His Father until He had gone to the Cross and the grave as an atonement for sin. To go to His Father, He must rise again from the dead. His resurrection and ascension secures for us that righteousness which His death for our sins had prepared. He died for our offences, He rose again for our justification (Rom. 4:25). On the Cross He was made sin for us; now at the Father’s right hand He is made of God unto us righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30). This is the righteousness that the world needs, and that the Holy Spirit seeks to convict it of. Our own righteousnesses are as filthy rags in His sight. 3. “Of JUDGMENT, because the prince of this world hath been judged” (v. 11, R.V.). As surely as the prince of this world (Devil) has already been judged, and brought under condemnation by Christ’s death and resurrection, so has every unbeliever. “He that believeth not hath been judged already” (John 3:18, R.V.). This is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men love the darkness rather than the light. The Spirit has come to convict concerning judgment. All down through these ages the Holy Spirit has been, as it were, prosecuting the world, bringing it to judgment, because of its criminal attitude toward the Son of God. How is this work done? Does the Spirit use any medium, through which He convicts the men of the world? The last clause of verse 7 should surely not be separated in thought from verse 8. “If I depart, I will send Him unto you, and when He is come—unto you—He will convict the world.” It was when the Spirit had come with power unto Peter, that the three thousand were “pricked in their heart,” on the day of Pentecost. A powerless Christian, or a powerless Church will never be successful in convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. This needed work cannot be done in any other way, but by the Holy Ghost, the Almighty Helper. III. His Mission to the Church. To the redeemed of God the Holy Spirit has come— 1. AS A GUIDE INTO ALL TRUTH. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all the truth” (v. 13, R.V.). He is the Spirit of truth, because He has come out from Him who is “The Truth,” in His person and doctrine. He guides into the truth, because the Spirit searcheth into the deep things of God (2 Cor. 2:10). O soul, thirsting for the truth as it is in Jesus, receive the guidance of this heavenly Helper; ask Him, and depend upon Him to do it. This holy anointing teacheth you all things and is truth (1 John 2:27). 2. AS A REVEALER OF THE THINGS OF CHRIST. “He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall declare it unto you” (vv. 14, 15). He helps us all He can, by taking the things that are Christ’s—by right of His sufferings and death—things purchased for His people by His own blood; and to declare them, or make them known unto us, that He might glorify the Son, by filling up and making fruitful the lives of His redeemed ones (John 15:8). Blessed Helper, help me to enter into this most precious inheritance. “All things are yours, for ye are Christ’s.” 3. AS AN EXAMPLE OF SELF-ABANDONED SERVICE. “He shall not speak from Himself; but whatsoever things He shall hear, these shall He speak; and He shall declare unto you the things that are to come” (v. 13, R.V.). His ministry was one of entire self-abnegation. As Christ sought, through self-emptying, to glorify the Father, so the Holy Spirit likewise sought to glorify the Son: we also, through self-renunciation, must honour the Holy Spirit. The Son of God spake not from Himself (John 14:10, R.V.). Neither did the Holy Spirit, neither should we. Self-will, and self-wisdom, and every other form of self-assertiveness, is a usurping of the Holy Spirit. If we would have the help of the Spirit in our ministry for Christ, we shall not speak from our own authority, but whatsoever things we shall hear—from Him—these shall we speak, and shall declare the things that are to come. JOHN 16:7 A RESOURCE OF POWER As a child of God, the Holy Spirit lives within my heart. Christ came into the world, He died, He was buried, He was resurrected, and He ascended into heaven. Before He ascended, He said, “Before I go, I want you to know I am going to send a Comforter who is not only going to be with you—He is going to be in you.” The Holy Spirit is that Comforter whom Christ sent to live within us. By virtue of my sonship, I have a permanent spiritual resource—the Holy Spirit living within me. He helps me to walk, talk, and live like a son of God, something I couldn’t do if He weren’t within me. The standard for living life as a child of God is far beyond anything I could ever produce on my own. But when Christ came to live within my heart, He put His blessed Holy Spirit within me. Because I have the Spirit of the Father in me, I am identified as one of His children. The Holy Spirit in me is far better than a calling card. With the Holy Spirit, I have access to my heavenly Father at any time. That is a resource of power that I cannot have any other way (David Jeremiah - BORROW A Resource of Power - page 26) Are You Tuned In? The Holy Spirit . . . will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. — John 14:26 Today's Scripture : John 16:7-15 When I was growing up, I stayed with my grandparents for a week or two every summer. They lived on a street that dead-ended into some railroad tracks. I would often awaken several times on my first night as the box cars rumbled by or when an engineer blew the train whistle. By the end of my visit, however, I had grown so accustomed to the noise that I could sleep straight through the night without interruption. I had tuned out the sounds. There are other interruptions that I don’t want to tune out! I love it when my husband unexpectedly brings me a cup of coffee when I’m working at the computer. And it brings me joy when I receive an unexpected call from a friend. Sometimes we’re tempted to tune out “divine interruptions” of the Holy Spirit instead of listening to His promptings. He may nudge us with a realization that we need to ask forgiveness for something we said or did. Or persistently remind us that we should pray for someone who is experiencing a crisis. Or convict us that we have never fully shared Jesus with a person we care about. Holy Spirit, help us hear Your inner promptings, soft and clear; And help us know Your still, small voice So we may make God’s will our choice. —D. De Haan Make the right choice: Obey the Spirit’s voice. We Need Help I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. —John 14:16 Today's Scripture : John 16:7-15 I like to do jobs around the house by myself. One day I disassembled our heavy ping-pong table and strained as I carried it to the basement piece by piece. I was sore for a while after hauling the sections down the steps. Sometimes, though, I need to ask for help. There’s no way I’m climbing on the roof to retrieve a stranded toy without someone holding the ladder. And some jobs I simply cannot do without the know-how of my handy brother-in-law. To succeed in our walk of faith as Christians, we all need help. We can’t do it by ourselves. We need the help of all three Persons of the Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—to give us guidance, strength, and instruction. Look at what Jesus said before He went to the cross. He told His disciples that He was going away but He would send them a Helper—the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). He knew that His followers could not fulfill their purpose in this world without the Spirit’s indwelling presence. Father, thank You for Your Spirit, Fill us with His love and power; Change us into Christ's own image Day by day and hour by hour. —Anon. God the Father gave us His Spirit to enable us to be like His Son. What If Jesus Hadn't Left? If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. — John 16:7 Today's Scripture : John 16:1-15 Have you ever wondered what Jesus might have accomplished if He hadn’t departed from this earth? Having risen from the grave, He had a glorified body that could pass through closed doors and be wherever He wanted to be by the mere thought. He could suddenly appear in a heated church business meeting, settle doctrinal disputes, and unite Christians! If He were physically present, Jesus could advise presidents and prime ministers, unite Arabs and Jews, settle border disputes, stop terrorists. On television and radio talk shows He could speak God’s mind on abortion, homosexuality, and physician-assisted suicide. God, however, had a better way. He chose to send a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who would do what Christ could never have done had He remained. Jesus can’t be in two places at once, but the Holy Spirit can. He can convince the world of its greatest sin—unbelief in Jesus. He can exalt Christ as the only righteous standard for everything we do. He can assure us that evil has been condemned and will fail, even though at times it seems to be winning. O spread the tidings 'round, wherever man is found, Wherever human hearts and human woes abound; Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come! —Bottome What Jesus accomplished for us, the Spirit works out in us. Ascension Day It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. — John 16:7 Today's Scripture : John 16:7-15 Four supernatural events have kept humanity from self-destructing. Like beacons of light across a storm-tossed sea, these miracles have shown the way of salvation to a world in despair. We celebrate them on Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, and Ascension Day. Most of us recognize the significance of Christ’s birth, when God became flesh; the cross, when sin’s penalty was paid; and the resurrection, when the power of death was broken. But what about His ascension? Why is that event so important? Jesus’ return to His Father affected the lives of everyone, believers and unbelievers alike. After returning to heaven, He sent the Spirit, who would show people their need for a Savior (John 16:8). Jesus said that the Spirit would also be the believer’s Helper (v.7) and Teacher (14:17; 16:13-15). Had Christ remained on this earth following His resurrection, His continuing ministry would have been limited. He would not have accomplished what He is presently doing through the Holy Spirit. Christ the Lord has sent the Spirit To convict of sin and pride, And to lead us to the Savior, Who for us was crucified. —DJD The Holy Spirit not only Comforts saints but also convicts sinners. The Best Influence Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. — Ephesians 5:18 Today's Scripture : John 16:7-15 Imagine waking up some morning, walking into your living room, and finding a huge man you had never seen before sleeping on your couch. That’s what happened to a Michigan pastor and his wife. In fact, it was the pastor’s wife who discovered the slumbering hulk. “Don’t be too alarmed,” she told her husband after she made her way back to the bedroom, “but there’s a big guy sleeping in our living room.” The police were summoned and the man was shaken out of his slumber. To everyone’s surprise it was discovered that he had once lived in the house, and because he was drunk he thought he had come home. Where we go and what we do depends on what we allow to influence us. That intruder chose to be under the control of alcohol, which deceived him and made him do something he would not normally do. Before Jesus returned to heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit to be our Helper and to guide us into all truth (Jn. 16:7,13). The Spirit does His work in our lives as we read the Word of God and obey what we’ve learned. We can be certain that as we allow Him to control our lives, He will never lead us astray. Breathe on me, Breath of God, Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love And do what Thou wouldst do. —Hatch The human spirit fails unless the Holy Spirit fills. Lesson Of The 18-Wheeler You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. — Acts 1:8 Today's Scripture : John 16:7-15 I was talking with a veteran truck driver about his life on the road. We discussed interstates, cities, truck stops, engines, and tractors. As he spoke about his huge rig, he referred several times to steering axles and drive axles. I asked him to explain the difference. He told me that the front axle of a truck is the steering axle. The drive axles, located under the rear of the cab, transfer the power that is generated by the diesel engine. It’s the drive axles that enable the semi to climb steep grades, inch down dangerous slopes, and barrel down the highway to get the load in on time. My discussion with that trucker gave me a new appreciation for those 18-wheelers, and it reminded me of a spiritual truth. Just as steering axles and drive axles are essential to a tractor-trailer, so also direction and power are vital to followers of Christ as we travel through life. The Holy Spirit provides us with both. He was sent to guide us into all truth (Jn. 16:13) and to teach us (1 Cor. 2:10-16). We are empowered by the Spirit to witness (Acts 1:8), to pray (Rom. 8:26), and to live a hope-filled life (15:13). The Spirit gives us power to live A life that's pleasing to the Lord; He also guides us and provides Direction in God's holy Word. —Sper The power that drives us comes from the Spirit inside us. Connected to the Power Source Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Today's Scripture & Insight : 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 5:19 Despite knowing that the electricity wasn’t working in our house after a strong storm (an inconveniently common occurrence in our neighborhood), I instinctively flipped on the light switch when I entered the room. Of course, nothing happened. I was still enveloped in darkness. That experience—expecting light even when I knew the connection to the power source was broken—vividly reminded me of a spiritual truth. Too often we expect power even as we fail to rely on the Spirit. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul wrote of the way God caused the gospel message to come “not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction” (1:5). And when we accept God’s forgiveness, believers too have immediate access to the power of His Spirit in our lives. That power cultivates in us characteristics such as love, joy, peace, and patience (Galatians 5:22–23) and it empowers us with gifts to serve the church, including teaching, helping, and guiding (1 Corinthians 12:28). When have you felt the Spirit’s power to be limited? How have you experienced the power of God’s Spirit? Almighty God, help me experience the power of Your Spirit in my life. James Smith - THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER. Acts 1:4. Jesus Christ is the gift of God to the world; the Holy Spirit is the gift of Father and of Son to the Church. Both gifts should be thankfully accepted and equally enjoyed. I. What this Promise is. It is the promise— 1. OF AN INDWELLER (John 14:16). 2. OF A COMFORTER (John 16:7). 3. OF A WITNESS (John 15:16). II. The Conditions of Receiving the Promise. This promise was not made to the world—only to those who had obeyed Him, and were desirous of following Him. 1. BELIEVING. 2. WAITING (Luke 24:49). 3. THIRSTING (Isa. 44:3). III. The Results which follow— 1. POWER TO WILL ACCORDING TO GOD'S MIND (Phil. 2:13). 2. POWER TO WALK ACCORDING TO GOD'S WAY (Ezek. 36:27). 3. POWER TO WITNESS ACCORDING TO GOD'S WORD (Acts 1:8; 4:33) Why The Ascension? If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. —John 16:7 Today's Scripture : John 16:5-15; Luke 24:50-53 God raised Jesus from the grave and exalted Him to His right hand in heaven (Ephesians 1:20). Yet for 40 days Jesus made many bodily appearances to His disciples. But the 40th day was different. With His disciples looking on, He slowly ascended into the sky until a cloud hid Him from view (Acts 1:9). Why didn’t Jesus continue His visible appearances on earth? He had told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would not begin His work until after He left (John 16:7). The time had come for His followers to trust His word instead of relying on their physical senses (20:25,29). Their Master’s slow, visible, and final ascent was a dramatic way of saying to them that a new era was about to begin. From heaven Jesus would send the Holy Spirit to replace His bodily presence. Christ would form the church and rule as its Head (Ephesians 1:22-23). By His Spirit, He would live within His followers and fill them with peace and power. In heaven He would intercede for them before the Father’s throne (Hebrews 7:25). He would no longer be visibly present, but He would still be with them in a very real way (Matthew 28:19-20). He who came to save us, He who bled and died, Now is crowned with glory at His Father's side; Nevermore to suffer, nevermore to die, Jesus, King of glory, is gone up on high. —Havergal Jesus ascended to heaven that He might continue His work on earth. John 16:8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; KJV John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: BGT John 16:8 καὶ ἐλθὼν ἐκεῖνος ἐλέγξει τὸν κόσμον περὶ ἁμαρτίας καὶ περὶ δικαιοσύνης καὶ περὶ κρίσεως· NET John 16:8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment– CSB John 16:8 When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: ESV John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: NIV John 16:8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: NLT John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. NRS John 16:8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: NJB John 16:8 And when he comes, he will show the world how wrong it was, about sin, and about who was in the right, and about judgement: NAB John 16:8 And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: YLT John 16:8 and having come, He will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment; MIT John 16:8 When your companion comes, he will convict the world with regard to sin, righteousness; and judgment. GWN John 16:8 He will come to convict the world of sin, to show the world what has God's approval, and to convince the world that God judges it. BBE John 16:8 And he, when he comes, will make the world conscious of sin, and of righteousness, and of being judged: RSV John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: NKJ John 16:8 "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ASV John 16:8 And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: DBY John 16:8 And having come, he will bring demonstration to the world, of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: He will: Zec 12:10 Ac 2:37 16:29,30 Convict, John 8:9,46 1Co 14:24 Jude 1:15 Related Passages: John 3:20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed (elegcho). Acts 2:37 (CONVICTION OF SIN) Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” THE HOLY SPIRIT -- THE "CONVICTOR" Jesus now proceeds to describe some of the work of the Spirit, beginning with His work in the world, those who are unregenerate, with the goal of saving souls. And He, when He comes, will convict (elegcho) the world (kosmos) concerning sin (hamartia) and righteousness (dikaiosune) and judgment (krisis) - When He comes refers to at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Will convict (elegcho) is the key to the Spirit's ministry and means to bring to the light so as to expose. Convict (elegcho) is a legal term used when an attorney presents his case in such a clear light that the truth of his client’s position becomes obvious. This makes sense because He is the Spirit of truth, and one of His major ministries is to expose error in a person's heart and make it obvious to that person that it is in fact sin. He pronounces the verdict "Guilty!" R C Trench adds the idea is "to rebuke another, with such effectual wielding of the victorious arms of the truth, as to bring him, if not always to a confession, yet at least to a conviction, of his sin.” (Synonyms) While the Spirit is the One Who convicts, it is disciples of Christ who "take the stand" so to speak and witness for Christ. The Spirit uses this witness to convict.
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Spurgeon - What, a Comforter reprove? Yes. The Holy Spirit never comforts till he has reproved. There must be a reproof of sin before there can be comfort in Christ. And while the Spirit comforts saints, he reproves the world. (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) Merrill Tenney explains that "The Spirit does not merely accuse men of sin, he brings to them an inescapable sense of guilt so that they realize their shame and helplessness before God.” (See The Expositor's Bible Commentary) A T Robertson on convict the world concerning sin - Jesus had been doing this (John 7:7), but this is pre-eminently the work of the Holy Spirit and the most needed task today for our complacent age. David
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Spurgeon - John 16:8–11 The Holy Spirit’s threefold conviction of men (Sermon - The Holy Spirit's Threefold Conviction of Men) Here we see as in a map the work of the Spirit upon the hearts of those who are ordained unto eternal life. Those three effects are all necessary, and each one is in the highest degree important to true conversion. First, the Holy Spirit ‘is come’ to convince men of sin. It is absolutely necessary that men should be convinced of sin. The fashionable theology is, ‘Convince men of the goodness of God: show them the universal fatherhood and assure them of unlimited mercy. Win them by God’s love, but never mention his wrath against sin, or the need of an atonement, or the possibility of there being a place of punishment. Do not censure poor creatures for their failings. Do not judge and condemn. Do not search the heart or lead men to be low-spirited and sorrowful. Comfort and encourage, but never accuse and threaten.’ Yes, that is the way of man; but the way of the Spirit of God is very different. He comes on purpose to convince men of sin, to make them feel that they are guilty, greatly guilty, so guilty that they are lost, ruined and undone. He comes to remind them not only of God’s loveliness, but of their own unloveliness, of their own enmity and hatred to this God of love, and, consequently, of their terrible sin in thus ill-using one so infinitely kind. The Holy Spirit does not come to make sinners comfortable in their sins, but to cause them to grieve over their sins. He does not help them to forget their sin, or think little of it, but he comes to convince them of the horrible enormity of their iniquity. It is no work of the Spirit to pipe to men’s dancing: he does not bring forth flute, harp, dulcimer, and all kinds of music to charm the unbelieving into a good opinion of themselves; but he comes to make sin appear sin, and to let us see its fearful consequences. He comes to wound so that no human balm can heal: to kill so that no earthly power can make us live. Cod Liver Oil Coercion When the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. — John 15:26 Today's Scripture : John 16:8-11 A woman bought a bottle of cod liver oil to give to her dog so he could have a healthier and shinier coat. Every morning, she pried the dog’s jaws open and forced the liquid down his throat. He struggled, but she persisted. He doesn’t know what’s good for him! she thought. Faithfully, each day she repeated the process. One day, however, the bottle tipped over and she released her grip on the dog for just a moment to wipe up the mess. The dog sniffed at the fishy liquid and began lapping up what she had spilled. He actually loved the stuff. He had simply objected to being coerced! Sometimes we use a similar method in telling others about Christ. Called buttonholing, it’s an intense, in-your-face kind of confrontation. While earnestly desiring to share the gospel, we may end up repelling people instead. In our sincere but overly enthusiastic attempt, we create resistance. We are called to share the good news, but we are not responsible for someone’s acceptance or rejection of Christ. It’s not our job to try to convict someone of sin. That’s the Holy Spirit’s responsibility (John 16:8). The Spirit’s role is to convict The world of all their sin So they will seek forgiveness and Be cleansed and changed within. —Sper The Spirit convicts so that Christ might cleanse. John 16:9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; John 3:18-21 5:40-44 8:23,24,42-47 12:47,48 15:22-25 Mk 16:16 Ac 2:22-38 3:14-19 7:51-54 26:9,10 Ro 3:19,20 7:9 1Th 2:15,16 1Ti 1:13 Heb 3:12 10:28,29 Related Passages: John 3:19+ “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. John 8:24+ Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” John 12:37+ But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. Romans 14:23 (UNBELIEF GOES HAND IN HAND WITH SIN) But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. THE FOREMOST CONVICTION NECESSARY = SIN Concerning sin (hamartia), because (term of explanation) they do not believe (pisteuo in present tense = longstanding refusal to believe) in Me - Sin is often described as missing the mark and Jesus states that He (His message and His mission) is the "mark" men miss. As alluded to earlier sin is singular and does not refer so much to sins committed but to a person's refusal to believe in Jesus. The ultimate sin that will take one to hell is unbelief (Jn 3:18+, John 8:24+)! The Spirit convicts sinners of sin that they might begin to see their need for the Savior! The good news is that the same Spirit Who convicts, is the same Spirit Who regenerates (Titus 3:5+). While conviction of sin is not conversion, it is an integral component of the New Birth (regeneration), for until one realizes they are spiritually dead (Eph 2:1+), they cannot appreciate their desperate need to be born again (Jn 3:3-7+). Kenneth Gangel adds "The work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians convicts unsaved people because their message radiates Christ. Unbelief is the condemning sin that closes the door to heaven and opens the door to hell. People do not go to hell because they smoke, drink, or curse but because they reject faith in Christ." (SEE Holman New Testament Commentary - John - Page 299) An excellent OT illustration of conviction of sin is when Nathan the prophet confronted David after his sin with Bathsheba. David covered up this sin for many months until it was brought to the light by Nathan and undoubtedly the ministry of the Spirit (2Sa 12:1-15+, Pr 28:13, Ps 32:3-4). David was convicted to the point of genuine repentance, declaring "Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge." (Ps 51:4+) We see a New Testament example of this divine dynamic in the response to Peter's first sermon... Now when they heard this, they (JEWS IN JERUSALEM) were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”(Acts 2:37-40+) Steven
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Spurgeon - “A sinner is a sacred thing: the Holy Ghost hath made him so. Your sham sinner is a horrid creature; but a man truly convinced of sin by the Spirit of God is a being to be sought after as a jewel that will adorn the crown of the Redeemer.”.....What must be the depth of human wickedness that sinners will not accept a Divine Saviour! This is the crowning, crushing proof of human guilt: “They believe not on me.” Spurgeon - The greatest sin in all the world is, not believing on Jesus. Our Lord did not say, “Of sin, because of the evil of drunkenness.” That is a great sin, a cursed sin, and there are other great sins; but Christ said, “Of sin, because they believe not on me.” That is the root sin, the foundation sin, the sin that keeps a man in his sin. (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) ILLUSTRATION - J Edwin Orr tells the story in the great awakening of 1860-61 in Great Britain, of a high-ranking army officer who described the conviction of sin in residents in the Scottish town of Cellardyke -- “Those of you who are at ease have little conception of how terrifying a sight it is when the Holy Spirit is pleased to open a man’s eyes to see the real state of heart. Men who were thought to be, and who thought themselves to be good, religious people . . . have been led to search into the foundation upon which they were resting, and have found all rotten, that they were self-satisfied, resting on their own goodness, and not upon Christ. Many turned from open sin to lives of holiness, some weeping for joy for sins forgiven.” (BORROW - J. Edwin Orr, The Second Evangelical Awakening in Britain) Believe (4100) pisteuo from pistis; pistos; related studies the faith, the obedience of faith) means to consider something to be true and therefore worthy of one’s trust. To accept as true, genuine, or real. To have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something or someone. To consider to be true. To accept the word or evidence of. Pisteuo means to entrust oneself to an entity in complete confidence. To believe in with the implication of total commitment to the one who is trusted. As discussed below Christ is the object of this type of faith that relies on His power and nearness to help, in addition to being convinced that His revelations or disclosures are true. Pisteuo can refer to an "heart belief" (saving faith, genuine belief that leads to salvation, this believing involves not only the consent of the mind, but an act of the heart and will of the subject) or an intellectual belief (mental assent, "head" knowledge, not associated with bringing salvation if it is by itself), both uses demonstrated by Jesus statement in John 11:26+, "Everyone who lives and believes (pisteuo - refers to genuine saving faith) in Me shall never die. Do you believe (pisteuo- intellectually) this?" Related Resources on faith: See NIDNTT discussion of the word group "Faith" - 18 page discussion of this important topic Pisteuo in John's writings - MOST USES IN NT ARE IN GOSPEL OF JOHN Jn. 1:7; Jn. 1:12; Jn. 1:50; Jn. 2:11; Jn. 2:22; Jn. 2:23; Jn. 2:24; Jn. 3:12; Jn. 3:15; Jn. 3:16; Jn. 3:18; Jn. 3:36; Jn. 4:21; Jn. 4:39; Jn. 4:41; Jn. 4:42; Jn. 4:48; Jn. 4:50; Jn. 4:53; Jn. 5:24; Jn. 5:38; Jn. 5:44; Jn. 5:46; Jn. 5:47; Jn. 6:29; Jn. 6:30; Jn. 6:35; Jn. 6:36; Jn. 6:40; Jn. 6:47; Jn. 6:64; Jn. 6:69; Jn. 7:5; Jn. 7:31; Jn. 7:38; Jn. 7:39; Jn. 7:48; Jn. 8:24; Jn. 8:30; Jn. 8:31; Jn. 8:45; Jn. 8:46; Jn. 9:18; Jn. 9:35; Jn. 9:36; Jn. 9:38; Jn. 10:25; Jn. 10:26; Jn. 10:37; Jn. 10:38; Jn. 10:42; Jn. 11:15; Jn. 11:25; Jn. 11:26; Jn. 11:27; Jn. 11:40; Jn. 11:42; Jn. 11:45; Jn. 11:48; Jn. 12:11; Jn. 12:36; Jn. 12:37; Jn. 12:38; Jn. 12:39; Jn. 12:42; Jn. 12:44; Jn. 12:46; Jn. 13:19; Jn. 14:1; Jn. 14:10; Jn. 14:11; Jn. 14:12; Jn. 14:29; Jn. 16:9; Jn. 16:27; Jn. 16:30; Jn. 16:31; Jn. 17:8; Jn. 17:20; Jn. 17:21; Jn. 19:35; Jn. 20:8; Jn. 20:25; Jn. 20:29; Jn. 20:31; 1 Jn. 3:23; 1 Jn. 4:1; 1 Jn. 4:16; 1 Jn. 5:1; 1 Jn. 5:5; 1 Jn. 5:10; 1 Jn. 5:13 ILLUSTRATION OF CONVICTION BUT NOT CONVERSION - Rebecca Rupp tells us that young Ben Franklin composed a master list of twelve resolutions that would guide his life. He kept track of his performance in a small book in which he entered a black mark every day for each resolution broken. Franklin had intended to reuse the little book, eventually erasing all the black marks as his performance improved. It did not. So many black marks appeared on top of black marks that the little book developed holes. He had to resort to keeping his records on a piece of ivory, from which the accumulated black marks could be erased with a wet sponge. What a chasing after the wind by this brilliant man, when it would have taken only one drop of the precious blood of Christ to have covered all Franklin's black marks....forever! Benjamin Franklin was an admirer of Whitefield, although he did not share his faith. Franklin reports that on one occasion George Whitefield was raising money for an orphanage, and Franklin had resolved not to give any money. But, as he listened to Whitefield preach, he decided he could give a few copper coins. As he listened longer, he decided he could give some silver coins as well. By the end of the sermon, he resolved to give everything he had with him. A friend who had taken the precaution of emptying his pockets before coming to the meeting attempted to borrow money in order to give. John 16:10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; righteousness: Isa 42:21 45:24,25 Jer 23:5,6 Da 9:24 Ac 2:32 Ro 1:17 3:21-26 Ro 5:17-21 8:33,34 10:3,4 1Co 1:30 15:14-20 2Co 5:21 Ga 5:5 Php 3:7-9 1Ti 3:16 Heb 10:5-13 because: John 3:14 5:32 THE SPIRIT HELPS US SEE OURSELVES AS GOD SEES US And concerning righteousness (dikaiosune) - Jesus is describing the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit, first regarding sin and now regarding righteousness. Note the Spirit does not convict the world of unrighteousness, but righteousness, the righteousness of Jesus Christ. By means of His resurrection God the Father placed the stamp of approval upon Jesus' life and sacrifice (Ro 1:4). Righteousness is the standard of God's character to which all of our thoughts, words and deeds must be compared. And when the Spirit holds that "divine straight-edge" of Christ's righteousness up to our life, we see how crooked and how far short we all fall from the perfect righteousness of Christ! To say it another way, the Spirit helps us see ourselves as God sees us (falling far short of God's righteous standard!) He convicts sinners of their lack of righteousness which is acceptable to God. All sinners can produces is self-righteousness or works based righteousness, which is unacceptable to God. C H Spurgeon - Christ was righteous, the righteous One, whom men rejected, for he has gone up to the Father's side, where he could not have been if he had not perfected righteousness. The very going back of Christ to the Father’s throne proves that righteousness does exist, and convicts men of sinning against it. Another way to see the Spirit's conviction regarding righteousness is that He convicts men of their self righteousness or works based righteousness, ("There is none righteous, not even one." Ro 3:10+) and in so doing shows them it is inadequate when compared to Christ's righteousness (see Mt 5:20+). One is reminded of Isaiah 64:6 which says "all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment." (cf Gal 2:16+) John
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Spurgeon - The gospel judges him, and dethrones him; and as there has been a judgment of the world’s king, so there will be a judgment of the world itself..... When Christ came here, there was a crisis, a judgment; and sin was judged and condemned; and the prince of the world, the chief sinner in the world, received his death-blow: “the prince of this world is judged.” (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) The second way of interpreting concerning judgment is that the Spirit convicts sinners that judgment is coming and it will be an individual judgment, for all men will be held responsible and accountable to God. The Spirit convicts men that a future day of judgment is a real day on the calendar of every person ever born and that he or she must stand face to face with the Judge, Jesus Christ (Jn 5:22+). The writer of Hebrews says "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment." (Heb 9:27+). Sinners who reject Christ are already under judgment. John says "he who does not believe (IN JESUS) has been judged already." (Jn 3:17-18+) John 3:36+ says “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” While all of the statements in this paragraph are true, they are probably not the most accurate interpretation. J Vernon McGee is representative of those who favor the less likely interpretation - God has already declared you a lost sinner, and He has already judged you. -- "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23+). We live in a world that has already been judged and is like the man waiting in death row for his execution. The judgment against all of us is "Guilty" because all our own righteousnesses are as filthy rags in the sight of God. If we had to stand before God in our own filthy rags, we would not only be ashamed of ourselves, but we would also see how guilty we are. Remember that Paul reasoned with old Felix concerning judgment to come. That frightened him. Today many people don't like to hear about judgment, and they resent it a great deal. Edwin Blum is similar to
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Spurgeon - You have not yet received the Spirit of God as you shall do after my departure, and then your capacities shall be enlarged, so that you shall be able to understand deep truths which are altogether beyond your comprehension at present.”....Some teachers overload their hearers with truth till I might truly say that they pile on the agony. Truth which cannot be received is often most irksome and burdensome to the hearer; when the mind is not in a fit condition to bear any more instruction, it is cruel work to impose it. Our Lord Jesus did not so overburden his disciples: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) NET NOTE - In what sense does Jesus have many more things to say to the disciples? Does this imply the continuation of revelation after His departure? This is probably the case, especially in light of Jn 16:13 and following, which describe the work of the Holy Spirit in guiding the disciples into all truth. Thus Jesus was saying that he would continue to speak (to the twelve, at least) after his return to the Father. He would do this through the Holy Spirit whom he was going to send. It is possible that an audience broader than the twelve is addressed, and in the Johannine tradition there is evidence that later other Christians (or perhaps, professed Christians) claimed to be recipients of revelation through the Spirit-Paraclete (1 John 4:1–6). Kenneth Gangel points out that John 16:12 is "a good example of progressive revelation—the principle that God does not dump all truth at one time and expect us to remember it but teaches us truths as we need to know them. The Bible itself is the greatest example of this as we read God's progressive unfolding of the plan of salvation from Genesis to Revelation. (See Holman New Testament Commentary) A T
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Spurgeon - This is a very wonderful expression: “He shall not speak of himself.” We have plenty of men, nowadays, who boast that they do speak of or from themselves; that is to say, they profess to borrow from no one, not even from God. They are original thinkers, inventors; they bring forth fresh things out of the depth of their wonderful minds; but even the Holy Ghost is here said not to “speak of himself.” That is just our business, to hear God’s message, and then to speak it; and if the Holy Ghost does this, and if Jesus did it, we also may be glad to do the same. We are no inventors of great novelties; we are simply the message-bearers of the Most High, the declarers of the old truths which God has revealed to us. (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John)
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Spurgeon - The Holy Spirit—the great Teacher (Sermon - The Holy Ghost – The Great Teacher) If I give myself to the Holy Spirit and ask his guidance, there is no fear of my wandering. Again, we rejoice in this Spirit because he is ever-present. We fall into a difficulty sometimes; we say, “Oh, if I could take this to my minister, he would explain it; but I live so far off, and am not able to see him.” That perplexes us, and we turn the text round and round and cannot make anything out of it. We look at the commentators. We take down pious Thomas Scott, and, as usual, he says nothing about it if it be a dark passage. Then we go to holy Matthew Henry, and if it is an easy Scripture, he is sure to explain it; but if it is a text hard to be understood, it is likely enough, of course, left in his own gloom. And even Dr Gill himself, the most consistent of commentators, when he comes to a hard passage, manifestly avoids it in some degree. But when we have no commentator or minister, we have still the Holy Spirit. And let me tell you a little secret: whenever you cannot understand a text, open your Bible, bend your knee, and pray over that text; and if it does not split into atoms and open itself, try again. If prayer does not explain it, it is one of the things God did not intend you to know, and you may be content to be ignorant of it. Prayer is the key that openeth the cabinets of mystery. Prayer and faith are sacred keys that can open secrets, and obtain great treasures. There is no college for holy education like that of the blessed Spirit, for he is an ever-present tutor, to whom we have only to bend the knee, and he is at our side, the great expositor of truth. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Adapted from The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Abridged Version page 347 The Holy Spirit in Relation to Creation and Revelation 1. Active in creation Ge 1:2; Job 33:4 2. Imparts life to God’s creatures Ge 2:7; Job 33:4; Ps 104:30 3. Inspired the prophets and apostles Nu 11:29; Isa 59:21; Mic 3:8; Zec 7:12; 2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:21 4. Speaks through the Word 2Sa 23:1–2; Ac 1:16–20; Eph 6:17; Heb 3:7–11; 9:8; 10:15 The Holy Spirit in Relation to Jesus Christ 1. Jesus was conceived in Mary by the Spirit Mt 1:18, 20–23; Lk 1:34–35 2. Was filled with the Spirit Mt 3:16–17; Mk 1:12–13; Lk 3:21–22; Lk 4:1 3. Preached in the Spirit Isa 11:2–4; 61:1–2; Lk 4:16–27 4. Performed miracles by the power of the Spirit Isa 61:1; Mt 12:28; Lk 11:20; Ac 10:38 5. Will baptize believers in the Holy Spirit Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33; Ac 1:4–5; 11:16 6. Promises the Holy Spirit Jn 7:37–39; 14:16–18, 25–26; 15:26–27; 16:7–15 7. Is revealed to believers by the Spirit Jn 16:13–15 8. Offered himself on the cross through the Spirit Heb 9:14 9. Was raised from the dead by the Spirit Ro 1:3–4; 8:11 10. Received the Spirit from the Father Jn 16:5–14; Ac 2:33 11. Poured out the Spirit upon believers Ac 2:33, 38–39 12. Is glorified by the Spirit Jn 16:13–14 13. Spirit prays for his return Rev 22:17 SEE ALSO Walk Like Jesus Walked The Holy Spirit in Relation to the Church 1. Dwells in the church as his temple 1Co 3:16; Eph 2:22; cf. Hag 2:5 2. Is poured out upon the church Ac 1:5; 2:1–4, 16–21; cf. Isa 32:15; 44:3; Hos 6:3; Joel 2:23–32 3. Speaks to the church Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 27; 3:6, 13, 22 4. Creates fellowship in the church 2Co 13:14; Php 2:1 5. Unites the church 1Co 12:13; Eph 4:4 6. Gives gifts to the church Ro 12:6–8; Eph 4:11 7. Strengthens the church Ac 4:30–33; 1Co 12:7–13; 14:1–33 8. Appoints leaders for the church Ac 20:28; Eph 4:11 9. Works through Spirit-filled people Ac 6:3, 5, 8; 8:6–12; 15:28, 32; cf. Nu 27:18; Jdg 6:34; 1Sa 16:13; Zec 4:6 10. Empowers preachers 1Co 2:4 11. Directs the missionary enterprise Ac 8:29, 39; 13:2–4; 16:6–7; 20:23 12. Guards the church against error 2Ti 1:14 13. Warns the church of apostasy 1Ti 4:1; cf. Ne 9:30 14. Equips the church for spiritual warfare Eph 6:10–18 15. Glorifies Christ Jn 16:13–15 16. Promotes righteousness Ro 14:17; Eph 2:21–22; 3:16–21; 1Th 4:7–8 SEE ALSO A Spirit Filled Church The Holy Spirit in Relation to Individual Believers 1. Lives in every believer Ro 8:9, 11; 1Co 6:15–20; 2Co 3:3; Eph 1:13; Heb 6:4; 1Jn 3:24; 4:13 2. Convicts us of sin Jn 16:7–11; Ac 2:37 3. Regenerates us Jn 3:5–6; 14:17; 20:22; Ro 8:9; 2Co 3:6; Tit 3:5 4. Imparts God’s love to us Ro 5:5 5. Makes us realize God is our Father Ro 8:14–16; Gal 4:6 6. Enables us to say “Jesus is Lord” 1Co 12:3 7. Reveals Christ to us Jn 15:26; 16:14–15; 1Co 2:10–11 8. Reveals God’s truth to us Ne 9:20; Jn 14:16–17, 26; 16:13–14; 1Co 2:9–16 9. Enables us to distinguish truth from error 1Jn 4:1–3 10. Incorporates us into the church 1Co 12:13 11. Is given to all who ask Lk 11:13 (Is given to EVERY believer when we are born again) 12. Baptizes us into Christ Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33; Ac 1:4–5; 11:16; 1Co 12:13 13. Fills us Lk 1:15, 41, 67; Ac 2:4; 4:8, 31; 6:3–5; 7:55; 11:24; 13:9, 52; Eph 5:18 14. Gives us power and boldness to witness Lk 1:15–17; 24:47–49; Ac 1:8; 4:31; 6:9–10; 19:6; Ro 9:1–3 15. Gives us special gifts Mk 16:17–18; 1Co 1:7; 12:7–11; 1Pe 4:10–11 16. Gives visions and prophecy Joel 2:28–29; Ac 2:17–18; 10:9–22; 1Co 14:1–5, 21–25 17. Develops his fruit in us Ro 14:17; 1Co 13; Gal 5:22–23; 1Th 1:6 18. Enables us to live a holy life Ps 51:10–12; 143:10; Eze 11:19–20; 37:26; Ro 8:4–10; 15:16; Gal 5:16–18, 25; Php 2:12–13; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2 19. Frees us from the power of sin Ro 8:2; Eph 3:16 20. Enables us to fight Satan with the Word Eph 6:17 21. Enables us to speak in difficult moments Mt 10:17–20; Mk 13:11; Lk 12:11–12 22. Gives us comfort and encouragement Jn 14:17–18, 26–27; Ac 9:31 23. Helps us to pray Ac 4:23–24; Ro 8:26; Eph 6:18;, Jude 20 24. Enables us to worship Jn 4:23–24; Ac 10:46; Eph 5:18–19; Php 3:3 25. Is our pledge of final redemption 2Co 1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:13–14 26. Makes us yearn for Christ’s return Ro 8:23; Rev 22:20 27. Gives life to our mortal bodies Ro 8:11 THE HOLY GHOST OUR TEACHER Author: James Smith There are two great personalities which are much forgotten in these days—the devil, the father of lies; and the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth. I. A DIVINE TEACHER IS NEEDED.—Every sinner needs a Divine Saviour; every saint needs a Divine Teacher. "He shall teach" (John 14:26) ought to be as real to us as " He shall save" (Matt. 1:21). This great Teacher is needed because— 1. THE THINGS OF GOD KNOWETH NO MAN (1 Cor. 2:11). Every unregenerate man is ignorant of the things of God. Man cannot find out God by searching; only by revelation. This revelation is by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:11). 2. THE NATURAL MAN CANNOT RECEIVE THE THINGS OF GOD (1 Cor. 2:14). Not only has the Holy Spirit to reveal the things of God, but He must also change the heart, and give the nature to receive them. 3. HOLY MEN OF OLD WERE TAUGHT BY THE SPIRIT (2 Peter 1:21). Holy men to-day must have the same Teacher. He shall guide you into all truth (John 16:13). II. A DIVINE TEACHER HAS COME.— 1. HE WAS SENT BY THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF THE SON (John 14:26). Both Father and Son are deeply interested in the education of His children. This gift implies that there is much more for Christians in this life than mere salvation from wrath. 2. HE HAS COME TO INSTRUCT (Neh. 9:30). Two things every Christian ought to be—clean and wise. Ignorance of the things of God is an evidence of a grieved Spirit. 3. HE SEARCHETH ALL THINGS (1 Cor. 2:10). This Teacher is all-sufficient; the deep mysteries of God are known to Him and revealed by Him. 4. HE ABIDETH IN YOU (John 14:17). "Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost" (1 Cor. 6:19). He is always at hand, so that "Ye need not that any man teach you" (1 John 2:27). 5. HE SPEAKETH IN YOU (Matt. 10:12). He must speak through us before He can speak to us. It is not ye that speak, for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. III. THE CHARACTER OF HIS TEACHING.— He is the Spirit of wisdom, counsel, and knowledge (Isa. 11:2). This text will be best understood by reading it backwards. 1. HE SHALL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF (John 16:13). Like Christ, He makes Himself of no reputation. Does this feature of our Teacher characterise us? Not I, but Christ. 2. HE AWAKENETH THE EAR (Isa. 1:4, R.v.). Lord, give us the hearing ear. Ears some have, but they hear not. Why? Asleep. 3. HE USES THE WORD (Eph. 6:17). Being the Spirit of truth He delights in the word of truth and seeks to guide us into the truth. 4. HE RECEIVES THE THINGS OF GOD FOR US (John 16:14). All the fulness is in Christ; the Spirit receives and takes of the things of Christ that He might show them unto us. 5. HE SHOWS THINGS TO COME (John 16:13). Now, since Christians are beginning to honour the Holy Spirit, they are beginning to understand "things to come." 6. HE BRINGS TO REMEMBRANCE (John 14:26). He writes the truth in the heart and recalls it to our minds when needed. His memory never fails Him. Filled with the Spirit is the cure for a bad memory. 7. HE DIVIDES HIS GIFTS (1 Cor. 12:8). "He divideth to every man severally as He will." (1 Cor. 12:11). Covet earnestly the best gifts. Who teacheth like Him? (Job 36:22). IV. THE PRIVILEGES OF THE TAUGHT.— 1. THEY KNOW HIM (Eph. 1:17), not only as their Saviour, but as their daily sufficiency and coming King. 2. THEY KNOW WHAT IS FREELY GIVEN THEM (1 Cor. 2:12). They have, by faith, laid hold on the unsearchable riches of Christ. To such the promises are precious. 3. THEY ARE QUICK TO UNDERSTAND (Isa. 11:3). Being taught of God they have the mind of God, and so quickly apprehend His will. 4. THEY SPEAK IN WISDOM (1 Cor. 2:13). The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue. 5. THEY HAVE AN HOLY UNCTION (1 John 2:20). The heavenly breath is felt where the Spirit is. Paul judged not by the speech but by the power (1 Cor. 4:19-20). 6. THEY NEED NO OTHER TEACHER (1 John 2:27). Whether we read or hear the Word of God, let us sit at His feet. Learn of Me. 7. THEY ARE HELPFUL TO OTHERS (Isa. 1:4 r.v.). This is the secret of a useful life—God working in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. John MacDuff - The Bible is a temple. Unlike that in which Simeon stood, whose holiest courts were open only to a favored few, it is patent to every worshipper. Glorious temple it is! God’s own words its living stones; His immutable promises its pillars; His oath and covenant its foundations; its walls salvation; its gates praise; Jesus Christ its corner-stone; prophets, apostles and saints its high priests, giving forth the responses of Deity! But what will all the glories of this temple be to us, unless, like Simeon, we be led there of the Holy Ghost? Without His influence we shall find a deserted sanctuary. We may have the name of Jesus on our lips and His praises on our tongue; but without the Spirit of God, there will be “no beauty that we should desire Him.” Godspeed! If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him. — 2 John 1:10 Today's Scripture : 2 John 1:1-11 In 1962, John Glenn made history as the first American to orbit the Earth. As the rocket ascended, ground control said, “Godspeed, John Glenn.” “Godspeed” comes from the expression, “May God prosper you.” Though we don’t often hear this word today, the apostle John used it in his second epistle: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed” (2 John 1:10 kjv). John has been referred to as “the apostle of love,” so why would he warn believers against pronouncing a blessing on others? Traveling evangelists were dependent on the hospitality of Christians to provide them with room and board. John was telling the believers that biblical truth is important. If itinerant missionaries were not preaching doctrine consistent with apostolic teaching, believers were not to bless their work by providing lodging or financial assistance. Dear Lord, You know my heart. I love You and want Your kingdom to prosper. Give me Your wisdom to know where You want me to take part and how. Thank You. God’s Spirit through His Word gives wisdom to discern truth from error. Rerouting . . . Rerouting In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. —Proverbs 3:6 Don’t worry. I know right where I’m going,” I said to my passengers. Then an almost-human voice ratted me out: “Rerouting . . . rerouting.” Now everyone knew I was lost! These days, millions of drivers recognize those words, or others like them, as a sign they’ve gone off track or missed a turn. The GPS device not only recognizes when a driver is off course, but immediately begins plotting a new path to get back on track. Sometimes followers of Jesus need help to get back on track spiritually. We may intentionally veer off course because we think we know best, or drift away slowly, failing to notice we’re moving further and further from the walk God wants with us. God has not left us on our own, however. He has given all believers the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17; 1 Cor. 3:16), who convicts us of our sin (John 16:8,13). When we’re going off course, He sounds the alarm and triggers our conscience (Gal. 5:16-25). We may ignore the warning, but we do so to our own detriment (Isa. 63:10; Gal. 6:8). Holy Spirit, we would hear Your inner promptings, soft and clear; And help us know Your still, small voice So we may make God’s will our choice. —D. DeHaan We’re never without a helper, because we have the Spirit within. Companion And Guide When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. — John 16:13 Today's Scripture : John 16:5-15 Lisa Marino has a personal fitness coach who gives her daily advice and encouragement. But she’s never seen him. As a participant in a program called “Life Practice,” Lisa begins each day by sending a report of her diet, exercise, sleep, and stress to a Web site. Later, she receives an e-mail response from her coach. She says that the daily reporting helps keep her honest and focused on her fitness goals. As Christians, we know the marvelous yet mysterious experience of having the Holy Spirit as our companion and guide—even though we can’t see Him. Jesus promised His disciples that when He left this earth He would send Someone else to be with them. “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7). The word translated “Helper” or “Comforter” means “called to one’s side or aid.” Bible scholar W. E. Vine says that it signifies Someone who can be to us what Christ was to His disciples. The Father gave us the Spirit to make us like His Son. Insight from the Spirit When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. John 16:13 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:12–15 As the French soldier dug in the desert sand, reinforcing the defenses of his army’s encampment, he had no idea he would make a momentous discovery. Moving another shovelful of sand, he saw a stone. Not just any stone. It was the Rosetta Stone, containing a listing of the good things King Ptolemy V had done for his priests and the people of Egypt written in three scripts. That stone (now housed in the British Museum) would be one of the most important archaeological finds of the nineteenth century, helping to unlock the mysteries of the ancient Egyptian writing known as hieroglyphics. For many of us, much of Scripture is also wrapped in deep mystery. Still, the night before the cross, Jesus promised His followers that He would send the Holy Spirit. He told them, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is, in a sense, our divine Rosetta Stone, shedding light on the truth—including truths behind the mysteries of the Bible. What are some portions of the Bible you have found difficult? List them and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into better understanding of those Scriptures. God of all truth, help me to rest in the Spirit of truth that I might better understand the wisdom You’ve provided. Read A Message for All Time: Understanding and Applying the Bible. Foley Artists Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. — 2 Corinthians 11:14 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:7-15 Crunch. Crunch. Whoosh! In the early days of film, Foley artists created sounds to support the story’s action. Squeezing a leather pouch filled with cornstarch made the sound of snow crunching, shaking a pair of gloves sounded like bird wings flapping, and waving a thin stick made a whoosh sound. To make movies as realistic as possible, these artists used creative techniques to replicate sounds. Like sounds, messages can be replicated. One of Satan’s most frequently used techniques is that of replicating messages in spiritually dangerous ways. Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 11:13-14, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” Paul is warning us about false teachers who turn our attention away from Jesus Christ and the message of His grace. We need You, Holy Spirit, to help us discern truth from error. We can be easily deceived by others or even by our own hearts. May we be open to learn from You and not be led astray. The Holy Spirit is our ever-present Teacher. The Advocate When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. John 16:13 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:7–15 As I boarded the airplane to study in a city a thousand miles from home, I felt nervous and alone. But during the flight, I remembered how Jesus promised His disciples the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’s friends must have felt bewildered when He told them, “It is for your good that I am going away” (John 16:7). How could they who witnessed His miracles and learned from His teaching be better off without Him? But Jesus told them that if He left, then the Advocate—the Holy Spirit—would come. Jesus, nearing His last hours on earth, shared with His disciples (in John 14–17, today known as the “Farewell Discourse”) to help them understand His death and ascension. Central in this conversation was the coming Holy Spirit, an advocate who would be with them (14:16–17), teaching (15:15), testifying (v. 26), and guiding them (16:13). We who have accepted God’s offer of new life have been given this gift of His Spirit living within us. From Him we receive so much: He convicts us of our sins and helps us to repent. He brings us comfort when we ache, strength to bear hardships, wisdom to understand God’s teaching, hope and faith to believe, love to share. Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to save us and Your Spirit to comfort and convict us. May we bring You glory as we thank You for Your goodness and love. The Holy Spirit fills Jesus’s followers. Guidance Needed When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. —John 16:13 Today's Scripture : John 16:13–17 St. Nicholas Church in Galway, Ireland, has both a long history and an active present. It’s the oldest church in Ireland, and it provides guidance in a very practical way. The church towers over the town, and its steeple is used by ships’ captains as a guide for navigating their way safely into Galway Bay. For centuries, this church has reliably pointed the way home for sailors. We can all certainly identify with the need for guidance. In fact, Jesus addressed this very need during His Upper Room Discourse. He said that after His departure the Holy Spirit would play a crucial role in the lives of believers. As part of that role, Jesus promised, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art mighty; Hold me with Thy powerful hand. —Williams The Spirit is a reliable guide in all of life’s seas. Spirit-taught, Spirit-led, Spirit-fed - Gleanings from the Inner Life of Ruth Bryan I want to be Spirit-taught, Spirit-led, Spirit-fed. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." Romans 8:14 "When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth." John 16:13 Adrian Rogers on John 16:13- Another way that you can know and discern the will of God is through the Spirit of God. His Holy Spirit does lead us when we learn to recognize His voice and to be led by what He reveals to us in our spirits. "All those led by God's Spirit are God's sons," Paul wrote in Romans 8:14. That's fairly plain and to the point, isn't it? "Led by God's Spirit." Galatians 5:18 says, "If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." The Holy Spirit of God leads. It is one of His many functions in the life of a believer. Brian Bell - For someone to guide you he must “see” the way, & lead you there. 2. A seeing eye dog is carefully trained to lead his master through the busiest traffic. And the dogs always seem so calm as they guide. They’re not easily excited. He does not wait for a chance to dash across between the cars. His eyes & ears always attentive. When all is clear, he safely guides the man across the busy street. The man is safe for he walks by faith in his guide. He trusts the “seeing eye”. 3. On the reverse of our 1$ bill we have on top of the almost completed pyramid, is “The All Seeing Eye” or actually “The Eye of Providence”. With the words Anglicized Latin words, Annuit Coeptis(septis) which is interpreted by the US State Dept as He(God) has favored our undertakings (brackets in orig) a) Many conspiracy theories: but Masons didn’t use their eye till 14 years later; the Mason’s version didn’t have the triangle; & among the 3 that designed it Benjamin Franklin was the only mason, & his design wasn’t adopted. b) The eye was used widely during the Medieval & Renaissance European iconography to symbolize the Christian Trinity. Vance Havner - ALL WE NEED TO KNOW He [the Spirit of truth] will guide you into all truth.... John 16:13. God does not tell us all we want to know about anything, but He will tell us all we need to know. There is so much here and hereafter that is hidden in mystery. There are unanswered whys and strange developments that make no sense. But we can know enough to carry us through the fog until we no longer see through a glass as in a riddle. We know, for instance, that He will keep what we have deposited with Him. We know that all things are working together for good to us in whom He is working out His purpose. That is enough to get through the mists of today to the morning of tomorrow. A Faithful Helper Read: Jeremiah 20:7-13 The Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. — Jeremiah 20:11 As a young boy, my father had to deliver slop to hungry pigs on the farm where he grew up. He hated this job because the hogs would knock him over when he entered their pen. This task might have been impossible except for a faithful helper who accompanied my dad—a German shepherd named Sugarbear. She would maneuver herself between my father and the pigs and hold them back until my dad finished his chore. The prophet Jeremiah had the difficult job of proclaiming God’s messages to the Israelites. This required him to endure physical abuse, verbal attacks, imprisonment, and isolation. Although Jeremiah struggled with deep discouragement, he had a Helper through all of his trouble. God promised him, “I am with you . . . to deliver you” (Jer. 1:19). You, God, have been our help forever. And You are our hope now and into eternity. We thank You that You will never desert us. You will be faithful. Our greatest hope here below is help from God above. James Smith - FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER 1 John 1:7 Here are several powerful reasons why believers ought to keep in fellowship with one another:— 1. All are born of the same Father (John 1:13). 2. All are bought with the same Price (1 Cor. 6:20). 3. All are members of the same Body (Col. 1:18). 4. All are taught by the same Spirit (John 16:13). 5. All are walking in the same Path (2 Cor. 5:7). 6. All are serving the same Master (Matt. 23:8). 7. All are heirs of the same Inheritance (Rom. 8:17). Corky We walk by faith, not by sight. — 2 Corinthians 5:7 Today's Scripture : John 16:5-16 Stephen Kuusisto grew up feeling a stigma about being legally blind. For him, sight consisted of a kaleidoscope of shapes, colors, and shadows. Privately he would press his face close to the page of a book and memorize street names in an exhausting attempt to appear more able to see than he really could. When Stephen was 39, his life changed after he acquired an affectionate and carefully trained guide dog named Corky. In learning to use Corky to lead him, Stephen reflected on the growing trust in their relationship. He said, “Faith moves from belief into conviction, then to certainty. We are a . . . powerhouse!” When Stephen admitted that he needed the help of a sighted companion, a new world of freedom and mobility opened up to him. I’d rather walk in the dark with God Than go alone in the light; I’d rather walk by faith with Him Than go alone by sight. —Anon. Where God guides, He provides. John 16:14 “He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. glorify: John 16:9,10 Ac 2:32-36 4:10-12 1Co 12:3 1Pe 1:10-12 2:7 1Jn 4:1-3,13,14 5:6 for: John 15:26 Zec 12:10 1Co 2:8-10 2Co 3:14-18 4:6 Ga 5:5 1Jn 3:23,24 1Jn 4:13,14 5:20 Rev 19:10 Related Passage: John 15:26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, THE FLOODLIGHT MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT He will glorify (doxazo) Me - The Son on earth brought glory to His Father (Jn 7:18, 17:4). In the future (future to Jesus' declaring this truth) the Spirit will give a proper opinion (glory) of Jesus Christ, making the significance of His Person and His work clear. It follows that a Spirit directed ministry is one which will glorify Christ (See A Spirit Filled Church). The Spirit's role reminds me of John the Baptist who said "He must increase, but I must decrease." (Jn 3:30+) John's role was to give a proper opinion about Jesus to the Jews. THOUGHT - Beware when a ministry focuses more on the Spirit than on Jesus Christ! Yes, the Spirit is God and yes we are to worship Him, but His focus in on the Son. When a ministry focuses more on the gifts and blessings of the Holy Spirit, they have an improper focus, for it does not glorify the Son. "Oh, that this blessed Spirit may continually show the things of Christ to us!" (Spurgeon) Steven
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Spurgeon - The Holy Spirit glorifying Christ John 16:14 - (Sermon The Holy Spirit Glorifying Christ) This is a most important principle to be held fast by all godly people, for the day may come when false prophets shall arise, and delude the people, and by this shall we be able to discover them; if they claim anything beyond what Christ has revealed, put them aside, for they are false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing. The Spirit only teaches us that which Christ has taught beforehand either by himself or by the inspired apostles. ‘He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.’ Just now we are in little danger from the excesses of fevered brains, for, as a rule, our sin is in being far too cold and dead to spiritual influences. I fear we are liable to another evil, and are apt to forget the person and work of the Comforter altogether. From many modern sermons would you know that there was a Holy Spirit? If it were not for the benediction or the doxology you might go in and out of many churches and meeting-houses by the year together, and scarcely know that there was such a person as that blessed, blessed giver of all good, the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we hear a little about his influences, as if the Holy Spirit were not as truly a person as even Jesus Christ himself, who in flesh and blood trod this earth. Oh, dear friends, I fear the first danger, that of running wild with whimsies and fancies about inner lights and new revelations; but I equally dread this last, this going forth to work with the sword, forgetting that it is the sword of the Spirit, and only mighty as the Holy Spirit makes it mighty ‘to the pulling down of strongholds.’ C H Spurgeon - John 16:14 - Faith's Checkbook Let us seek the illumination of the Spirit; not to gratify our curiosity, nor even to bring us personal comfort, so much as to glorify the Lord Jesus THE Holy Ghost himself cannot better glorify the Lord Jesus than by showing to us Christ’s own things. Jesus is his own best commendation. There is no adorning him except with his own gold. The Comforter shows us that which he has received of our Lord Jesus. We never see anything aright till he reveals it. He has a way of opening our minds, and of opening the Scriptures, and by this double process he sets forth our Lord to us. There is much art in setting forth a matter, and that art belongs in the highest degree to the Spirit of truth. He shows us the things themselves. This is a great privilege, as those know who have enjoyed the hallowed vision. Let us seek the illumination of the Spirit; not to gratify our curiosity, nor even to bring us personal comfort, so much as to glorify the Lord Jesus. Oh to have worthy ideas of him! Grovelling notions dishonour our precious Lord. Oh to have such vivid impressions of his person, and work, and glory, that we may with heart and soul cry out to his praise! Where there is a heart enriched by the Holy Ghost’s teaching there will be a Saviour glorified beyond expression. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly light, and show us Jesus our Lord. John 16:15 “All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you. John 3:35 Jn 10:29-30 Jn 13:3 Jn 17:2,10 Mt 11:27 28:18 Lu 10:22 Col 1:19 Col 2:3,9 Related Passages: John 3:35+ “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. John 10:29-30+ “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 “I and the Father are one.” John 13:3+ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, John 17:7+ “Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; John 17:10+ and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. Matthew 11:27+ “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Luke 10:22+ “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” THE SON'S POSSESSIONS All things that the Father has are Mine (cf Jn 17:10+) - In several other places it is made clear that all that belongs to the Father belongs to Jesus (Jn 3:35; Jn 13:3; Jn 17:7, 10). This phenomenal claim expresses Jesus' deity and oneness (unity) with His Father. He is the Son of God so it is fitting that the things of the Father are also the Son's. There is no division in the Godhead. William
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Spurgeon - They had asked so little that it came to nothing, and they had not yet learned the art of using his name in prayer; and a great many Christians have not learned it yet. Often they say, and they say very properly, “for Jesus Christ’s, sake.” That is good, but there is something better than to ask in his name. Suppose a person calls at any door and asks me to relieve him, out of love to some friend of mine. That is very well; but suppose he says, “I come from that friend of yours, and he told me to use his name, and to put whatever you did for me to his account. Why, that is a stronger plea altogether. Happy are they who know how to use the name, the authority, the claims, the rights of Jesus as an argument with which to back their prayers. (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) We have seemed to be carried away with an intense delight because God has heard our prayers Spurgeon on joy...full - You have got some joy, but there is room for more. Brethren, has your joy ever been full yet? Full? Could not you be more joyous? Oh! there have been times with some of us when we could not be more joyous than we were. We have asked, and we have received, and we have been so glad, that we hardly knew how to live under the blessed delirium of gladness. We have seemed to be carried away with an intense delight because God has heard our prayers. “That your joy may be full.” (Spurgeon's Exposition - Gospel of John) true prayer was not overcoming God’s reluctance, but overcoming God’s willingness Warren
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Spurgeon - John 16:33 Christ, the overcomer of the world - (Sermon Christ the Overcomer of the World) When men find themselves in a world like this, they generally say, ‘What is our market? What can we make out of it?’ This is how they are trained from childhood. ‘Boy, you have to fight your own way; mind you look to your own interests and rise in the world.’ The book which is commended to the young man shows him how to make the best use of all things for himself; he must take care of ‘number one’ and mind the main chance. The boy is told by his wise instructors, ‘You must look to yourself or nobody else will look to you: and whatever you may do for others, be doubly sure to guard your own interests.’ That is the world’s prudence, the essence of all her politics, the basis of her political economy; every man and every nation must take care of themselves: if you wish for any other politics or economics, you will be considered to be foolish theorists and probably a little touched in the head. Self is the man, the world’s law of self-preservation is the sovereign rule, and nothing can go on rightly if you interfere with the gospel of selfishness; so the commercial and political Solomons assure us. Now, look at the Lord Jesus Christ when he was in the world and you will learn nothing of such principles, except their condemnation: the world could not overcome him by leading him into a selfish mode of action. Did it ever enter into his soul, even for a moment, what he could do for himself? There were riches, but he had not where to lay his head. The little store he had he committed to the trust of Judas, and as long as there were any poor in the land they were sure to share in what was in the bag. He set so little account by estate, stock and funds that no mention is made of such things by any of his four biographers. He had wholly and altogether risen above the world. C H Spurgeon - John 16:33 - Sweet peace for tried believers (Sermon Sweet Peace for Tried Believers) These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.’ Our Lord Jesus Christ delights to see his people firm, calm, happy. I do not think that he is so pleased to see them excited, although we have those around us who seem to think that great grace can only display itself by raving and raging. The religion of the quiet Jesus was never intended to drive us to the verge of insanity. ‘He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.’ His Holy Spirit is no raven or eagle, but a dove: his holy influences are powerful and therefore calm. Weakness hurries, rages and shouts, for it needs to do so. Strength moves with its own deliberate serenity and effects its purpose. To those who think that saints should be maniacs, Jesus says, ‘Peace! Peace!’ On the other hand we are quite certain that our Lord Jesus does not desire his disciples to be depressed. To some the fit colour for piety seems to be grey, drab or full mourning. But it is not so: the saints are arrayed in white linen, which is the emblem of gladness as well as of purity. The Saviour does not wish his disciples to go through the world as through a twilight of sadness, whispering in fear because of judgments to come, and suppressing all joy because of the evils with which they are surrounded. No, brethren, Jesus wishes us all to be happy in himself, with a quiet peacefulness like his own. He was no laughing maker of merriment, but still he was serenely confident, and he would have us keep to his pitch and be at peace. ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.’ C H Spurgeon - Morning and Evening - John 16:33 Expect trouble then, but despond not on account of it, for God is with thee to help and to strengthen thee Art thou asking the reason of this, believer? Look upward to thy heavenly Father, and behold him pure and holy. Dost thou know that thou art one day to be like him? Wilt thou easily be conformed to his image? Wilt thou not require much refining in the furnace of affliction to purify thee? Will it be an easy thing to get rid of thy corruptions, and make thee perfect even as thy Father which is in heaven is perfect? Next, Christian, turn thine eye downward. Dost thou know what foes thou hast beneath thy feet? Thou wast once a servant of Satan, and no king will willingly lose his subjects. Dost thou think that Satan will let thee alone? No, he will be always at thee, for he “goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Expect trouble, therefore, Christian, when thou lookest beneath thee. Then look around thee. Where art thou? Thou art in an enemy’s country, a stranger and a sojourner. The world is not thy friend. If it be, then thou art not God’s friend, for he who is the friend of the world is the enemy of God. Be assured that thou shalt find foe-men everywhere. When thou sleepest, think that thou art resting on the battlefield; when thou walkest, suspect an ambush in every hedge. As mosquitoes are said to bite strangers more than natives, so will the trials of earth be sharpest to you. Lastly, look within thee, into thine own heart and observe what is there. Sin and self are still within. Ah! if thou hadst no devil to tempt thee, no enemies to fight thee, and no world to ensnare thee, thou wouldst still find in thyself evil enough to be a sore trouble to thee, for “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Expect trouble then, but despond not on account of it, for God is with thee to help and to strengthen thee. He hath said, “I will be with thee in trouble; I will deliver thee and honour thee.” Spurgeon - The very fact that you have troubles is a proof of His faithfulness; for you have got one half of His legacy, and you will have the other half. You know that Christ’s last will and testament has two portions in it. “In the world ye shall have tribulation:” you have got that. The next clause is—“In Me ye shall have peace.” You have that too. “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” That is yours also. James Smith - CHEER FOR THE TROUBLED. John 16:33. 1. The Place of Trial, "In the world." 2. The Secret of Victory, "I have overcome." 3. A Word of Comfort, "Be of good cheer." REST IN JESUS - JOHN 16:33 When we don’t know how this is all going to work out, we have to hold tightly to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and rest in Him. That’s the message we often find in the New Testament. In John 16:33 Jesus said to His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus had been talking about His future death, but then He said, “Don’t get caught up in that. Make sure in the midst of these tumultuous times your trust is in Me.” When we go through a tough time, if we’ve spent any time at all in the Word of God, that tough time is like a magnet that draws us to the Lord Jesus. Nothing will happen in the future that will catch Jesus Christ by surprise. And there’s nothing that will happen that He can’t help His children work through. So rather than spending our time trying to figure out the nuances of what will happen, we should spend at least as much time getting to know Him better. (David Jeremiah - BORROW A Resource of Power - page 34) Victim Or Victor Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 Today's Scripture : 1 John 5:1-5 The scar on my knee reminds me of a nasty fall from my first bicycle. While Mother bandaged my wound and Dad straightened my bike’s twisted handlebars, they reassured me that I could be a victor over this mishap rather than a victim. They were right! I’m much older now, but during adversity I still need to remember that I can be an overcomer. Jesus gave us grounds for good cheer and confidence by declaring, “I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). He accomplished this by His death and resurrection, and secured the victory for all generations. Preacher and author Watchman Nee (1903-1972) wrote, “Oh, that we might learn the undefeatedness of God!” According to Jesus, it’s possible to experience His “undefeatedness” in every adversity. Paul testified, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37). And the apostle John wrote, “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 Jn. 5:4). We need never be defeated By the trials that come our way; Since the Lord has overcome them, Victory is ours today. —Sper We can go through anything because Jesus goes with us. Streams in the Desert - John 16:33 - Borrow Streams in the Desert page 300 THERE is a vast difference between happiness and blessedness. Paul had imprisonments and pains, sacrifice and suffering up to the very limit; but in the midst of it all, he was blessed. All the beatitudes came into his heart and life in the midst of those very conditions. Paganini, the great violinist, came out before his audience one day and made the discovery just as they ended their applause that there was something wrong with his violin. He looked at it a second and then saw that it was not his famous and valuable one. He felt paralyzed for a moment, then turned to his audience and told them there had been some mistake and he did not have his own violin. He stepped back behind the curtain thinking that it was still where he had left it, but discovered that some one had stolen his and left that old second-hand one in its place. He remained back of the curtain a moment, then came out before his audience and said: “Ladies and Gentlemen: I will show you that the music is not in the instrument, but in the soul.” And he played as he had never played before; and out of that second-hand instrument, the music poured forth until the audience was enraptured with enthusiasm and the applause almost lifted the ceiling of the building, because the man had revealed to them that music was not in the machine but in his own soul. It is your mission, tested and tried one, to walk out on the stage of this world and reveal to all earth and Heaven that the music is not in conditions, not in the things, not in externals, but the music of life is in your own soul. If peace be in the heart, The wildest winter storm is full of solemn beauty, The midnight flash but shows the path of duty, Each living creature tells some new and joyous story, The very trees and stones all catch a ray of glory, If peace be in the heart. —Charles Francis Richardson. Not Taken, But Given In the world you will have tribulation. — John 16:33 Today's Scripture : Genesis 22:1-14 All of us hope that we will be the exception to Jesus’ words, “In the world you will have tribulation” (Jn. 16:33). But if we realize that hardship may be our Father’s wise plan for our lives, we will not be surprised and shocked when painful difficulty or tragedy occurs. William Sangster (1900-1960), the noted English preacher, visited a young girl in the hospital at a time when doctors were struggling in vain to keep her from becoming blind. With sadness she said to him, “God is going to take away my sight.” He listened but at first made no reply. Then he answered compassionately, “Don’t let Him, Jessie. Give it to Him.” “I don’t understand,” she responded. So he explained, “Try to pray this prayer: ‘Father, if I must lose my sight, help me to give it to You.'” Some through the waters, some through the flood, Some through the fire, but all through the blood, Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long. —Young God designs what we go through; we decide how we go through it. Take Heart! In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Today's Scripture & Insight : 2 Corinthians 4:8-18 I like to watch birds at play, so years ago I built a small sanctuary in our backyard to attract them. For several months I enjoyed the sight of my feathered friends feeding and flitting about—until a Cooper’s Hawk made my bird refuge his private hunting reserve. Such is life: Just about the time we settle down to take our ease, something or someone comes along to unsettle our nests. Why, we ask, must so much of life be a vale of tears? I’ve heard many answers to that old question, but lately I’m satisfied with just one: “All the discipline of the world is to make [us] children, that God may be revealed to [us]” (George MacDonald, Life Essential). When we become like children, we begin trusting, resting solely in the love of our Father in heaven, seeking to know Him and to be like Him. Cares and sorrow may follow us all the days of our lives, but “we do not lose heart. . . . For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18). Lord, we do rejoice even in our struggles because we are rejoicing in who You are and Your good purposes for us. You are powerful, loving, in control, and eternal. We trust You and love You. Heaven’s delights will far outweigh earth’s difficulties. Joseph Stowell - THE HIDING PLACE—John 16:33 (BORROW Strength for the journey : day-by-day with Jesus PAGE 52) This world is trouble looking for a place to happen. I have a friend who says that the trouble with life is that it is so daily! We all know about Murphy’s law. But we might not be aware of O’Toole’s law, which says that Murphy was an optimist! Actually, if we understood the depth of the Fall, we would be surprised that anything good happens at all. And when it does, it is an intervention of God’s amazing grace. Christ warned that in this world we would have trouble. In the face of that reality He welcomed us to find refuge in Him. He told His disciples, “In me you may have peace” (John 16:33). This peace is rooted in the realities of the things that Christ had just told the disciples. Christ gives us five resources for peace: our love for one another, the assured hope of His coming to take us to heaven, the provision of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the wonderful privilege of abiding in Him, and the opportunity through prayer to receive what we need (John 14:1–16:33). Christ went on to assure us that while He would give us peace in the midst of the world’s pain, He also would be the source for our courage and confidence, for He had “overcome the world.” Interestingly, the word overcome carries the suggestion of a past event that has a continuing effect. Not only has He conquered the fallen world system through His death and resurrection, but He also continues to provide victory for all who will find it in Him. The believer’s hope and confidence are that no matter how tough times get here, Christ’s overcoming power guarantees that “in all things God works for the good” (Romans 8:28). I don’t know what you expect from this world, but if you’re looking for peace in life, it is found only in Christ. Although this world is our place, He is our peace. No wonder He said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” Have you sought refuge in the things, people, and pleasures of this world? Rest in Him and make His truth your hiding place! Joseph Stowell - UNINTIMIDATED FAITH —John 16:33 (BORROW Strength for the journey : day-by-day with Jesus PAGE 252) I am not an alarmist by nature and I cringe when I hear doom and gloom conspiracy theories about clandestine plans to discredit Christians and our values. But in spite of my unrepentant optimism, I have to admit that increasingly I notice that Christians who unashamedly identify themselves with Christ are often marginalized and maligned. When Steve Jones won the U.S. Open in 1996, an irritated journalist wrote this of the victory: “Jones paid tribute to another source of inspiration—his religion. An avowed Christian, he was playing with Lehman, another Christian, and, somewhat to his surprise, Lehman turned to him on the first green and said: ‘Steve, God wants us to be strong and courageous, for that is the will of the Lord.’ Lehman said something similar on the 16th hole, too.” The story went on to censure Jones and Lehman: “Aside from expressing the old-fashioned concept that one player can encourage a rival, one has to say that the flaunting of God and religion is becoming wearing. . . . One does not know Jones’ shoe, hat or glove size, nor the state of his bank account. Do we need to know his religion?” Surprisingly, these reflections were not written in a personal opinion editorial, but rather in a lead article in the sports section of the Times, Great Britain’s leading daily. Do you ever wonder why the people least tolerated in our culture are those of us who believe that there is a right and a wrong and a God who will ultimately judge the rebellion mirrored in the hearts of mankind? That might seem like an odd bias in a culture that values tolerance above all else, but there is a reason for it. An unrighteous society is uncomfortable with reminders of God and His brand of righteousness. What do we do when we feel the increasing press of a resistant culture? We don’t fold; we don’t get mad; we don’t sulk or whine. We stay the course, remembering that Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Is the approval of man or the approval of Christ more compelling to you? God’s Epic Story In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:25–33 Life magazine’s July 12, 1968, cover displayed a horrifying photograph of starving children from Biafra (in Nigeria during a civil war). A young boy, distressed, took a copy of the magazine to a pastor and asked, “Does God know about this?” The pastor replied, “I know you don’t understand, but, yes, God knows about that.” The boy walked out, declaring he was uninterested in such a God. These questions disturb not only children but all of us. Alongside an affirmation of God’s mysterious knowledge, I wish that boy had heard about the epic story God is continuing to write, even in places like the former nation of Biafra. Jesus unfolded this story for His followers, those who assumed He’d shield them from hardship. Christ told them instead that “in this world you will have trouble.” What Jesus did offer, however, was His promise that these evils weren’t the end. In fact, He’d already “overcome the world” (John 16:33). And in God’s final chapter, every injustice will be undone, every suffering healed. How does the story you see feel tragic? How does Jesus’ promise to write a good ending free you? Dear God, it’s hard for me to see how You’ll right all the evils. But I trust You to do it. Learn more about the grand story of the Bible. Kenneth Osbeck - PEACE, PERFECT PEACE Edward H. Bickersteth, 1825–1906 - BORROW Amazing Grace page 204 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) The quest for inner calm and peace has been a universal struggle for mankind throughout the ages. Even for those of us who profess to be followers of Christ, it is difficult to realize with consistency that “God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts.” It often becomes normal for us to make our own plans without consulting Him for His perfect will. This comforting hymn, which reminds us that God’s perfect peace is found only in Christ Jesus, was written by an English minister of the Anglican church. Edward Bickersteth, Jr. served as the Bishop of Exeter, England, and became well-known for his many books of sermons, poetry, and hymns. While vacationing in August, 1875, Bickersteth heard a sermon on Isaiah 26:3 and was deeply moved by the way this verse reads in Hebrew: “Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace whose mind is stayed on Thee …” The repetition of the word conveyed the idea of absolute perfection. That afternoon while visiting a dying aged relative, Bickersteth read this verse from Isaiah to comfort the man. Then at the bedside he quickly composed the lines of this hymn text just as it reads today. From the Hebrew expression of “peace peace” came the beginning phrase of each stanza, “Peace, perfect peace.” Then questions were posed. For each of these five questions Edward Bickersteth supplied a positive spiritual answer. As these completed lines were read to the dying relative, they were no doubt a source of great comfort—as they have continued to be for troubled hearts throughout the years. Peace, perfect peace—in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within. Peace, perfect peace—by thronging duties pressed? To do the will of Jesus, this is rest. Peace, perfect peace—with sorrows surging round? On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. Peace, perfect peace—with loved ones far away? In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they. Peace, perfect peace—our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne. For Today: Isaiah 26:3; 32:17; John 14:27; Ephesians 2:14; Philippians 4:7 Experience the perfect peace of God in your life by realizing anew that it is only obtained through the presence of Christ in our lives—He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). Carry this musical message as you go— A Light in the Darkness In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 1:5; 16:1–11, 33 In These Are the Generations, Mr. Bae describes God’s faithfulness and the power of the gospel to penetrate the darkness. His grandfather, parents, and his own family were all persecuted for sharing their faith in Christ. But an interesting thing happened when Mr. Bae was imprisoned for telling a friend about God: his faith grew. The same was true for his parents when they were sentenced to a concentration camp—they continued to share Christ’s love even there. Mr. Bae found the promise of John 1:5 to be true: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus warned His disciples about the trouble they’d face. They would be rejected by people who “will do such things because they have not known the Father or me” (16:3). But Jesus offered words of comfort: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (v. 33). While many believers in Jesus haven’t experienced persecution on the level of that endured by the family of Mr. Bae, we can expect to face trouble. But we don’t have to give in to discouragement or resentment. We have a Helper—the Holy Spirit Jesus promised to send. We can turn to Him for guidance and comfort (v. 7). The power of God’s presence can hold us steady in dark times. By: Linda Washington What trouble have you experienced as a believer in Christ or witnessed others experiencing? What is your first reaction during hard times? Heavenly Father, please protect Your children who are experiencing persecution. Vance Havner - THROUGH TRIBULATION We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22. The saints of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch were not promised an idyllic life to live happily after conversion but rather the same pressure our Lord promised His disciples (John 16:33) and Paul the new convert (Acts 9:16). In this day when all kinds of inducements are offered for joining the army, going to school, how to get rich without trying, how becoming an artist or an athlete can be a lot of fun, we need to find out early that to be a saint calls for faithful drudgery at times and is not just a better way to have a big time. Our Lord promised a cross and scars, not medals, down here. The honors are given out later. The Gospel is not entertainment and the way of the cross is not fun. Be of Good Cheer: I Have Overcome the World Scripture: John 16:33 Introduction: Loren Bailey, a soldier in Iraq during the last war, wrote home about his experiences, saying: “We got hit by an Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) today. My brothers-in-arms, Iekar (eye-car) and Kohail, were walking out to inspect a civilian car when it exploded. They both were blown back about 100 feet or so. The hilarious part is when they got up, they started yelling and laughing. Iekar came back screaming, “Yee-Haw! I’m still alive! Praise God Almighty, I’m alive!” He had the biggest smile in the world on his face. When he got back, he asked me to help him do something. I said sure, and he asked if I would pray to God for thanksgiving with him.” Loren, a new Christian, ended his letter by thanking God for the opportunity to pray with an Iraqi and by saying, “Jesus has been the BEST companion over here. He listens to my every prayer and answers me every morning with renewed strength and a clear mind.” We’re in the combat zone of life, faced with satanic IEDs and demonic snipers every day. Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” We can have a peace that passes all understanding. The Upper Room Discourse of our Lord is found in John 13–17, and the last sentence of His last sermon gives us several principles for inner peace. 1. In Me You May Have Peace. This is arguably the most powerful phrase in the Bible—in Me. It was Paul’s theme. He used the phrase “In Christ” about 100 times. It refers to union with Him. Suppose I saw a bottle on the shore. Unscrewing the top, I walked over to the sea, filled the bottle up with water, screwed on the top, and tossed the bottle into the surf. The water would be in the bottle, and the bottle would be in the water. When we confess Jesus Christ as Lord, He comes to live within us by the living water of the Holy Spirit, and we are in Christ. 2. These Things I Have Spoken… Our sense of inner peace grows from trusting His words. What did Jesus mean by “these things?” In the broadest sense, we can claim the entirety of the Word of God. In another sense, Jesus was thinking of all the teachings He had given His disciples since He called them by the shore of Galilee. Specifically, “these things” refer to the Upper Room Discourse. John 13–17 are remarkable chapters because Jesus spoke them in an atmosphere of incredible tension, yet His message was one of supernatural peace. (Review the key verses and promises found in John 14, 15, and 16.) 3. In the World You Will Have Tribulation. John 16:33 goes on to issue a warning. Our inner peace, which is based on our union with Christ and grows as we trust His words, will be assaulted by the world. Jesus promises that we’ll have problems in the world. Opposition. Persecution and satanic attacks. Misunderstandings, hurts, heartaches, and things that challenge your faith. 4. But Be of Good Cheer. I Have Overcome… But Jesus did not end His teachings there. Here is the last thing He said before His prayer in chapter 17, the concluding sentence of three years of ministry, the last syllables of the last sermon He preached prior to Calvary: BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. He was saying: “I’ve come into the world and lived here for thirty-three years without sinning so I can serve as an innocent, sacrificial victim whose blood can atone for the sins of the world. I am going to lay down my life willingly and I will take it up again. The grave cannot hold Me, death cannot keep Me, and I’m going to burst from the tomb like a fist through cardboard. I have overcome the world.” Conclusion: If Jesus Christ has overcome the world, He can overcome your anxieties and make all things work together for good in your experiences. He is the great Overcomer, whatever tribulations we face. Our peace is in Him. It’s reinforced by His words. It’s assaulted by the world, but He says to you in His last ex cathedra utterance: Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. Amy Carmichael, in one of her prescient observations from Scripture, pointed out that Jesus did not say, “These things I have spoken to you, that in your circumstances you might have peace.” He did not say, “These things I have spoken to you that in the love of others you might have peace.” He said: “In Me!” D. L. Moody once said that if he saw a man in a cellar, shivering some from the cold and dampness and trying to see in the dim light, he would say to him, “Come on up, out into the sunshine. It’s warm and bright up here.” But suppose the man said, “No, I’m trying to see if I can make my own light down here, and I am trying to work up a warm feeling.” That’s where a lot of people are today. They’re in the cellar of life, trying to generate a little light and trying to work up a warm feeling when what they really need is the light and the warmth of the sunlight of Jesus Christ. He said, “In Me you will have peace.” So our peace comes from being in union with Christ. James Smith - CHEER FOR THE TROUBLED JOHN 16:33 The Place of Trial, “In the world.” The Secret of Victory, “I have overcome.” A Word of Comfort, “Be of good cheer.” James Smith - ASSURANCE OF VICTORY JOHN 16:33 1. The Christian’s Sphere of Service. “In the world.” 2. The Christian’s Source of Suffering. “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” 3. The Christian’s Secret of Comfort. “In Me ye might have peace.” 4. The Christian’s Source of Joy. “Be of good cheer.” 5. The Christian’s Assurance of Victory. “I have overcome the world.” Missionary C. T. Studd once traveled to China on a ship whose captain was an embittered opponent of Christianity. When he learned Studd was on board, the captain lit into him. Instead of arguing with him, Studd put his arm around the captain and said, “But, my friend, I have a peace that passeth all understanding and a joy that nothing can take away.” The captain finally replied, “You’re a lucky dog,” and walked away. Before the end of the voyage, he became a rejoicing believer in Jesus Christ. (BORROW Norman P. Grubb, C. T. Studd, Cricketer and Pioneer ) The Ups and Downs of Life I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. John 16:33 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:31-33 A Facebook memory popped up, showing me a picture of my triumphant five-year-old when she’d won a fun and competitive game of Chutes and Ladders. I’d tagged my brother and sister in the post because we’d often played this board game when we were kids. Chutes and Ladders is based on a game that’s been played for centuries, helping people learn to count and providing the thrill of being able to climb a ladder and win the game by getting to 100 the fastest. But watch out! If you land on spot 98, you slide far down the chute, delaying—or even prohibiting—victory. Isn’t that just like life? Jesus lovingly prepared us for the ups and downs of our days. He said we’d experience “trouble” (John 16:33), but He also shared a message of peace. We don’t have to be shaken by the trials we face. Why? Christ has overcome the world! Nothing is greater than His power, so we too can face whatever comes our way with “the mighty strength” He’s made available to us (Ephesians 1:19). What challenges do you need help to overcome today? How can focusing on Jesus’ power in overcoming life’s trials and troubles encourage you? Dear Jesus, thank You for the reminder that You’ve overcome the world! Please help me to rely on Your power to handle the ups and downs of life. James Smith - ASSURANCE OF VICTORY John 16:33 1. The Christian's Sphere of Service. "In the world." 2. The Christian's Source of Suffering. "In the world ye shall have tribulation." 3. The Christian's Secret of Comfort. "In Me ye might have peace." 4. The Christian's Source of Joy. "Be of good cheer." 5. The Christian's Assurance of Victory. "I have overcome the world." John
João 16
Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook - John 16:33 MY Lord’s words are true as to the tribulation. I have my share of it beyond all doubt. The flail is not hung up out of the way, nor can I hope that it will be laid aside so long as I lie upon the threshing-floor. How can I look to be at home in the enemy’s country, joyful while in exile, or comfortable in a wilderness? This is not my rest. This is the place of the furnace, and the forge, and the hammer. My experience tallies with my Lord’s words. I note how he bids me “be of good cheer.” Alas! I am far too apt to be downcast. My spirit soon sinks when I am sorely tried. But I must not give way to this feeling. When my Lord bids me cheer up I must not dare to be cast down. What is the argument which he uses to encourage me? Why, it is his own victory. He says, “I have overcome the world.” His battle was much more severe than mine. I have not yet resisted unto blood. Why do I despair of overcoming? See, my soul, the enemy has been once overcome. I fight with a beaten foe. O world, Jesus has already vanquished thee; and in me, by his grace, he will overcome thee again. Therefore am I of good cheer, and sing unto my conquering Lord. Hope for the World John 16:33 - Living Water - James Scudder Several Christian legislators were taking a walk one evening. Their conversation, as was typical of this group of men, turned toward the state of the world and the ills of American society. They had just concluded that the world was swiftly headed downhill. Soon, they happened by a tiny chapel, where the sounds of a familiar hymn filled their ears. Then, they mouthed the words: There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel's veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains. Suddenly, their sorrow turned to joy. They realized that in spite of all the troubles in the world, they possessed greater hope: faith in Jesus Christ. Then, their discussion centered on the Second Coming. Their faces broke into smiles. They rediscovered their source of hope, their reason for living. Like those congressmen, I, too, grow distressed with the world around me. I see the onslaught of ungodly values in our culture. I get discouraged when I see how very few people, even Christians, care about God. But, then God gently reminds me that He is greater than the problems in the world. The aging apostle John gave us this encouragement: "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4) Just when the world seems to fall in around us, we must remember that God is in control. We must cling to the hope of His Coming, when everything will be made right. Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. The Way to Win John 16:33 - Living Water - James Scudder Sometimes it seems as if we just can't win. No matter how hard we try or what we do, victory seems to elude us. On our own, in our own strength, we are powerless. We are helpless. Only through Christ we can get the victory. The apostle John heard this verse only an hour before Jesus was crucified. For the rest of his life, this was engraved into his thinking. It would guide his life. Every battle is different than the next. Sometimes it is with our finances. It may seem we can never get over the hurdle. Just when is looks like we finally have financial security, along comes an unexpected expense. There can be victory through Christ, even in the most difficult circumstances. At other times, our battles involve relationships at work. It may seem that you just cannot get along with your boss. You try and try to please him, but it seems that he gets angry at every effort. Don't fear. If you trust Him, God will give you victory. A common place of battle is with our children. You may have a child who doesn't seem to want to do good. You may have followed every principle in Scripture, counseled with your pastor, and have shown love. Yet, he seems to act worse and worse. Let me assure you dear parent, God will give you victory. Is there a battle that you're presently fighting? Are you wondering if it is even worth it? Don't quit. God will give you victory. If God is your partner, make your plans big. Suffering For God John 16:33 - Living Water - James Scudder Today's Christian marketplace is full of soft-sell materials that tell of the splendors of becoming a Christian, as if the believer encounters no hardships or trials in service. "Come to Christ," they say, "and all your problems, your sicknesses, and your struggles will be over." If the Christian life were such a cakewalk, then how do we explain the testimony of someone like Adoniram Judson. Judson was a dedicated missionary to the Burmese people in the early 1800's. Tragedy seemed to strike the man as soon as he began his work. The British sent 5,000 troops into the town of Rangoon where Judson and his family settled. The Burmese wrongly associated the missionaries with the British, putting Judson and a fellow laborer in jail. After two years, they were set free, but the suffering was only beginning. Soon after his release, Judson's wife and daughter died. Eight years later, Judson remarried only to see his second wife die after eight years. None of these hardships kept Judson from continuing the ministry. Through trial and tragedy, he converted 7,000 Burmese, founded 63 churches, and trained 123 pastors and missionaries before passing away in April of 1850. Complete surrender to God doesn't guarantee a life of bliss. It may lead to a life of trial. Yet, we can see, through the example of a missionary like Adoniram Judson, that God gives us the strength to persevere. It is His abiding presence that makes the effort worthwhile. God doesn't guarantee a life of ease, but He does promise a life of blessing to those who follow Him. The Promise of Victory John 16:33 - Living Water - James Scudder John 16:33 is one of the most remarkable verses in the entire Bible, because it gives the believer such hope. But, the setting when Christ spoke these magnificent words was less than hopeful. Imagine the feelings of the Apostles in that Upper Room! They had invested three years of their lives with, put all of their faith in, and had entrusted everything to Jesus. Yet, He was going to be arrested and murdered. How could this happen? All of their hopes were dashed. They were crestfallen. Their world had seemingly come to a bitter end. Yet, in the midst of this, Christ delivers the Scripture's most precious words, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Christ promised victory. No force on this earth could contain Jesus Christ. There was no peril or tragedy too great for Him. When it seemed as though the disciples would suffer tremendous loss, Christ assured them of His incredible power over His enemies. In the midst of their darkest night, Christ gave them hope of victory. And today, that same victory is possible. When it seems as though all is lost, we can cling to the promises of God. We can be assured that through Him, we can overcome. We can have victory. No matter how dark the night, no matter how severe our circumstance, there is nothing too great for God, because He has overcome the world. When you are in your darkest moments, be reminded that God is in control. He does have power over the darkest and strongest forces of this world. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Take Heart! Today's Reading: John 16:16–33 Take heart, because I have overcome the world. -John 16:33 Corrie and her sister, Betsie, stood in line for their weekly medical inspection. As they shivered in the cold corridor and endured the humiliation of walking naked past the guards, Corrie remembered, Jesus hung naked on the cross. To her sister in front of her, she whispered, “Betsie, they took His clothes, too.” Betsie gasped and replied, “Oh Corrie. And I never thanked Him.” There, in the horrific setting of the Ravensbruck concentration camp in Germany during World War II, Corrie remembered what Jesus endured—and it sustained her. Dutch watchmaker Corrie ten Boom and her aged father and sister had been betrayed and imprisoned for hiding Jews in their home. Corrie’s father and sister died while imprisoned, but Corrie was released due to a “clerical error” and went on to speak to thousands about God’s amazing love and forgiveness. How is it comforting to know that you’re not alone in your suffering? When have you experienced peace in the midst of trouble? Jesus, thank You for facing humiliation and suffering and even death for me. I don’t deserve it, but You love me. You love me! Jesus—The True Peacemaker I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. John 16:33 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:25-33 On December 30, 1862, the US Civil War raged. Union and Confederate troops camped seven hundred yards apart on opposing sides of Tennessee’s Stones River. As they warmed themselves around campfires, Union soldiers picked up their fiddles and harmonicas and began playing “Yankee Doodle.” In reply, the Confederate soldiers offered “Dixie.” Remarkably, both sides joined for a finale, playing “Home, Sweet Home” in unison. Sworn enemies shared music in the dark night, glimmers of an unimagined peace. The melodic truce was short-lived, however. The next morning, they put down their fiddles and picked up their rifle—resulting in 24,645 casualties. Our human efforts to create peace inevitably wear thin. Hostilities cease in one place, only to ignite somewhere else. One relational dispute finds harmony, only to be embroiled in distress again months later. The Scriptures tell us that God is our only trustworthy peacemaker. Jesus said it plainly, “In me you . . . have peace” (John 16:33). We have peace in Jesus. While we participate in His peacemaking mission, it’s God’s reconciliation and renewal that make real peace possible. Where do you see humans working for peace? How is God’s peacemaking different? Dear God, please show me the way of peace. J R Miller - Tribulation is God’s threshing—not to destroy us, but to get what is good, heavenly, and spiritual in us separated from what is wrong, earthly, and fleshly. Nothing less than blows of pain will do this. The evil clings so to the good, the golden wheat of goodness in us is so wrapped up in the strong chaff of the old life that only the heavy flail of suffering can produce the separation. Escape or Peace? I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:25–33 “ESCAPE.” The billboard shouts the benefits of having a hot tub installed. It gets my attention—and gets me thinking. My wife and I have talked about getting a hot tub . . . someday. It’d be like a vacation in our backyard! Except for the cleaning. And the electric bill. And . . . suddenly, the hoped-for escape starts to sound like something I might need escape from. Still, that word entices so effectively because it promises something we want: Relief. Comfort. Security. Escape. It’s something our culture tempts and teases us with in many ways. Now, there’s nothing wrong with resting or a getaway to someplace beautiful. But there’s a difference between escaping life’s hardships and trusting God with them. In John 16, Jesus tells His disciples that the next chapter of their lives will test their faith. “In this world you will have trouble,” He summarizes at the end. And then He adds this promise, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (v. 33). Jesus didn’t want His disciples to cave in to despair. Instead, He invited them to trust Him, to know the rest He provides: “I have told you these things,” he said, “so that in me you may have peace” (v. 33). How have you seen invitations to escape in the world around you recently? How well do you think they might deliver on those promises? Father, help me to trust You so that I may find peace and rest in You. For further study, read Finding Peace in a Troubled World. Troubled Times In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 Today's Scripture : John 16:25-33 If you’ve never heard of Murphy’s Law, you’ve probably experienced it: “If anything can go wrong, it will.” Murphy’s maxim reminds me of the principle Jesus shared with His disciples when He told them, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33 NIV). In other words, we can count on it—sooner or later we will hit troubled times. It’s not the way God originally intended life to be, but when the human race first succumbed to Satan’s seduction in the garden, everything on this planet fell into the grip of sin. And the result has been disorder and dysfunction ever since. The reality of trouble in life is obvious. It’s the reality of peace that often eludes us. Interestingly, when Jesus warned His followers about trouble, in the same breath He also promised peace. He even told them to “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (v.33). The word overcome indicates a past event that has a continuing effect. Not only did Jesus conquer the fallen world through His death and resurrection, but He continues to provide victory, no matter how much trouble we may face. Dear Lord, thank You for always being with us. We ask that when troubles invariably come, You would renew in us once again the blessed peace of Your presence. Amen. In the midst of troubles, peace can be found in Jesus. The Christ Of Christmas In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 Today's Scripture : John 16:16-33 A discouraged Christian said to me one Christmas, “Christ’s coming to earth has made little difference in my life. I still have so many trials.” That made me think about the difference Jesus’ life has made. I reflected on these four truths: Jesus didn’t remain a baby. He grew up to be “strong in spirit” (Lk. 1:80) and had an effective ministry of teaching and healing (Mt. 9:35). Our crucified Lord didn’t remain in the grave. He arose to be our living Savior (Mt. 28:1-7; Rev. 1:18). Our risen Savior didn’t remain on the earth. He ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us and to send the Holy Spirit to indwell us (Jn. 14:2,25-26; Acts 1:9). Our ascended Lord won’t remain in heaven. He will come back to take us home to be with Him (Jn. 14:3). The birth of Christ has made a difference, but it doesn’t mean we will have a trouble-free life. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation.” But then He added, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). Because Christ’s presence and power is within us, we can triumph over trials. That’s grounds for good cheer! Jesus said that we'd have trouble In this world so filled with sin, But we need not be discouraged— He'll give peace and joy within. —Sper We will not be defeated by anything if we depend on Christ for everything. A Prize For Peace These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. — John 16:33 Today's Scripture : Ephesians 2:11-18 Alfred Nobel made a fortune from the invention of dynamite, which changed the course of warfare. Perhaps because of the horrors that wars inflicted with the use of dynamite, he made a provision in his will for a prize to be given annually to those who work to promote peace. Today it’s called the Nobel Peace Prize. God’s expression of peace to the world was His Son. When Jesus was born, the angels’ clear, unmistakable message to the shepherds was “on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). The biblical definition of peace is, first of all, peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Sin makes us enemies with God (v.10), but Jesus’ coming to this earth and dying on the cross turned away God’s wrath. We can now be reconciled with Him. Having put right our relationship with God, Jesus now enables us to work at breaking down the barriers between us and others. Another kind of peace is having the peace of God (Phil. 4:7). There is no need to be anxious about anything, for we are told that we can make our requests known to Him. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild— God and sinners reconciled!” —Wesley True peace is not the absence of war; it is the presence of God. —Loveless Take Heart! In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Today's Scripture & Insight : 2 Corinthians 4:8-18 I like to watch birds at play, so years ago I built a small sanctuary in our backyard to attract them. For several months I enjoyed the sight of my feathered friends feeding and flitting about—until a Cooper’s Hawk made my bird refuge his private hunting reserve. Such is life: Just about the time we settle down to take our ease, something or someone comes along to unsettle our nests. Why, we ask, must so much of life be a vale of tears? I’ve heard many answers to that old question, but lately I’m satisfied with just one: “All the discipline of the world is to make [us] children, that God may be revealed to [us]” (George MacDonald, Life Essential). When we become like children, we begin trusting, resting solely in the love of our Father in heaven, seeking to know Him and to be like Him. Cares and sorrow may follow us all the days of our lives, but “we do not lose heart. . . . For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18). Can we not rejoice, then, with such an end in view? By: David H. Roper Lord, we do rejoice even in our struggles because we are rejoicing in who You are and Your good purposes for us. You are powerful, loving, in control, and eternal. We trust You and love You. Heaven’s delights will far outweigh earth’s difficulties. Rough Going In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 Today's Scripture : John 16:19-33 There’s a lake near our home in the mountains that is known for good fishing. To get there, I had to hike 2 miles up a steep ridge—a hard climb for an old-timer like me. But then I discovered that it’s possible to drive within a half-mile of the lake. I spent most of a day driving several mountain roads until I found the one that got me the closest. Then I carefully mapped the road so I could find it again. Several months later, I drove the road again. I came to a section that was much worse than I remembered—rocky, rutted, and steep. I wondered if I had missed a turn, so I stopped and checked my map. There, penciled alongside the stretch on which I was driving, were the words: “Rough and steep. Hard going.” I was on the right road. Jesus said that our life’s journey will be rough going if we choose to follow Him. “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). So we shouldn’t be surprised if our path becomes difficult, nor should we believe we’ve taken a wrong turn. We can “be of good cheer” because Jesus also said that in Him we can have peace, for He has “overcome the world” (v.33). Following Jesus is always right—but not always easy. The Factory of Sadness [God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. Revelation 21:4 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:28-33 As a lifelong Cleveland Browns football fan, I grew up knowing my share of disappointment. Despite being one of only four teams to have never appeared in a Super Bowl championship game, the Browns have a loyal fan base that sticks with the team year in and year out. But because the fans usually end up disappointed, many of them now refer to the home stadium as the “Factory of Sadness.” The broken world we live in can be a “factory of sadness” too. There seems to be an endless supply of heartache and disappointment, whether from our own choices or things beyond our control. Yet the follower of Christ has hope—not only in the life to come but for this very day. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Notice that without minimizing the struggles or sadness we may experience, Christ counters them with His promises of peace, joy, and ultimate victory. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Horatio G. Spafford Our hope and peace are found in Jesus. Flight Simulator These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. — John 16:33 Today's Scripture : John 16:25-33 When airplane pilots are training, they spend many hours in flight simulators. These simulators give the students a chance to experience the challenges and dangers of flying an aircraft—but without the risk. The pilots don’t have to leave the ground, and if they crash in the simulation, they can calmly walk away. Simulators are tremendous teaching tools—helpful in preparing the aspiring pilot to take command of an actual aircraft. The devices, however, have a shortcoming. They create an artificial experience in which the full-blown pressures of handling a real cockpit cannot be fully replicated. Real life is like that, isn’t it? It cannot be simulated. There is no safe, risk-free environment in which we can experience life’s ups and downs unharmed. The risks and dangers of living in a broken world are inescapable. That’s why the words of Jesus are so reassuring. He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Outward troubles may not cease, But this your joy will be: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace Whose mind is stayed on Thee.” —Anon. No life is more secure than a life surrendered to God. What Do You Expect? Read: John 16:25-33 In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 In C. S. Lewis’ book God in the Doc (BORROW), he wrote: “Imagine a set of people all living in the same building. Half of them think it is a hotel, the other half think it is a prison. Those who think it a hotel might regard it as quite intolerable, and those who thought it was a prison might decide that it was really surprisingly comfortable.” Lewis cleverly used this contrast between a hotel and a prison to illustrate how we view life based on our expectations. He says, “If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable; think of it as a place of training and correction and it’s not so bad.” Sometimes we expect that life should be happy and pain-free. But that is not what the Bible teaches. For the believer, this world is a place of spiritual development through both good times and bad. Jesus was realistic when He explained what to expect in life. He told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In facing life’s blessings and bruises, we can have the inner peace that God is orchestrating events according to His sovereign plan. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what He deems best— Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest. — Berg In the midst of troubles, peace can be found IN Jesus. Trouble In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 Today's Scripture : John 16:25-33 I was glad to see the final days of the year draw to a close. It had held so much sorrow, sickness, and sadness. I was ready to welcome January with its very own brass band! But as the first month of the new year arrived, so did one bit of sad news after another. Several friends lost their parents. My dad’s brother slipped away in his sleep. Friends discovered they had cancer. A colleague’s brother and a friend’s son both died tragically and abruptly. Rather than the sad times ceasing, the new year seemed to bring a whole new tsunami of sorrow. John 16:33 tells us, “In the world you will have tribulation.” Even God’s children are not promised a life of ease, of prosperity, nor of good health. Yet we are never alone in our trouble. Isaiah 43:2 reminds us that when we pass through deep waters, God is with us. Although we don’t always understand God’s purposes in the trials we experience, we can trust His heart because we know Him. Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet; “Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet; I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve; I will not forsake thee, I never will leave.” —Flint Faith is believing that God is present when all we hear is silence. Safe Forever [Jesus said,] “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33 Today's Scripture : Psalm 34:8-22 Amy Beth was out in her neighborhood taking her dog for a walk when she saw a young man run into a nearby alley. A car followed. The young man grabbed a huge piece of wood from a dumpster and started swinging at the car. Amy Beth froze. She was caught in a gang fight. Suddenly, the young driver of the car tried to get away by accelerating backwards. He slammed into Amy Beth. She landed on the trunk and was thrown into the street. Amazingly, she wasn’t seriously hurt. Later, she tried to make sense of her experience and attempted to turn it around to make it seem good. She came to this conclusion: “Bad things happen—tragic and horrible things. Good things happen—amazing and miraculous things. And all this happens randomly to us. But it is not random to the God who cradles our aching hearts. He knows. . . . Suffering will come. But God is . . . larger than the events that seem to contradict God’s goodness.” We will experience sickness, accidents, sorrow, and death. But we are not on our own. God is in control. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Ps. 34:19). We can be confident that one day we will be safe with Him forever. By: Anne Cetas There is only One who knows All the answers to my woes; He will all my needs supply When in faith to Him I cry. —Morgan God is always in control behind the scenes. (God is behind all scenes and controls all scenes He is behind). What Do You Expect? In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:25-33 In C. S. Lewis’ book God in the Dock, he wrote: “Imagine a set of people all living in the same building. Half of them think it is a hotel, the other half think it is a prison. Those who think it a hotel might regard it as quite intolerable, and those who thought it was a prison might decide that it was really surprisingly comfortable.” Lewis cleverly used this contrast between a hotel and a prison to illustrate how we view life based on our expectations. He says, “If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable; think of it as a place of training and correction and it’s not so bad.” Sometimes we expect that life should be happy and pain-free. But that is not what the Bible teaches. For the believer, this world is a place of spiritual development through both good times and bad. Jesus was realistic when He explained what to expect in life. He told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In facing life’s blessings and bruises, we can have the inner peace that God is orchestrating events according to His sovereign plan. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what He deems best— Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest. —Berg In the midst of troubles, peace can be found in Jesus. Debits and Credits In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. —NIV John 16:33 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:1-11 When my husband was teaching an accounting class at a local college, I took one of the tests just for fun to see how well I could do. The results were not good. I answered every question wrong. The reason for my failure was that I started with a faulty understanding of a basic banking concept. I reversed debits and credits. We sometimes get our debits and credits confused in the spiritual realm as well. When we blame Satan for everything that goes wrong—whether it’s bad weather, a jammed printer, or financial trouble—we’re actually giving him credit that he doesn’t deserve. We are ascribing to him the power to determine the quality of our lives, which he does not have. Satan is limited in time and space. He has to ask God’s permission before he can touch us (Job 1:12; Luke 22:31). However, as the father of lies and prince of this world (John 8:44; 16:11), Satan can cause confusion. Jesus warned of a time when people would be so confused that they wouldn’t know right from wrong (16:2). But He added this assurance: “The prince of this world now stands condemned” (v. 11 niv). Thank You, Father, for being Lord over everything in our lives. We praise You for overcoming the world through Your Son. While Satan accuses and confuses, God controls. ILLUSTRATIONS OF PEACE - (1) In 1555, Nicholas Ridley was martyred by burning at the stake because of his witness for Christ. On the night before Ridley’s execution, his brother offered to remain with him in the prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. Nicholas declined the offer and replied that he meant to go to bed and sleep as quietly as ever he did in his life. Because he knew the PEACE OF GOD, he could rest in the strength of the everlasting arms of his Lord to meet his need. So can we! (2) Horatio Spafford had just been ruined financially by the great Chicago Fire of October, 1871. Shortly thereafter, while crossing the Atlantic, all four of Spafford’s daughters died in a collision with another ship. Spafford’s wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Several weeks later, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit suddenly overwhelmed him with what can only be described as an inrush of SUPERNATURAL PEACE (the peace of God). With tears streaming down his face, he picked up a pen to record his feelings & from his heart filled with the peace of God flowed the timeless words that speak of that peace God provides even though our world is falling apart. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Refrain It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul. (Play Hymn) (3) The Compass on a Steamboat - The compass on board an iron steamboat is placed aloft (at great height in the air), so that it may not be influenced by the metal of the ship. Though the compass is surrounded by that which would put it out of place, the needle faithfully adheres to the pole, because it is set above misleading influence. So it is with the child of God when the Lord has given him/her peace: he/she is lifted beyond the supremacy of his sorrowful surroundings, and his heart is delivered from its sad surroundings. (Spurgeon) (6) During World War II in London there was a blitz bombing at night. The people stayed each night in underground protection. But one Christian lady just stayed at home and slept through all the bombing. When asked about it, she said, “Well, my God neither slumbers nor sleeps, and there’s no need for both of us to stay awake!” (8) PEACE WITH GOD is “JUDICIAL” which means that for the believer the “war with God” is over forever. PEACE OF GOD is “EXPERIENTIAL” for it describes the believer’s day by day experience of peace which can be forfeited. This truth was tragically illustrated by the story of the post-WWII Japanese soldier who failed to experience peace, because he had not received news of the end of the war & as a result had hidden in the jungle, more than 20 years after peace had been declared between the United States and Japan. (9) There is what is called "the cushion of the sea." Down beneath the surface that is agitated with storms, and driven about with winds, there is a part of the sea that is never stirred. When we dredge the bottom and bring up the remains of animal and vegetable life, we find that they give evidence of not having been disturbed in the least for hundreds and thousands of years. The peace of God is that eternal calm which, like the cushion of the sea, lies far too deep down to be reached by any external trouble and disturbance, and he who enters into the peace of God, and has the peace of God enter into him, becomes partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm. (James Hastings, Editor - The Christian Doctrine of Peace) (10) There is a story about a submarine that was being tested and as part of its test, it had to remain submerged beneath the surface for a long time. While the submarine was submerged, a powerful storm passed through the area, causing a great deal of damage. When the submarine returned to the harbor, the head of the team that was evaluating the submarine asked the captain, “How did that terrible storm affect you?” The captain looked at the man in surprise and exclaimed, “Storm? We didn’t even know there was one!” The reason for the captain’s surprise was that his submarine had been so far beneath the ocean’s surface that it reached this area known to sailors as “the cushion of the sea.” Although a storm’s high winds may whip the surface into huge waves, the waters in the “cushion” are not even stirred. So while vessels up above were being subjected to turmoil and damage, the submarine down below was not affected. It remained "at peace" so to speak safely set on the “cushion.” This illustration pictures the supernatural peace of God which guards the believer's heart, in response to thankful prayer (Php 4:6).