Sermon Notes - John 16:16-33 - Littleby Baptist Church - November 5, 2023

1.     As we walk this world we need to remember that we are not alone.

2.     That was one of the major points Jesus was making to His disciples.

a.      He has encouraged them to stay focused on Him and the things they have learned.

b.     Even with Him leaving, the Holy Spirit who was going to help them understand the teachings of Christ.

c.      The Holy Spirit is also going to empower them as they speak to others.

3.     What was said to those with Him that evening, is true for us.

a.      We are to stay focused on Jesus.

b.     We are not alone as the Holy Spirit is in all who believe.

c.      It is the Holy Spirit that helps us to understand the Lord’s Word.

d.     It is the Holy Spirit that will guide us as we share the message of Jesus with others.

e.      He is the one who will open their eyes as we share the Gospel of Christ.

4.     As we pick up this morning, we transition from the coming of the Holy Spirit to what the future holds.

5.     John 16:16-18

a.      The disciples were not going to see Jesus and then they were…

b.     These words did not make any sense to them.

c.      With our benefit of hindsight and the words before us we have a better picture.

d.     They will no longer see Him… Jesus was about to be arrested and crucified.

e.      They will not see Jesus for a little while as He lay in that tomb.

f.      But, then they will see Him again in a little while.

g.     Jesus spent 40 days ministering on earth between His resurrection and Ascension.

h.     His coming death was not going to be the end.

i.       They will see Jesus again.

6.     John 16:19-20

a.      I wonder if Jesus’ response brought them joy or simply confused them more.

b.     Jesus knew what they were thinking and talking about.

c.      He confirmed there will be a time of pain coming their way.

d.     When Jesus is arrested, beaten, and crucified the world is going to celebrate.

e.      The Jewish leaders and those following them will feel triumphant as they get their way.

f.      The Disciples and the others who followed Jesus will weep.

g.     They will mourn the loss of a beloved friend and teacher.

h.     They will not understand why the Holy One of God would die.

i.       But it does not end in sorrow.

j.       Soon after the weeping and mourning, that sorrow will turn to Joy.

k.     They will understand that Jesus’ death was necessary.

l.       They will see that death could not hold Him.

m.   They will see the resurrected Jesus!

7.     That horrible loss will be replaced with an amazing joy!

a.      They will see Jesus alive and well.

b.     They will hear about how His death has redeemed them.

c.      Paid for all our sins.

d.     Jesus and the Holy Spirit will open their eyes so that they can understand all that has happened.

e.      They will see and be filled with Joy.

f.      A joy that should fill each one of us as we grasp how amazing the gift we have received from Jesus is.

8.     John 16:21-22

a.      Jesus uses an illustration to help them see.

b.     Childbirth is painful, but it is worth it in the end.

c.      The disciples were heading into a time of grief, but it would be worth it.

9.     John 16:23-24

a.      Praying in Jesus’s name is not something that had been done.

b.     He was with them.

c.      After Jesus ascends into heaven.

d.     When He is no longer with them, they are to approach the Father for in Jesus’ name.

e.      Ask for the Father’s will to be done in the name of Jesus and it will be done.

f.      With the Holy Spirit guiding them they will learn to pray in Jesus’ name to carry out the work of God.

g.     We too can pray for the Father’s will to be done in the name of Jesus and see God at work.

h.     The key to it is that it is in His name according to His will.

i.       It is not what Robert thinks that God should do, it is what God’s will is.

j.       We may not always understand it or like it, but we are to trust in it.

10.  John 16:25

a.      Even though Jesus explained many things to His disciples, they were not always clear.

b.     That is going to change.

c.      Acts 1:3

d.     Between His resurrection and His Ascension, Jesus will explain the Kingdom of God to His followers.

e.      He will help them to understand.

11.  John 16:26-27

a.      Romans 5:1-2

b.     Through Jesus all who believe have peace from and access to the Father.

c.      Jesus redeeming us reconnects us with the Father.

d.     A link that was broken by sin, is made whole again by the blood of Jesus.

e.      We become the Father’s children.

f.      As children we have a direct connection to our Father.

g.     A connection that allows us to bring our needs to the Father.

12.  John 16:28

a.      A very simplified version of what Jesus was doing.

b.     He came from the Father to this world.

c.      An action that was necessary to cleanse us of our sins.

d.     Once that price is paid and death defeated He will return to the Father.

e.      Paving the way for us.

f.      All that Jesus did on earth, is paving the way for us to spend all of eternity with the Father that loves us.

g.     The path is made clear to those who follow Jesus.

13.  John 16:29-30

a.      Now they get it.

b.     They understand that Jesus is omniscience, that He knows all things.

c.      They know that He is God.

d.     A revelation we should pray that the Holy Spirit makes to all people in this world.

e.      May they realize that Jesus is God and that He truly does know all things.

f.      That His sacrifice is needed by each of us.

g.     I pray that the truth is unfolded for all to see.

h.     I pray that if you don’t know Jesus that it unfolds for you this morning.

14.  John 16:31-32

a.      They professed belief, but they did not have all the pieces yet.

b.     In the coming days, their partial belief will be challenged and they will be scattered.

c.      They will question what they had heard.

d.     They may wonder if they got something wrong.

e.      Some will want to go back to their old professions.

f.      The disciples love Jesus, believe in Him, and have professed their loyalty to Him.

g.     Yet even they will fail Him.

h.     Jesus knew it was going to happen, but it did not stop Him from loving them.

i.       Jesus knows that we are going to fail Him, but He loves us completely.

j.       He does not hold our flaws against us.

15.  John 16:33

a.      Even though we struggle with sin.

b.     Even when we fail our Jesus.

c.      Through our trials and suffering.

d.     Through the darkest days of our lives.

e.      As hard as it is, through Jesus we are given Peace.

f.      Philippians 4:7

g.     As we give Jesus our heart and minds, as we learn to trust in Him.

h.     As we remain in Him and His love.

i.       His peace fills us.

j.       A peace that truly does cover all situations.

16.  Jesus ends with an encouraging message.

a.      “Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

b.     Jesus is victorious!

c.      He has overcome this world; He has defeated Satan.

d.     As followers of Jesus, we are to encouraged by Jesus’ victory!

e.      We are to rejoice in His victory.

f.      We are to remember that as dark as it may look outside, Jesus is the Light.

g.     We are to remain in Him and His love!

17.  As God’s children and coheirs with Christ, we are triumphant as we follow Jesus.

a.      Our triumph comes in knowing that our Hope is not based on what happens on this side of eternity.

b.     Our triumph comes in knowing that we will spend forever with God.

c.      As we walk this world, we will have pain, sorrow, and trials.

d.     But through our Lord’s victory we have His Joy and His Hope to carry us through each day.

e.      Hope in the future we have with Him and Joy made complete by His love.

18.  If you don’t know Jesus and would like to know His Love, Hope, Peace, and Joy… I would love to talk to you.