Gospels (68) - John 16:12-33

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Series: Gospels

Rusty's Notes

John 16
8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: 9 About sin, because they do not believe in me;

• Every unredeemed person is being convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit.

10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me;

• Who is the Spirit convicting of righteousness?
• Those who have been made righteous.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. [1]

11 and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. [2]

• 2 Corinthians 4:4 – Satan is the ruler of this world.
• Satan has already been judged… and lost.

12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.

• How come they couldn’t understand?
• They did not have the Spirit yet.

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.

• Would they know all truth?
• No, the truth you need to know.

For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears.

• John 14:24 - The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.[3]

He will also declare to you what is to come.

• They will remember exactly what Jesus has said and tell the people about things to come.

14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.

• This is not done through intellect alone but through revelation.

15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.

• He takes what belongs to Jesus and reveals it to me.
• Did you understand grace fully in the beginning?
• Do you now?
• What about forgiveness?
• What about love?
• What about discipline?
• What about sanctification?

 
SORROW TURNED TO JOY
16 “A little while and you will no longer see me; again a little while and you will see me.”

• From Gethsemane to Acts 2

17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this he’s telling us: ‘A little while and you will not see me; again a little while and you will see me’ and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They said, “What is this he is saying, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he’s talking about.”
 
19 Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, and so he said to them, “Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me; again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice.

• Talking about the crucifixion.

You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.
Proverbs 14:13 - Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief.[4]

• I hung out by my Mom’s death bed yesterday morning and said goodbye to her probably for the last time… face to face.
• We both, with tears streaming down our faces, said this is not forever.
• We know where we will spend eternity.
• For the redeemed, our sorrow turns to joy.
• For the unredeemed, their joy may end in grief.

21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world.

• It’s because good memories that have followed the suffering.
• There will be good memories that occur that wipes out all grief and sorrow.

22 So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.

• Tell me the Lord’s timing, as we work through this Gospel series has not been evident.
• I needed that verse this week.
• I got into the car yesterday and just lost it emotionally.
• One of my former interns who is pastoring on the south side now texted me at that moment: Romans 15:13 – Now, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.[5]
• I wiped my eyes, put the car in drive and drove home.
• My Father understands grief and He promises me joy in the midst of that grief and on into eternity.

23 “In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

• In Jesus’ name – Because you know Jesus so well.

24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name.

• They prayed all the time… but to the Father.
• They were Jews and knew how to pray to the Father.
• Now Jesus is asking them to do something different.
• Jesus took care of all their needs for the last 3 years.
• He is asking them to still be dependent upon Him even if goes away.

Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
 
JESUS THE VICTOR
25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech.

• Matthew 12 – Jesus was accused of blasphemy and Jewish leaders rejected his messiahship.
• Then Jesus began teaching in parables.
• The Pharisees couldn’t understand the parables but Jesus would take the disciples and explain the parables to them and they still had a hard time understanding.

A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.

• Acts 2 – Once they have the Spirit.
• Don’t tell me you can’t understand this stuff.
• You may not understand it to the depth of others but I guarantee you God will reveal amazing things to you.
• Things that He has not even revealed to me!

26 On that day you will ask in my name, and I am not telling you that I will ask the Father on your behalf.

• I don’t have to force the Father to listen to you.
• He already loves you.
• I am an advocate for you but He already loves you.

27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Look, now you’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. 30 Now we know that you know everything and don’t need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”

• Did the disciples really understand what Jesus had just said to them?
• They understood perfectly?

31 Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe?

• Jesus knew they had it intellectually… but not spiritually!
• They really didn’t get this.

32 Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone.

• As soon as Judas kisses Jesus… they are out!

Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 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.” [6]

• What is coming is going to be really tough.
• The road ahead has many bumps and chuck holes… and even some sink holes.
• But know this… in the midst of it… I will be with you and I will provide you with My peace.
• Once Acts 2 occurred and they spiritually understood… they gave their lives for the Gospel.
• In the midst of them saying they understand and they were going to scatter (leave Him), Jesus still responded with encouragement.
• If you find yourself alone… just know… Jesus is enough.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Co 5:21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 16:8-11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 14:24). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 14:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 15:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 16:12–33). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.