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Sunday Sermon Outline
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN- PART 89
Chapter
16, verses 28-33- “I came forth from the
Father…” picks up on the ending of vs.15. This statement is expressive of
the doctrine of Incarnation; that Jesus proceeded from the Father
as God’s Son. It is a corollary to
Jesus being born as a genuine human; together, it means Jesus is God and man in
the flesh. “again, I leave
the world and go to the Father”—this anticipates
His resurrection/ascension. Vs.29-30 express the disciples’ growing awareness of Jesus’ complete
and authentic identity. They are
confident that He “came forth from God”
indicating their faith in His Person and Purpose as Messiah
( Yet, at this very point of faith, He now
challenges them with “Do you now
believe?” Perhaps what
is meant by this question is whether they believe Him in view of His imminent
death. In vs.
32, Jesus alludes to the approaching “hour” of
their scattering and He being left alone.
This fulfills the Zech.13:7 as noted in Matt. 26:31. Their declaration in
vs.30 was to be tempered by the reality of how they would flee when He was
arrested. Jesus adds that He will
not be alone in view of the Father’s faithfulness to
Him. Vs.33 becomes somewhat of a summary: “these things I have
spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace..”
From He has attempted to instruct them
in the events about to occur where He would be removed from them, resulting
in sorrow; but that sorrow will become joy. Jesus then openly declares “in the world you will
have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world.” This principle
of conflict [tribulation= thlipsis – pressure, anguish, distress] in a
believer’s life in inevitable (use of present indicative for “have”-
expresses reality), but is balanced by the Jesus’ admonition of “be of good
cheer”- (present imperative).
Jesus closes with “I have overcome”-
(perfect indicative- present state resultant on past action). The inference is that as He has
overcome, so we may overcome as
well. The Christian experience is that sorrow
and difficulty is part of living the life as a believer in this world
(hated-15:18), but such is balanced against the reality of inner peace given by
Christ. Our faith balances idealism
and realism. The
18th-20th chapters of John illustrate Jesus as an overcomer, whether facing betrayal, injustice,
abuse, maligning or brutality.
Jesus is not a passive victim, but one who faces
circumstantial tribulation and does not allow it to dictate His choices. He rises above it in moral character and
courage. Jesus becomes the epitome of One who rises above crisis and
triumphs over amazing odds. But He does it through principles
different than those of the world. He conquers by submission (to the
Father); he rises by descending in status; and He gives life by
embracing death. In chapters 2-3 of
Revelation, believers are called to the same “overcomer” status by promises of
reward by the Father. Page 2 A review of the
previous chapters (14-16) reveal a dialogue of teaching by Jesus
privately given to His disciples.
Such material is not found in either of the synoptic
gospels and reflect the intimacy that Jesus sought with the 11 as
evidenced through John’s viewpoint. >Words showing a common bond between
the Father and Son are found in 14:7,10, 13, 21, 24; 15:9, 24;
16:3. >Words reflecting Jesus’ intent of
intimacy of relationship with His disciples are found
in >One of the most powerful metaphors of
relationship is found in this section: The
Vine (Jesus) and the Branches (believers). >Basic principles of
discipleship are discussed: 1) love for one another-
4)
sacrifice - 6)
love for Christ- 14:21, 28 7) Word of God- 14:24, 15:7,
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