How Can You Have Joy in a Troubled World? | John 16:16-33 | Mikey Brannon

How Can You Have Joy In A Troubled World?Grace Christian FellowshipJohn 16:16-33Introduction:Today we will continue and hopefully finish John 16 from where Darien left offlast week. If you recall, we are nearing the end of what we call the farewelldiscourse. It is a long section of Scripture taking place in the upper room withJesus and his disciples just prior to his arrest, mock trial, conviction, and eventualcrucifixion. It is in these last moments that Jesus pours into his disciples his finalthoughts, his final instructions for what is to come.I loved the way Darien framed this last week as he talked about a coach who hadtrained his team, but all of the sudden before the big game he was gone. In fact Iremember in 2017 when Alabama was playing Clemson for the NationalChampionship game and Nick Saban fired the offensive coordinator just daysbefore the game because of distractions around Lane’s newly acquired job atFlorida Atlantic. Here was Lane who was the play caller and the mastermindbehind the offense and in the biggest game of their lives he was gone. Alabamawould go on to lose that game. To a much greater degree this must be how thedisciple feel as Jesus tells them he is going away and that he is going to be killed.But Jesus is so full of compassion in these verses. He has every right to be focusedon his own task. After all he is the one who is about to go through this agonizingdeath, but his focus is on his disciples. He doesn’t want them to worry. He wantsthem to have greater faith. He wants them to have true joy that is bigger than theircircumstances. So let’s pick up in verse 16 as we answer the question, How canyou have joy in a trouble world.In verses 16-21 I want us to see that (I) the sorrow is temporary216 "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and youwill see me."All through the Bible we get the concept of messianic timing. It was the Godordained time in which things were to occur. We see Jesus say things like “mytime has not yet come”. Jesus is trying to communicate to the disciples that thetime is near for his death. It is but “a little while away”.I think it is difficult for us to really put ourselves in the place of the disciplesometimes. These were just common men. Fishermen or tax collectors or whateverthey were. And all they have known to this point is to follow Jesus. They justfollowed him. Tried to learn from him. They had no idea what is would be likewhen he was gone.In fact even that they haven’t really accepted. Their minds our clouded bypreconceptions of Judiasm. They don’t always follow what Jesus is teaching. Andthey probably deep down hope that Jesus is going to establish some sort of earthlyrule that will provide them some security. We will see this in the garden whenPeter is ready to wage war to prevent Jesus from being taken.But Jesus also says “in a little while” you will see me (again). Jesus want’s hisdisciples to realize that the sorrow is only temporary. One of the things that mywife, Brooke, always says is I can do anything as long as I know there is an end insight. Right, we just need some assurance that the difficult thing won’t lastforever. We need hope.[Jhn 16:17 ESV] 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this thathe says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, andyou will see me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?"Now stop right here do you see something in verse 17 that was not in verse 16. Wenow have this phrase “because I am going to the father”.3You see there is some debate around what the little while is. Is Jesus talking abouthe is going to die, but the he is going to be resurrected in 3 days? Is that the littlewhile? Or is he talking about something else. I think the key to understanding is inthat phrase that we get from the disciples “because I am going to the father”. Lookback at verse 6.[Jhn 16:7 ESV] 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I goaway, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I willsend him to you.So I believe the “little while and you will see me” is referring to the coming of theHoly Spirit. That is the context of this entire chapter, the coming of what Paulcalls in Romans as “the Spirit of Christ”. So because I go away to the Father “nothis death, but his ascension”, the Holy Spirit will come like we see in Acts 2 atPentecost. Which really fits with the rest of the entire chapter.Jesus wants them to know that the sorrow they will have is only temporary18 So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We do not knowwhat he is talking about." 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said tothem, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A littlewhile and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'?Now I’m right on the line of being Gen X and Millennial, and sometimes when Ithink back to my childhood I realize just how different we were built. I neverforget on teacher I had in shop class. Much of it was not about shop by the way.Have you ever heard that there is no such thing as a dumb question? Well hedidn’t subscribe to that. I’ll never forget one day in class this guy in the back ofthe room raised his hand and asked a question. I don’t remember what the questionwas but it must have been a dumb one, because what I do remember is how thatshop teacher responded. He said real calmly, little man, did you know peoplemight think you’re a dummy, but they don’t really know for sure. But the moment4you open your mouth and ask a question like that, everybody knows you’re adummy.Proverbs 17:28: "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when hecloses his lips, he is deemed intelligent".Now our disciple didn’t have Mr. McCreless but maybe they did read Proverbsbecause nobody wants to ask the question. But Jesus is determined to show themthe temporary nature of their sorrow so he gives them an illustration.[Jhn 16:20 ESV] 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but theworld will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.Jesus knows that these disciples are headed for sorrow. The road will not be easy.But ultimately they will have joy. And you as a believer has this very samepromise.[Rom 5:2-5 ESV] 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into thisgrace in which we stand, and we rejoice (definition find deep and abiding joy) inhope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings,knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character,and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God'slove has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been givento us.God is not allowing us to go through difficult seasons for no reason. He issovereign and in control of all things. And while we may not know His exactpurpose we can be assured that He is doing something in and through our trials.Our sorrow is temporary but our joy is everlasting. Jesus further explains it thisway.5[Jhn 16:21 ESV] 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because herhour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers theanguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.Jesus compares the suffering and the joy to a woman who is giving birth. Now, Ican tell you I have several children and I am somewhat of an expert you could sayin observing this phenomenon. I can tell you that the process appears from myvantage point to be very, very difficult. But I will never forget the moment whenthe first time in my life I heard the doctor say, I can see her head. It was as if inthat moment for the first time I really understood that I was about to be a Dad. Iwas completely and totally responsible for another human being. I was filled withan overwhelming amount of joy. And I remember when they handed my daughterto my wife and she held her and she just smiled and cried these tears of joy. Asgreat as the pain and the suffering was, it was in that moment completely gone andit was replaced with joy. And that joy of being a parent never goes away. Surethere are difficult times, but it is lasting.That brings me to my second point, (II)True Joy is Eternal[Jhn 16:22 ESV] 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, andyour hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.This reunioun with Christ or the Spirit of Christ creates in us a joy that cannot betaken from us by anyone.Now this Jesus points to 2 characteristics of this Joy. There is joy in having directaccess to God in Prayer.[Jhn 16:23-24 ESV] 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I sayto you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Untilnow you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joymay be full.6I will admit that I got hung up a little bit here. What does Jesus mean ask nothingof me? Is he saying don’t pray to Jesus? No, that’s not it at all. You have to thinkabout this in the context of the disciples. Up until this point in their lives all theyhave known about following Jesus has been to follow him. And if they were inneed they would ask him. Jesus would talk to the Father for them, and then thingswould happen. In fact all of John 17 is going to be exactly that, Jesus praying onbehalf of the disciples to the Father.So Jesus now because I am going away, things are going to be different, you nowhave direct access to the Father. And he gives a promise, ask it in my name andyou will receive it. And then we get a “so that”. Why does the Father answer theseprayers? So that your “JOY” may be made full!Now, what does it mean to pray in Jesus name?First of all, it is our identity. We recognize and declare that we are in Christ. Butmore importantly is aligns our motives. That is to say that if I pray for somethingin the name of Jesus I am saying, Father I am asking this because I believe it is thething that Jesus would also pray. Not out of selfishness or ambition, but I trulybelieve it is a desire of Christ for this thing to happen.So not only is access to God in prayer a characteristic of joy, but also true SpiritualDiscernment. (25)[Jhn 16:25 ESV] 25 "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The houris coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell youplainly about the Father.I think one of the most profound parts of Scripture is in comparing the disciplesthat are presented in the gospels. Often they appear confused, without direction,they don’t understand, they have no vision of the Kingdom. They are beingrepremanded for being out of line. But then Acts 2 happens.And all of the sudden, these disciples are presented in a completely different light.Teaching with authority. Some are writing Scripture in connection with the Holy7Spirit. Preaching deep theological Kingdom truths. All of this after Jesus hasascended!Remember what Darien said last week in John 16:13[Jhn 16:12-13 ESV] 12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bearthem now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth,for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak,and he will declare to you the things that are to come.Not only is the Holy Spirit called the Spirit of Christ as we saw in Romans, but heis called by John in this chapter as the “Spirit of Truth”. And knowing the truth isa great source of our Joy.So why does the Father want to answer our prayers, and why does he want us toknow the truth through discernment? Because he loves us. Verse 27.[Jhn 16:27 ESV] 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved meand have believed that I came from God.If you want to please the Father, or better yet if you want to be loved by theFather, then he asks us to love His Son. How do you do you love the Son?[Jhn 14:15 ESV] 15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.I want to be careful here, because I believe that you are saved by grace throughfaith. Not of works lest any man should boast. There is no amount of good deedsthat can get you to heaven or earn one ounce of favor with God. But I do want tomake a connection between faith and obedience in light of John 14:15.[2Co 13:5 ESV] 5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Testyourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is inyou?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test!8How do you know if you love Christ? How do you know if you are in the Faith?What is the test. If you love Christ, you will desire to know his Word, and you willdesire to keep his commandments. You will not do it perfectly, you will fail, justas I fail, but in you will be a desire to love God and to love people. There will be adesire to flee from Sin. And when you fall into sin you will be broken untorepentance. You are not saved by obedience, but obedience is an outpouring of alife that is in Christ.Some of you this morning may not know if you belong to Christ. Scripture calls usto examine ourselves. It doesn’t ever say did you pray a prayer. Did you gothrough confirmation, were you baptized? None of that. It always lands right here,is your life bearing the fruit of the Spirit. And if it isn’t then you have cause forgreat concern. If this is you then scripture is clear, believe on Jesus Christ today,and repent and place your faith in him.[Jhn 16:28-30 ESV] 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, andnow I am leaving the world and going to the Father." 29 His disciples said, "Ah,now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we knowthat you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why webelieve that you came from God."In these verses we can see ourselves. We see the first elements of faith in that theyhave an intellectual understanding of what Jesus is saying, but their faith is veryweak. Just like us.We can read the truth of God, we can write in our journal. We can even pray aboutsome Scripture that we have read and think. That’s awesome God thank you forshowing my that truth. It can be a delightful experience to have with the Lord, andI don’t want to take away from that. BUT, when do you really understand apassage like this?[Jhn 15:19 ESV] 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as itsown; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world,therefore the world hates you.9It’s not really when you read it. On a deeper level you understand it when youexperience it. When do you really understand a passage like “Even though I walkthrough the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me”.It’s not when you read it, when you understand it, it’s really when you live it.I think Jesus’ tone in verse 31, is dripping with irony.[Jhn 16:31 ESV] 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?In fact if I were paraphrasing this verse into modern language it might gosomething like, “oh do you now?”. They do understand to a degree, but the trialsthat lie ahead of them are about to take this small faith and grow it into somethingthat is unshakable.Peter who not long after this very moment will go on to deny Jesus 3 times. I don’tknow that man, I never heard of him. Who will hear the rooster crow and realizethat he has failed in his own power. The failed Peter who Jesus would return toand ask the question, Peter do you love me? Peter do you love me? Peter do youlove me? I can almost here Jesus say after all that? Now Peter, now do you believeme? And Peter would have said, Oh Lord, now because I have gone through all ofthis, now I really believe!It is that Peter, not failed Peter, but tested Peter, the redeemed Peter who goes onto write this:[1Pe 1:6-7 ESV] 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary,you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of yourfaith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may befound to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.The test is coming vs 32.10[Jhn 16:32 ESV] 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when youwill be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am notalone, for the Father is with me.They will fail. It doesn’t mean they aren’t believers. The test is for a purpose, tostrengthen, to grow.Why am I telling you all this, Jesus says?[Jhn 16:33 ESV] 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may havepeace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome theworld."Listen Church, Jesus doesn’t just speak these words to the disciples in the upperroom. I believe he has in mind, all of you, and me. And any disciple that would becalled to him. To believe in Jesus is to be at odds with the world. And there is apromise here that in this world. In this evil system that you find yourself a part of.you will have tribulation. You will have trouble. You will have sorrow.Jesus says take heart, I have overcome the world. This is the victory. Only Jesuscan say this. Only he has the power. If I say cheer up, buck up, hang it there it ismeaningless, because I don’t have the power to do anything. Not the case withJesus. The creator, God himself, says, I know your trouble, but rest in me, becauseI am the One that holds it all. We have nothing to worry about because of that. Lord’s Supper Invitationo Are you going through a trial? Pray this morning that God would growyour faith.o Maybe this morning you know another believer who is going thoughtrials and God is showing you an opportunity to encourage them andsupport them in the midst of it.o Maybe this morning you have examined yourself and you haveconcerns that your faith is not real.