Joy v. The World

Knower of Thoughts (v. 19)

The disciples were wondering about what Jesus said but were not saying anything to him, but he knew what they were thinking and addressed it. We now that Jesus knows our thoughts, but we forget he knows the thoughts of our enemies. We don’t understand the world, we can’t understand other people well. But God does. he knows their every detail. God is not surprised by people’s actions.

God knows what questions people have, so listen to him in your quiet time because he may be preparing you for something.

When i was in Shreveport God laid it on my heart too do a slide pertaining to a particular sin. It did not fit in that part of the lesson, but I could not ignore the draw to address the sin. So i put it in there. Well that night in class a student stands up and brags on this sin. I did not say a word to him because that slide was next. I hit next and discussed the slide. The boy did not know what to say.

As you are combatting the world know God understands everyone, thus he can orchestrate your path the best.

A Hard Fought Victory (v. 20)

Have you ever wondered why the bad get away with everything and the good people always seem to get struck down?

The storms give the redeemed a platform. Storms are megaphone for the faith of the redeemed.

The world seems to be partying and enjoying themselves. We look at them sometimes jealous of their rejoicing, but what we forget is they are counting their chickens before the eggs hatch or more simple they celebrate too soon. They about like a football player who drops the ball in celebration a yard short of the touchdown.

In what Jesus was talking about here the pharisees were going to be celebrating because he was dead. They thought they won, but Jesus rose three days later. Their partying went to weeping.

Jesus let them know they were going to go through a tough time, but they would end in joy. As believers we will go through tough times. As believers we will go through times of sorrow. When the final word is had we will go from weeping to a joy filled eternal party. It is not an easy path, but it will be a path eternally worth it.

The world will be weeping all eternity but we will be rejoicing all eternity. The tears will be fleeting for the believer, the tears will be blinding for the non-beleiver.

Pain Produces Beauty (V. 21)

Jesus here uses child birth to bring into picture of how painful circumstances can result in beauty. Childbirth is painful but results in a great blessing. Trials and tribulation in life are the birthing pangs of strong faith. Makes me think of the words of Romans 8:28.

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

We don’t always understand why we go through the trials we do, but we know their is beauty to come.

My grandma passed and it helped lead to my salvation.

When the joy/blessings come out of the storm the pain becomes worth every step. The pain doesn’t seem quiet as bad.

When pain comes we have two choices, give up or keep fighting.

Show Facing the Giants clip

We can choose not to fight through the pain, we can choose to wallow in the pain, we can choose to point fingers in the pain, or we can choose to push through the pain, we can choose to praise through the pain. Get bitter or get better.

The Permanence of Joy (V. 22)

Joy is something that cannot be taken from us. God grants it, not people or circumstances. What affects our joy is us, our faithfulness.

What diminishes joy?

Sin

Psalm 66:18 ESV

If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

wrong motives

Acts 8:21 ESV

You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

James 4:3 ESV

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Relationships

Matthew 5:24 ESV

leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Unbelief

James 1:6–7 ESV

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

If you wish for your life to be joy filled evaluate yourself in the four ways we just discussed

Cracking Under Pressure (V. 30-32)

I love this part tonight. The disciples in verse 30 talk about having belief, but Jesus hits them with the “Do you now believe?” in verse 31. I feel like it was one of the questions that hit you with some conviction. Jesus then follows up with telling them they were going to crack under pressure. Jesus was telling them when they come to arrest me you all gonna flee. Acts 14:22 says,

Acts 14:22 ESV

strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Tribulation is coming. A believer will face tribulation, their is no if or butts about it. Tribulation will come. In the time of trial I do not want Jesus to say I scattered or left him alone. I want him to be able to say i stood strong

A key to standing strong is letting your life match up with the Jesus answers you give. It is easy to say one thing and to do it is another.

Outro

John 16:33 (ESV)

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.”

How do we have peace and take heart in this world?

Take peace in God knows the thoughts of your enemies

Use your tribulations for a megaphone for your faith

Choose not to gripe.

Evaluate your life for joy stranglers

5. Live out God’s Word.