So You Want to be A Christian?

Sermon • Submitted a month ago • Presented a month ago

0 ratings

· 1 view

Notes

Transcript

John 16:23–33 ““In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. “Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”” ‘

Alright—this text won’t let you romanticize Christianity. If you came looking for a soft, consequence-free faith, John 16:23–33 will correct that quickly. This is Jesus telling the truth about what it actually means to follow Him—and why it’s still worth it.

Sermon Title: So You Want to Be a Christian

Text: John 16:23–33 (KJV)

Introduction (Hook + Framing)

There are a lot of people who want the benefits of Christianity without the burden of it.

We want:

the peace… but not the pressure

the joy… but not the journey

the crown… but not the cross

But Jesus, on the night before His crucifixion, gathers His disciples—not to recruit them with comfort—but to prepare them with truth.

And if you’re serious about following Him, you need to hear what He says:

“So you want to be a Christian?” Let Me tell you what comes with it.

I. If You Want to Be a Christian, You Must Learn How to Pray Right (vv. 23–24)

“Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you…”

Jesus introduces a new reality: You now have access to the Father—but it comes through Me.

This is not about ending your prayers with “in Jesus’ name” like a password. This is about praying:

in alignment with His will

in submission to His authority

in dependence on His sufficiency

You don’t just get to ask—you have to ask right.

Some of us are frustrated in prayer not because God is silent… but because our prayers are self-centered instead of Christ-centered.

But when you pray in His name:

“that your joy may be full”

Not partial joy. Not temporary joy. Full joy.

Preaching Turn

You haven’t experienced real joy until your requests line up with His will, your desires bow to His purpose, and your life echoes His name!

II. If You Want to Be a Christian, You Must Grow Into Clarity (v. 25)

“These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs…”

Jesus admits something powerful:

“You don’t fully understand yet.”

And that’s okay.

Because Christianity is not:

instant comprehension

but progressive revelation

There will be seasons where:

God feels unclear

life feels confusing

and His voice feels distant

But Jesus promises:

“I shall shew you plainly of the Father”

Exegetical Weight

Clarity comes:

after the resurrection

through the Spirit

in relationship over time

Preaching Turn

Stop quitting on God just because you don’t understand Him yet!

You don’t start with clarity— you grow into it!

III. If You Want to Be a Christian, You Must Be Rooted in the Father’s Love (vv. 26–27)

“For the Father himself loveth you…”

Jesus corrects a dangerous assumption:

God is not:

distant

disinterested

or reluctantly kind

The Father Himself loves you.

Not because you’re perfect— but because you are connected to Christ.

Theological Tension

We often think:

Jesus is trying to convince God to love us

But Jesus says:

God already loves you!

Preaching Turn

You’re not begging for love— you’re standing in it!

You’re not trying to earn it— you’ve already been given it!

IV. If You Want to Be a Christian, You Must Center Your Life on Christ (v. 28)

“I came forth from the Father… I go to the Father.”

Jesus gives the whole gospel in one verse:

He came from God

He entered the world

He completed His mission

He returned to the Father

Truth

Christianity is not about:

your feelings

your preferences

your circumstances

It is about Jesus.

Preaching Turn

If Christ is not the center, then Christianity becomes a performance instead of a relationship!

V. If You Want to Be a Christian, Your Faith Will Be Tested (vv. 29–32)

The disciples say:

“Now we believe!”

Jesus responds:

“Do ye now believe?”

Translation: “You think you do… but you don’t know yet.”

Because He says:

“Ye shall be scattered…”

They will:

run

hide

abandon Him

Exegetical Truth

Sincere faith can still be shallow faith.

But Watch Jesus

“Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”

Even when:

people fail you

friends leave you

support disappears

God will still be with you.

Preaching Turn

People may walk out— but God never walks away!

VI. If You Want to Be a Christian, You Must Expect Trouble—But Stand in Victory (v. 33)

“In the world ye shall have tribulation…”

Let’s be clear:

Jesus did not say:

you might have trouble

you could have trouble

He said: you SHALL have tribulation

Pressure Pain Opposition Struggle

But Here’s the Shift

“Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Not “I will” Not “I might” “I HAVE”