Lipscomb Sermon (2)

The claim of the Text: God loves us despite us. We have a relationship with Him through Jesus and no matter what happens the victory is won.

Focus: Because of the relationship we have with God through Jesus we can have peace in the most turbulent times.

Function: To give hope for peace even when the world or we ourselves get in the way.

Intro

When my wife was pregnant with our first child it was one of the most nerve-wracking times in our lives. This was not due to anything that we did but it was because every time we showed up to an appointment the doctors would tell us the worst possible information. “The baby looks good but there is a chance that C4 is present in the womb.” At one point of the pregnancy, they told us that the ultrasound did not look good. They said that they needed to perform an Amniocentesis, sticking a needle in my wife’s stomach and extract something for some type of test. Then the doctor once again mentions the risks, including the death of a child, then leaves the room for us to decide. My wife is crying and internally freaking out but trying to play it cool. I have no idea what is going to happen to the baby. Then it hits me! I remember who I am and whose I am! I told my wife we were going to pray for a positive outcome and let God handle the rest. We promised each other that we would not worry or doubt God. I had no physical evidence that our first-born child would be safe. I had no proof that God was going to do anything. I had no confirmation from God that came with our prayer! At that moment I had to trust in my relationship with Him! And it brought actually brought us peace.

WE- Identification

Have you been there before?

Remember when you had more bills than income?

Remember when your church family became enemies?

Remember when your illness was greater than your faith?

God- Illumination

We are told by God through Jesus in these moments to “take courage” based on Jesus is and our relationship with the Father through him.

Turn your Bibles with me to John 16:25-33 as I read the text in its entirety.

John 16:25–33 (ESV)

25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 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, and now 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 know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 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.”

Speaking Plainly 25-28

As we pick up in the text Jesus has just finished explaining to them that the Holy Spirit is coming, and he is about to leave. His language is veiled and as we will see by this text it is a bit confusing to his disciples.

John 16:25 ESV

25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.”

He understands that not all he has said is clear and has even mentioned prior that the Holy Spirit would bring “all truth” after his departure but Jesus being who he is lets them know more.

First, he lets them know that he knows that he has been using veiled statements but assures them that it will soon end.

He then moves on to let them know that he will speak plainly about the Father. I see in this knowing the Father must be important.

John 16:26–27 ESV

26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

Jesus goes on to tell them about this future time that he speaks of.

Jesus tells them they are going to urgently ask of something from the Father and he will not ask for us.

This seems harsh at first glance, but Jesus is about to reveal something to them about a change that is coming. He let’s them know in verse 27

27 “for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”

He states that the Father loves them! Now this love that he speaks of is a special kind of love.

This love is Phileo! Phileo means to have love or affection for someone or something based on association. This word would have been used in relation to friends and family!

Jesus is essentially letting them know that he does not have to talk to the Father because they have a relationship with the Father and can do it for themselves!

This reminds me of The Godfather, in one of the opening scenes a man has a request to make. And the request is made on the day of wedding of the Godfathers daughter. It would seem as though it would be polite to wait until such festivities are over, but the Godfather is a sensible man and shows the requestee love. He responds, that despite this man’s fake friendship, he will grant his request. Now I am not saying that God is a kingpin but for those he has relationship with like the undertaker having a relationship with the Godfather’s wife, he will answer.

And Jesus not only speaks plainly about the relationship that exists between them and the Father but he tells them that in that day their relationship and love will be established because they have loved Jesus in the same way. And they believed that he did come from the Father. Jesus continues his plain speech by asserting his identity and mission again in verse 28

verse 28 saying “…I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

We see a beautifully formed verse here showing Jesus confirming his identity and mission to the world.

Jesus wants them to understand clearly from these verses that he must soon depart but their relationship with the Father will not be severed! We must remember as people of God that our connection to God is intact if we are connected to Jesus.

When “Aha!” turns to “Uh!?” 29-31

John 16:29 ESV

29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!

Upon hearing the good news disciples are now excited! In response to this plain speech they interject in verse 29

“…Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!” Their joy is exciting to me as a reader and it reminds me of the many times where I KNEW I had it all figured out!

John 16:30 ESV

30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”

Pay attention to the use of NOW here!

Because of this small portion of information, they are convinced! They seem to have it all figured out!

I remember at one point in my life having my finances all figured out! It was in college the first time around in Phoenix Arizona. I had next to no paycheck left but as I was walking to a corner store on my break, I discovered a “blessing” from God in the form of a payday loan company. So, the 18-year-old version of myself goes in to find out more and as it turned out, I could get the amount of money for my next check immediately before payday!! Aha! Now I had it all figured out! Then I saw all the fees and ended up paying them more than they gave me!

D.A. Carson states this about this verse “No misunderstanding is more pathetic than that which thinks it no longer exists.”

The disciples believe that they now understand and that they have it all together.

They have just stated some truths indeed!

Yes, Jesus knows all things and has no need for anyone to question him, as a deity of that time would have been believed to do.

Yes, Jesus did come from God as they stated.

But did Jesus believe their belief statement? Let us see what Jesus says.

John 16:31 ESV

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?

I can just imagine their faces and hearts!

Just knowing that as believers of God that have it all figured out, they were not supposed to get a question from Jesus as a response to their statement of faith and allegiance!

Jesus responds with a question to them that would cause any person some trepidation.

A healthy self-examination may be required every time we figure it all out. It will move you towards growth and God when we see where we really stand.

Genuine faith is less about bold statements and more about Abba relationships.

Cool Story Bro! 32-33

John 16:32–33 ESV

32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 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.”

Two years ago, a young basketball player in Dallas Texas was excelling! Rashun Richardson was a transfer student from Louisiana. Some could have said that he was a man among boys and that would turn out to be a literal statement! He was 25 years old. He was found out while playing at a tournament and a former coach noticed him and blew the whistle on him. Without proof that would seem to be an unbelievable story, right? But it is true!

How do you handle when your world comes crumbling down?

Jesus’ words as he tells these confident disciples “…the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone.”.

These same disciples who have just confirmed their faith and confessed that Jesus is from God are now being told that they are going to these terrible things!

They are going to abandon the one who makes a godly relationship possible!

That is a hard pill to swallow, especially when you have not done it yet.

Jesus seems to say to them “Cool story Bro!”, this is usually a term used to dismiss a story. And one would think so reading on the surface.

If we take a closer look at the language Jesus uses here, Mt. 26:31, and Mk. 14:27 he speaks of scattering of sheep. And it echoes from Zech 13:7

Matthew 26:31 ESV

31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Mark 14:27 ESV

27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

Zechariah 13:7 ESV

7 “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.

And as you look at this chapter and the whole of Zechariah you see these similarities to Jesus and his mission.

Zechariah is prophesying to a people who have newfound freedom and are tasked with building a new Temple.

What Zechariah has to say does not sound appealing at all if you only read one verse.

If you continue reading, especially to Zech. 13:9 it says two thirds of the people perish but there is a third left!

Zechariah 13:9 ESV

9 And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”

Does that not sound familiar? God responding to prayers of those that he has love (phileo) for?

So, Jesus makes this foundational statement first that we have a loving relationship with the Father and then lets us know that he already knows that we are going to make mistakes.

Yet he does not condemn!

Instead, he says I know this truth about my family and friends and me being alone but I need you to understand one thing “…I am not alone, for the Father is with me.”

John 16:32 ESV

32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

His relationship with the Father assures that He will never be alone!

He wants us to see that although flesh has abandoned him and soon his flesh will fail him the Father does not leave those he is in a relationship with!

And Jesus then moves to give the reason for this revelation.

John 16:33 ESV

33 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.”

He mentions their failure, he tells of their upcoming abandonment of him, and assures them he will not be alone because the Father is with him.

All of that does not seem to promote peace. Until you see that the peace can be found in him, in his example of earthly loneliness but heavenly hope.

He assures them that tribulation is sure in this world! But so is his victory over it!

Through his example, we see that the relationship with the Father offers peace during trials. Even when those trials are caused by us.

You

I want all of us in relationship to understand that being in Christ does not exempt us from trials, but it does assure a loving relationship with the Father and peace throughout the trials. What is so great about our relationship is that even if it is us who causes the trials God leaves room for us to come back to Him. The adversary wants us to give up when we mess up, he wants us to feel as though we are alone, he wants us to believe that we are not good enough when we make mistakes. When facing trials ask the Father for what you need your relationship warrants a request and response! When you fail understand that Jesus did not!

WE

What if our communities reflected this relationship with the Father coupled with a never say die attitude?

What if our churches understand the connection they have with the Father and the peace they could possess because of it?

What if our country was tuned in with the fact that God is not about cancel-culture with those who belong to him?