John 16:16-33 - The Resurrection and Its Effects Foretold
Introduction:
According to the Apostle Paul, if the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not fact, we have no sermons to preach, we have nothing to base our faith on, and we are still in our sins.
According to 1 Corinthians 15, Paul states that "if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty…” “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 17)
Resurrection is not just New Testament theology. Job believed in the resurrection from the grave, In his deep pain and sorrow, he asked, “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes (Job 14:14).
Then he goes on to say in (Job 19:25), “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth” (Job 19:25).
Job was suffering, and in his anguish, knowing that his Redeemer lives brought him comfort. And believers throughout the ages who have suffered had hope because they knew that their Redeemer lives. And today, those of us who suffered, or are currently suffering and have anguish, knowing that Jesus Christ, our Redeemer lives brings us hope as well.
A. The resurrection perplexes people (v.16-19).
1. “A little while, and you will not see Me… a little while you will see Me…” (v.16).
a) Jesus predicted His death and resurrection (v.16).
(1) His death: “A little while, and ye shall not see me.”
(2) His resurrection: “And again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.”
2. “What is this that He says to us… (v.17)? We do not know what He is saying…” (v.18).
a) The resurrection was perplexing (v.17-19)
(1) The prediction puzzled the disciples, and they began to ask among themselves what Jesus meant (v.17-18).
(2) Jesus, knowing that the disciples did not understand, wanted to help (v.19).
(a) That’s one of the things I love about the Lord, He does not want to leave us in the dark about something, He wants us to understand Him:
James says "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5, NKJV)
Paul gives some illustrations about a soldier, athlete and farmer and them he says "Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (2 Timothy 2:7-10, NKJV)
The Psalmist says "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." (Psalm 32:8, NKJV)
The writer of Proverbs says "Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all." (Proverbs 28:5, NKJV)
!!!!! (3) The resurrection does puzzle and perplex people; it always has and always will.
(a) Some deny the resurrection.
(b) Some say it happened so long ago that if it did happen, say that it cannot be proven
(c) Some say they don’t even have time to think about it, they will deal with it later.
Paul said "For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." (Romans 10:3, NKJV)
People are ignorant, having a darkened heart, again, Paul said "having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;" (Ephesians 4:18, NKJV)
One day we will stand before God and Peter says "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct," (1 Peter 1:13-15, NKJV)
B. The resurrection brings joy—irrepressible joy (v.20-22)
1. “You will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice…” (v.20).
a) There was sorrow at first: His death (v.20a).
(1) Jesus said there was to be sorrow at first. He would be going away and leaving the disciples by sacrificing Himself for the world.
(2) They would “weep” and “lament” and experience deep grief. Their hopes would seem to be torn apart because of man’s ultimate enemy: death.
The Psalmist went through hard times, listen to this "I sink in deep mire, Where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me." (Psalm 69:2, NKJV)
Asaph says eSasjjdhdhdddh"But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped." (Psalm 73:2)
Even when he sought to understand things he said "When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me” (Psalm 73:16, NKJV)
(3) Jesus also said there would be those who would rejoice at His death. Why?
(a) To those people it would prove that He was not who He said He was, the Son of God and being dead, all his demand would not be binding on them.
(b) In other words, men would not have to do what He said: deny themselves and give all they were and had to Him.
Jesus gave a parable and he mentions people not wanting this man to reign over their lives: "But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us." (Luke 19:14, NKJV)
Jesus said "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25, NKJV)
2. “But you sorrow will be turned to joy…” (v.20b).
a) There was then joy: His resurrection (v.20b).
(1) Jesus said that He would rise from the dead, and His resurrection would cause His followers to burst forth with joy.
(2) His resurrection meant that death was conquered. Men no longer had to die, no longer had to be condemned for sin. They could be delivered from sin and death by following Jesus.
!!! 3. “A woman in labor has sorrow, after giving birth, she forgets the sorrow…” (v.21).
a) There was a good illustration: A woman’s travail (v.21).
(1) Here is a woman giving birth to a child suffering all the pains and sorrow that come with giving birth.
(2) But once the child is born, the sorrow and pain are all forgotten, for a new life has been brought into the world.
b) There was irrepressible joy (v.22)
(1) The resurrection and presence of Jesus Himself brings great joy (v.22a).
(a) Just think: Jesus is not dead. His body has not decayed in a grave: He has arisen. He emerged from the grave and ascended to the Father.
(b) There is victory over the grave, triumph over death. Man can now live forever. No truth could fill a man with any more joy and rejoicing than really knowing that death has been conquered in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(2) The believer’s joy cannot be taken away by any man (v.22b).
C. The resurrection gives open access into God’s presence (v.23-24)
1. “”In that day you will ask Me nothing…” (v23a).
a) The glorious promise (v.23).
(1) This does not mean that we can’t ask Jesus anything, but He is saying that we can go directly to the Father ourselves
b) The institution of prayer “in Jesus’ name” (v.24)
(1) Men know must approach God through Jesus, and only Jesus Christ.
Speaking about Jesus, Paul said "For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV)
Jesus also gives a promise "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13, NKJV)
(2) Jesus gives the believer promises because of asking in His name:
(a) He will receive what he asks (John 15:7).
(b) His joy is full and complete (John 15:11).
D. The resurrection reveals all about the Father (v.25-27).
1. “I will tell you plainly about the Father…” (v.25).
a) The resurrection shows and declares the Father clearly (v.25).
(1) Jesus said that the resurrection would show (declare) the Father plainly. It shows and declares God’s nature...
(a) of compassion: of caring for those gripped by sin and death.
(b) of salvation: of delivering men from the fear and bondage of sin and death.
(c) of power: of omnipotence, of being able to plan and carry out the plan of salvation by overruling all and by raising the dead.
(d) of life: possessing life itself and being able to infuse life into the dead.
(e) of justice: not allowing One who was sinless and perfect to be held by death.
(f) of Omniscience: knowing all, knowing the terrible injustice done to the innocent Son of God and knowing how to solve and work the whole scene out for the good of salvation.
!!!! b) The resurrection shows that the approach to God is “in Jesus’ name” (v.26).