The Great Overcomer
Seeing Jesus Through The Eyes of a Friend • Sermon • Submitted
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· 23 viewsJesus will overcome!
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Introduction
Opening Illustration - Heather Dorniden's Inspiring 600 meter race - Talk about overcoming a significant challenge!
Jesus is finishing a very important discussion, His farewell discourse, with his eleven disciples. Remember, these are the men who would lead the church (which isn’t around yet) into the future. They would start a spiritual revolution that would reach through the centuries radically reaching those lost in sin, changing their lives and causing them to be part of a community of faith that change the world. They would overcome the world because their savior was and is the ultimate OVERCOMER!
Main Idea - Jesus is the Ultimate Overcomer!
Transition - And as Jesus’ “Farewell discourse () comes to a close, there are three things in particular that we should notice from the text. Three things that clearly demonstrate that Jesus is the overcomer He claims to be...
1. Jesus Overcomes the World because of the Loving Plan of the Father (vs. 25-28)
First and foremost we must remember that Jesus’ role in being the ultimate overcomer was because of a plan that was developed before we, as a human race, ever existed. A plan that would introduce the “Overcomer” at the right time and in the right place in history. Look at the text with me...
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.”
Jesus, the Ultimate Overcomer, let’s them know that He has purposely talked with them in “figures of speech” since Judas left them in the upper room, but that was all to change. From the beginning of Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse”, He spoke of “In my Father’s house are many rooms (or mansions) or just a few verses prior He spoke of a woman in labor. All of these parables were hard for the disciples to understand and they were having trouble tracking with Him (vs. 29-30).
By the way, you may be thinking, why would Jesus teach in such an enigmatic way? Why not always tell people the clear truth? I believe Jesus, the master teacher, would often teach this way to pique interest. To entice people to seek more knowledge! And once they “got it”, this kind of teaching would help them “keep it”! Stories and word pictures help truth stick.
Besser observes here, “From the very first words of our Lord’s farewell discourse,—‘In my Father’s house are many mansions,’—up to the words concerning the travailing woman, the heavenly purport of the discourse is enwrapped in various similes and parables.”
J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on John, vol. 3 (New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1880), 162.
But, Jesus promises a time when He will speak plainly and clearly to them about the Father and His plan. When is that day? I believe it is the 40 days after the resurrection/before His ascension. Forty Days He walked, talked and taught them. Forty days He laid forth the significance of His death, burial and resurrection. He taught them plainly about the Father...
What would He teach them about the Father? Well, think about it. By then the crucifixion, burial and resurrection will be in the past. There will be so many things to review and they will have a clearer understand having just experienced it. Jesus will be able to teach them openly and plainly about the Heavenly Father and His amazing plan of redemption, about Jesus as the true Messiah brought back to life and How He relates to the Father.
Keep in mind, we have 2000 years of church history that helps bring clarity to the relationship between the Father and he Son. They didn’t have that and they will need much clarification. Jesus will shoot as clear and straight with them as possible...
In verse 26, Jesus returns to the subject of prayer in His name that we see in verses 23-24. He brings some interesting clarity. It makes sense to surmise that the “day” He is referring is again, post resurrection.
Illustrate -
John MacArthur Jr., ed., The MacArthur Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville, TN: Word Pub., 1997), 1618.
The point? Jesus wanted to make sure they understood why they were to pray in the Name of Christ. It wasn’t because the Father didn’t love and appreciate the Disciples! No!
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; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
This coming day would give the disciples a beautiful intimacy with the Father that was impossible apart form Jesus’ redemptive work. In that day they could have sweet fellowship with the Father! Jesus would not need to go to the Father on their behalf, they would have personal access to their Abba (Papa) through the one and only Name, Jesus!
John MacArthur - I do not say. Christ was clarifying what He meant by praying in His name. He did not mean asking Him to ask the Father, as if the Father was indifferent to believers, but not to His Son. On the contrary, the Father loves Christ’s own. In fact, the Father sent the Son to redeem them and then return. Asking in Jesus’ name means simply asking on the basis of His merit, His righteousness, and for whatever would honor and glorify Him so as to build His kingdom. - John MacArthur Jr., ed., The MacArthur Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville, TN: Word Pub., 1997), 1618.
Do you see why the Father loves the Disciples? Two reasons. One, because they loved Jesus...
Second, they believed that He came from God...
I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
John
Illustrate -
Within the Trinity someone had to leave Heaven to fulfill the plan of the Father. Jesus, the eternal Son, left! Jesus, the eternal Son came into the world in a very humble way, lived a sinless life and offered himself up at the only acceptable sacrifice for your sin and mine.
Once this was complete, the plan was for the Son to return to the Father and sit at His right hand.
They believed this about Jesus and it was that belief, according to this text, that endeared them to the Father.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Listen, the more and more people that believe these things about Jesus…the more and more people that buy into the Fathers plan!
And this is the Father’s plan to use the Son to overcome the World! And the world is overcome, in part, through changed lives!
The more believers, the more influence for Christ, them more cultural change. Do you want to know how to overcome the world? Share the Fathers plan with the unbelievers around you. As they are overcome by the grace and love of Jesus, the more the world will be overcome.
Remember, Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ!
Illustrate - You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make um drink! True, very true! But you can salt His oats...
Apply - The disciples believed on Jesus and the Father loved them as a result! This is the Gospel in a nutshell! This plan of the Father is brilliant! It will ultimately overcome the world.
Review - Jesus is the Ultimate Overcomer!
Jesus Overcomes the World because of the Loving Plan of the Father
2. Jesus Overcomes the World by Revealing He Came from God (vs. 29-30)
Point 2.
Nobody likes to feel stupid or like they don’t “get” something. My dad used to get so frustrated with me that I couldn’t “get” algebra! He would laugh because he couldn’t get that I didn’t get it! It came easily to him but not for me. I didn’t like to admit that! And I think this is what is happening with the disciples. They didn’t want to admit that they were not fully tracking with Jesus...
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.”
Apparently, from their words, they all of a sudden understand what Jesus is talking about. Now, do you see a bit of a problem here between what Jesus said in verses 25-26? Take a look again...
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;
Do you see it? Jesus said, “The hour is coming...” and “In that day...” Yet the disciples say that they are already getting it! Hmmm?
They don’t have to wait for the hour, they don’t have to wait for the day, they are starting to understand Him now! Not really! Remember, you don’t know what you don’t know. And they didn’t really know!
D.A. Carson - Jesus’ followers do not understand that Jesus will speak “plainly” after the resurrection (see v. 25 and note). Misunderstanding is even more pathetic when people think it no longer exists (cf. Introduction: Characteristics and Themes, 7).
Jesus’ followers do not understand that Jesus will speak “plainly” after the resurrection (see v. 25 and note). Misunderstanding is even more pathetic when people think it no longer exists (cf. Introduction: Characteristics and Themes, 7).
D. A. Carson, “The Gospels and Acts,” in NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message, ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015), 2188.
So, in their immature faith they are claiming to understand the proverbial words of the Lord. Jesus, however says His plain speaking hasn’t started yet. The hour hasn’t come and the day hasn’t arrived. They may think they are “picking up what He is laying down”, but not really! How do I know?
Their behavior the next day, during Jesus’ trials and crucifixion would indicate they really didn’t get what He is talking about.
Their behavior the next day, during Jesus’ trials and crucifixion would indicate they really didn’t get what He is talking about.
Maybe they do, maybe they don’t? Their behavior the next day, during Jesus’ trials and crucifixion would indicate they really didn’t get what He is talking about.
But, even in their deluded “understanding” they do get something right…Look at verse 30...
The bottom line, however, they do get something right. Verse 30...
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.”
Jesus is an absolutely brilliant man. There is no one throughout the recorded Scriptures that can best the arguments of Jesus. Oh, yes they can ignore them, mock and ridicule them, but they cannot beat them!
Regardless of how they knew, they got it right! They are repeating what Jesus said in 27. They believe that He knows all things (Omniscience) and because of this they believe He comes from God...
Jesus is God very God and therefore He has the attributes and characteristics of God...
Jesus is God very God and therefore He has the attributes and characteristics of God. One of many attributes or characteristics is His omniscience (all knowing). God knows everything...
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
Peter claims this about Jesus...
20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
While they were still fuzzy about everything pertaining to the Christ, they were beginning to think and verbalize that Jesus was the Christ and is God!
Why? Because Jesus reflected the Glory of God! He was the physical manifestation of God! In His physical body he reflected clear divinity!
16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Jesus reflects the Father..
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Why is this important for us to understand from this text.
Because, Jesus’ incarnation made your redemption possible. He, God is perfect in every way…And this perfection qualifies Him to be your sin sacrifice...
It’s not just that He came from God, He was and IS God!
He revealed Himself over and over to the disciples, to the pharisee, sadducees and to all the religious elite. And He continues to reveal himself to a lost world today! How?
General Revelation - the world around us.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Special Revelation - the Word in front of us.
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
General Revelation cannot save. Special revelation makes salvation possible...
God has revealed Himself to this world. This would, by faith must respond to this revelation.
30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Illustrate - How does Clark Kent reveal he is, in fact, the Superman? By taking off his glasses and pulling open his shirt to reveal the big S
How did Jesus reveal that He was from God and, in fact, is God?
His words, His miracles, His fulfillment of ancient prophecy, His death, His burial and His resurrection!
Apply - Do you believe that Jesus is from God like the disciples say He is? Really it boils down to you being in one of two camps.
Believe or Unbelief.
IF you believe in Christ, eternal life.
IF you do not believe that Jesus is from God and is in fact God, eternal death.
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
Which camp are you in? The believing Camp or the unbelieving Camp?
It is only through belief in Christ that you can overcome death because Jesus overcame death!
Review - Jesus is the Ultimate Overcomer!
Jesus is the Ultimate Overcomer!
Jesus Overcomes the World by His Presence
Jesus Overcomes the World with His Word
Point 3.
Review - Jesus is the Ultimate Overcomer!
Jesus Overcomes the World because of the Loving Plan of the Father
3. Jesus Overcomes the World by Giving Peace (vs. 31-33)
Jesus Overcomes the World by Revealing He Came from God
3. Jesus Overcomes the World by Giving Peace (vs. 31-33)
3. Jesus Overcomes the World by Giving a Peace that Passes all Understanding (vs. 31-33)
Last week we, as a country, endured yet another tragedy. A 19 year old fool decided it would be a fine idea to shoot 17 innocent victims. Of course this, yet again sparks another political debate that I am not going to get into this morning. What I do find interesting is that whenever there is a national tragedy such as this, people without a saving faith try to offer some measure of hope and peace from this senselessness. Unfortunately for them, they cannot. It is impossible because they do not understand a persons heart.
The world searches in vain for meaning and peace, but it is a fools errand apart from Jesus. Stated another way, if you want to know peace, know Jesus! No Jesus, no peace. Listen to the Words of Jesus...
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 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. 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.”
With a gleam in His eye and perhaps a touch of sarcasm in His voice, the Lord asks them, “Do you now believe?” “Do you really believe?” He knew the stuff they were made of. He knew their propensity to fall away! He even knew Peter would deny Him three times. “Do you really believe?” He lets them know the reality of their “believing” response to the tremendous trial they are about to face. He reminds them of the prophecy found in Zech
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.
Zech
He will face His greatest trial during his journey on this earth only to have those closet to Him, those He called friends, turn their backs on Him and leave Him to face this horrific time alone.
But Jesus reminds them that even though they will leave Him, the Father will be with Him...
This is the end of His “Farewell Discourse” (13:31-16:32). His last bit of teaching to prepare them for the inevitable coming of His death!
He has said all of these things (13:31-16:32) for a specific purpose, do you see it?
“I have said these things to you, THAT IN ME you may have Shalom / Peace!
Let’s review and see how they could have ultimate shalom.
Peace comes from love for one another...
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Peace comes from believing the New Covenant...
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Peace comes from having the Holy Helper...
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Peace comes from Abiding in Jesus...
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Peace comes from sacrificial love...
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Peace comes from knowing we will suffer life Jesus...
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
John
Peace comes from the empowering of the Holy Spirit...
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
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.
Peace comes because of the the Gospel!
16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
The point of the Farewell Discourse? To prepare the Apostels to be the disciple making disciples they are supposed to be! To prepare them to look beyond their current circumstance and see life with an eternal perspective. To give them a perspective that would enable them to have a Peace that passes all understanding.
Explain -
Illustrate - A Secrete weapon brings confidence. (Autumn, Kaelynn and Megan Searls Martial Arts Specialist!)
Apply - Do you have a peace that passes all understanding or are you someone that is often wrestling with fear and worry?
Peace comes from believing the New Covenant!
Peace comes from the Holy Helper
Peace comes from Abiding in the Vine
Peace comes from from sacrificial love...
Peace comes from knowing we will suffer for Jesus
Peace comes from the empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit
Peace, true peace comes from the Gospel. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Folks, this is you secret weapon! This is your path to peace that passes all understanding! This is how you guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus!
Jesus overcomes all the worry, tension, fear that the world continues to produce by giving a peace that can only come from Him!
Do you have that peace? If not there are two possible reasons why.
One - you are not a believer.
Two - you are a believer but you are caught up in sin...
either way, what is the solution? Repentance!!!
Some of you here this morning need to do business with God!
Jesus Overcomes the World because of the Loving Plan of the Father
Jesus Overcomes the World by Revealing that He Came from God
Jesus is the Ultimate Overcomer!
Jesus Overcomes the World by His Presence
Jesus Overcomes the World by Giving a Peace that Passes all Understanding
Jesus Overcomes the World with His Word
Jesus Overcomes the World by Giving Peace
Conclusion
This morning we covered three things that clearly demonstrated Jesus to be the Ultimate Overcomer He claims to be...
Review - Jesus is the Ultimate Overcomer!
Review - Jesus is the Ultimate Overcomer!
Jesus Overcomes the World because of the Loving Plan of the Father
Jesus Overcomes the World by Revealing He Came from God
Jesus Overcomes the World by Giving a Peace that Passes all Understanding
Application - But how should this affect you? What difference should it make in your life?
If you are a Christian, then you are an overcomer as well. Regardless of the circumstances you face, regardless of the pain you endure, you, in Christ, have overcome the world. So, LIVE LIKE IT!
If you are an overcomer, who are you helping to overcome as well?
Concluding thought
I’m sure you, in your race of life have fallen down. But if you are a follower of Jesus, you need to, you must, you can get back up and win the race...
16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
Are you righteous? You are if you are in Christ! And the righteous will fall, but...
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Invitation
Connection Group Questions
What is one thing that encourages or challenges you from this passage?
Verse 27 and 28 tells us that God loves the disciples because of two things. Discuss why these two things are so important?
The omniscience of Jesus is a very important doctrine of the Scriptures. Why is this subject so important for believers to understand? Discuss the several possible reasons.
Believers receive a peace that the world just doesn’t understand. What are some things we should do with this tremendous gift?