John 16:25-33: When We Just Don't Get It
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I. Introduction: When We Just Don’t Get It
I. Introduction: When We Just Don’t Get It
Have you ever been trying to understand something that was difficult, and no matter how hard you tried, you just couldn’t “get it?” People can explain it to you 100 different ways, but you just don’t get it.
Well you’re in good company, because when it comes to what is going on in the world around us, a lot of us just don’t “get it” either....
If you have been going through something difficult in your life, listen closely this morning because Jesus has some words for you.
a. Scripture: John 16:25-33
a. Scripture: John 16:25-33
And as always, I’m going to ask you to stand with me, if you are able, as we read from God’s Holy, Perfect, Sufficient and inerrant Word.
25 “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.
26 “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;
27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
28 “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech.
30 “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.”
31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
32 “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.
33 “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.”
<Pray>
Thank you, and you may be seated.
II. Contextualization
II. Contextualization
a. Still there in the upper room…reclining…spending time w/ disciples…very last meal together.... Last time we were together in we discussed how Jesus welcomes our questions…how He wants to heal our anxiety....and we also talked about how a moment of sorrow can heighten a moment of joy.
b. Jesus gives the Disciples a warning because of His departure and then some words of comfort b/c the Holy Spirit is coming....
c. Last time in John: Jesus explains why the Holy Spirit coming is such a good thing....He discussed the work of the Holy Spirit.
d. Today: Jesus picks up where we left off last time....Jesus tells them that he has been speaking to them figuratively and what He means by that....and that He does this in order to bring them peace.
III. Major Points
III. Major Points
1. Jesus Desires Our Understanding
2. Jesus Made the Bridge
3. Jesus Turns Fear into Peace
IV. Point #1: Jesus Desires Our Understanding
IV. Point #1: Jesus Desires Our Understanding
25 “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.
Explanation
What is a figure of speech? - Definition: a word or phrase used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical or vivid effect.
Jesus is the master teacher....utilizes various techniques…stories....parables....examples....analogies....lots of figurative language in addition to plain spoken words....to help people understand these difficult things.
But Jesus is also aware of His audience....that they lacked the vision spiritually that He was giving them verbally for their mind....
i.e:…They didn’t “get it”
9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom,
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus misundestood…He didn’t “get it”
10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
- Samaritan woman at the well…she thought He was speaking of real water....She didn’t “get it”
Why did Jesus use figures of speech like this? To give people without the Holy Spirit the best understanding they could possibly have...
Remember earlier in John, Jesus promised another helper....a paraclete....The Holy Spirit is our teacher and our guide....but these disciples would not have Him to lead and guide them until Jesus was already ascended into heaven in in the upper room at Pentecost…So Jesus’ is giving our minds the best examples possible for the people who needed it most....He desired their understanding.
Illustration
Many years ago, when I was in the third grade, my dad and I went off into the woods to cut down a tree and get some fire wood…I got away from my dad and began climbing a nearby oak tree. When I got about 15 or so feet up high, I grabbed ahold of a rotten limb and it broke…and I feel to the ground landing on my back. Boy did that hurt....the worst part was that it knocked the breath out of me…and it took me several minutes before I was breathing right again. Some time later, mama decided to take me to the doctor to make sure I was alright…I had been complaining about my back and, of course, that’s not normal for a 3rd grader... Upon arrival, the first thing the doctor did was take an x-ray in order to determine the extent of the damage. The x-ray confirmed that I had a bruise on my spine. Now I had no idea you could bruise a bone, but apparently that is, indeed, a thing. The point is this, really: The x-ray was very helpful, in that it provided us with a much clearer UNDERSTANDING of the condition of the bones in my spine....it was a tool for better understanding....but, and here’s the kicker: the xray did absolutely nothing fix it.
Application
Church, listen closely this morning: Jesus has given us the teaching....He desires that we understand....He has used those figures of speech....the stories....the parables....he gave sermons....He has given us the Bible....ALL of these things as tools that we might better understand Him better...
But just like the xray, they won’t do the healing if you don’t do anything with that information.
You see, for my back to feel better back then, I had to take it easy....which wasn’t easy for me in the third grade believe it or not…I liked to be on the go and playing all the time when I was little....if a doctor told me to take it easy today I’m like “alright! I got this!”....back then not so much....I had to put hot and cold compresses on my back....take some medicine…and in a few weeks I was right as rain.
But look…what do you reckon would’ve happened if we had gotten the xray results and then said “hmmm, well that’s interesting...” and then threw them away and ignored them?
Christian, what do you think is going to happen to your relationship with God if you hear these teachings of Jesus and then do nothing about it?
Listen to me....just sitting here Sunday after Sunday listening to the preacher tell you the teachings of Jesus without doing something about it is like getting the results of a medical test like an xray and ignoring them.
If you want to get better, you have to apply them friend.
Jesus tells us to accept Him, not just as Savior, but as Lord....as King....I’m not so sure a lot of folks have accepted Him as Lord and King....they are content to be saved from Hell and make Him their Savior but following His commandments as Lord and King is too much....
Not sharing your faith
Not serving Him
Living on in your sin with no attempt to stop
Being disobedient...
Listen, Jesus desires our understanding and He gives us the means to do that in His Word with the different ways He teaches us…and He wants us to understand because He wants us to be obedient…He wants us to “get it”....are you being obedient?
You won’t “get it”....you won’t understand if you don’t read His Word....and you won’t be obedient if you don’t understand and apply it to your life…do you understand? Do you “get it”? Get in His Word and apply it. That’s the only way.
V. Point #2: Jesus Made the Bridge
V. Point #2: Jesus Made the Bridge
26 “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;
27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
28 “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”
Explanation
When we pray, we usually pray in Jesus’ name…and that is a good thing. But Jesus is saying here that because of His redeeming work on the cross, we no longer NEED a mediator between us and God.
When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, a chasm....a deep hole separating us from God forever and ever called sin was formed…and there’s no way across it....
But when Jesus died on that cross, He formed a bridge…and once you cross it, you never have to cross it again....that’s why I don’t understand these poor folks who think you can lose your salvation…friends once you cross over the bridge of the cross, you never have to cross it again…Because now you are on right side of sin…and Jesus is saying not that He WON’T intercede for us before the Father, but that He won’t HAVE TO....
Once you are saved, NOTHING stands between you and God....you can pray to Him and He hears you, and that is ESPECIALLY helpful in those times that we don’t “get it” and understand what is happening to us in this world....You can spend eternity with Him in Heaven too....Jesus is the way to the Lord, but He only had do it one time....he only had to die on that cross once....and the bridge was formed....and you only have to cross it once....
Illustration
Near Linville, North Carolina is Grandfather Mountain. On that mountain is a true feat of engineering, it is the highest suspension swinging footbridge in the United States of America....it gives an absolutely breathtaking view of the Appalachian Mountains…there’s nothing else like it that I can imagine.
This bridge is 228-feet high and spans over an 80 foot chasm....It’s called the mile high swinging bridge…it is 5,280 feet above sea level...
When I was a kid, my mama and daddy took me to that bridge…and I remember being scared out of my mind to cross that thing…it is so high up…and one fall and that would be it....
But once I got to the other side, I saw what all the fuss was about. A panoramic view of some of the most beautiful mountains and lush green forests and beautiful blue skies that you’ll ever see this side of heaven...
Application
Church: Jesus provided just such a bridge for us....I had to come back across that bridge at Grandfather Mountain....but once you cross over the bridge Jesus created for you, you never EVER have to go back....you are in the presence of the Father....and you will be with Him forever....
He will hear your every prayer....He will take your soul into His arms…and He will never let you go....
Isn’t it great to be a child of God, amen?
Jesus made the bridge....once and for all…for you and me…and friends if you want to be saved, you have to cross it....but if you’ve crossed it already, remember that you are in God’s hands now....you never have to look back. Even if we don’t get it....even if we’re scared....Jesus is with us in those times.
Isn’t the love of God amazing? Amen?
VI. Point #3: Jesus Turns Fear into Peace
VI. Point #3: Jesus Turns Fear into Peace
29 His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech.
30 “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.”
31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
32 “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.
33 “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.”
Explanation
Here the disciples are just a little bit conceited. Jesus tells them that He has been trying to explain some pretty complicated stuff to them, but soon He would be able to speak plainly to them because they would finally be able to get it....They would see with their own eyes what He meant by tearing down and rebuilding the temple in 3 days....They would truly understand the real idea behind being born again...
And they respond: Oh Jesus we get it....we believe....we understand....They didn’t get it…and didn’t even KNOW they didn’t get it....
Jesus knows they don’t truly get it....their faith has been easy up until this point....They have been with Jesus for 3 and 1/2 years....they’ve seen his miracles....They’ve heard His sweet voice and His teaching....faith has been easy so far....He is telling the their faith hasn’t really been tested yet....
31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
He questions them....
Because He knows they don’t....
Then:
32 “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.
He says THAT is just how much YOU know....THAT is the measure of YOUR faith..when the moment of testing comes, ya’ll are going to scatter like rats on a sinking ship....Jesus says, I’ll be alone because of that....except not really....because the Father will be there for me....
Friends....imagine just how alone Jesus felt when the hour arrived and they took Him…and these men who promised to die for Him ran like scared children....
He knew that was coming....and He wasn’t about to sit there and listen to their boasting....
But also....He wanted to give them some words of encouragement....something that, when that moment comes, they could look back on and take comfort and peace in:
33 “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.”
He says it’s coming....trials are coming....the world is about to unleash it on you....but don’t fear the world....He says I have overcome the world....Jesus says I have already defeated the world and it’s leader Satan…again…let not your hearts be troubled.
Illustration
Holman New Testament Commentary: John III. Conclusion: Ben’s Little Book
Rebecca Rupp tells us that young Ben Franklin composed a master list of twelve resolutions that would guide his life. He kept track of his performance in a small book in which he entered a black mark every day for each resolution broken. Franklin had intended to reuse the little book, eventually erasing all the black marks as his performance improved. It did not. So many black marks appeared on top of black marks that the little book developed holes. He had to resort to keeping his records on a piece of ivory, from which the accumulated black marks could be erased with a wet sponge.
Ben Franklin tried to achieve perfection…but he discovered that it was impossible....
Application
Friends, All of us are horrible spiritual failures. The Bible calls us to cast ourselves upon God’s grace and to place our faith in Jesus. Failure will turn to success and faith will turn to sight when Jesus returns. Meanwhile, we cling to ( that we not worry about the world because He has overcome it)...and we should delight that the Holy Spirit works these wonders in our hearts.
Church there is fear to have in this life....we might not always get it....we might not understand why....we never know just what’s around the corner....there’s ALWAYS going to be that possibility of a bad report from the doctor…that phone call that tells us a loved one has passed....the day somebody we love betrays us....
But the Lord Jesus encourages us to have faith…and lean on Him....and not to fear the world....because HE has already overcome it.
What can the world do to the Lord?
WHO can stop the Lord almighty?
Gangel, K. O. (2000). John (Vol. 4, p. 306). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
HE is King and HE is in charge....and in that, we can find peace.
VII. Conclusion
VII. Conclusion
a. Let me ask you this morning, are you relying on that peace Jesus gives, or if fear ruining your life? Sometimes we just don’t get it....we don’t understand what’s going on around us or what we’re going through or why....let me encourage you to do what Jesus said: Lean on Jesus....and He can take that fear....He can take your anxiety....and He will make it alright in the end.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
b. Let’s Pray