Good morning, everyone. As you can probably tell, I haven't developed a Northern Kentucky accent just yet. It might come eventually, but right now we still have the tones of good old Northern Ireland. It is great to be back with you, and it is a privilege to be back worshiping with you this morning.
Yesterday, I had the joy of being with the people who serve faithfully in children's ministry, and that was just such a great time. I love getting to know more of you, spending more time talking with you all, so that was just a really great morning yesterday. Both Lacey and I, we want to thank you for always making us feel so incredibly welcome. We've brought Willow, our six-month-year-old, before, but the twins finally have made it to Dallas. And Hudson is already wearing his cowboy boots and ready for action, and they're looking forward to meeting you all this morning.
So today I want our attention to be given to one verse. And I want to turn and look at John chapter 16 and verse 33. I invite you this morning to turn to that verse, John chapter 16 and verse 33. And as you open it, I want to tell you about a time that I encountered a problem. I'll never forget the time. I was taking part in a friend's wedding. And on this big special day, of course, I was running massively behind time. And so I quickly got dressed as fast as I possibly could. I put on my suit as fast as I could. I got that tie knotted up. I bolted the door and I ran to the wedding venue like I was the best Olympic athlete that anyone had ever seen. And I arrived and I was slightly out of breath, but that's okay. And my friend looked at me and he said, “Steven, those shoes are beautiful.” And I said, “why, thank you very, very much.” And he said, “no, Steven, you're wearing two different shoes.” And so I slowly looked down, and there I saw one black dress shoe and one brown dress shoe, and I thought, wow, this is a serious fashion crisis.
So, I was known for a very long time as the boy that can't dress himself. In the grand scheme of things, that is not a very serious problem. At the time, it was a great trouble to me. But I want to ask you this morning, what troubles and problems do you encounter and face? You may not have that trouble because I'm sure all of you were able to dress yourself properly this morning, but everyone in this room can relate to having troubles, trials, and tribulations.
So what troubles, what trials are you encountering this morning? Maybe you are experiencing financial burdens and you are absolutely exhausted with the weight of worrying about, how am I going to pay for that next bill? Perhaps every time that you read the news, you become increasingly worried about the state of national and global events. You hear about wars that are happening around this world. You hear about how unsafe things are becoming. And this morning that worry is probably very, very fresh in your minds in light of the incredibly sad and devastating news that we have heard this week. This week with the events that we have read and that we have witnessed freshly remind us that we live in a broken and fallen world.
Or maybe you're discouraged about living in a world that despises your savior. You're disheartened whenever you feel that everyone and everything is totally against the gospel. John chapter 16 and verse 33 speaks into the troubles that we encounter. And what a revelation that we are going to see about being a child of God. What a difference that this truth made in the lives of the disciples. And what a difference it makes for you and I if you are a child of God.
So, this morning, let's read John chapter 16 and verse 33 together. God's word says this. “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.” This is a great verse, but it's a short verse, so I wanna read it one more time. “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.” Let's pray and ask God to give us the strength that we need to be able to understand His Word, and also to pray that He would give us listening ears and obedient hearts.
[Prayer] Heavenly Father, I am thankful this morning that You are sovereign and king and Lord over everything. Nothing takes You by surprise. I'm thankful that You are a kind and merciful and loving God. A God who has graciously given Your Word so that we can learn more about You. I pray this morning that You would give us listening ears and that You would give us obedient hearts. I pray that each one of us would leave this morning changed in and through and by Your living Word. All these things I pray in and through your precious Son's name. Amen. [End]
So, here is the big idea for our text this morning. “Have peace, take courage, for Jesus has overcome the world.” So, the big idea is have peace, take courage, for Jesus has overcome the world. So, this text enables us to see and be totally convinced of is a new way of living. That an unexpected way of living in this world is possible. What is this new way that Jesus speaks about? Jesus says, have peace and take courage, for Jesus has overcome this world. So, to convince us of this reality this morning, the passage can be broken down into three truths. And these three truths are then gonna become the three main points for this message this morning, for this sermon. Number one, “in the world there is trouble.” Number two, “in Christ there is peace.” And number three, “in Christ's victory, there is courage.”
So first, we must be aware of the truth that in this world, there is trouble. So let's take a look at where this verse is located in Scripture. John chapter 16 and verse 33, it pulls back the curtains on an intimate conversation that Jesus was having with the disciples. And this conversation graciously serves us and the church today. Verse 33 comes at the end of a very, very long conversation that Jesus had with His disciples. It is known as the upper room discourse. It begins in John chapter 13, and then it ends in John chapter 17, whenever you come to the part where Jesus prays for his disciples, and that is also known as the high priestly prayer.
And in this conversation, Jesus explains to the disciples that they are going to know trouble unlike any that they had previously experienced. They will grieve, they will be mocked, and they will feel totally abandoned. In verse 33 that we just read, Jesus is extremely realistic about the world that we live in. Our English translation of the verse makes it sound like this trouble could be far off into the future. But here, Jesus is describing the general condition of the world. The trouble that He is describing here is as much present as it is in the future. The disciples are going to have trouble. Look at verse 16. In verse 16, it says that Jesus tells the disciples that in a little while, they will see Hm no more. And then look at verse 20. In verse 20, it says that the disciples will weep and that they will mourn. It tells us here that the rest of the world is going to rejoice. And as the rest of the world rejoices, they will grieve.
What a message to receive. Imagine the disciples hearing this from Jesus, hearing this news. They would have felt totally heartbroken because the one who had told them to forsake everything and follow Him, it seemed like He was totally abandoning them. The One who they watched, bring peace to a storm-tossed sea. The One who they got to witness raised the dead to life. The One who they got to see bring sight to a blind man they would see no longer. The One who taught them how to pray and how to love their enemies, it seemed like He was deserting them. And Jesus said in John chapter 16 and verse seven, He says, “it is better for you that I go away.” How can that be? How can it be that it is better for them that He go away?
And so, the disciples in this text are greatly confused. How do we know that? Turn to verse 18. Verse 18 it says, “what does he mean by a little while? We do not know what he is talking about.” For them, they had not come yet to the terms of Jesus' death, let alone the resurrection. They were greatly troubled. And their confusion is totally understandable. We can sympathize with them. At this stage, they had not witnessed the glorious resurrection. They had not seen or experienced the coming of the Holy Spirit.
This is completely different for you and I because we see the gospel as a unified whole this morning. Are you thankful for that this morning that you get to see that? And at many times, we can be like the disciples. We can redirect our vision onto the troubles, onto our troubles, instead of focusing on Christ. We can fall into the same confusion when we lose sight of the gospel. The Bible warns us this morning that you and I will face trouble. Jesus told his disciples that their lives would be marked by trials, they'd be marked with hardship, it would be marked with pain for His name's sake. And that truth is still the same today.
In this world there is trouble. We can see an economy in peril. The cost of living is skyrocketing. We see countries fighting with each other and we see people who have very little respect for human life. We encounter people every single day who hate God and anything that has to do with Him. And sometimes as believers, we can allow our minds to become discouraged. We forget the rich theology that we believe that is true. And we forget to practically apply that every single day.
It is easy to mistakenly assume that because Jesus has solved the greatest problem of the forgiveness of sin, He will also immediately solve all the problems of the consequences of our sin and living in a sinful world. But this is not how it works. Jesus says that being a disciple will mean that you will encounter many troubles. D.A. Carson has a book, it's called How Long, O Lord? And it is a wonderful book to read for preparation in suffering and in preparation for experiencing trials. Dr. Carson says this. “The truth of the matter is that all we have to do is live long enough and we will suffer.” So, as believers, we should not be surprised when we encounter troubles. God has never promised that life will be easy. Jesus has assured us that we will have trouble.
But I am so thankful this morning that that is not where it ends. But in God's kindness, we have the gospel that in the midst of those troubles, He has promised to give his children peace. And this is our second point, that in Christ, there is peace. Jesus makes it very clear that everyone in this world is going to have tribulation. But He does say that not everyone in this world will have true peace. He explains that only those who are in Christ will have true, everlasting peace. So, in this world, tribulation, but in Jesus, peace. Do you see the difference? In the world, trouble, but in Jesus, peace.
The world is scrambling to try to find peace. They try to find peace in everything and anything that they can find that will give them that peace. They will search for it in entertainment, food, diets, exercise, money, and jobs. But they will never find peace in those things. For peace only comes in Jesus. But let's pause and think. What is this peace? What does Jesus mean by the peace that we read in verse 33? Because Jesus is talking about more than what the world is looking for. The world wants relief from inner turmoil. And Jesus' offering of peace includes that, but not only that. Whenever you read Psalm 131, the psalmist, he says, “he has calmed and quieted his soul.” Christ's peace also includes peace with God and becoming more like Christ in this fallen world.
But how is this possible? How can Christians, how can you, if you're a child of God, have this real peace? Well, I am thankful that in Scripture, it gives us that answer. Because look at verse 33. What do you notice at the start of verse 33? It says, “I have said these things to you that you may have peace.” But what are “the these things” that Jesus has spoken about? So, in order for us to know what are “these things” that give the believer peace, then we have got to glance back at the verses that come prior to the one that we've just read.
Now I know this morning that I just said that we were going to read one verse, but in order for us to understand and understand what this peace is, well then, we're going to look at lots and lots and lots of verses that come previous to that. So that we get a good understanding of what this text means. And so, we have to look back at what these things are that Jesus said. These things that tell us that as believers, we can have real peace. And there are at least three things that stand out from the “these things” that Jesus told His disciples.
Firstly, in the long discourse with his disciples, he informs that he will send a helper, the Holy Spirit. Let's read John 16 in verse 7. It says, “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." Jesus explains to the disciples that it is to your advantage that I go away. I can just see the disciples' face right now, looking back at one another with the most confused faces and thinking to themselves, what on earth is he talking about? How can Jesus leaving be for our benefit? If he leaves, we are completely and utterly sunk.
He is our leader, He is our teacher, He is our friend, and we cannot do without Him. The disciples had got to witness some breathtaking and beautiful moments. They had got to see Jesus feed more than 5,000 people with very little resources. They had got to experience being on the boat with Him. And this huge, big, vicious storm. And then Jesus standing up and saying, “peace, be still.” And the wind and waves obey Him. And now they're saying, He's saying, when I leave, it is for the better. But Jesus tells them and kindly says, then another helper will come. Who? The Holy Spirit. The third person of the Trinity.
For the disciples then and for us now, the Holy Spirit's coming is truly an amazing gift. For the believer, the Holy Spirit regenerates and renews. guarantees salvation, assists in prayer, intercedes in accordance with the will of the Father, comforts, gives joys, and illuminates the Scriptures, only but to name just a few. When was the last time that you were amazed when you thought about all that you have in having the Holy Spirit? Jesus says that it is for our good to help us to become more like Christ. As we read that, may it propel us to thank God that in His kindness, He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, a Helper to help us each and every day as we live in a broken and fallen world.
So, as you face the troubles of this world, for you as a child of God, you can have peace, why? Because of the power of the Holy Spirit as your Helper. You are never alone. What a truly merciful and kind and beautiful gift that God has given us of the Holy Spirit.
Now the second thing that stands out from the “these things” that Jesus refers to is this. That we can have peace when we abide in Christ. In John chapter 15, Jesus taught the disciples that He is the true vine. And this is a reminder that we can do nothing through our own achievements but only from abiding in Christ. And abiding in Christ means that as we face the troubles of this world, we are to believe and trust in all that Jesus has accomplished for us. In John 15, Jesus wants us to abide in Him. And in order to reinforce this teaching, Jesus used the metaphor of vines and branches. Look with me at John chapter 15 and verse 15, or John chapter 15, verse 5.
It says, “I am the vine, you are the branches, whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” We all know in this room that for a branch to grow and to thrive, it must draw off the resources of the vine. So, the point of this metaphor that Jesus is making is that He wants the branch to draw from the vine. And when we do this with Jesus, we are drawing from His peace and His strength. We must receive, believe and trust in all that Jesus has taught us. Believe that we are indeed children of God, joint heirs with Christ.
John Piper helpfully states that abiding in Christ means believing, trusting, savoring, resting, receiving, and cherishing His words. So how can you and I practically apply that every single day? How can we practically apply all the truth that we know is true? How can we practically outwork the theology that we know is rich and is good and is truthful?
One of the great ways to do that is write out Bible verses and place them wherever you may see that. If you are a parent today with children, write Bible verses out places where your children can see them. For you, it may mean putting it on the fridge door so that every time you open that door to get a nice tasty snack, you will be reminded of truth. It may mean putting it on the front dash of your car and whenever you think about times where you're discouraged or you can have those niggling thoughts in your head, what is happening in this world? It seems like it is spinning out of control. Your mind is focused on the truth of Scripture and so you can draw from the strength of the truth that we read in scripture.
Verses like Isaiah chapter 41 and verse 10, or as we say in America, Isaiah. “Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” What about Psalm 46 in verse 1? “God is our refuge and strength.” What does it say? “A very present help in trouble.” Matthew 28 and verse 20, “behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.” And I'm thankful that there are so many more verses that point our vision from being horizontal to being vertical.
Remembering from Scripture that through the circumstances that you face and encounter, He is making you more like Christ. How amazing is that this morning? That in God's kindness, He is making you more like Christ each and every day. So, from these things, we know that we have the help of the Holy Spirit, we abide in Christ. And thirdly, from these things, we do not walk life in isolation. We have the church.
In John 15 and verses 12, it says this, “this is my commandment, that you love one another as I loved you.” Jesus in this discourse reminds the disciples that they must love one another. And in God's kindness, He has given us the church where we walk life with brothers and sisters who share our burdens. We have people to rejoice when we rejoice. And we have people that weep when we weep. People who challenge us. People who sharpen us. People who encourage us. People who love us. People who remind us of the peace that is found in Christ Jesus.
So, this morning, thank God that He has called you to be part of His church. And specifically, that He has called you to this church. Thank God that He has given you brothers and sisters who walk alongside you in this life. People who are sitting with you right now. Galatians chapter 6 and verse 2 says, “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Brothers and sisters, I know that you do this in this church, where you encourage one another, you bear each other's burdens.
And this morning, if you are carrying a burden, ask for prayer. Do it at the end of the service today. All around you are Godly brothers and sisters in Christ with maturity and love who want to bear your burdens with you. Why? Because Christ has instructed us to do so. And if someone this morning is bearing your burdens with you, thank those people this morning. Thank them for being your brother and sister in Christ and who is faithfully living that out.
So how can you have peace in this world? We have the gift of the Holy Spirit. We abide in Christ, and we are part of the body of Christ. How kind of the Lord to give us this truth. God could have said, and Jesus in this passage could have said, well, you're gonna have troubles, you're gonna have hardship, but you're just gonna have to stick that out because then one day everything will be made right. I'm thankful in His kindness, He did not do that. I'm thankful that He has said that even though there are troubles, and even though there are hard times, and even though we do not deserve it, Jesus says that as His children, while we are still on this earth, that you and I can have peace.
And I'm thankful that He doesn't just leave it there. I'm thankful that, yes, He gives us the gift of the Spirit. He gives it Himself. He gives us His church. But I'm also thankful that at the end of this farewell discourse that we are reading, it ends in glorious truth and ends in glorious triumph. And this brings us to our third point, that in Christ, there is courage.
This passage here, whenever you read it, it says, “take heart.” This just means be courageous. But what does biblical courage actually means? And you can define Christian courage as confident obedience to the Lord in the face of fearsome circumstances. So, a helpful way to define it is Christian courage is confidence, obedience to the Lord in the face of fearsome circumstances. And why can you have peace and be courageous? Well because Jesus gives the answer, because Christ has overcome the world. He is victorious.
Pause and reflect on that truth this morning, that He is and will be victorious. It is not our victory. We have done nothing to gain or add to that victory. Jesus is the great victor and the only one capable of conquering the devil, sin and death. Jesus reminds the disciples that these troubles will not last forever. Jesus tells them that you will see me again and those sorrows will turn into immeasurable joy and peace with Him forever and ever and ever. That is victory.
He helps the disciples a little bit more by giving them an illustration. Whenever you look at verses 21 and 22, Jesus uses a powerful illustration to remind the disciples that they will encounter troubles. He uses the illustration of childbirth. Now, I have never experienced childbirth, and I am very thankful that I never will, but I had the privilege of being able to watch my wife deliver our three babies. And I know from that, because I could feel the very, very tight, tight grip in my hand of how painful that experience was. But as soon as Lacey held those tiny, beautiful babies, she had totally forgotten about that pain. In that moment, she was rejoicing with the beautiful, safe arrival of our children.
And Jesus uses this illustration to gently remind the disciples that their grief will be turned into immeasurable joy that no one can take away, all because Christ is victorious. And because of what Christ has accomplished, one day, one day all our troubles will be no more. What does it say in Revelation 21 and verse 4? It says there that He will wipe away every tear from their eye. There will be no more pain. There will be no more sickness. There will be no more death. There will be no more sorrow. One day. All will be made right. And I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to that day where I will stand face to face with my Savior for all eternity and for all eternity be able to sing and declare “how great thou art.”
So, brothers and sisters, where do you need courage this week? Do you need courage for witnessing to a coworker? Do you need courage as you go into school to talk about your faith? Do you need courage to speak the truth in love to a family member? Do you need courage to be faithful in obedience to Christ? Do you need courage to fight sin? Do you need to have courage to be steadfast in the workplace this week?
When you are wrestling in a world of troubles, remember that you can have peace. Peace in knowing that Christ is sovereign and King over all. R.C. Sproul said this, “the world threatens to crush you and me every minute of our lives. It hurls insults, tribulations, pain, death, all sorts of things that can take away the joy that should be ours in Christ. But Jesus overcame the world.” That's why the Apostle Paul could say, “we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us.” Romans 8 and verse 37. Listen to this, what he says. “It isn't because we have the power to beat the world, we don't. It's because he overcame the world for us.”
For Christians, John chapter 16 and verse 33 settles our hearts and strengthens our spines. It gives us peace and courage because Christ has overcome the world. And in our own strength, we can never experience truth or true peace and courage. In our own strength, we can never have hope amid troubles. But I am thankful that in Christ, there is peace. In His victory, there is courage. And that is something that the world can never take away from us.
And as we read the gospel, we discover that Jesus, the Son of God, died to save sinners from the greatest trouble that anyone can face, that of eternal peril. The peril of a righteous judgment of a holy God, who in His justice must punish sin. Jesus suffered that we might know peace. A peace that comes when we know that all our sins are completely and utterly forgiven. And because of what Christ has accomplished, one day all our troubles will be no more.
So, this morning, study the glorious Savior and rest in the peace that comes from Him and marvel in Christ's victory over sin and death. The gospel is not to avoid troubles. Jesus has said that in the world, there will be great trouble. But in Christ, there is peace. And in His victory, there is courage. So, brothers and sisters, let us enjoy the peace that Christ has given us. And let us take heart and be bold and be courageous. Why? Because Christ has overcome the world.
Let us pray.
[Prayer] Heavenly Father, We thank you that in Your Son, we can have peace and courage because He has overcome the world. Help us remember that you have complete victory, victory over Satan, sin, and death. We praise you for the glorious gospel message. I'm thankful for the gift of your word. All these things we pray in and through the precious name of the Lord Jesus. Amen. [End]
