WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:00.959 To where we are. 00:00:01.120 --> 00:00:16.160 I think it's important as we think of this private instruction moment that Jesus is having with the disciples in the upper room, right before he leaves them, or what they think that he's going to leave them and before his return again. 00:00:16.239 --> 00:00:19.440 And so we see this private instruction to his disciples. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:21.760 Judas, the betrayer, has just left. 00:00:22.079 --> 00:00:28.960 Jesus begins to press into those who truly believed in him as the Messiah, as the Son of God. 00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:32.960 And so we get to verse chapter 13 and we see a new commandment. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:40.000 Brandon actually thought about this this morning, but there's this new commandment, and it says, to love one another as I have loved you. 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:41.359 Now that's the key, right? 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:42.880 As I have loved you. 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:46.240 Not just love one another, but how I have loved you. 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:49.840 And thus, this love, what it will do, it will forge you together. 00:00:49.920 --> 00:00:56.320 It will really unite you together to face what they don't know yet, but to face the persecution that is to come. 00:00:56.560 --> 00:01:02.399 It's because of this great bond that they have together in Christ, the way that he loved them. 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:08.239 And then he looks at him in chapter 14 and he says, This, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:01:08.400 --> 00:01:11.519 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:19.280 Those who come to me as the way, they will receive my teachings as the truth, and the truth will shape their life. 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:23.439 It will define their life around me, around Christ. 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:28.319 Our life will be centered around Christ because of our belief in what he has done. 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:29.200 And oh, and guess what? 00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:31.359 What does it say here in chapter 14? 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:34.640 It also says this that you will do greater works than me. 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:37.120 And we're like, wow, what does this mean? 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:45.599 Not in power, not in power, not the power that Jesus had, but in numbers through the Holy Spirit that now dwells in all those who believe. 00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:50.879 And so by numbers, we will have a greater effect on the world than Jesus did by himself. 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:53.680 And so we see this, and he says, guess what though? 00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:54.719 How are we going to do this? 00:01:54.799 --> 00:01:58.239 Because the disciples at this point, their minds are blown, like, how in the world are we going to do this? 00:01:58.319 --> 00:01:59.519 How are we going to do greater things? 00:01:59.680 --> 00:02:04.640 Well, he says this in chapter 14, towards the end, he says, I will give you a helper. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:08.719 I will give you the spirit of truth, whom the Father will send in my name. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:13.360 He will teach you all things, and he will bring to remembrance all that I have said to you. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:19.199 So don't let your heart be troubled, because I will not leave you alone. 00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:24.159 I will not leave you as orphans, but you are children's adopted into the family of God. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:26.879 And so there's this encouragement that the Spirit will come. 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:31.360 And then he says to him in chapter 15, he says, I am the vine, I am the true vine. 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:35.840 And those who abide in me, those who remain in me, they will bear much fruit. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:44.879 And those who do not, like Judas, my father, the vine dresser, will prune them, he will cut them off, and they because they bear no fruit. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:46.400 And why do they bear no fruit? 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:48.719 It's because they still love the world. 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:52.159 They still want to be attached to the world. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:54.960 But look what Jesus says about them in chapter 15. 00:02:55.120 --> 00:02:59.759 Those who want to be attached to the world, those will be the ones who hate you. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:02.400 Those who do not abide, they will hate you. 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:04.080 And it's because they've hated me first. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:07.599 It's not really because they hate you, it's because they hate what's in you. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:12.159 They hate the message, the life that you're building around me, around Christ. 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:13.439 They're going to reject that. 00:03:13.520 --> 00:03:14.719 They're going to persecute you. 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:18.319 They're going to push against you because of your belief. 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:24.960 But then again, he says in chapter 15, moving into chapter 16, he says, Well, when the helper comes, here's the promise again. 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:31.280 Here's the promise to the saints, to the disciples, to all Christians, all those who will follow Christ, all those who will rescind you. 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:39.120 He says, A helper will come to bear witness about me and not fall away, so that you will not fall away. 00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:42.719 And in my leaving, he says this to them because they're kind of fearful, right? 00:03:43.039 --> 00:03:44.479 They're kind of like, what's going on there? 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:54.400 But in their fear of what's going on and their uh their ability not to understand fully the situation, he says, Look, it's to your advantage that I leave. 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:55.840 It's to your advantage. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:03:57.520 Well, why is it to your advantage? 00:03:57.680 --> 00:03:59.520 So that I can send the helper. 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:08.159 So I can send the helper who will dwell in you and live within you, and that you are able and equipped to stand against the world. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:10.639 And then he gives them the promise. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:13.360 In chapter 16, last week we talked about this. 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:17.600 The sorrow, your sorrow, will be transformed into joy. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:29.680 And so when sorrow feels unexplained, when the pressures begin to build in their life and in our lives, do not assume that this present pain means I am absent, right? 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:30.639 This is what Jesus is saying. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:31.920 He's saying, I'm not absent. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:32.800 I'm with you. 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:42.079 And the cross teaches you that the Father is doing his deepest work in you when his purposes are hardest to see. 00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:43.839 This is so true. 00:04:44.079 --> 00:04:53.040 We don't always understand why we're going through certain things, but God is doing a deep work in you in the midst of your pain that you can't see yet. 00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:56.240 And this is what he is doing. 00:04:56.879 --> 00:04:58.480 This is what Jesus is doing. 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:04.319 He's doing a work that the disciples can't understand so that they will be able to endure. 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:08.800 It says to them in chapter 16, it says, to have this full joy. 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:11.759 It means to endure this life. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:13.439 And so we see this. 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:23.360 Jesus promises to transform their current situation, their current sorrow, their current pain into great joy. 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:27.040 And then chapter 16, he says this at the end, or moving into the end. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:30.079 Before we get to the end, it says he teaches them how to pray. 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:32.959 He says, Pray as I prayed. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:36.240 Pray in the Father's will that he will give you. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:39.120 And if you do this, he will give you all things, it says. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:48.240 It says that he will give all that you have asked in my name, that your joy may be full, no matter the circumstances you face on this side of heaven. 00:05:48.399 --> 00:06:00.160 And so this is where we are with the disciples at the end of his discourse in the upper room, and all that Jesus has said to them, and all their confusion and all their excitement and all their wondering, they sit there before him. 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:06.160 And so I want you for a minute, before we move into this next session, to imagine this with me for a moment. 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:16.000 You are a young child and you're riding in the car with your family, and suddenly the skies become dark, the heavy rains become heavier, and you can't even see the road. 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:19.439 It's so heavy that you can't see the road in front of you. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:23.199 And the storm continues and it's moving in and it's bearing down. 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:34.000 And yet, in the midst of this, as time has passed, not because the storm is ceasing, but as time's passed, you begin to be at peace. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:35.680 But why are you at peace? 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:42.959 It's not because the quieting of the storm, but instead, it's because you see the trusted hand of your father at the will. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:49.199 And so, in the same way, the Christian peace is not found in this calm circumstances. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:56.000 It's not found in the calm circumstances, but in the sure and sovereign hand of our Father. 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:58.240 This is where our peace comes from. 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:05.279 It comes that we know that Christ rules over our situations, over the storms in our lives, and so we trust in Him. 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:10.560 And the truth is there are many kinds of peace that people try to seek in this world. 00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:16.000 Some look for peace in better circumstances or financial security, right? 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:25.199 Like if my job was more secure, if I made more money, if the bills were easier to pay, if my family drama would just go away, life would be more peaceful. 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:28.879 If my health was better, life would be more peaceful. 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:32.959 Some look for it in what seems to be less stressful things like hobbies, right? 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:35.439 Man, if I could just be on the water fishing. 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:42.800 Man, if I could be hitting that golf ball, man, if I could be hunting right now and that, in that uh just sitting there in the quiet and just listening. 00:07:42.959 --> 00:07:46.879 I think they find this in the peace in these things. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:50.000 Some look for it in the approval of others. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:52.319 Some look for it in fashion. 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:54.800 A lot of us look for it in social media. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:08:02.160 A lot of us look for it in the vain attempt to improve one's physical features in the cars we drive, in the toys we have, in the house we live in. 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:03.600 We look for it in these things. 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:05.920 We try to find peace in these things. 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:11.040 And some people just simply look for peace in, well, just an easier life. 00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:11.680 Right? 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:13.680 Just an easier life. 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:16.319 Now, does this mean that you can't enjoy these things? 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:17.439 Absolutely not. 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:19.199 This is not what it means. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:27.040 But the truth is that it means that we must prayerfully, prayerfully examine the motives behind them. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.680 This is where we lack. 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:37.120 We've we tend to justify what they are instead of pray and say, Lord, are these things necessary in my life? 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:40.159 And if they are, then you can enjoy them. 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:42.720 Now you won't find everlasting joy in them. 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:45.440 We only find that in Christ. 00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:48.080 And so listen to me, church. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:55.360 Jesus does not tell his disciples that peace will come when this world becomes calm or easier. 00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:58.240 Matter of fact, he tells them quite the opposite in verse 33. 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:02.639 He says, This, in the world, you will have tribulation. 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:04.799 You will have tribulation. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:12.240 But the peace we have in Christ is not built on the absence of trouble, it's built on our union with him. 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:17.200 This is why he says, in me you may have peace. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:19.600 This is a beautiful doctrine of truth, right? 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:23.840 Jesus is teaching us that his, that in him, in him alone we find peace. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:42.000 It's the only peace that we can truly have in this world, and it is found only in Christ, meaning this peace does not rest in our ability to hold to Christ, but in Christ's sovereign grace that he holds us, that he keeps us, and he's made that promise that no one will snatch us out of his hand. 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:51.200 And so this is a beautiful promise, meaning we are kept by his power, by his ability, in his faith, in his faithfulness to keep us, not us. 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:55.759 It's like a ship anchored beneath the surface while the waves crash about and move the ship. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:10:06.080 The believer's soul is secure by the finished work, the present intercession, and the victory we have in Christ alone, not in ourselves. 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:11.279 Therefore, when Christ says here, he says, Take heart, I have overcome the world. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:23.759 He's declaring complete victory that gives his people real peace in the midst of real tribulation. 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:41.600 And so, with this truth in mind, as we move forward, let us hear from the words of Christ Himself and see how he prepares his disciples and us to face tribulation with peace and courage and confidence in his finished work and his victory. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:51.360 If you would follow along with me in chapter 15, starting in verse 25, he says this I have said these things to you in figures of speech. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:57.840 The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:04.240 And 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. 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:09.919 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and I have and have believed that I am from God. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:16.080 I came from the Father, and I have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father. 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:22.000 His disciples said, Ah, now, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:26.559 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you. 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:29.519 This is why we believe that you came from God. 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:32.799 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:39.919 Behold, the hour is coming indeed, and it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave me alone. 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:42.559 Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:50.320 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace, and in the world you will have tribulation. 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:53.840 But take heart, for I have overcome the world. 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:58.960 So the first thing we see here in verse 25 is that Christ speaks plainly. 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:02.559 He speaks plainly so his people may know the Father. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:06.480 Through the work of the Spirit, God's children find peace. 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:10.720 They find peace as Christ reveals the Father more clearly to them over time. 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:18.240 As we begin to get into God's word, God is using the words of Christ to make himself more clear to us. 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:20.960 And this is by the gift of the Spirit, the work of the Spirit. 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:31.279 And so after Jesus' promise to his disciples about their sorrow, which will be transformed into joy, he instructs them on how to pray to the Father in His name. 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:37.440 Jesus says, I have said these things to you in figurative speech, in figures of speech. 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:42.240 Now, some have interpreted this in many different ways. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:46.480 Some have said this is these things are the past three years of Jesus' ministry. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:50.159 Some say, well, this is just the discourse where he's at right now, the upper room. 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:56.639 Some have said, well, he's talking about the childbirth, the illustration that we just talked about, or that Jesus just spoke about. 00:12:57.440 --> 00:13:02.159 Well, whatever it is, the fact is Jesus is teaching two things here. 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:04.240 It's a twofold effect. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:05.440 He's doing this. 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:13.200 Jesus is teaching twofold effect in a way that they open up understanding and one that blocks understanding. 00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:18.240 It opens understanding for those who truly belong to him. 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:24.399 His disciples were being prepared to see the Father more clearly through Christ. 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:32.000 Even when Jesus used figure of speeches, his words were gradually revealing truth to the believers. 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:32.879 It was gradual. 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:34.720 We've seen this throughout his ministry. 00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:37.840 We see the disciples understand certain things and then fall back. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:40.320 But they're with him the entire time. 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:42.080 They left all things to follow him. 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:44.080 And so this is a gradual process. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:46.799 But one day, when the Spirit comes, he says what? 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:53.519 He promises that he will remind them and remember them or remind them of his teachings and they will see all things clearly. 00:13:53.600 --> 00:14:00.240 And so he opens up understanding for those, those true believers who will follow him, but they block. 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:10.960 But his teachings also block the understanding of those who harden their hearts, those who do not believe, those who were only outwardly attached to Jesus. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:13.200 And we've seen this throughout his ministry as well. 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:16.000 How many wanted to cling to Jesus to get that benefit? 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:17.919 How can I benefit from Jesus? 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:20.000 But they really didn't want to follow Jesus. 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:26.320 And so their hearts became hardened because they started to see or think in their minds, well, this is not the Messiah. 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:30.639 This is not the promised Messiah that's coming to give us power and reign. 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:33.919 And so their hearts become hardened, even though he's doing good things. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:38.000 They're like, this is not the Jesus or the Messiah which we believe in Scripture. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:52.159 And so their hearts become hardened, and Jesus' teachings are not clear to them anymore because of their tradition, because of what they believe the Messiah should be, and not what the scripture teaches the Messiah to be. 00:14:52.879 --> 00:15:03.600 And so Jesus' teachings were not that they were unclear or that he failed to communicate them, but rather that spiritual blindness came through their unbelief. 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.799 Look what John 8 says. 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:07.039 John 8 43 says, Why do you not understand? 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:09.360 This is Jesus, why do you not understand what I say? 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:12.720 It's because you cannot bear to hear my words. 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:15.279 They didn't want to change. 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:17.279 They were comfortable. 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:21.919 They thought the kingdom was coming and they would rule and be in power with him. 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:24.000 They had a false understanding of this. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:38.480 And then Jesus, and then also in Paul says this in 2 Corinthians, in 2 Corinthians verse 3, or chapter chapter 4, verse 3, he says this even if the gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:48.799 In their case, the God of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel, of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:56.480 The world, the system, the evil system of the world has blinded the minds of those who will not believe and they cannot see. 00:15:56.559 --> 00:16:01.360 It's not because Jesus isn't clear in his teaching, he's very clear in who he is. 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:07.600 It's yet the world is determined that he is not who they think he should be. 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:11.279 And so, continuing on in verse 25, Jesus then says this to them. 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:18.879 He says, The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:22.080 And so the coming hour refers to Christ's resurrection. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.279 This is what he's talking about. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:27.279 He's been speaking about this really since chapter two, when he turned the water into wine. 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.879 He says, The hour's not here yet, right? 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:33.600 He continues to think about this, but here he is in this mist, and he says the hour is coming. 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:40.159 He's referring to his resurrection, which would, which would clearly clarify why he needs to depart to the disciples in this moment. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:44.159 They they really can't fully understand because the Spirit hasn't been given to them yet. 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:48.879 And so they're trying to understand what Jesus is teaching them about the triune God. 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:52.320 Now, this is why we see the word used here plainly. 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:58.480 The word plainly in the original language means to speak openly or freedom of speech. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:17:00.720 And so it's an attitude of openness. 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:06.880 It stems from freedom or lack of fear, and it means, in a sense, that freedom to say all things. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:12.079 And so, because those who are children of God, we have the freedom to hear from God. 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:14.880 We have the freedom to go to God with all things. 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:19.599 There's an openness, and God is here to hear and receive them. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:27.359 This attitude of openness stems from our freedom, our freedom from sin, our freedom of lack of fear of death. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:40.000 But it's found in knowing Christ that we are united in Christ, that we have been adopted into the family of God, and he gives us spiritual sight to understand his word and to know him more clearly. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:46.400 And so when life feels confusing, do not measure God's care by what you cannot understand. 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:48.160 There's a danger there. 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:56.799 Instead, go to Christ, go to his word, ask him to help you, and the Father will give you clarity of his will for you. 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:59.039 Which leads us to our next point. 00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:04.319 Our next point is this: Christ opens direct access to the Father through prayer. 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:08.240 He opens a direct access to the Father through prayer. 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:17.279 We know that the veil has been torn, and because the Father loves those who belong to Christ, believers can pray with this great confidence in Jesus' name. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:33.599 Remember, to ask in Jesus' name is not what we think it is all the time, but it's to ask according to his purpose, his character, his attitude, his will. 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:38.480 It's not this religious tagline that we throw on the end so that Jesus will answer all our prayers. 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:39.839 That's not why we do it. 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:43.759 We don't just tag Jesus' name, hoping that we get whatever we ask for. 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:48.079 What we do is we ask in his name because he's going to the Father for us. 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:57.359 It means that we come to the Father through Jesus Christ, trusting his finished work on the Christ, his authority, his ongoing ministry for us. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:05.759 Jesus has opened the access to the Father, and the Spirit helps believers pray according to God's will. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:11.039 So the point is this: in Jesus' name, it's not this magical formula. 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:16.160 It is not mainly about asking God to fulfill our personal desires. 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:21.599 It reminds us that we approach the Father only because of Christ. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.680 It's only because of Christ. 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:28.960 And through the Spirit, believers are able to pray with confidence. 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:31.599 We're able to come to Him in confidence. 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:36.720 We're able to come to Him in dependence, depending on Him and His desire and His will for us. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:42.880 And we're able to submit to Him and trust that He has our best interest in mind. 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.880 Romans 8 says like this. 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:57.519 Romans 8 26 says, likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 00:19:57.680 --> 00:20:04.720 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:13.440 And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose. 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:17.519 God is working it out for his glory and your good. 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:19.039 And this is a beautiful thing. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:28.720 Though there's pain and though there's sorrow, these things bring much joy and much peace when we center our life around Christ, when he is our purpose. 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:33.440 And so all of this is because God first loved us. 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.480 It's a beautiful thing. 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:36.000 God loved us first. 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:40.319 And those who would come to him by faith in Christ alone. 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:51.119 It says, For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved me, and I have believed that I come from the Father. 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:52.559 The Father loves you. 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:54.960 This is not, this is a deep love. 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:59.759 This is not a love, agape love, a general love. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.839 This is Philadelphia, right? 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:03.279 You know, the city of love. 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:09.200 This is a deep, intimate love that the Father has for his children, not just all people. 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:12.480 God loves all people and wants them to come to him. 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:24.079 But those who have come, he loves them in a deep way, that we can come before him with great confidence, knowing that he loves us and has our best interests in mind. 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:33.279 And so we should pray with confidence, not because your faith is strong, but because the Father's love loves those who belong to Christ. 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:39.680 And so bring your fears, bring your burdens, bring your needs to him in Christ's name. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:44.480 Third thing we see is this Christ's mission secures the believers' confidence. 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:48.480 His mission secures the believer's promise. 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:54.400 In verse 28, Jesus fulfills every prophecy and completes his mission, securing our peace forever. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:59.759 Now, in verse 28, Jesus summarizes the entire entire gospel of John. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.559 Right? 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:02.720 It gives us a picture of the gospel. 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:08.799 If you're trying to remember or you're trying to witness to somebody, you're like, man, I'm trying to figure out how to witness to somebody, look at verse 28, right? 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:10.240 Mark it down, highlight it. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:12.240 Chapter 16, verse 28. 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:15.839 It gives you just a quick glimpse of the gospel, a little napkin theology. 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:18.079 You got two minutes, you want to tell somebody the gospel? 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:18.559 It's right here. 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:21.200 It says, I came from the Father, and the Father came into the world. 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:27.200 I have come into the world, and now I'm leaving the world and going to the Father. 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:36.480 And so this idea, this phrase, I came from the Father, points to Christ's eternal origin, his divine relationship with the Father. 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:40.319 Jesus didn't all of a sudden come into existence in Bethlehem. 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.759 That's not what happened. 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:43.440 Jesus has always been there. 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:47.440 And so he says, I came from the Father, and he came into the world, right? 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:49.200 He had a mission, the incarnation. 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:56.799 This means that the eternal Son of God took on real human flesh and he entered into this world as a man. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:07.119 And so John wrote this so that his readers would believe that, that Jesus is truly God Himself, sent from the Father. 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:10.799 Jesus truly entered into the world as a man on a mission. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:18.559 He came with a purpose to reveal the Father, to redeem sinners, and to accomplish salvation for those who are lost. 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:24.480 And so, church, our peace must not rest in the fact that Christ's mission was not accidental. 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:26.480 It wasn't accidental. 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:30.319 It wasn't incomplete, but it was planned. 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:33.440 It was planned by the Father and fulfilled by the Son. 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:35.759 And we see this starting in John chapter 1. 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.880 John 1 1, right? 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:38.000 The pre-existence of Christ. 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:42.240 He says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:45.039 And then we see the incarnation in John chapter 1, verse 14. 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:53.519 He says, And the Word became flesh, he dwelt among us, and we have seen the glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:57.440 And then we see his earthly ministry in John chapter 3, verse 17. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:24:03.680 He says, For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that he might save them. 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.519 This was his mission. 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:12.079 And not only his mission, but in John 17, 5, he says, this it's his sacrificial death and resurrection and return. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:21.279 He says, Now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the existence of the world. 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:32.480 And because it has been fulfilled by Christ, he returns to the Father and sends us, those who are united in Christ, the Spirit of truth, to guide us and to lead us. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:34.000 And so this is the gospel. 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:35.200 This is the gospel. 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:37.200 Jesus has always been, right? 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.960 He created all things. 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.319 Corruption came. 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.279 God sent him. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.480 He's the cure, right? 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.200 He's the cure. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:48.880 Now that he cured the world, he cured us, we're commissioned to go and tell, to tell the gospel. 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:53.440 This is a beautiful picture of the gospel here, verse 28. 00:24:53.519 --> 00:25:00.240 And so we must anchor our peace and what Christ has finished and not how steady our circumstances are. 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:02.960 Doesn't matter how steady we think they are. 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:11.599 Instead, his complete mission should be, should give us confidence that we can face this world no matter what comes. 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:15.599 Fourth thing we see is this Christ exposes weakness. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:21.279 Sorry, Christ exposes weak faith before it falls. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:29.039 And so in verse 29 through 31, we see the all-knowing God show that human faith is often weaker than we realize. 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:35.759 But Jesus here with the disciples, he shows them this. 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:39.680 And so in this section, the disciples make this bold confession of their faith, right? 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:41.119 They make a bold confession. 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:42.480 We see now plainly. 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:47.200 They're convinced that finally they understand Jesus is, they understand it, right? 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:50.559 They're confidently, they're ready to charge hell with a water pistol, right? 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:51.200 That's the idea. 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:52.319 They're ready to go. 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:58.319 And yet, at first glance, it sounds like, well, this is a spiritual high point for the disciples. 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.200 Like they're ready. 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:00.240 Here they go. 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.480 Yet we see Jesus' response. 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.359 What does he say to him? 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.799 He asks the question. 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:07.279 He says, Do you now believe? 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:11.119 This is not an insult, right? 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:16.000 He's not trying to insult them, but it's this tender exposure of their overconfidence. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.319 Why? 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:30.160 Well, because Jesus knows within hours, within hours from this moment where they just said, We'll go, we'll follow you, we'll do whatever you want, God, he knows that these disciples will flee when Jesus is arrested. 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:31.759 He's the all-knowing God. 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:33.839 And so their confession was genuine. 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:39.680 It's not that it wasn't genuine, but their faith was far weaker than they realized. 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:47.279 And Jesus, in his all-knowing omniscience, he knows the true condition of their heart better than they do. 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:52.960 And so he exposes their weakness, their weakness and faith before it is tested. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.960 He's trying to expose them. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:27:05.680 Like before you're tested, I'm letting you know, because when the test comes, this is when if you've cling to me, if you trust in me, if you submit to me, your faith will be strong. 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:08.480 But in and of yourself, you're not strong enough. 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:16.000 And so these disciples are essentially saying, We understand now, we know who you are, our faith is strong, let's go. 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.680 And Jesus is like, hold up. 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:20.319 You haven't even been tested yet. 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.839 And I want to share with you. 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:24.559 And so this is a beautiful response that Jesus had. 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:35.519 Jesus responds by showing them that there's a severe test that is coming, and that at that point, in themselves, they're not strong enough. 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:36.799 And so why is this important? 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:47.200 Well, because one of the greatest dangers for believers is trusting in the strength of our own faith rather than the object of our faith, which is Jesus Christ. 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:50.000 Sometimes we think we can do it on our own. 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:51.279 We can conquer sin. 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:53.440 We can quit this, we can do that. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.599 Church, we need Christ. 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:57.680 It's the only way that we can do it. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:03.359 And so the disciples had they had the correct theology, right? 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:07.519 They had genuine belief, they had sincere devotion. 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:09.519 Yet they still failed. 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:12.319 But here's the beauty in their failure. 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:22.079 Our failure teaches us that peace is not found in the strength of our commitment to Christ, but in his commitment to us. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:24.160 That's where our strength lies. 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:26.079 He's committed to his children. 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:30.000 He's committed to those who have trusted in him, who have surrendered their life to him. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:34.960 And so praise God that he holds fast to us. 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:39.039 And one of the greatest biblical illustrations we see of this is Peter. 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:44.720 Peter is the clearest example of what Jesus is teaching his disciples and us in this moment. 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:52.240 And in John 13, 37, Peter boldly declares, he says, this, I will lay down my life for you. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.200 Remember that? 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:54.559 Remember Peter says that? 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:57.119 I'll lay down my life for you. 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:59.519 And within hours, he does what? 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:02.240 He denies Jesus three times. 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:03.519 Three times. 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:07.119 Peter's problem was not the lack of sincerity. 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:09.920 Like he was really, yeah, I'm about to follow you. 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:14.960 It was a confidence in himself rather than a dependence upon Christ. 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:20.480 And see, many believers lose their peace when they discover their weakness in their own faith. 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:30.799 But Jesus is preparing his disciples to understand that their peace does not rest upon their ability to stand for him perfectly. 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:34.720 It's not that we can perfectly stand in our own faith. 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:40.400 Instead, our peace rests on his perfect knowledge of us, of the disciples. 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:52.720 He knew their weaknesses, on the faithfulness, on his faithfulness towards them, that he's faithfully going to accomplish God's mission so that we, as his children, can accomplish our mission in him. 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:56.559 And it's also found in his victory for us. 00:29:56.880 --> 00:30:00.640 And so the disciples would fail, but Christ would not. 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:06.880 So when Christ exposes your weakness, do not fail, do not fall into depression. 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:12.319 He does not reveal your weakness to destroy your faith, but to deepen it. 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:20.400 It's neat that the Lord often shows us how weak we are so that we learn how strong He is. 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:22.160 It's a beautiful thing. 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:33.519 Therefore, do not place your confidence in the strength of your own faith, but place it in the confidence of the Savior, the one who remains faithful, faithful to the end. 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:38.640 The fifth point is this Christ remains faithful when his people scatter. 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.720 Verse 32, we see it. 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:44.480 Jesus' faithfulness, it didn't, it didn't depend on the group that was following him. 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:46.559 He didn't need a huge crowd, right? 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:48.480 He didn't need that crowd to justify him. 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:53.200 It depended on his Father, who is always with him. 00:30:53.519 --> 00:31:03.359 And so Jesus just revealed their weakness, the weakness of the disciples' faith, so that they would find peace in his faithfulness rather than confidence in themselves. 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:05.599