GOD’S JOY!
John 16:16-33
INTRODUCTION: Our Lord Jesus spoke of “joy” seven times in the gospel of John and all seven of those times occurred the night before His crucifixion in chapters 15-17. John 15:11; John 16:20; John 16:21; John 16:22; John 16:24; John 17:13. Jesus promised his disciples “joy” that would remain even in their confusing times and that promise comes down to all of His disciples today in our confusing times.
I. WHEN THE LORD’S PLAN IS CONFUSING!
Truly our Lord’s plans can seem confusing to all of His disciples when we first hear of them: John 16:16-18. Truly Jesus statement here seemed to contradict an earlier promise He had made to His disciples: John 14:16-20. Truly our frustration with God’s timing grows the longer our discomfort continues. King David asked the Lord eighteen times in the Psalms “How long?” Psalm 13:1-2. We all struggle with our God’s timing. Like little children we all want to know what a “little while” means, especially when we are hurting and frightened by the circumstance’s life brings to us.
II. WHEN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE CONFUSING!
So often our plans for the future differ from our God’s plans for our future. The disciples believed that Jesus was the Messiah and they expected Him to restore Israel to dominance. One day that will happen but it will only happen in God’s time, not ours. This brought confusion to His disciples and so Jesus reassured them: John 16:19-21. God’s joy is not about quick fixes. God’s joy is based on His promises for lasting joy even when our circumstances are not enjoyable. Jesus told us up front to expect confusing, challenging and even painful circumstances that will lead us to even greater joy as we see God’s promises unfold in our lives.
III. JESUS’ FIVE REASSURING PROMISES!
As the disciples learn of Jesus’ soon departure from them and His soon return He gives them five reassuring promises. Those promises were meant to inject them and will inject us in our uncertain times as we learn them. Three of those promises are found in John 16:22-24. Jesus knew His disciples troubled thoughts and He knows our troubled thoughts: John 16:19. The disciples wondered “When will we see You again?” Jesus did not give them a date but He said: John 16:23; Revelation 21:4-5. If you are troubled now; realize it will not always be like that: Psalm 40:1-3. The words joy, joyful, joyfully, rejoice, and rejoicing appear over 400 times in the Scriptures. In the Greek language the word “joy” means “calmly happy.” John 16:22. Our joy does not come from our feelings it comes from a Person: John 16:22. Jesus’ joy is different that human happiness. John 14:16-18; John 15:11. Our joy is not something that can be drained. Our joy comes from Someone and that Someone is our Lord Jesus Christ! John 4:13-14. Our joy is the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ and He promises to be with us all the days of our lives! Isaiah 33:6. We must not allow the temporary troubles of this life rob us of our joy in Jesus: John 16:25-28. We, like our Lord Jesus must submit to our heavenly Father’s will even when we don’t want it: Luke 22:39-42. We dare not, like the early disciple’s brag about our own strength but must learn to rely on our God’s mighty strength: John 16:29-33. Don’t rely on your own strength. We must constantly look to Jesus for His strength and faith in our lives. John 16:33; We as Jesus disciples can expect trouble in this world but we can also have the peace and joy of our Lord because we are in Him and with Him we will also overcome this world. Romans 8:28.