Sermon Extras

SERMON NOTES

The Upper Room- John 16:16-33 “Happy In Suffering” 

REVIEW> This is not a list to complete. This is an identity to live in. “What are the marks of an Upper Room disciple?” 

INTRO> I ran across one of the most fascinating people to ever live. Colin O’Brady, Colin is an endurance athlete. He is a five-time world record holder, graduated from Yale, he’s ridiculous. He was the first person to ever WALK across Antartica, The North Pole, absolutely insane! It took him 52 days, all by himself, and he finished the last bit in a straight 30+ hr push! He walked pulling a 300lb sled! Its fascinating! The key was his food, special bars, specifically designed to him and his blood type, he has to consume so many calories. There were two things that stood out to me, he said “I feel like I am a professional sufferer.” “The walk across Antarctica was so grueling but on the inside I was so happy, I love doing this.” 

APP> Isn’t it crazy to think? That Colin’s external conditions are some of the worst that a human being can be in and yet, he is so passionate and loves what he is doing so much that on the inside of him, he is thrilled! 

CONTEXT> Today in our passage, Jesus is in a way, sensing the tension that his disciples are starting to have. He is talking about going away, he is talking about them suffering, he is talking about them dying and even himself dying and really, in this passage he is preparing them for a harsh environment, look at wha the says in v33 “…in this world you will have tribulation…” that word tribulation is the greek word θλῖψις (thlipsis) and it means “trouble, distress, oppression, tribulation pressure” it’s used about 45x in scripture. APP> Have you felt the pressure before? The pressure of life? The pressure form the world? APP> “How can I persevere under pressure” 

Big Idea> Upper Room disciples are happy in suffering.

APP> In these verses’ I believe there are 3 words that are kinda like our Colin O’Brady bars, that keep us motivated and going! 1) Joy 2) Love 3) Peace 

• Joy. v16-24

• Jesus uses the word joy or rejoice 6x in these verses! 

• JOY IS THE SUPERNATURAL DELIGHT THAT FLOWS FROM FOLLOWING JESUS. 

• What is interesting is the illustration that he uses as a master teacher! He talks about a baby.. the birthing hurts but then the joy of the baby! 

APP> What if what you are calling an obstacle to your joy, God see’s as an opportunity for joy? 

Jesus tells us 3 things about this supernatural joy:

• Joy with Jesus is certain. v20b “will turn into joy” 

• Joy with Jesus is secure. v22 “no one will take your joy”

• Joy with Jesus is full v24 “that your joy may be full” *ILL> Do you know what the worlds joy is, a potato chip bag! 

2) Love. v25-28

• v26 is a little confusing isn’t is? What is Jesus saying here? When we dwell on verses like this, it’s life changing. I think sometime that we know that God has saved us but doesn’t like us. Jesus here corrects that. I love what FD Bruner said, “Sometimes our thoughtful doctrines of Christ’s sacrificial, reconciling and interceding work for us toward the Father… can give us the mistaken impression that Jesus loves us more than God the Father does.” John Commentary pg 950

APP> We do not achieve God’s love, we receive God’s love. *ILL> Laying Piper down to bed the other night and going through our routine, she asked “what does that mean” … then said “ever?… wow…” 

3) Peace. v31-33

• “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.” John 16:33 This word peace that Jesus’ uses here is so powerful understanding the context of the times. “Paxa Romana” Two quick things: 

• Peace is a person, Jesus Christ. – “When I get ___________, then I will have peace.” 

• Peace is not the absence of circumstances but the presence of God in the circumstances. 

*ILL> Jake E. Dawson is an artist who paints for a living and is a Christian he paints his faith and how he see’s it. One of his most famous paintings is called “Peace” (PIC) What’s interesting is that it doesn’t look anything like peace. Its a storm with waves and lightening. But if you look closely, (PIC) you see the dove in the rocks. …. That’s peace! 

Big Idea> Upper Room disciples are happy in suffering.

Application: 

• Where have you been trying to get joy, love and peace from? 

• What if your “problem” is a possibility in disguise?