That In Me You May Have Peace
John 16:25-33
January 31, 2021

Sermon Date: January 31st, 2021

Reflections on Sunday’s Sermon

Prayer

As you begin your study this week, spend a few moments praising God for overcoming the world through the person and work of Jesus Christ (John 16:33). Ask the Holy Spirit to penetrate your heart with that truth in such a way that brings peace to your soul and allows you to “take heart” even in the midst of tribulation. As you pray, make the following words your own before the Lord (prayer taken from Prone to Wander: Prayers of Confession and Celebration by Barbara Duguid and Wayne Houk).

    “Redeeming heavenly Father, You have surrounded us daily with your goodness and mercy. You have forgiven our sins, covered us in the shining robes of the perfect goodness of your Son, and protected our souls through every trial that you call us to endure. We should fill each day with praise, adoration, and thanksgiving to you, but we are weak, selfish, and full of sin. We love the gifts that you give us far more than we love you, and resent you when you call us to suffer. We get angry with you when you do not answer our prayers as we wish, and we wallow in anxiety and fear that you will take away the good things in our lives that we love too much- Forgive us, Lord, for doubting your love and goodness, and for finding joy and contentment in our own abilities, relationships, and possessions instead of in you alone.

    Father, please rescue us from our discontented hearts. Thank you for Jesus, who endured deadly pain and suffering on our behalf, without ever giving in to anger, fear, or resentment toward you. He was truly content in every situation, finding joy and peace in you during each moment of his earthly life without grumbling or complaining. He had no earthly status or treasure, but valued your kingdom above all and never worshiped your creation instead of you. He trusted you completely, even when your plan took him to a brutal death, counting it joy to obey you. Thank you for the cross, for accepting his obedience in our place, and for giving us his record of perfect contentment and confidence in you.

    Holy Lord, we desperately need your help to think pure and excellent thoughts about you and accurate thoughts about ourselves. Open our eyes to see your kindness in the midst of our suffering, and give us strong faith to believe that you love us when life is difficult. Remind us of the power of the cross, bathe us in the fountain of your forgiveness, and enrapture us with your beautiful Son. Steady our souls with pure, lovely, and noble truths about you, and grant us surprising peace as we cling to you, our Rock and our Redeemer. Make us patient and joyful though trials should come, utterly content in your love, and confident that your grace will bring us home. In Christ’s name, amen.”

Scripture

John 16:25-33 - (English Standard Version)
    25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 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; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” 29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 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.”

Handling the Word

  1. Before you get to our text this week, take a few minutes to read through the passages we have covered so far this year in the gospel of John (13:1-16:24). Try to recall some of what you have learned in those passages and write down any common themes and truths that John has drawn our attention to.

  2. This section (John 13:1-16:24) has had a particular emphasis on Jesus comforting His disciples. Look back over this section and recall those phrases and times when Jesus tries to comfort His disciples.

Understanding and Applying

  1. In verse 25, Jesus tells his disciples that he had spoken to them in figures of speech. As you look back over the last few chapters, write down some of those figures of speech that Jesus told to his disciples. Why did Jesus use figures of speech instead of just telling them in plain language?

  2. Jesus makes an intriguing statement to his disciples in v. 26: “and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf.” At first glance it may seem as if Jesus is claiming to not intercede for his disciples to the Father, but we know from other Scriptures that this is not the case. Look up the following verses and write down what they say about Jesus interceding on our behalf. Why is this important that Jesus does this? How is this a comfort to you, knowing what Jesus is doing for you on a daily basis?

  3. Jesus tells his disciples in v. 27, “for the Father Himself loves you.” Look up the following verses and write down what they about about the love of the Father for us. How does this reality impact your own soul?

  4. Reading all of v. 27, why may it be easy to conclude that the Father’s love for us is dependant upon our love for Jesus first? Look up the following verses and write down the important truths they say about how the Father loved us first. Why is it is important for us to understand that God’s love for us is primary?

  5. In v. 28, Jesus proclaims that he “came from the Father and [has] come into the world.” This statement is loaded with theological truths in at least two ways. First, it speaks of the incarnation (the fact that Jesus is God in the flesh - John 1:14). Why is the incarnation important both for Christianity and for our own salvation? Secondly, this phrase speaks of Jesus’ divine authority (Matthew 7:28-29; 28:18). Why is this important to understand that Jesus speaks with absolute, divine authority? Do you live your life as if Jesus speaks with that authority, or do you too often live as if he is simply a human teacher with good things to say?


  6. The disciples make a profound confession in verses 29-30. Read those two verses and summarize what the disciples say about Jesus. It may be easy for us to conclude that the disciples finally, truly understand who Jesus is and based upon that undersanding will now be completely obedient and faithful to him. Look up the following verses and write down what you discover about their behavior even after making this statement. How does this encourage you in your own walk with Christ, knowing your own failings in trying to live up to what you know? Most importantly, what can we do to act more obediently and less like the disciples?

  7. In v. 31, Jesus asks his disciples, “Do you now believe?” Remember that this is the prime purpose of why the Gospel was written (John 20:30-31). There are a lot of people filling the churches in America who say they belive in Jesus, but how do we really know if we believe (see John 15:5)? Do you believe in Jesus? How is that belief lived out in your own personal relationship with Christ, and how is it exemplified to those around you?


  8. Something very ironic, and admittedly sad, happens in v. 32. Jesus tells his disciples that they “will leave [him] alone.” Look up the following verses and write down why this statement to his disciples is so ironic and discouraging. How do you see yourself at times living as Jesus describes the disciples? How can we change course and be more faithful?

  9. Jesus ends this section with these powerful words, “that in me you may have peace” (v. 33). The meaning of the word “peace” here is the opposite of war and dissention—it means to have tranquility or harmony. As you look at this phrase again, what are the two key words necessary to acquire this peace? What does this tell you about where true and lasting peace can be found as opposed to where most people look for peace? Importantly, this phrase tells us that because peace is found in Christ, it’s not found in our performance. How is this truth good news to your soul?


  10. Jesus tells his disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation” (v. 33). What kinds of tribulation have you experienced in this world? It may be scary to be so transparent with your group, but if you are willing, please share one or two of those tribulations with your Home Group (it will be good for your soul and good for your group).


  11. Lastly, Jesus wraps up with the powerful statement, “But take heart, I have overcome the world” (v. 33). How has Jesus “overcome” the world? James Montgomery Boice gives us his profound take on this question:

      “He overcame the world in three areas: in his life, in his death, and in his resurrection. He overcame it in life because, in spite of abundant griefs and temptations, he pursued the course God had set before him without deviation, sin, or error. He said of Satan, “The prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me” (John 14:30). He overcame the world in death because his death was the price of sin and thus broke sin’s hold upon us. He overcame the world in his resurrection because by his resurrection he began his return to the throne of heaven from which he now rules the church and from which he will one day come again to put down all authority and power.”

    How would this reality, that Jesus has overcome the world in these three areas, have been a tremendous comfort to his disciples (“But take heart…”) and to you?


  12. What specific truth about Jesus or the gospel in this passage do you want to think and pray about some more? Why do you feel that this particular truth stands out to you at this point in your life?


“Let us lean back our souls on these comfortable words, and take courage. The storms of trial and persecution may sometimes beat heavily on us; but let them only drive us closer to Christ. The sorrows, and losses, and crosses, and disappointments of our life may often make us feel sorely cast down; but let them only make us tighten our hold on Christ…Lord, do as thou hast said, and cheer us to the end.” —J.C. Ryle