Bible Study - Connected (6) - A Life of Victory - John 16:19-22, 27-33 - April 10, 2022

 

Bible Study – Connected (6) – A Life of Victory – April 10, 2022

This is lesson six (6) in our series entitled, “Living Life Connected to CHRIST.”

Our focus scripture is John 16:19-22, 27-33.

In CHRIST, we have victory over anything the world throws at us.

This is true based upon what JESUS has done for all who have placed their faith in HIM and became Spirit-born Children of GOD.

I encourage you to read the rest of this study because you will be blessed!

Let’s read John 16:19-22:

¹⁹ Jesus knew they (HIS disciples) wanted to ask him, and so he said to them, “Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again, in a little while, you will see me’? ²⁰ Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. ²¹ When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. ²² So you also have sorrow^[d] now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.

JESUS was preparing HIS disciples for the next few days of events upon earth because HE knew what was ahead of HIM and them e.g., physical death from crucifixion, burial and the crowning achievement of GOD, the resurrection of JESUS. They would think once JESUS was crucified HIS kingdom was finished. It was all over. The ministry of JESUS had been defeated because JESUS was dead as a “door nail.”  Physical death is final. But JESUS knew the conclusion of GOD’S redemptive plan. Salvation is just the beginning of true life in JESUS. Eternal death is defeated forever though faith in JESUS.

John 16:23-26: (Background scripture and in context and flow of unfolding events.)

²³ “In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. ²⁴ Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Do you have questions? Ask GOD to reveal truth to you.

Being a Spirit-born person is all about being in relationship with JESUS through the miracle of Spiritual-birth and being indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Does such a relationship make you some kind of freak? NO!!! Such a relationship gives you Spiritual balance. As you are willing, GOD, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, leads and guides you based upon HIS perspective and vantage point. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of GOD based upon HIS plans and purpose for each of HIS Children.

Notice, as we read on, all people have heard “figures of speech,” because Spiritual matters must be Spiritually discerned. We hear but we do not comprehend because each person has notions of what it means to be a Spirit-born person. Who teaches every Spirit-born person? The Holy Spirit is our teacher.

At this point in the earthly ministry of JESUS, JESUS’ disciples had not received the Holy Spirit. JESUS was speaking in “figures of speech.”

Jesus the Victor

²⁵ “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶ On that day you will ask in my name, and I am not telling you that I will ask the Father on your behalf. --- Why?

Let’s read this same scripture from the Amplified Bible – John 16:25-26:

²⁵ “I have told you these things in figurative language (veiled language, proverbs); the hour is now coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf [because it will be unnecessary]; 

JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, for the sins of all who will place their faith in HIM. Once the penalty for sin was removed by the shedding of JESUS’ sinless blood, it opened the path to GOD. The sin barrier was removed by JESUS but every person must freely accept that fact. JESUS paid the penalty for sin, in full. There is no other way to GOD and Heaven except through faith in JESUS and a person being Spiritually born into GOD’S Family. It is a Spiritual conception. Do you recall the conversation JESUS had with Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, as recorded in John 3:1-3? (Amplified)

Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (member of the Sanhedrin) among the Jews, ² who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), we know [without any doubt] that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs [these wonders, these attesting miracles] that You do unless God is with him.” ³ Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”

Once a person places his or her faith in JESUS, he or she has the same relationship with GOD that JESUS did.

Let’s read John 16:27-30:

²⁷ For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.^[e] 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” ²⁹ His disciples said, “Look, now you’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. ³⁰ Now we know that you know everything and don’t need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”

Quite a giant step forward. We often say, “I understand until, I don’t.”

[²⁷ for the Father Himself [tenderly] loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from the Father. ²⁸ I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

Do you recall when JESUS’ disciples asked JESUS to teach them how to pray? In Luke 11:1-2: Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

² So He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Our^[a] Father ^[b]in heaven,

 

Notice, JESUS said “Our Father in heaven.” This was before the passion of JESUS, yet JESUS said to go into the presence of GOD as “Our Father.” How could that be?

 

Consider the scripture in John 16:27. JESUS disciples had accepted HIM before HIS crucifixion. They would be completed after the crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

 

²⁹ His disciples said, “Ah, now You are speaking plainly to us and not in figures of speech! ³⁰ Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; because of this we believe [without any doubt] that you came from God.” 

The light of the Gospel often is like the dawn of a new day, it is revealed a little at the time until the sun has risen and we find ourselves in the beauty of the day. Or it can happen in the twinkling of the eye. Sudden!

Let’s read John 16:31-33:

³¹ Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? ³² Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. ³³ I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

Now, let’s read this same scripture in the Amplified Bible:

[ ³¹ Jesus answered them, “Do you now [at last] believe? ³² Take careful notice: an hour is coming, and has arrived, when you will all be scattered, each to his own home, leaving Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. ------ This is a powerful teaching from JESUS. JESUS’ comfort, strength and assurance came from HIS relationship to HIS FATHER, GOD. Just as JESUS comfort was in GOD, so will all who have been Spirit-born because a Spirit-born person’s relationship will be the same as JESUS’ relationship with GOD, FATHER. Thus, Spirit-born people are truly GOD’S Son or Daughter through Spiritual conception. The world hated JESUS and the world hates GOD’S Spirit-born Children but GOD’S Children have the same relationship with GOD that JESUS did. Therefore, ask and it will be done. Why did JESUS reveal this truth to Spirit-born people? Let’s read on ---]

³³ I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding. --- The same is true for all Spirit-born people.]

Do you recall what JESUS taught HIS disciples as recorded in John 5:30?

³⁰ “I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

As Spirit-born people we have good intensions but often when we face some of the trials in life, our good intensions are lost. Often, we are quickly disappointed in ourselves for our lack of faith when the Holy Spirit tells us to wait. When we don’t wait, it turns out badly. Faith is a gift and it grows as we abide in our relationship with GOD/JESUS. But just as quickly as we stumble, the Holy Spirit comes to our side, restores us and encourages us to keep on keeping on. GOD knows each of us intimately, even to the number of hairs on our heads. We never surprise GOD. When we fail in our eyes, GOD restores us because we are HIS Children and HE loves us. Yes, our eternal connection to GOD is through faith in JESUS but once we are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, we belong to GOD. We are HIS disciples and can know the mind of GOD as revealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

What does the Apostle Paul reveal to us in Romans 8:12-17?

¹² So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, ¹³ because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons (daughters). ¹⁵ For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba,^[i] Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Yes! Once Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, you will never, ever be Spiritually unborn. The rewards one receives can vary but Salvation is eternal. As you may recall 1 Corinthians 3:10-15:

¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[d] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

Notice verse 15. As Spirit-born people, we all build with various building materials upon the firm foundation of JESUS. Some of the things we choose to build with will be burned up when tested by fire but the things of value will survive the test of fire.

Ground zero is one’s faith in JESUS and HIS passion. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins believing that HE willingly gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, for all of your sins. When you do, you are Spiritually conceived and born into GOD’S Family never to be unborn. Blessings!!!