A Fisherman's Story

A Study in the Gospel of John John 16:1-33   by Samuel E. Ward April 15, 2012   Part One:  "The Beginning of the Fisherman's Story",  John 1:1-18 Part Two:  "The Telling of the Fisherman's Story", John 1:18-12:50 Part Three:  "The Climactic Events of the Fisherman's Story", John 13:1-20:31   I. The Final Meal John, 13:1-17:26   A. The Lesson of Servanthood, 13:1-20 B. The Prediction of the Betrayal, 13:21-30 C. The Farewell Address to the Disciples (Upper Room), 13:31-14:31 D. The Farewell Address to the Disciples (The Path to Gethsemane), 15:1-17:26   1. The relationships between the Vine, the Gardener, and the branches are defined for the disciples, John 15:1-8. 2. The importance of love for each other is explained to the disciples, John 15:9 3. The expectation of hatred and persecution from the world is disclosed, John 15:18-25. 4. The cooperative ministry of testimony of Jesus Christ between the Holy Spirit and the disciples is announced, John 15:26-27.   Observe further Jesus' words to His disciples along the path to Gethsemane.   5. The compassionate preparation of the disciples for trials to come is made, John 16:1.   (John 16:1-4 NIV)  "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. {2} They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. {3} They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.  {4} I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.   a. These trials, without knowing their cause, might lead them to go astray (Gr. "σκανδαλισθῆτε" should not be caused to stumble) from their faith, John 16:1. b. These trials will be caused by those who think they are serving God though by doing so they are only proving they don't know Him or Christ , John 16:2-3. c. The prediction of these trials by Christ will be remembered when they occur so that they will not be surprised, John 16:4a. d. The need to know about these coming trials was not necessary while Christ was with them to protect them, John 16:4b.   6. The explanation of Holy Spirit's role after the departure of Christ is given to the disciples, John 16:5-15.   a. The disciples' grief was clouding their thinking, John 16:5-6.   (John 16:5-6 NIV)  "Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' {6} Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief.   b. The Holy Spirit's ministry will become central in continuing the work of Christ, John 16:7-15.   1) Christ's departure is necessary to the Holy Sprit's coming, John 16:7.   (John 16:7 NIV)  But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.   2) The Holy Spirit's coming is good for several reasons:   i. The Holy Spirit will convict the world of its guilt, John 17:8-11.   (John 16:8-11 NIV)  When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:  {9} in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; {10} in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; {11} and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.   ·         The world will be convicted of its sin of unbelief in Christ, John 16:8-9.   But there is mercy for even the worst of unbelievers who come to Christ, 1 Tim 1:13.   (1 Tim 1:13 NIV)  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.   ·         The world will be convicted of its unrighteousness against the standard of Christ's righteousness, John 16:10.   But there is righteousness to be had who claim Christ's as their own by faith in Him,   (Rom 3:21-22 NIV)  But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. {22} This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.   ·         The world will be assured of its judgment because its prince (Satan has been condemned, John 16:11.   But there is no condemnation to those who come to Christ for deliverance, Rom 8:1.   (Rom 8:1 NIV)  Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.   ii. The Holy Spirit will guide the disciples into all truth including about what is to come, John 16:12-13.   (John 16:12-13 NIV)  "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. {13} But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.   iii. The Holy Spirit will bring glory to Christ by revealing truth about Him, John 16:14-15.   (John 16:14-15 NIV)  He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. {15} All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.   7. The placing of the approaching events into perspective for the disciples, John 16:16-28.   a. The central fact of all that is about to happen, John 16:16.   (John 16:16 NIV)  "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."   b. The confusing questions which arise from Jesus' statements, John 16:17-18.   (John 16:17-18 NIV)  Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and' Because I am going to the Father'?" {18} They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."   c. The compassionate answers provided by Jesus, John 16:19-28.   1) Leaving them will bring grief to the disciples but joy to the world, John 16:19-20a.   (John 16:19-20 NIV)  Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? {20a} I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.   2) The disciples' grief will turn to joy, John 17:20b.   (John 16:20b NIV)  You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.   3) The grief to joy experience is similar to a mother's experience with childbirth—the pain that precedes the joy, John 17:21-22.   (John 16:21-22 NIV)  A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. {22} So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.   4) The outcome will bring a direct intimate relationship to the Father as Christ enjoyed, John 16:23-24.   (John 16:23-24 NIV)  In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. {24} Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.   5) The significance of this new and direct approach to the Father will soon be understood, John 16:25-28.   i. Due to their relationship with the Son, they will be able to approach the Father with their questions and concerns in Jesus name, John 16:25-26.   (John 16:25-26 NIV)  "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. {26} In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.   ii. For Jesus' sake the Father will hear and act upon the disciples' prayers, John 16:27.   (John 16:27 NIV)  No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.   iii. The necessity of this new relationship is due the Son's return to the Father, John 16:28.   (John 16:28 NIV)  I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."   8. The confession of understanding and belief in Jesus and His words by the disciples, John 17:29-30.   (John 16:29-30 NIV)  Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. {30} Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."   9. The cautious prediction of the vulnerability of their faith when placed under fire, John 17:31-32.   (John 16:31-32 NIV)  "You believe at last!" Jesus answered. {32} "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.   10. The gracious words of Jesus to promise the disciples peace in trouble and victory over the world through Him.   (John 16:33 NIV)  "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."   JESUS WINS AND SO DO WE!!!   1. When going through trials of your faith as Jesus said we would, remember Psalm 27 and especially this portion of it:   (Psa 27:11-14 NIV)  Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. {12} Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. {13} I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. {14} Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.   2. When we go through the pangs of grief from the loss of those who once comforted us, as did the disciples when they suffered the loss of Jesus for "a little while" remember the testimony of Jeremiah the weeping prophet:   (Lam 3:25-26; 32-33 NIV)  The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; {26} it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. . .{32} Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. {33} For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.   3. We now have, by the work of Christ on our behalf, immediate and welcome access to the Father in order to receive help in our time of need, John 16:25-27.   (Eph 2:18 NIV)  For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.   (Heb 4:15-16 NIV)  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. {16} Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.