December 17, 2010
"IF IT'S NOT ONE DAMN THING, IT'S ANOTHER DAMN THING"
John 16:16-33
Jim Wimberley
Central Truth
A good friend's grandmother had a great paraphrase of this verse, "If it's not one damn thing, it's another damn thing." Truer words were never spoken in my book. If you are not experiencing some form of trouble or tribulation at the moment, just hold on because it is coming.
Key Verse | John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
John 16:16-33
Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy
16 A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
I Have Overcome the World
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. 1 16:27 Some manuscripts from the Father 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.”
Dive Deeper | John 16:16-33
In this passage, the disciples of Jesus are confused and questioning His statement in verse 16, "A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me." Jesus explains in verses 20-22 (emphasis added), "Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you."
We are in the midst of a labor-pain life here on earth. I have never experienced labor pains associated with child birth, but I have experienced labor pains associated with broken relationship with family members; labor pains of family members who struggled with sin, sickness, and mental illness; and labor pains of struggling to keep the right balance between God, family, and work. But Jesus reminds us to take courage because He has overcome the world and a joy is coming that no one can ever take away. Don't be upset when the labor pains of "tribulation" come in this lifetime—expect trouble, and when it shows up, turn to Him, remembering that God promises a peace "which surpasses all comprehension" (Philippians 4:6-7) for those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.
My friend's grandmother was a wise lady who loved the Lord; and she knew her real home was not here on this earth, but that her citizenship was in heaven (Philippians 3:20). She expected "damn things" "down here," but she didn't let them get the best of her because she knew that "joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5) "up there." Jesus calls on us to do the same!!!
Discussion Questions
1. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ by faith for the forgiveness of your sins? If not, give me a call at 214-361-2275.
2. Do you get upset when tribulation comes along? Try expecting it and applying Philippians 4:6-7 when it shows up.
3. Are you living for things here on earth or things in heaven? Remember where your citizenship is and focus on what will last for eternity.
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What trials and sorrows have you experienced in your life?
2. Read verse 33. Jesus told us that they would come. What does He tell us to do and why can we do that?
3. What does it mean that He has overcome the world?
4. What are ways that you can take heart or take courage from this passage?