The Cause of Real Joy
I. Seeing Jesus - John 16:16-33
- A. Through the process of His incarnation - John 16:28; 1:1, 14
- B. Through the process of His death - John 16:16-19
- 1. The first "little while" refers to His death
- C. Through the process of His resurrection and ascension - John 16:16-19;
1 John 1:3-4
- 1. The second "little while" refers to His resurrection
and ascension
- 2. Physical versus spiritual sight - John 16:16; Heb. 2:6-9; 2 Cor.
5:7, 15-17;
2 Cor. 3:17-18
- a) The relationship between faith-sight and joy - 1 Pet. 1:8-9
- D. Through the cycle of death (sorrow) and resurrection (joy) - John
16:20-21
- 1. Vision in midst of sorrow - John 16:21; Heb. 12:1-3
- 2. Sorrow according to God - 2 Cor. 7:8-11
- 3. The necessity of sorrow - 1 Pet. 1:6-9
- E. Through the Spirit of sonship in our hearts - John 16:22-24; 20:17-22;
Gal. 4:6;
Heb. 2:11-13
- 1. Having a direct relationship with the Father - John 16:23, 25-27;
John 14:6;
Eph. 2:18
- 2. Praying in union with the Lord in His Name - John 16:23-24; Eph.
3:10-17
- F. Through knowing what is happening to us - John 16:29-33
- 1. The plain speaking of God's economy - John 16:25, 29; Rom. 5:3-5;
2 Cor. 4:10-14; James 1:1-4
- 2. Believing not being totally incompatible with failure - John
16:30-32; 13:37-14:1;
- 2 Tim. 2:13
- 3. Knowing we are never alone - John 16:32; Heb. 13:5-6
- 4. The difference between outward and inward peace - John 16:33;
Phil. 1:14-21