John 14-16John 14-16The Normal Christian LifeThe Normal Christian Life

The normal Christian life The normal Christian life is a life of supernatural is a life of supernatural

provisions in the midst of provisions in the midst of extraordinary difficultiesextraordinary difficulties

John 14-16John 14-16The Normal Christian LifeThe Normal Christian Life

THE DIFFICULTIESTHE DIFFICULTIES• Jesus’ physical absence• A hostile world• A humanly impossible mission

John 14-16John 14-16The Normal Christian LifeThe Normal Christian Life

THE PROVISIONSTHE PROVISIONS•Hope• Access•Help

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 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

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 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

How has Jesus overcome How has Jesus overcome the world, & how does this the world, & how does this result in peace & courage result in peace & courage for those who trust Him?for those who trust Him?

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 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLDWORLD

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLDWORLDPhilippians 2:9 . . . Therefore God exalted

him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLDWORLDRevelation 5:6 . . . Then I saw a Lamb,

looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne . . . 9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLDWORLDTherefore, Christians can Therefore, Christians can

be realistic about the be realistic about the present difficulties – yet present difficulties – yet optimistic because we optimistic because we

know the outcomeknow the outcome

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLDWORLD2 Corinthians 4:8 We are afflicted in every

way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed . . . We do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day . . .

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLDWORLD2 Corinthians 4:16. . . while we focus not

on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US THROUGH US NOWNOW

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US THROUGH US NOWNOWMatthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven

and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US THROUGH US NOWNOWMatthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven

and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US THROUGH US NOWNOWJesus will either remove Jesus will either remove

obstacles to His obstacles to His mission . . .mission . . .

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US THROUGH US NOWNOWJesus will either remove Jesus will either remove

obstacles to His obstacles to His mission . . .mission . . .

. . . or He will work through . . . or He will work through the obstacles that the obstacles that

He does not removeHe does not remove

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US THROUGH US NOWNOWPhilippians 1:18 What does it matter? The

important thing is that . . . Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice . . . 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain . . .

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US THROUGH US NOWNOWPhilippians 1:22 . . . If I am to go on living

in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24

but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US THROUGH US NOWNOW

Sometimes we try to Sometimes we try to misuse Jesus’ authority to misuse Jesus’ authority to

accomplish our plansaccomplish our plans

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US THROUGH US NOWNOW1 John 5:4 This is the victory that has

overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

John 16:33John 16:33Jesus’ Victorious AuthorityJesus’ Victorious Authority

JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLDWORLD

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US THROUGH US NOWNOW

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.”