A Farewell Admonition

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See full series: the-teachings-of-jesus-2020-21

A Farewell Admonition

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: John 14-16


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TEACHINGS OF Jesus (63)

In our last lesson we noted some of the final recorded public teachings of Jesus (Matthew 23).  In our lesson this morning we want to address the farewell admonition of Jesus to His apostles.

 

  1. Background
    1. The stage has been set for His crucifixion. The corrupt Jewish establishment has found their means of taking Jesus, via Judas Iscariot.
    2. Likely this message was presented at “the last supper” or on the way to the garden of Gethsemane.
    3. On this occasion, Jesus has instituted the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20) announcing His death.
    4. He has demonstrated service by washing His disciples feed (John 13:1-17)
    5. He has announced His betrayal and told all the disciples that they would deny Him (John 13:18-37). 33 notes that He would be with them just a little while longer.
    6. Much could be learned from these events, but we progress ahead to His farewell admonition as recorded in John 14-16.  There is much in this lesson as well, but we will highlight a few themes found throughout.
  2. Some topics addressed
    1. He is access to the Father –
      1. We have addressed this previously in our studies. I simply mention it here because of time constraints.  Jesus has done everything necessary to give us access to the Father and to reveal the Father to us.
      2. John 14:1-7 – He is the way, truth and life.
      3. John 14:9-10 – he who has seen Him has seen the Father – a declaration that He is Immanuel
      4. John 14:11-14 – in His name they would accomplish great things. As His apostles, there were additional things they would accomplish.
      5. John 15:14-17 – Jesus had chosen them and appointed them to bear fruit.
      6. John 16:27 – the Father loves you because you have loved Me
    2. Love –
      1. Love is a foundational quality we all need. We have noted that it is a quality of the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).  Without love, our actions are mere noise.  Furthermore, every relationship we are involved in needs to be tempered with love (God, Jesus, brethren, neighbors, enemies, etc.).  In this discourse, Jesus had plenty to say about our love.  Consider the following:
      2. John 13:34-35 – A new commandment – that you love one another. It is a declaration to the world.  WE have discussed this in times past and are reminded that this verse tells us the world is watching.  In fact, it says the world has the right to judge us by how we love each other.
      3. John 14:15 – If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. This is a fundamental manifestation of love – we obey!  1 John 4:19 notes that we love Him because He first loved us.  1 John 5:3 – “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”  Be reminded that this is the same author as the gospel we are examining today.
      4. John 14:21-24 – if we have His commandments, we will love Him and thus be loved by the Father. This verse emphasizes our previous point, but adds that when we love God, He loves us back – in a very special way (since He loves all mankind).  We are His family and He is proud of us.  He has an inheritance waiting for His children (1 Peter 1:4).
      5. John 15:9-10 – Jesus had love for the Father and would demonstrate that by keeping His commandments. We learn from Jesus how to love the Father – by keeping His commandments (cf. 1 Peter 2:21-23 – He is our example, even in suffering).
      6. John 15:10- If you keep His commandments, you will abide in His love. We’ve already addressing this except here we add that we ABIDE in His love, meaning it is something we continually do.
      7. John 15:12-13 – love one another with a willingness to sacrifice. Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for His friends – obviously Jesus was speaking of what He was about to do and WHY!   Can you fathom the greatness of His love for us? (Romans 5:6-9)  1 John 3:16, By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (see also 1 John 4:11)
    3. The Helper –
      1. This lesson is one of the primary texts in understanding the Holy Spirit and His work. Lessons could be devoted to the working of the Holy Spirit, and we might still not fully understand it.  But in this text we gain an understanding of His work in revealing truth to us.
        Apart from the Holy Spirit, we would not know God – 1 Corinthians 2:9-11.  And as far as we are concerned, His work cannot be separated from His word.   Consider the following:
      2. John 14:16-18 – He would give them another Helper.
        1. This depends upon obedience based upon vs. 15, If you love Me…
        2. First, He is described as the Helper – or comforter – this is what the Holy Spirit does. We may not know exactly how He works, but numerous passages tell us He does aid us, cf. Romans 8:14 – He leads us, 8:26 – He makes intercession for us; And He teaches us which is emphasized throughout this discourse.
        3. Note vs. 17 He is called “the Spirit of truth” because He reveals God’s truth.
        4. 18, Jesus promised He would not leave them without a helper – and He did not!
      3. John 14:25-26 – the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
        1. He would “teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things” Jesus taught them.
        2. We again see Him directing us through the word.
      4. John 15:26-27 – the Helper will bear witness and they would confirm because they had been with Him.
        1. While we continue to emphasize teaching through the Spirit, be reminded of promises to the apostles, such as Matthew 10:17-20.
        2. Also the miracles and gifts given by the Holy Spirit to confirm the truth is a witness as we have noted in previous lessons (cf. John 5:36, Hebrews 2:4, etc.
        3. Truly, they would not be alone (and neither are we).
      5. John 16:7- It is to you advantage that Jesus go away, for then He will send the Helper. One might ask how is it an advantage for Jesus to leave?
        1. They wanted a physical kingdom, Jesus did NOT (John 18:36)
        2. Jesus now reigns in heaven on God’s throne – having conquered Satan once and for all.
        3. He lives to intercede for us from heaven – 1 John 2:1, Hebrews 7:25, 4:15-16, etc.
      6. John 16:8-11 – the Holy Spirit will convict the world
        1. His work is to change the world – to turn any who will to Christ.
        2. Of sin – because they do not believe. God’s word reveals truth.  Men choose NOT to learn it or follow it.  They have no excuse!
          Furthermore, the word of God, as noted is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12) and it convicts souls – consider Acts 2:37
        3. Of righteousness – because Jesus would go to the Father. The point here is that Jesus will be vindicated.  He died the death of a rebellious criminal, but He was innocent.  Being raised from the dead and then ascending to heaven to reign, God has vindicated Him.  We are here because of the hope of the resurrection, demonstrated first in Him.   We learn about righteousness in the sermon on the mount (proper living) and the book of Romans.
        4. Of judgment – ultimately men will stand before God in judgment. So taught Jesus and the apostles (Hebrews 9:27).  They will be judged by their sins and righteousness, AS they relate to Jesus.  IOW, will men obey the gospel? Cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8.
      7. John 16:12-15 – He would guide them into all truth.
        1. They would better understand Jesus because of the Holy Spirit.
        2. Peter would say that He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
      8. Lesson, we are blessed because of the working of the Holy Spirit through the apostles.
        1. Let it be understood that these verses were directed to the apostles.
          1. They were the ones given the Holy Spirit in this manner – NOT US! Consider Acts 1:4-8 where Jesus prior to ascending told them they would receive the Holy Spirit.  It occurred Acts 2:1-4.
          2. The NT is a product of their work as they were guided by Him (cf. Matthew 10:18-20, Galatians 1:11-12, Ephesians 3:3-4). 2 Peter 1:19-21.  This passage notes that holy men of God speak being moved by the Holy Spirit.
          3. We simply benefit from their efforts.
        2. Romans 1:16 reminds of the power of the gospel, as does Hebrews 4:12.
    4. Faithfulness even in trials –
      1. Another key theme of this message was encouragement to endure. Jesus knew what the apostles were about to face.  He encourages them to not lose faith.  Consider the following:
      2. John 15:18-25 – Jesus warns them that they are going to face strong rejection and opposition.
        1. if the world hates you, know that it hated Him first. In fact, we can use that as motivation to keep moving forward and even rejoice.  See Acts 5:41 having been beaten they left the council rejoicing they were counted worthy to suffer for Him.  1 Peter 4:13ff – Peter would specifically address this  noting you rejoice that you partake in His suffering.
        2. But you are not of this world.  Never forget our citizenship in heaven (more on this next week – TT).   Sometimes that is enough to cause those of the world to hate you.
        3. 20 – You are not above your Master – just another reminder that Jesus went through this first.  BUT, Jesus also noted that some will respond positively – keeping His word, they would submit to the apostles as well.
        4. 21-25 – they WILL be judged by God and they will have no excuse – cf. Romans 1:20, James 4:17.
      3. John 16:1 – He spoke these things so that you will not stumble.
      4. John 16:2-3 – they will persecute thinking they are doing the Father service. Again, Jesus is telling them of future troubles.  And note here, they THINK they are doing what is right.  NOTE: Let us MAKE SURE that we are right in what we say and do.  Let us make sure we are not the ones rejecting the godly!
      5. John 16:4 – remember these things
      6. John 16:16-28 – His concluding remarks are of encouragement and hope. Now you experience sorrow, but then your sorrow will be turned to joy (vs. 20).  Jesus will encourage them that you have to go through the troubles to get to the joy (remember James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4).   Jesus wanted them to live in hope.

And thus, we have noticed some thoughts about this final admonition to His apostles.  Our thoughts are by no means exhaustive, but a sampling of some of His encouraging message to them.  The concluding words of Jesus in John 16 are a fitting conclusion, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

We know in hindsight that Jesus did overcome the world.  He went through with the plan and died on that cross.  Do the words of Jesus encourage you? How are you responding to His calling?  Think about it!

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