John 16:16-33: Sorrow will turn to joy

GOD IN THE WASTELANDS, David F. Wells “It is one of the defining marks of Our Time that God is now weightless. I do not mean by this that he is ethereal but rather that he has become unimportant. He rests upon the world so inconsequentially as not to be noticeable. He has lost his saliency for human life.”

GOD IN THE WASTELANDS, David F. Wells “Those who assure the pollsters of their belief in God’s existence may nonetheless consider him less interesting than television, his commands less authoritative than their appetites for affluence and influence, his judgment no more awe-inspiring than the evening news, and his truth less compelling than the advertisers’ sweet fog of flattery and lies. That is weightlessness.”

pathetic A (Not have interest or concern) in God or the things of God

Last Words Thomas Hobbes, English philosopher – “If I had the whole world, I would give it to live one day. I shall be glad to find a hole to creep out of the world at. About to take a leap into the dark!” Thomas Paine, American author and atheist – “I would give worlds, if I had them, that ‘Age of Reason’ had not been published. O Lord, help me! Christ, help me! O God, what have I done to suffer so much? But there is no God! But, if there is, what will become of me in the hereafter? Stay with me, for God’s sake! Send even a child to stay with me, for it is hell to be alone. If ever the devil had an agent, I have been that one.”

Last Words John Huss, German martyr – “What I taught with my lips, I seal with my blood.” William Carey, Missionary – “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” George Whitefield, American evangelist – “Lord Jesus, I am weary in Thy work, but not of Thy work. If I have not yet finished my course, let me go and speak for Thee once more in the fields, seal the truth, and come home to die

John 16:16-33: Sorrow will turn to joy

John 16:16-22 A little while…. (verses 16-22) Mikros short, little. *Micro “no one will take away your joy” One reason to make God your greatest Joy because joy in God is secure.

John 16:23-24 In that day*you will ask nothing of me…. Since we have this hope (sic: in the gospel) we are very bold! If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord - and believe … For I have been crucified with Christ… Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

How are we to understand this? Spiritual Salutations? Mantra? Superfluous? Mt 11:27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Pray——-ASK! according to His will, His Plan, His Kingdom Agenda.

John 16:31-33 You don’t really understand / You are going to fail me… but I won’t fail you. “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.” Thilipsis —-pressure, trial, tribulation, affliction

Why pursue intimacy with God. Why make God your greatest joy Why pursue intimacy with God? Why make God your greatest joy? Why follow Christ? PS 27:1b The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?