The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 The Truth for Happiness A Confirming Prophecy

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 The Truth for Happiness What We Need to Know About Jesus We need to really know that Jesus Christ is Lord and not vise versa Too often we want to make our own decisions, choose our own way of life, and set our own courses of action This results in setting ourselves in the center of our own spiritual universe We need to know that Jesus took a servant’s role and He is to be our example – Matt. 20:28

Matthew 20:28 (NASB) 28  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 The Truth for Happiness What We Need to Know About Ourselves We are not greater than Jesus We know this is true, but we act differently by preferring our judgments to His or think we can manage without Him What is proper for Jesus is proper for us This answers all of our questions about life and our place in the world

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 The Truth for Happiness What We Need to Know About Ourselves We also should be servants We are to be ministers or diakonos, a theme prevalent in Jesus’ teaching at the very end of His ministry – Matt. 20:25-28; Luke 22:24

Matthew 20:25-28 (NASB) 25  But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26  It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27  and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Luke 22:24 (NASB) 24  And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 The Truth for Happiness What We Need to Know About Ourselves We also should be servants We are to be ministers or diakonos, a theme prevalent in Jesus’ teaching at the very end of His ministry – Matt. 20:25-28; Luke 22:24 We are sent to be servants This is not optional for us as believers; we have been commissioned – John 20:21

John 20:21 (NASB) 21  So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 The Truth for Happiness What We Need to Do Knowing is the start Often we use our knowledge to get others to do … and that it is for us usually But this tells us that we are to take this knowledge and do it ourselves This develops the kind of character that God can bless – Matthew 5:3-12

Matthew 5:3-12 (NASB) 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5  “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8  “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10  “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11  “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12  “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 A Confirming Prophecy The prophecy of Judas Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9 in reference to Judas Iscariot

Psalm 41:9 (NASB) 9  Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 A Confirming Prophecy The prophecy of Judas Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9 in reference to Judas Iscariot This Psalm is probably in reference to Ahithophel, David’s faithful counselor, who sided with Absalom during his rebellion found in 2 Samuel 15-17 Ahithophel hung himself!

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 A Confirming Prophecy The reason for this prophecy Jesus wants this to be evidence He wants the disciples to know that He is the Son of God, Jehovah That “I AM” He Isaiah 48:3

Isaiah 48:3 (NASB) 3  “I declared the former things long ago And they went forth from My mouth, and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 A Confirming Prophecy The reason for this prophecy Jesus wants this to be evidence He wants the disciples to know that He is the Son of God, Jehovah That “I AM” He Isaiah 48:3 This strengthens our faith in God This also strengthens our faith in scripture – Matthew 24:35

Matthew 24:35 (NASB) 35  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 A Confirming Prophecy An encouragement for all Jesus had chosen them They were to be His representatives – representatives to an ungodly world Whoever accepted them were accepting Jesus Whoever accepted Jesus accepted God

The Providence of Happiness & Prophecy John 13:16-20 Application Are you really happy? Have you moved from knowing the truth about Jesus and yourself to doing or acting on that truth? When was the last time you were encouraged by the Word of God?