1. John 14-16 The Normal Christian Life The normal Christian life is a life of supernatural provisions in the midst of extraordinary difficulties

2. John 14-16 The Normal Christian Life THE DIFFICULTIES Jesus’ physical absence A hostile world A humanly impossible mission

3. John 14-16 The Normal Christian Life THE PROVISIONS Hope Access Help

4. 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.”

5. John 16:33 Jesus’ 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.”

6. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority How has Jesus overcome the world, & how does this result in peace & courage 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.”

7. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLD

8. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLD Philippians 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.

9. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLD Revelation 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.”

10. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLD Therefore, Christians can be realistic about the present difficulties – yet optimistic because we know the outcome

11. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLD 2 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...

12. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLD 2 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.

13. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US NOW

14. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US NOW Matthew 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.”

15. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US NOW Matthew 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.”

16. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US NOW Jesus will either remove obstacles to His mission...

17. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US NOW Jesus will either remove obstacles to His mission...... or He will work through the obstacles that He does not remove

18. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US NOW Philippians 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...

19. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US NOW Philippians 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.

20. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US NOW Sometimes we try to misuse Jesus’ authority to accomplish our plans

21. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US NOW 1 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.

22. John 16:33 Jesus’ Victorious Authority JESUS HAS WON THE RIGHT TO ULTIMATELY RULE THE WORLD JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO ADVANCE HIS MISSION THROUGH US NOW 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.”