The Gift of His Peace

Overcoming the World

Finishing up the Gospel of John, chapter 16, Jesus explains that He previously used figures of speech and parables because the disciples could not fully grasp the reality of His death, resurrection, and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. In these final verses, Jesus promises that a time is coming—beginning after the resurrection—where they will clearly understand His identity and the Father's deep love for them.

Sorrow Turns to Joy

In our sermon from John 16: 16-24, Jesus promises that the disciples upcoming sadness will turn into deep, lasting joy. He compares their grief to labor pains in childbirth—hard at first, but leading to a greater reward. When a person accepts Christ, he can expereince that same eternal Joy found only in the person of Jesus.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

In Sunday's message, Pastor Johnson taught us that Jesus comforts His followers by explaining that His departure is necessary. He promises to send the Holy Spirit, which is part of the Holy trinity to abide in believers, convict the world of sin, and reveal God’s truth through His Word.

Faithful to the End

In our sermon, Jesus promises to send us the Holy Spirit to keep us from stumbling when we meet persecution and opposition in life that will require strength and perseverance if we are to keep going. Our calling as Christians is to have the same openness to the Holy Spirit today as the early church displayed thousands of years ago.

The Hatred of the World

Learning from John 15:18-25, we hear Jesus warn His disciples that the world will hate and persecute them. Jesus explains that this hostility is inevitable because believers no longer belong to the sinful systems of the world, having been chosen by Christ. Ultimately, the world's hatred of Christians is a direct rejection of God Himself.