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Sunday Message for the Bilingual Brethren - 20 June 2021 : Your Sorrow Will Be Turned Into Joy

Text: John 16:16-24
20 June 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. The Lord Jesus had spoken to His disciples about His death and resurrection

a) The disciples found it hard to understand and accept such words
b) The topic of the Lord’s death brought much sorrow to the hearts of the disciples

2. Things which bring us sorrow

a) When our loved ones pass away
b) When illness strikes

3. The Lord Jesus sought to bring comfort to the sorrowful hearts of His disciples

a) By assuring them that their sorrow will just be for the moment
b) By giving them a reason that would bring about joy
c) By encouraging them to pray to the Father

THE ASSURANCE THAT THEIR SORROW WILL BE TEMPORARY

1. “A little while, and you will not see Me”   (John 16:16a, 19a)

a) Jesus would be crucified and buried in a tomb very soon
b) The disciples would therefore not see Him

2. “Again a little while, and you will see Me”   (John 16:16b, 19b)

a) Jesus spoke of His resurrection which would take place on the third day
b) Before the Lord returns to be with His Father, He will see them

3. The assurance the Lord Jesus gave His disciples   (John 16:20)

a) They will sorrow by weeping and lamenting
b) But sorrow will be turned into joy

PROVIDING HIS DISCIPLES WITH A GOOD REASON TO BE JOYFUL

1. The illustration of a woman in labour   (John 16:21)

a) She has sorrow
i. Her hour has come
ii. She is in much anguish
b) But soon anguish is no longer remembered because of a special reason
i. As soon as she has given birth
ii. Her pain is forgotten
iii. Because of the joy of seeing her child born into this world

2. Jesus applied this illustration to His disciples   (John 16:22)

a) Jesus understood that His disciples were experiencing sorrow
b) So He wanted to encourage them
i. He assured them that He will rise from the dead and return to them
ii. He affirmed strongly that they will have joy because of this reason
c) The joy which the Lord Jesus spoke about
i. It will rejoice the heart
ii. No one will take this joy from them

EXPERIENCING FULLNESS OF JOY BECAUSE OF ANSWERED PRAYER

1. The Lord Jesus knew His disciples well   (John 16:23-24)

a) He knew that they were not as prayerful as they should be
b) He knew that they were not praying in His name   (cf. John 14:13-14)

2. The Lord Jesus reminded His disciples about how to pray properly   (John 16:23-24)

a) They were to pray to the Father and ask humbly
b) They were to pray in the name of the Lord Jesus

3. The encouragement to His disciples to pray properly   (John 16:23-24)

a) Wonderful results of praying properly
i. The Father will answer by giving
ii. The disciples will receive what they asked for
b) Answered prayers will bring about fullness of joy

APPLICATION TO THE BILINGUAL BRETHREN

1. Let us be assured that sorrow need not be permanent or long-lasting

a) Grief may come because of sorrowful situations
b) But we do not have to remain with troubled hearts and sorrowful spirits

2. Let us find reasons for joy and focus on them

a) God’s mercy | In how we have been kept safe during this pandemic
b) The words of the Lord Jesus | These assure, affirm, and remind us
c) God’s comfort | To those who are ill and to those who are dying

3. Let us learn to pray as the Lord Jesus taught

a) As we pray correctly and properly
b) We can wait on the Father to answer our prayers
i. To give us what we have asked for
ii. And in receiving these things, we may experience fullness of joy