BOTTOM LINE: Jesus saves. Jesus comforts. Jesus wins. Abide in him.

INTRO

Recap series – Cheat code: John 20:31

Teens share from John 16:16-24

  • Context: Ben narrates and Jayson acts it out.
  • Truth #1: Be steady and steadfast in trials. Don’t give up mid-birthing! (Maekaylee)
  • Truth #2: There’s a sin to avoid: Giving-in to the pressure of the world (Jude).
  • Truth #3: God desires for our joy to be full (Asher).
  • Application #1: Be a friend of Christ (Addie).
  • Application #2: Be filled with joy, and find joy even in sorrow (Raegan).

TENSION

How do we wrap it all up? How do we summarize all we’ve learned from Jesus over the last 10 weeks?

Jesus saves. Jesus comforts. Jesus wins. Abide in him.

TRUTH

Scripture: John 16:25-33

Jesus’s Upper Room lessons can be summarized in three big truths:

1. Jesus saves.

A summary of what Jesus did is in v.28

  • Jesus had been using figures of speech, but now he was speaking plainly.
  • Jesus summarized it this way:
    • He came from the Father and into the world (his birth and perfect life).
    • He was going from the world to the Father (his death, resurrection, and ascension).
      • His death would eliminate the barrier between God and people.
      • He saw that as one completed action.

Jesus saves all who believe in him.

  • It “clicked” for the disciples, and they believed in him.
  • Believing in Jesus is how we receive God’s gift of eternal life (Jn. 3:16, Jn. 3:20).
  • Believing in Jesus is how our relationship with God is restored.
  • What kind of believe: In who Jesus is and what he did.

Has it “clicked” for you? Trust in Jesus tonight! (Do you being saved?)

2. Jesus comforts.

Jesus predicted the disciples’ faith would be tested. 

[SEE SNOTTY POINT ILLUSTRATION]

Have you slipped down off the snotty point yet? You will. Jesus explains this by saying, “In this world, you will have trouble” (v.33).

  • We live in a world the “groans” under the pain of sin (Romans 8).
  • We live in a world populated with sinful people, including us!
  • As believers, the world is often against us.

Jesus gives the promise: I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace?

  • What things? The summary in verse 28!
  • We can have peace in Jesus, even in the middle of our troubled world.
    • “In me” = Abide in Jesus
    • Abide by living the Jesus life.
    • Abide by trusting Jesus’ promises.

Has the world been tough on you lately? Abide in Jesus. Find peace!

3. Jesus wins.

It’s one of those big BUTS of the Bible: “BUT take heart…I have overcome the world.”

  • Jesus saw his going to the Father (death, resurrection, ascension) as one action completed in eternity past.
  • He overcame the temptations of the world by living a perfect life (lust of flesh, lust of eyes, pride of life).
  • He overcame sin by paying its penalty.
  • He overcame the condemnation of our sin by trading our sin for his righteousness.
  • He overcame death by rising again!
  • He overcame the barrier between God and man by ascending to the right hand of the Father, where he intercedes for us.

We win with Jesus.

  • We are “more than conquerors” through Jesus (Read Rom. 8:37-39).
  • We overcome with Jesus! (Read: 1 John 5:4-5).
  • 1 John 2:12-14 (Read) – Young men overcome when the word of God abides in them!

The sole imperative: Take Heart! (tharesō – to have courage, be of good cheer)

  • And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” – Matt. 9:2
  • Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. – Matt. 9:22
  •  But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” – Matt. 14:26-27
  • And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” – Mark 10:49
  • The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” – Acts 23:11

Are you on the verge of giving up? Take heart!

Jesus saves. Jesus comforts. Jesus wins. Abide in him.

APPLICATION – How to Abide in Jesus:

#1 – Trust in Jesus for eternal life.

You’ve been with us for this entire series. You’ve seen Jesus’s heart. You’ve learned about the eternal life he offers. You’ve heard that the only way to have eternal life is by believing in him. Does this make sense to you? If it does, what’s holding you back from trusting in Jesus tonight?

#2 – Turn to Jesus for comfort and peace.

Are you in the middle of crazy times? Is your world inside out and upside down? Why do we look for relief and comfort in all the wrong places? The key to peace in the middle of a storm is abiding in Jesus. Listen to him speak by reading the Bible. Keep the conversation going by talking to him through prayer. Live the Jesus life daily. Depend on him and rest in him.

#3 – Take Heart! Live courageously!

Are you this close to giving up? Is the pain, struggle, and frustration of this world just too much to bear? Remember that Jesus has overcome the world, and you overcome through him. Jesus wins! In Jesus, you’re a winner. Live courageously! Don’t give up! The Jesus life is worth it!