Understanding Jesus: From Suffering to Spiritual Victory

 

Summary

In this teaching, I explored the profound truths found in Jesus' Farewell Discourse, emphasizing the importance of spiritual understanding over mere intellectual comprehension. Jesus, in his wisdom, often spoke in ways that were not immediately clear to his disciples, not due to a lack of clarity on his part, but because the disciples lacked the spiritual discernment to grasp the depth of his teachings. This is akin to needing "Velcro strips" in our thinking to make the teachings of Jesus stick and become clear. Jesus' patience with his disciples is a model for us, as he gently leads them into deeper truths about himself, the Father, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

One of the key discussions was around the phrase "a little while," which puzzled the disciples. Jesus was referring to his impending death and resurrection, a pivotal event that would bring clarity to his teachings. The resurrection is the missing link that transforms our understanding of the gospel, turning sorrow into joy, much like the pain of childbirth leads to the joy of a new life. This illustrates a fundamental Christian principle: suffering and tribulation are not just preludes to glory but are the very means through which glory is produced.

Furthermore, I highlighted the revolutionary nature of the relationship Jesus introduced between believers and God as Father. Unlike the Old Testament saints, who did not have the privilege of calling God "Abba Father," Jesus opened the way for us to have a personal and intimate relationship with God. This understanding transforms our prayer life, as we realize that the Father himself loves us, not because Jesus had to persuade him, but because of his inherent love for us.

Finally, I addressed the disciples' concerns about enduring tribulation without Jesus' physical presence. Jesus assured them of peace and victory through faith in him, despite the world's challenges. This peace, or "Shalom," and victory, or "Nike," are promises for all who trust in him, enabling us to navigate life's trials with confidence and hope.

Key Takeaways:

1. Spiritual understanding is essential for grasping the teachings of Jesus. Intellectual comprehension alone is insufficient; we need spiritual discernment to truly understand the Kingdom of God. This discernment acts like "Velcro strips," helping us internalize and live out Jesus' teachings. [01:57]

2. The resurrection of Jesus is the key that unlocks the full meaning of the gospel. Without it, we see only suffering and opposition. With it, we understand that our trials are the raw materials for future glory, much like labor pains lead to the joy of childbirth. [06:34]

3. Suffering and tribulation are not just preludes to glory; they are the means through which glory is produced. This understanding gives Christians a framework to make sense of suffering, seeing it as part of God's crafting process in our lives. [09:30]

4. The Father himself loves us, not because Jesus had to persuade him, but because of his inherent love for us. This truth transforms our relationship with God, allowing us to approach him with confidence and trust, knowing we are deeply loved. [18:02]

5. In Jesus, we find peace and victory despite the world's tribulations. Trusting in him brings "Shalom" and "Nike," enabling us to live as his disciples with confidence and hope, assured of triumph over all challenges. [22:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:37] - Clarity in Preaching
- [01:15] - Spiritual Understanding
- [01:57] - Velcro Strips of Faith
- [02:38] - Disciples' Puzzlement
- [03:22] - Jesus' Patient Teaching
- [04:03] - The "Little While" Explained
- [05:18] - Resurrection Clarity
- [06:34] - Missing Link of Resurrection
- [07:20] - Living in Light of Resurrection
- [08:03] - Sorrow to Joy
- [09:30] - Suffering Produces Glory
- [10:55] - Making Sense of Suffering
- [13:18] - Speaking in Riddles
- [15:16] - New Relationship with the Father
- [18:02] - The Father's Love
- [20:54] - Peace and Victory in Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 16:16-33
2. Romans 8:18
3. John 3:16

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus mean when he talks about "a little while" in John 16:16-33, and how does this relate to his death and resurrection? [04:45]

2. How does Jesus use the metaphor of childbirth in John 16:20-22 to explain the transformation of sorrow into joy? [08:03]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus introducing the concept of God as "Abba Father" to his disciples? [15:16]

4. What are the two key promises Jesus gives to his disciples in John 16:33, and how do they relate to the challenges they will face? [22:12]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the resurrection of Jesus serve as the "missing link" that clarifies the gospel message for the disciples? [06:34]

2. In what ways does the understanding of suffering as a means to produce glory change the perspective of a believer facing trials? [09:30]

3. How does the realization that "the Father himself loves you" transform a believer's relationship with God and their approach to prayer? [18:02]

4. What does it mean for believers to experience "Shalom" and "Nike" in their lives, and how can these concepts provide comfort during tribulation? [22:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to understand a spiritual truth. How did you eventually gain clarity, and what role did spiritual discernment play in that process? [01:57]

2. How can you apply the principle of viewing suffering as a precursor to glory in your current life challenges? What practical steps can you take to embrace this perspective? [09:30]

3. In what ways can you deepen your personal relationship with God as "Abba Father"? Consider specific changes you can make in your prayer life to reflect this understanding. [15:16]

4. How can you cultivate a sense of peace ("Shalom") and victory ("Nike") in your daily life, especially when facing difficult situations? Identify one area where you can apply these promises this week. [22:12]

5. Think of a situation where you felt distant from God. How can the assurance of the Father's love help bridge that gap and bring you closer to Him? [18:02]

6. How can you support others in your community who are going through tribulations, using the insights from this sermon? What specific actions can you take to offer encouragement and hope? [20:54]

7. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust in Jesus' promise of peace and victory. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in this promise? [22:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Discernment as the Key to Understanding
Spiritual understanding transcends intellectual comprehension, allowing believers to grasp the profound truths of Jesus' teachings. Jesus often spoke in ways that were not immediately clear to his disciples, not because of a lack of clarity on his part, but because the disciples lacked the spiritual discernment to grasp the depth of his teachings. This discernment acts like "Velcro strips," helping us internalize and live out Jesus' teachings. It is essential for believers to seek this spiritual insight, as it enables them to truly understand the Kingdom of God and apply Jesus' teachings to their lives. [01:57]

1 Corinthians 2:14-15 (ESV): "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you rely solely on intellectual understanding rather than seeking spiritual discernment? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you into deeper understanding today?


Day 2: Resurrection as the Key to the Gospel
The resurrection of Jesus is the pivotal event that unlocks the full meaning of the gospel. Without it, believers see only suffering and opposition. With it, they understand that trials are the raw materials for future glory, much like labor pains lead to the joy of childbirth. The resurrection transforms our understanding of the gospel, turning sorrow into joy and providing a framework for making sense of suffering. It is through the resurrection that believers find hope and assurance in the promises of God. [06:34]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection change your perspective on current challenges or sufferings you are facing? What steps can you take to live in the light of the resurrection today?


Day 3: Suffering as a Means to Glory
Suffering and tribulation are not just preludes to glory; they are the means through which glory is produced. This understanding gives Christians a framework to make sense of suffering, seeing it as part of God's crafting process in their lives. Just as the pain of childbirth leads to the joy of new life, so too do trials and tribulations lead to spiritual growth and maturity. Believers are encouraged to embrace suffering with the knowledge that it is a tool used by God to shape and refine them for His purposes. [09:30]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: What is one specific trial you are currently facing, and how can you view it as an opportunity for growth and transformation? How might God be using this situation to produce glory in your life?


Day 4: The Father's Inherent Love for Us
The Father himself loves us, not because Jesus had to persuade him, but because of his inherent love for us. This truth transforms our relationship with God, allowing us to approach him with confidence and trust, knowing we are deeply loved. Unlike the Old Testament saints, who did not have the privilege of calling God "Abba Father," Jesus opened the way for believers to have a personal and intimate relationship with God. This understanding transforms our prayer life and our approach to God, as we realize that we are loved and accepted by Him. [18:02]

Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV): "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

Reflection: How does knowing that the Father loves you inherently change the way you approach Him in prayer? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God as your loving Father today?


Day 5: Peace and Victory in Jesus
In Jesus, believers find peace and victory despite the world's tribulations. Trusting in him brings "Shalom" and "Nike," enabling them to live as his disciples with confidence and hope, assured of triumph over all challenges. Jesus assured his disciples of peace and victory through faith in him, despite the world's challenges. This peace and victory are promises for all who trust in him, enabling them to navigate life's trials with confidence and hope. [22:12]

John 16:33 (ESV): "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to experience Jesus' peace and victory? How can you actively trust in Him to overcome the challenges you face today?

Quotes

"Indeed, as we've seen Jesus has already emphasized to them that there are actually things they need to know that they are not yet able to bear. The problem, of course, was not lack of intellect. The problem was not lack of clarity in what Jesus was saying. The problem was that they didn't have the spiritual understanding, the discernment, the grasp of how the Kingdom of God works that would enable them to understand what Jesus was saying." [00:01:36]

"It seems as though he is leading them into deeper and deeper truth about himself, about themselves, about what it means to know God as your Father, about what this all this teaching in the Old Testament about the coming of the Holy Spirit and the new heart that he will give. What is this really all about? We don't really understand. And Jesus is the quintessentially patient teacher with them and he begins to explain now more and more of what it is that they don't understand." [00:02:51]

"And Jesus is saying that the Christian sees something that the non-Christian doesn't see. The Christian understands that the sufferings, the tribulation through which he or she goes actually is the raw materials in the Father's hand. The potter's fingers are on that suffering and he is crafting something out of it." [00:10:40]

"Remember how Paul puts it? He says 'This light affliction that I'm going through is working an exceeding weight of glory'. You see, when the disciple begun to understand that this is the meaning of the Little while -- the little while of tribulation will give place to the day of joy and splendor and glory not only for Jesus but also for them." [00:11:32]

"Jesus is saying 'I'm telling you these things and what seemed to be riddles to you but when I'm risen from the grave and you understand the new relationship that I've brought with my heavenly Father then on that day I will speak plainly to you about the Father.' 'But' he says, 'for the moment' (look at what he says in verse 27) 'for the moment…'" [00:16:45]

"Now, my friends, just focus on those words because they can make all the difference to your Christian life -- The Father himself loves you. The Father himself loves you. I wonder if you've ever heard the gospel preached this way as I have -- the reason the Father loves you is because Christ died on the cross for you." [00:17:54]

"Perhaps you're one of those Christians and at least for the next season, every single day, you rise and you realize it's a new day, you need to say to yourself 'The Father himself loves me,' 'The Son himself loves me,' 'The Spirit himself loves me' and 'I have fellowship in the love of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit together'." [00:20:14]

"And Jesus begins to explain in these very poignant and touching words. As they say, 'Now You are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech. Now, we know that you know all things and don't need anyone to question you. This is why we believe that you came from God and you see their sin. I've got it now. And I'll never lose it'." [00:21:10]

"And he says to them, do you noticed how he says to theme? -- 'Do you now believe?' You think you believe but do you now believe? 'The hour is coming when you will be scattered each to his own home and you will leave me alone'. But he's saying, 'You don't need to worry about me because I am not alone because the Father is with me." [00:21:44]

"Do you see the big words here? There are two words with which you are all familiar. The first is 'Shalom' -- in Me, you will have peace. And the second, interestingly, is the verb from which the sports manufacturer gets his name; it's the word 'Nike' and it means triumph and victory." [00:22:35]

"And this, in a sense, is his closing teaching -- 'When you trust in me, you will have peace in a disturbed world and victory over all the enemies of the gospel and that's what it'll mean for you to be my disciples.' Well, may we learn these lessons and be truly Christ's disciples for his glory." [00:23:00]

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Transcript
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