I Have Overcome the World
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
10/2/2016 PM
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Text:
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John 16:33
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Psalters: |
76, 91, 240, 341 |
- Sad and troubled setting.
- Knowing what He and the disciples were about to face, Jesus declares that He wants them to have peace (14:27).
- Objectively, Jesus establishes the condition and situation of peace by His atoning death on the cross (Rom. 5:1).
- Flowing from the objective is the subjective, i.e., the absence of being troubled or fearful (14:27b).
- Jesus leaves peace as His legacy by means of His Word (“these things I have spoken”).
- These things include all the final discourses Jesus had told his disciples that night.
- By saying all these things Jesus places them in a condition that is designated as “peace.” So we must exercise faith in God’s Word.
- “In the world ye shall have tribulation.”
- The “world” is sharply antithetical to Christ.
- There is only “tribulation,” i.e., pressure (cf. Rom. 2:9; Matt. 24:9; Acts 7:11; 11:19).
- The world tries to crowd out the church and the true believer (16:2; 15:21).
- This gives rise to anxiety and fear which is due to the world’s hatred and persecution (15:18).
- The great reason we can go on with peace and courage filling our hearts is: “I have overcome the world.”
- Peace is not obtained in ourselves, i.e., in our being good enough or our doing good works.
- Rather peace is found alone in Christ Who performed all His duties perfectly (which news is the substance of the gospel).
- “Be of good cheer.”