I Have Overcome the World

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