Hope Fellowship Church
Mar 8 – 14, 2020
==========
That You May Believe Part 20: Take Heart!
The Gospel of John is a powerful introduction to the character and nature of God through the Incarnate Christ. Fullness of life is only experienced through an understanding of God and the path to that understanding is Jesus. The Apostle John introduces us to Jesus not from just an academic approach but a very relational viewpoint. A true insider look at the Savior and rescuer of humankind.
==========
John 16:16
Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
• Sorrow for a little while and then…
Difficult experiences in life are less likely to shake your world if you know they’re imminent.
James 1:2-5
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. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Suffering is the pathway to maturity and the realization of our need for God.
John 16:17-19
So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?" So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about." Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'?
• Where are you seeking for answers and is the seeking all on you?
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
God gives us the heart that we need to seek Him.
John 16:20-24
Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
•
Indestructible joy is more than just experiencing sorrow, which is then followed by joy; this is about Jesus turning our sorrow into joy.
John 16:29-33
His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God." Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 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."
• Take heart!
What does God want me to know?
What does God want me to do?
[Image]
https://imageproxy-cdn.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/27448925-1574435184757.jpg
Generosity
You can give online by clicking the link below. We thank you so much for all of your generosity!
http://www.hopeinanderson.com/generosity
Thanks for Joining Us!
Thanks for being with us this week. To find out more about Hope, check out our website.
http://www.hopeinanderson.com
