Peace in Jesus’ Name 

John 16:29-33

Mosaic Rockford – Dave Spooner – April 5th, 2020

Intro:

John 16:29-30ESVHis disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 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.” 

It is interesting to note that the thing that cemented the faith of the disciples is not what Jesus did, but it was what Jesus knew. What He knew He made clear to them. He told them plainly, “I am from God, I came into the world, and I am going to leave the world and go back to the Father.” That He is the Son of God, that there is a Father, that Jesus came from Him, and that He is going back to Him. That not only did Jesus know these things, but that He knew all things, that no one needs to correct Him, no one needs to inform Him, no one needs to question Him.  He knows all and He knows what He is doing. No one can stop Him from fulfilling His mission, and He is indeed the Son of God.  After this declaration from His disciples,  

John 16:31-32a ESVJesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. 

Just because you believe does not automatically mean that you will not give in to fear and separate yourself from Jesus. That you will choose not to be associated with Him because you don’t want to suffer. And this is not what we are choosing to do right now, quite the opposite – we are choosing to separate because of faith in Christ that is expressing itself by loving other people. What this is talking about is choosing to separate from identification with Christ because of fear that in identification with Him you will suffer – which is totally different from what we are choosing to do now. However, what Jesus says next does apply to us in our current situation. Jesus said: 

John 16:32b ESVYet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 

Here is our first main point: 

When you are alone, you are not alone

This is really good news!  When we are alone, when we are isolated, when we are separated, when we are by ourselves, we are not alone, because the Father is with you. If you are His child through faith, He will not “leave you as an orphan” (John 14:18). He will not abandon you, or just leave you to your own devices. This is what He promises you, and what He says He means.   

Heb 13:5-6 ESV“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

Matt 28:20 NLVAnd be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Paul also wrote this bedrock truth for us though the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: 

Rom 8:38-39 ESV I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Knowing this enabled Paul to endure isolation and imprisonment, shipwrecks and starvation, beatings and abandonment. Knowing the truth that when you are alone you are not alone empowers and equips people to continue in faith, hope and love. Knowing this will help you during this time as well. Hang onto this truth, and let your roots grow deep into the truth of God word.  It will sustain you during times of hardship, isolation, and uncertainty. Jesus continues to speak to them and to us by giving us more truth to hang on to. 

John 16:33a ESVI have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

God’s sovereignty gives us peace

Nature is not sovereign. Satan is not sovereign. Sinful man is not sovereign. God rules them all (Luke 8:25; Job 1:12; 2:6; Acts 4:27–28). So we say with Job, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2 ESV). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NIV). Jesus is