THE JESUS SECRET

JOHN 16


      In John 14-17, the disciples discovered what the presence of Jesus with the Father would mean to believers on earth. Jesus went to the Father to send the paraclete, to open prayer, and to give peace.


  I. Paraclete (16:1-15; Jn. 14:16-26, 15:26, 16:7; 1 Jn. 2:1)


      A. Departure of Jesus


Jn. 14:28. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come [again] unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.


      B. Coming of the Spirit


      Watchman Nee stated, “The passage [Acts 2:33] makes it quite clear that the Holy Spirit was poured out because Jesus was exalted. The outpouring of the Spirit has no relation to your merits or mine, but only to the merits of the Lord Jesus.” Nee said, “When we see Christ as Lord objectively–that is, exalted to the throne in heaven–then we shall experience the power of the Spirit upon us. When we see Christ as Lord subjectively–that is, as effective Ruler within our lives–then we shall know the power of the Spirit within us.” Endnote


          1. Profit (1 Cor. 12:7)


Jn. 14:12. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.


          2. Prosecute (Jn. 3:20)


Eph. 5:13. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.


              a. Sin (to see Jesus’ crucifixion; Mk. 3:29; Jas. 4:5)


              b. Righteousness (to the see Jesus’ ascension; Rom. 10:4; 2 Cor. 5:21)


1 Cor. 1:30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:


Eph. 6:14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;


              c. Judgment (to see Jesus’ return; Jn. 14:30; Col. 2:15)


          3. Plan


              a. Guide (Acts 8:31; Nee–“Always listen to Resident Boss.” Endnote )


              b. Glorify


Jn. 14:13. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.


              c. Give (Mt. 28:18; Jn. 13:3; 1 Cor. 15:24)


Mt. 11:27. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him].


 II. Prayer (16:16-28)


      A. Know the position (16-19)


Jn. 17:24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.


      F. J. Huegel declared, “When a Christian’s prayer life springs from a right position (a thorough adjustment to Christ in His death and resurrection), a vast change in procedure follows. Much of the mere begging type...gives way to a positive and unspeakably joyous appropriation. Much of our begging fails to register in heaven because it fails to spring from right relations with the Father in union with Christ in death and resurrection: in which position one simply appropriates what is already his....” Endnote


      B. Believe the promise (20-22)


          1. Heaviness (Lk. 23:27; Jn. 20:11 [world–Lk. 22:5, 23:8; Rev. 11:10])


          2. Happiness


Is. 51:11. Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy [shall be] upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; [and] sorrow and mourning shall flee away.


              a. Joy through affliction (Acts 14:22; Rom. 8:35)


Rom. 5:3. And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;


1 Th. 1:6. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:


              b. Joy that abides


      C. Ask the petition (23-28; Lk. 4:38; Jn. 4:47)


          1. To the Father


Mt. 7:11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?


          2. In the Name


Jn. 14:14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].


      R. A. Torrey explained, “To pray then in the name of Christ is to pray on the ground, not of my credit, but His; to renounce the thought that I have any claims on God whatever, and approach Him on the ground of Christ’s claims. Praying in the name of Christ is not merely adding the phrase, ‘I ask these things in Jesus’ name,’ to my prayer. I may put that phrase in my prayer and really be resting in my own merit all the time. On the other hand, I may omit that phrase but really be resting in the merit of Christ all the time. But when I really do approach God, not on the ground of my merit, but on the ground of Christ’s merit, not on the ground of my own goodness, but on the ground of the atoning blood (Heb. 10:19), God will hear me.” Endnote


          3. Through faith


Mt. 21:22. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.


          4. With direction


2 Cor. 3:12. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:


          5. Out of obedience


Jn. 14:21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.


          6. By the advocate (Jn. 14:12-28)


1 Jn. 2:1. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.


III. Peace (16:29-33; Rom. 5:1)


      The disciples announced that they believed, but the fear surrounding the crucifixion scattered them. Jesus showed the pathway of peace through any crisis.


Rom. 15:13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.


      A. Practice His presence (29-32; Jn. 8:16)


Jn. 8:29. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.


      B. Experience His victory (33; Mt. 12:20)


Rev. 12:11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.


          1. Realize (have–Heb. 4:14, 6:19, 8:1, 10:19)


          2. Rejoice


Acts 28:15. When Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.


1 Cor. 15:57. But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


          3. Reckon


1 Jn. 4:4. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.


1 Jn. 5:4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.